im´ā̇j -ri , im´ā̇ -jẽr -i ( משׂכּתת , maskı̄th ): The reference (Ezekiel 8:12 ) is to chambers in the temple where the elders of Israel were wont to assemble and practice rites of an idolatrous character. What the imagery consisted of, we may gather from Acts 8:10 : symbolic representations of beasts and reptiles and "detestable things." It is thought that these symbols were of a zodiacal character. The worship of the planets was in vogue at the time of the prophet among the degenerate Israelites.
Source
- part_of
source-manifest/isbe— ISBE (PD)