Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezekiel 20:8

"But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me; they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt." — Ezekiel 20:8 (ASV)

The land of Egypt. — Of this idolatrous rebellion, and of this threat of the Divine anger while they were still in Egypt, as already said, we have no specific record. But they had the same disposition then as they had afterwards; and, even without such a charge, we could infer the probability of their idolatry. It is possible that the prophet may have had in mind such incidents as are related in Numbers 14:11-20, happening while the Israelites were still in the vicinity of Egypt, and when the report of them would quickly have reached Egyptian ears.

It is by no means necessary to suppose that in this broad and general review of the teachings of history each incident is kept in its strict chronological place. Yet idolatry in Egypt is distinctly charged against the Israelites in Ezekiel 16:3; Ezekiel 16:19, and this verse may well refer to God’s judgment for this sin, suspended and delayed while they were in Egypt, so that it would not be misunderstood by the nations.