Ezekiel 43:3 kjv
And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.
Ezekiel 43:3 nkjv
It was like the appearance of the vision which I saw?like the vision which I saw when I came to destroy the city. The visions were like the vision which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face.
Ezekiel 43:3 niv
The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when he came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown.
Ezekiel 43:3 esv
And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face.
Ezekiel 43:3 nlt
This vision was just like the others I had seen, first by the Kebar River and then when he came to destroy Jerusalem. I fell face down on the ground.
Ezekiel 43 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 43:2 | And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the east: | Ezekiel 43:2 (Description of glory's approach) |
| Ezekiel 1:4 | And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud... | Ezekiel 1:4 (Vision of God's chariot throne) |
| Exodus 24:16 | And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai... | Exodus 24:16 (Glory on Sinai) |
| Exodus 40:34 | Then a cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. | Exodus 40:34 (Glory filling the Tabernacle) |
| 1 Kings 8:11 | So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud... | 1 Kings 8:11 (Glory filling Solomon's Temple) |
| Isaiah 6:3 | And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: | Isaiah 6:3 (Seraphim proclaiming holiness) |
| John 1:14 | And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,... | John 1:14 (The Word made flesh, God's glory) |
| Revelation 21:23 | And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it... | Revelation 21:23 (New Jerusalem illuminated by God's glory) |
| Revelation 22:5 | And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light... | Revelation 22:5 (God's light in the new heaven) |
| Ezekiel 11:23 | And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city. | Ezekiel 11:23 (Glory departing the old city) |
| Psalms 24:7 | Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. | Psalms 24:7 (Anticipation of King of glory) |
| Song of Solomon 6:10 | Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? | Song of Solomon 6:10 (God's glory described) |
| 1 Corinthians 10:31 | Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do it all to the glory of God. | 1 Corinthians 10:31 (Doing all to God's glory) |
| Colossians 3:17 | And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. | Colossians 3:17 (All actions to God's glory) |
| Hebrews 12:2 | Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith... | Hebrews 12:2 (Focus on Jesus) |
| Matthew 16:27 | For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. | Matthew 16:27 (Son of Man coming in glory) |
| John 12:41 | These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. | John 12:41 (Isaiah seeing Christ's glory) |
| Revelation 4:8 | And the four beasts have not rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. | Revelation 4:8 (Constant worship of Almighty God) |
| Ezekiel 44:4 | Then brought he me in by the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD: | Ezekiel 44:4 (Glory filling the inner court) |
| Genesis 2:10 | And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. | Genesis 2:10 (River in Eden) |
Ezekiel 43 verses
Ezekiel 43 3 Meaning
The verse describes the visible manifestation of God's glory entering the rebuilt temple from the east. This divine presence, previously absent since the destruction of the first temple, signifies God's return and acceptance of His people's worship and the new sanctuary.
Ezekiel 43 3 Context
Ezekiel is in exile, receiving visions of a future restored Jerusalem and its temple. This chapter, specifically, describes the glorious return of God's presence to this new temple after its absence, symbolizing a restored relationship with God. The vision emphasizes the holiness of God and His dwelling place. The preceding verses likely set the scene for this dramatic entrance of divine glory. Historically, the glory of the Lord departing from the first Temple (Ezekiel 10:18-19) signified God’s judgment. Its return signifies a renewed covenant and dwelling with His people.
Ezekiel 43 3 Word Analysis
- "And": Connects this verse to the preceding description, continuing the narrative flow of the vision.
- "the glory": Refers to the visible manifestation of God's presence, majesty, and holiness, often depicted as light or fire. (Hebrew: kābôd).
- "of the God": Specifies that this glory belongs to the one true God. (Hebrew: 'ĕlōhîm).
- "of Israel": Indicates that this God is specifically associated with the covenant people of Israel.
- "came": A simple past tense verb indicating movement and arrival. (Hebrew: bā').
- "from": Denotes the origin or source of the movement. (Hebrew: mib)
- "the east": Indicates the direction of arrival. This eastward approach is significant, contrasting with the glory’s departure eastward from the first temple in earlier visions and aligning with descriptions of divine presence or kings entering from the east. It points to a new beginning and a specific gateway for this divine encounter.
- "voice": Refers to the sound accompanying the glory, identified as the voice of God, conveying His authority and power. (Hebrew: qôl).
- "as the sound": A simile comparing the voice to the sound of something familiar and powerful.
- "of many waters": This simile suggests immense power, vastness, and perhaps a tumultuous, awe-inspiring quality, evoking images of roaring rivers or seas. (Hebrew: mayim rabbîm).
- "and": Connects the sound to the ensuing visual manifestation.
- "the earth": Refers to the land, likely the land of Israel or the area surrounding the temple. (Hebrew: 'ereṣ).
- "shone": Describes the effect of the divine glory on the earth, making it bright or luminous. (Hebrew: 'ôr).
- "with": Indicates the cause of the shining. (Hebrew: bĕ).
- "the brightness": The radiance emanating from the divine presence. (Hebrew: nōgāh).
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "the glory of the God of Israel": This phrase emphasizes the tangible, observable presence of Yahweh, the God of the covenant with Israel.
- "came from the east": The eastward direction is crucial, symbolizing a return and new presence, as opposed to God’s previous departure. It points to divine action initiating the re-establishment of His dwelling place.
- "voice...as the sound of many waters": This powerful auditory imagery underscores the overwhelming and majestic nature of God’s pronouncements, indicative of His supreme authority and presence.
- "the earth shone with the brightness": The physical environment reacts to God's proximity, reflecting His glorious radiance and signaling the sanctity of the moment and place.
Ezekiel 43 3 Bonus Section
The concept of God's glory inhabiting a physical structure is central to Old Testament theology. The Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple were filled with God's presence. When that presence departed, it was a sign of God's judgment on Israel's sin. The return of the glory in Ezekiel’s vision represents a promise of restoration, reconciliation, and the dwelling of God among His people once more, a promise that believers today understand is ultimately realized in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within the Church. The imagery also speaks to eschatological hope, looking forward to God’s full and final dwelling with His people in the New Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 43 3 Commentary
Ezekiel 43:2 vividly portrays the return of God's tangible glory to the newly envisioned Temple. This isn't merely a poetic description but a deeply theological statement signifying restoration and divine acceptance. The "east" orientation is significant; God's presence departed eastward from the first temple (Ezekiel 11:23), and its return from the east signals a reversal of judgment and a new, localized presence. The sound like "many waters" evokes immense power and divine authority, echoing descriptions of God's voice in other biblical contexts (e.g., Revelation 1:15). The earth shining with "brightness" indicates that God's glory illuminates and transforms the environment it inhabits. This signifies that the Temple, when filled with God's presence, becomes a conduit of His holy radiance to the world. This prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word, who brought God's glory to dwell among men (John 1:14) and through whom God's presence continues to be manifest.