Mention was made earlier of defiling God’s sanctuary with vile images (Ezek. 5:11). Chapters 8–11 will now spell this out in detail. The timing of this vision is specific: sixth year, sixth month, fifth day—that is, September 592. A problem of interpretation follows: is Ezekiel 8:1–18 a vision, or does it reflect what really happened? Ezekiel is shown at least four abominations that take place inside the temple. He sees these from hundreds of miles away in Babylon. Jeremiah is in Jerusalem around the same time preaching near the temple, but he never gives any hint of these abominations.

The first abomination Ezekiel sees is “the idol that provokes to jealousy” (8:3). While idolatry abounds throughout Israel’s history, only one person (Manasseh) had the audacity to place an idol in the te…