Ezekiel 43
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The glory of the Lord is represented as returning to the temple, Eze 43:1-6; where God promises to fix his residence, if the people repent and forsake those sins which caused him to depart from them, Eze 43:7-12. Then the measures of the altar, and the ordinances relating to it, are set down, Eze 43:13-27.
Open source ↗JEHOVAH'S RETURN TO THE TEMPLE. (Eze. 43:1-27) the way of the east--the way whereby the glory had departed (Eze 11:22-23), and rested on Mount Olivet (compare Zac 14:4). his voice . . . like . . . many waters--So English Version rightly, as in Eze 1:24, "voice of the Almighty"; Rev 1:15; Rev 14:2, prove this. Not as FAIRBAIRN translates, "its noise." earth his glory-- (Rev 18:1).
Open source ↗Afterward he brought me to the gate,.... The dimensions of this wonderful building being finished, the prophet's divine guide brought him from the wall about it, he had last measured, to the gate he first had him to, after he had observed to him the same wall, Eze 40:5, even the gate that looketh toward the east; or, as the Targum, which was open to the way of the east. The reason of his being brought hither follows.
Open source ↗Entrance of the Glory of the Lord into the New Temple Eze 43:1. And he led me to the gate, the gate which looked toward the east: Eze 43:2. And behold the glory of the God of Israel came from the east, and its sound was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory. Eze 43:3. And the appearance which I saw, was to look at like the appearance which I saw when I came to destroy the city; and (there were) appearances like the appearance which I had seen by the river Chebar; and I fell down upon my face. Eze 43:4. And the glory of Jehovah came into the house by the way of the gate, the direction of which is toward the east. Eze 43:5. And wind lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of Jehovah filled the house. Eze 43:6. And I heard one speaking to me from the house, and there was a man standing by me. Eze 43:7. And he said to me, Son of man, the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I shall dwell in the midst of the sons of Israel for ever; and the house of Israel will no more defile my holy name, they and their kings, through their whoredom and through the corpses of their kings, their high places, Eze 43:8. When they set their threshold by my threshold, and their door-posts by my door-posts, and there was only the wall between me and them, and they defiled my holy name by their abominations which they did, so that I destroyed them in my wrath. Eze 43:9. Now will they remove their whoredom and the corpses of their kings from me, and I shall dwell in the midst of them for ever. Eze 43:10. Thou, son of man, show to the house of Israel this house, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities, and may measure the well-measured building. Eze 43:11. And when they are ashamed of all that they have done…
Open source ↗After Ezekiel has patiently surveyed the temple of God, the greatest glory of this earth, he is admitted to a higher form, and honoured with a sight of the glories of the upper world; it is said to him, Come up hither. He has seen the temple, and sees it to be very spacious and splendid; but, till the glory of God comes into it, it is but like the dead bodies he had seen in vision (ch. 37), that had no breath till the Spirit of life entered into them. Here therefore he sees the house filled with God's glory. I. He has a vision of the glory of God (Eze 43:2), the glory of the God of Israel, that God who is in covenant with Israel, and whom they serve and worship. The idols of the heathen have no glory but what they owe to the goldsmith or the painter; but this is the glory of the God of Israel. This glory came from the way of the east, and therefore he was brought to the gate that leads towards the east, to expect the appearance and approach of it. Christ's star was seen in the east, and he is that other angel that ascends out of the east, Rev 7:2. For he is the morning star, he is the sun of righteousness. Two things he observed in this appearance of the glory of God: - 1. The power of his word which he heard: His voice was like a noise of many waters, which is heard very far, and makes impressions; the noise of purling streams is grateful, of a roaring sea dreadful, Rev 1:15; Rev 14:2. Christ's gospel, in the glory of which he shines, was to be proclaimed aloud, the report of it to be heard far; to some it is a savour of life, to others of death, according as they are. 2. The brightness of his appearance which he saw: The earth shone with his glory; for God is light, and none can bear the lustre of his light, none has seen nor can see it. Note, That glory of God which…
