Ezekiel 43:12 kjv
This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.
Ezekiel 43:12 nkjv
This is the law of the temple: The whole area surrounding the mountaintop is most holy. Behold, this is the law of the temple.
Ezekiel 43:12 niv
"This is the law of the temple: All the surrounding area on top of the mountain will be most holy. Such is the law of the temple.
Ezekiel 43:12 esv
This is the law of the temple: the whole territory on the top of the mountain all around shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the temple.
Ezekiel 43:12 nlt
And this is the basic law of the Temple: absolute holiness! The entire top of the mountain where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the basic law of the Temple.
Ezekiel 43 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 43:13 | These are the measurements of the altar by cubits (every cubit after a cubit and hand...). | Specifies altar dimensions. |
| Eze 40:2 | ...on a very high mountain. | Vision of the temple begins on a mountain. |
| Lev 2:1 | When anyone offers a grain offering... | Purity and sanctity of offerings. |
| Lev 6:13 | The offering is to be eaten... | Regulations for temple sacrifices. |
| Lev 25:4 | But in the seventh year the land shall have a Sabbath rest... | Sabbath principles extended to land. |
| Num 18:21 | To the sons of Levi I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance... | Levites' inheritance tied to sanctuary. |
| Josh 22:6 | Then Joshua blessed them and sent them away... | Boundaries and separation. |
| 2 Chr 7:9 | And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly... | Dedication and laws. |
| Psa 24:3-4 | Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? | Worthiness for holy places. |
| Psa 87:2 | The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. | Zion's inherent sanctity. |
| Isa 2:2 | It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD... | Future exaltation of the temple mount. |
| Jer 31:6 | For there will be a day when the watchmen will call out on the mount of Ephraim... | Messianic future and specific locations. |
| Zech 8:3 | Thus says the LORD: I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem... | God's dwelling in Jerusalem. |
| Mal 3:1 | “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. | Preparation for God's coming. |
| Matt 24:2 | "Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another..." | Destruction and significance of the temple. |
| Mark 11:15 | And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those... | Jesus cleansing the temple. |
| John 2:19 | Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” | Jesus' body as the new temple. |
| Acts 15:16-17 | 'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David that is fallen... | Gentile inclusion and rebuilding. |
| Heb 12:22 | But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem... | New covenant perspective on Zion. |
| Rev 21:2 | And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God... | Ultimate dwelling of God. |
| Rev 22:3 | No longer shall there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it... | Holiness of the new Jerusalem. |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? | Believers as the temple. |
| Eph 2:20 | built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. | Church as spiritual temple. |
Ezekiel 43 verses
Ezekiel 43 12 Meaning
This verse is a direct statement of the Law concerning the sanctuary. It lays out the principle that the "law of the house" applies to the entire "mountain of his border round about." This emphasizes the sacredness and inviolability of the entire temple precinct. The law is established, making the mountain the consecrated ground where God's presence resides, and everything within its boundary is subject to His divine statutes.
Ezekiel 43 12 Context
Ezekiel chapter 43 is part of Ezekiel's prophetic vision of a future temple. Following the destruction of the first two temples and the exile, God gives Ezekiel a detailed blueprint of a new, glorious temple. This vision, given on the "very high mountain" (Eze 40:2), is meant to restore the people's hope and illustrate the sanctity of God's dwelling place and the purity of His worship. Verse 12 specifically pertains to the divine law that governs this sacred space, extending to its entire boundary. This emphasizes God's desire for holiness in all aspects of His presence among His people, contrasting with the corruption that led to their judgment. The passage marks a transition from judgment to restoration and the future establishment of God's perfect kingdom.
Ezekiel 43 12 Word Analysis
“This”: Refers back to the preceding statements and measurements regarding the temple and its precincts, specifically the area on the mountain.
“is”: Connects the subject to its description, establishing a definitive relationship.
“the”: Definite article, specifying the unique and singular law applicable.
“law”: Hebrew: torah (תּוֹרָה). This refers to instruction, teaching, or precept. It's not just ritual law, but divine statute.
“of”: Shows possession or origin.
“the”: Definite article, referring to the specific house being described.
“house”: Hebrew: bayit (בַּיִת). In this context, it signifies the temple building and the entire complex.
“the”: Definite article, specifying the area.
“mountain”: Hebrew: har (הַר). The physical elevation where the temple is situated.
“of”: Shows possession or origin.
“its”: Possessive pronoun, referring back to "the house."
“border”: Hebrew: gabbav (גַּבָּב). This refers to the edge or boundary.
“ thereof”: Of it, relating to the house/temple.
“ round about”: Hebrew: mis’abib (מִסָּבִיב). Encircling, on all sides. Indicates comprehensive coverage.
Word Group Analysis:
- “the law of the house”: Encompasses all divine statutes and ordinances related to the temple. This establishes that holiness is not localized to one spot but permeates the structure and its function.
- “the mountain of its border thereof round about”: This phrase defines the scope of the law. It's not just the building, but the entire mountain area defined by its border, signifying complete consecration.
Ezekiel 43 12 Bonus Section
The concept of a divinely appointed boundary for a holy place is consistent throughout Scripture. From the prohibition of Uzzah touching the Ark (2 Sam 6:6-7) to the clear separation of the Holy of Holies within the Tabernacle and Temple, God has always set boundaries to demarcate His sacred presence from the profane. Ezekiel's vision amplifies this principle, making the entire mountain where the temple stands a consecrated territory governed by divine law. This reinforces the absolute necessity of holiness in all that is associated with God, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the perfect representation of holiness and whose kingdom encompasses all things in submission to His rule. The emphasis on a "law of the house" that extends to the entire mountain suggests a holistic approach to worship and devotion, requiring obedience and reverence in every aspect of life, not just within the confines of a building.
Ezekiel 43 12 Commentary
This verse asserts the all-encompassing nature of divine law concerning God's dwelling. The principle established for the temple's specific ordinances extends to the entire mountainous region designated as sacred. It underscores that holiness is a defining characteristic of God's presence, influencing all that is within His consecrated domain. The implications are vast: every aspect of this future sacred space, from its most intricate architectural detail to its outermost boundary on the mountain, is governed by God's perfect and holy standards. This sets a precedent for the total purity required in approaching and worshipping the divine, foreshadowing Christ's perfection and the ultimate holiness of the heavenly Jerusalem where God's presence dwells without any separation.