Ezekiel 8:8
New International Version
He said to me, “Son of man, now dig into the wall.” So I dug into the wall and saw a doorway there.

New Living Translation
He said to me, “Now, son of man, dig into the wall.” So I dug into the wall and found a hidden doorway.

English Standard Version
Then he said to me, “Son of man, dig in the wall.” So I dug in the wall, and behold, there was an entrance.

Berean Standard Bible
“Son of man,” He told me, “dig through the wall.” So I dug through the wall and discovered a doorway.

King James Bible
Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.

New King James Version
Then He said to me, “Son of man, dig into the wall”; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door.

New American Standard Bible
And He said to me, “Son of man, now dig through the wall.” So I dug through the wall, and behold, an entrance.

NASB 1995
He said to me, “Son of man, now dig through the wall.” So I dug through the wall, and behold, an entrance.

NASB 1977
And He said to me, “Son of man, now dig through the wall.” So I dug through the wall, and behold, an entrance.

Legacy Standard Bible
He said to me, “Son of man, now dig through the wall.” So I dug through the wall, and behold, an entrance.

Amplified Bible
He said to me, “Son of man, now dig into the wall.” And when I had dug into the wall, behold, there was an entrance.

Christian Standard Bible
He said to me, “Son of man, dig through the wall.” So I dug through the wall and discovered a doorway.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said to me, “Son of man, dig through the wall.” So I dug through the wall, and there was a doorway.

American Standard Version
Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold, a door.

Contemporary English Version
God said, "Make this hole bigger." And when I did, I realized it was a doorway.

English Revised Version
Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He said to me, "Son of man, dig through the wall." So I dug through the wall, and I saw a door.

Good News Translation
He said, "Mortal man, break through the wall here." I broke through it and found a door.

International Standard Version
Then he told me, "Son of Man, dig through the wall!" So I dug into the wall. That's when I uncovered an entrance!

Majority Standard Bible
?Son of man,? He told me, ?dig through the wall.? So I dug through the wall and discovered a doorway.

NET Bible
He said to me, "Son of man, dig into the wall." So I dug into the wall and discovered a doorway.

New Heart English Bible
Then he said to me, "Son of man, dig now in the wall": and when I had dug in the wall, look, a door.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said he to me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.

World English Bible
Then he said to me, “Son of man, dig now in the wall.” When I had dug in the wall, I saw a door.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and He says to me, “Son of man, now dig through the wall”; and I dig through the wall, and behold, an opening.

Young's Literal Translation
and He saith unto me, 'Son of man, dig, I pray thee, through the wall;' and I dig through the wall, and lo, an opening.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said to me, Son of man, break thou now, into the wall: and I broke through into the wall, and behold, one door.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to me: Son of man, dig in the wall. And when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to me: “Son of man, dig in the wall.” And when I had dug in the wall, there appeared one door.

New American Bible
Son of man, he ordered, dig through the wall. I dug through the wall—there was a doorway.

New Revised Standard Version
Then he said to me, “Mortal, dig through the wall”; and when I dug through the wall, there was an entrance.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he said to me, Son of man, dig in the wall; and when I had digged in the wall, behold, there I found a door.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to me: “Son of man, dig in the wall.” And I dug in the wall and I found a doorway
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said He unto me: 'Son of man, dig now in the wall'; and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to me, Son of man, dig: so I dug, and behold a door.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Vision of Idolatry in the Temple
7Then He brought me to the entrance to the court, and I looked and saw a hole in the wall. 8“Son of man,” He told me, “dig through the wall.” So I dug through the wall and discovered a doorway. 9Then He said to me, “Go in and see the wicked abominations they are committing here.”…

Cross References
Ezekiel 12:5
As they watch, dig through the wall and carry your belongings out through it.

Ezekiel 12:7
So I did as I was commanded. I brought out my bags for exile by day, and in the evening I dug through the wall by hand. I took my belongings out at dusk, carrying them on my shoulder as they watched.

Ezekiel 12:12
And at dusk the prince among them will lift his bags to his shoulder and go out. They will dig through the wall to bring him out. He will cover his face so he cannot see the land.

2 Kings 21:5-7
In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. / He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. / Manasseh even took the carved Asherah pole he had made and set it up in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever.

2 Kings 23:4-6
Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. / Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. / He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people.

Jeremiah 7:30
For the people of Judah have done evil in My sight, declares the LORD. They have set up their abominations in the house that bears My Name, and so have defiled it.

