And they worshipped the sun toward the east— This is a description of the Persian superstition. It is to be observed, that when the prophet is bid to turn from the Egyptian to the Phoenician rites, he is then said to look towards the north, the situation of Phoenicia with regard to Jerusalem; consequently he before stood southward, the situation of Egypt with regard to the same place. And when he is bid thence to turn to the inner court of the Lord's house, to see the Persian rites,—this was east, the situation of Persia: with so much exactness of representation is the whole vision conducted. Again; as the mysterious rites of Egypt are said, agreeably to this usage, to be holden in secret by their elders and rulers only, so the Phoenician rites, for the same reason, are shewn as they were celebrated by the people in open day. And the Persian worship of the sun, which was performed by the Magi, is here said to be observed by the priests alone; five-and-twenty men, with their faces toward the east.
Related Commentaries of Ezekiel 8:16
Ezekiel 8:16
16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.