Verse 13 But the house of Israel rebelled - They acted in the wilderness just as they had done in Egypt; and he spared them there for the same reason. See Eze 20:9.

They - The generality of the Jews. Great abominations - The notorious idolatries. Here - In this court, in view of my temple. Far off - Not that they designed this, but no other could be expected.

Eze 20:13

It is hardly necessary to count up the several instances of rebellion, from the sin of the golden calf onward. Of direct violation of the sabbath we have but two recorded instances (Exo 16:27; Num 15:32); but the prophet looked below the surface, and would count a mere formal observance, that did not sanctify the sabbath, as a pollution of the holy day. (For parallel teaching in the prophets, see Isa 56:2-4; Isa 58:13; Jer 17:21-27; and later on in the history, probably as the result of their teaching, Neh 10:31-33; Neh 13:15-22.) Then I said. The history of Num 14:26 and Num 26:65 was probably in Ezekiel’s thoughts.