Ezekiel 8:16

The inner court; the inmost, that which was next to the temple, called here the Lord's house. At the door of the temple: before he saw abominations in the gates of the courts, now he is come to the very house itself. The porch; that stately, large porch, beautified with the high, curious, and mighty brass pillars, Jachin and Boaz, of which see 1 Kings 6:3, 1 Kings 7:15,21. The altar; the brazen altar for burnt-offerings, which was placed in the court before the front of the temple, and is here represented in its proper place, 2 Kings 16:14. This is not contradictory to Ezekiel 8:5, which speaks of the place where Ahaz had wickedly placed the altar, but this, Ezekiel 8:16, speaks of the same altar, as supposing it to be where it ought, as God commanded it should be, and Solomon placed it, 2 Chronicles 8:12. About five and twenty; an indefinite and undetermined number. Five and twenty men; either some principal men, or else some priests. If these, the greater sin in them to turn idolaters; if the other, the idolatry committed by them in a place they should not have entered appears presumptuous and greatly wicked. With their backs toward the temple; in contempt of God, with an open and designed abrenunciation of God and his worship. Worshipped the sun: though God had prohibited this, Deuteronomy 17:3, with Deuteronomy 4:17; yet, in imitation of the Chaldees, Persians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, and the Eastern idolaters, these Jews turn their back on God, who created the sun, and worship the creature in contempt of the Creator.