Jeremiah 16:18
And I will first repay them double their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land with the carcasses of their detestable idols, and they have filled My inheritance with their abominations.”

Jeremiah 32:34
They have placed their abominations in the house that bears My Name, and so have defiled it.

2 Chronicles 33:4-7
Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. / He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. ...

2 Chronicles 36:14
Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, following all the abominations of the nations, and they defiled the house of the LORD, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 44:13-17
The woodworker extends a measuring line; he marks it out with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He fashions it in the likeness of man, like man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. / He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow. / It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it to warm himself, and he kindles a fire and bakes his bread. He also fashions it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. ...

Isaiah 57:6-8
Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these? / On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices. / Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness.

Matthew 24:15
So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand),

Mark 13:14
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Acts 17:16
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said he to me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had dig in the wall, behold a door.

Job 34:22
There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

Isaiah 29:15
Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

Jeremiah 2:34
Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.

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Ezekiel 8
1. Ezekiel, in a vision of God at Jerusalem
5. is shown the image of jealousy
7. the chambers of imagery
13. the mourners for Tammuz
16. the worshippers toward the sun
17. God's wrath for their idolatry














“Son of man,” He told me,
The term "Son of man" is a title used frequently in the book of Ezekiel, appearing over 90 times. It emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity and his role as a representative of the people. This title is also significant in the New Testament, where it is used by Jesus to refer to Himself, highlighting His incarnation and identification with humanity (e.g., Matthew 8:20, Mark 2:10).

“dig through the wall.”
The command to "dig through the wall" is symbolic of uncovering hidden sins and idolatry within the house of Israel. In the historical context, this action represents the exposure of secret practices that were contrary to God's commandments. Archaeological findings in ancient Israelite sites have revealed hidden chambers and secret rooms used for idol worship, which aligns with the imagery in this passage. This act of digging signifies the need for spiritual discernment and the uncovering of truth.

So I dug through the wall
Ezekiel's obedience in digging through the wall demonstrates his role as a prophet who reveals God's truth to the people. This action is a physical manifestation of the spiritual insight given to him by God. It parallels the prophetic role of revealing hidden truths and calling people to repentance, similar to the ministry of other prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah.

and discovered a doorway.
The discovery of a doorway signifies the entrance into a deeper understanding of the spiritual corruption within Israel. It represents the revelation of hidden sins that were previously concealed. This imagery can be connected to the New Testament concept of Jesus as the "door" (John 10:9), through whom believers gain access to truth and salvation. The doorway in Ezekiel's vision serves as a metaphor for the opportunity to confront and address sin, leading to potential restoration and reconciliation with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the central figure in this passage, receiving visions from God.

2. Son of Man
A title used for Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and role as a representative of the people.

3. The Wall
Symbolic of barriers or hidden sins within the hearts of the Israelites, which God instructs Ezekiel to uncover.

4. The Doorway
Represents the entrance to hidden abominations and idolatry within the temple, which God reveals to Ezekiel.
Teaching Points
Revealing Hidden Sins
Just as Ezekiel was instructed to dig through the wall to uncover hidden abominations, we must allow God to reveal and address hidden sins in our lives.

Spiritual Insight
God provides spiritual insight to those who seek Him, enabling us to see beyond the surface and understand deeper spiritual truths.

Repentance and Cleansing
The uncovering of sin should lead to repentance and a desire for spiritual cleansing, aligning our hearts with God's holiness.

Vigilance Against Idolatry
We must remain vigilant against modern forms of idolatry, ensuring that nothing takes precedence over our relationship with God.

God's Omniscience
This passage reminds us that nothing is hidden from God; He sees all and desires truth in our innermost being.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of man,”
אָדָ֖ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

He told
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

me,
אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“dig
חֲתָר־ (ḥă·ṯār-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2864: To force a, passage, as by burglary, with oars

through the wall.”
בַקִּ֑יר (ḇaq·qîr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7023: A wall

So I dug
וָאֶחְתֹּ֣ר (wā·’eḥ·tōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2864: To force a, passage, as by burglary, with oars

through the wall
בַּקִּ֔יר (baq·qîr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7023: A wall

and discovered
וְהִנֵּ֖ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

a doorway.
פֶּ֥תַח (pe·ṯaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 8:8 Then said he to me Son (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 8:7
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