Open source ↗43:1-4 The sacred spaces described in the previous chapter were of no value as long as they were empty (cp. 37:7-8). To be effective, the Temple must be occupied by the glory of the God of Israel, which had departed from it in ch 10. Now the glory would return from the same direction in which it had left, the east. Unlike its slow, almost reluctant, departure, its return would be sudden, accompanied by the terrifying roar of rushing waters (see 1:24; Rev 1:15). As always, the prophet fell face down on the ground in response to this glory.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb קָדִים (qâdîym, H6921) — the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the East (often adverbially, eastward, for…
Open source ↗כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb קָדִים (qâdîym, H6921) — the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the East (often adverbially, eastward, for… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אוֹר (ʼôwr, H215) — to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
Open source ↗מַרְאֶה (marʼeh, H4758) — a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… מַרְאָה (marʼâh, H4759) — a vision; also (causatively) a mirror נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… כְּבָר (Kᵉbâr, H3529) — Kebar, a river of Mesopotamia נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… קָדִים (qâdîym, H6921) — the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the East (often adverbially, eastward, for…
Open source ↗רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) פְּנִימִי (pᵉnîymîy, H6442) — interior חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) אֵצֶל (ʼêtsel, H681) — a side; (as a preposition) near
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) סַף (çaph, H5592) — a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine) מְזוּזָה (mᵉzûwzâh, H4201) — a door-post (as prominent) אֵצֶל (ʼêtsel, H681) — a side; (as a preposition) near קִיר (qîyr, H7023) — a wall (as built in a trench) טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ, H2930) — to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated) קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the…
Open source ↗רָחַק (râchaq, H7368) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove… זְנוּת (zᵉnûwth, H2184) — adultery, i.e. (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry פֶּגֶר (peger, H6297) — a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity כָּלַם (kâlam, H3637) — properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil מָדַד (mâdad, H4058) — properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line);… תׇּכְנִית (toknîyth, H8508) — admeasurement, i.e. consummation
Open source ↗כָּלַם (kâlam, H3637) — properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… צוּרָה (tsûwrâh, H6699) — a rock (Job 28:10); also a form (as if pressed out) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) תְּכוּנָה (tᵉkûwnâh, H8498) — adjustment, i.e. structure; by implication, equipage מוֹצָא (môwtsâʼ, H4161) — a going forth, i.e. (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence, a source or… מוֹבָא (môwbâʼ, H4126) — an entrance חֻקָּה (chuqqâh, H2708) — {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)} תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,…
Open source ↗תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
Open source ↗מִדָּה (middâh, H4060) — properly, extension, i.e. height or breadth; also a measure (including its standard);… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… טֹפַח (ṭôphach, H2948) — {a spread of the hand, i.e. a palm-breadth (not 'span' of the fingers); architecturally,… חֵיק (chêyq, H2436) — the bosom (literally or figuratively) רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first זֶרֶת (zereth, H2239) — the spread of the fingers, i.e. a span גַב (gab, H1354) — the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye,…
Open source ↗חֵיק (chêyq, H2436) — the bosom (literally or figuratively) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) תַּחְתּוֹן (tachtôwn, H8481) — bottommost עֲזָרָה (ʻăzârâh, H5835) — an inclosure; also a border שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Now when the man had finished measuring the interior of the temple area, he led me out by the gate that faced east, and he measured the area all around:
The man then brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary that faced east, but it was shut.
“This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘The gate of the inner court that faces east must be kept shut during the six days of work, but on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it shall be opened.
Then he came to the gate facing east and climbed its steps. He measured the threshold of the gate to be one rod deep.
As I watched, the cherubim lifted their wings and rose up from the ground, with the wheels beside them as they went. And they stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the LORD, with the glory of the God of Israel above them.
and the glory of the LORD entered the temple through the gate facing east.