Ezekiel 43 9

Ezekiel 43:9 kjv

Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

Ezekiel 43:9 nkjv

Now let them put their harlotry and the carcasses of their kings far away from Me, and I will dwell in their midst forever.

Ezekiel 43:9 niv

Now let them put away from me their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings, and I will live among them forever.

Ezekiel 43:9 esv

Now let them put away their whoring and the dead bodies of their kings far from me, and I will dwell in their midst forever.

Ezekiel 43:9 nlt

Now let them stop worshiping other gods and honoring the relics of their kings, and I will live among them forever.

Ezekiel 43 verses

Ezekiel 43 9 Meaning

This verse describes God's presence in the temple, emphasizing that His holy name should no longer be profaned by Israel's idolatry and the presence of their abominations within His house. It marks a restoration of God's dwelling among His people, contingent on their renewed faithfulness and separation from sin.

Ezekiel 43 9 Context

Chapter 43 of Ezekiel begins with a vision of God's glory returning to the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, entering through the east gate (43:1-5). God declares that He will dwell there again, provided Israel no longer practices idolatry or defiles His holy name with their sins (43:6-7). The prophet is commanded to inform the people about the house of God, its structure, and its laws, contrasting it with their past wicked practices that caused God’s departure (43:7-12). This passage follows a series of visions depicting the destruction of the old Jerusalem and temple, and the detailed instructions for the future temple, signifying a restoration of God's presence and covenant faithfulness, contingent on the people's obedience and purity. The focus is on the sanctity of God's dwelling and His intolerance for sin.

Ezekiel 43 9 Word Analysis

• And (Hebrew: וְ, wə) - A conjunctive particle, commonly translated as "and," indicating a continuation of thought or a consequence. Here, it connects the previous statement about God's dwelling with the prohibition against defilement.
• they (Hebrew: הֵמָּה, hēmmah) - Refers to the people of Israel.
• nor (Hebrew: וְלֹא, wəlō) - A negative conjunction, "and not."
• their kings (Hebrew: מַלְכֵיהֶם, malkêhem) - Refers to the rulers of Israel. This explicitly includes the leadership in the responsibility to uphold the sanctity of God's house. The history of Israel's kings was often marked by apostasy.
• nor (Hebrew: וְלֹא, wəlō) - Again, "and not."
• their kings (Hebrew: מַלְכֵיהֶם, malkêhem) - Repeated for emphasis, highlighting both the people and their rulers are accountable.
• their (Hebrew: מַעֲלִיּוֹת, maʻaliyyōṯ) - This word is usually translated as "high places" or "steps," and in the context of Ezekiel 43:7, it seems to refer to their idolatrous practices and the elevated places where they worshiped foreign gods. However, the Masoretic Text for 43:7 reads "in their high places" (בְּמַעֲלֹתֵיהֶם, bəmaʻalōṯêhem), but some scholars and manuscript traditions might suggest slight variations or interpretive additions of "their abominations." Based on the provided text and not their kings' high places, it points to a specific cause of defilement linked to their leadership and elevated sites of worship.
• in (Hebrew: בְּ, bə) - A preposition indicating location or circumstance.
• their (Hebrew: מַעֲלִיּוֹת, maʻaliyyōṯ) - "High places" or "steps." This refers to the illicit sanctuaries and idolatrous altars set up by the Israelites, especially during the divided monarchy, contrary to the Mosaic Law which prescribed worship at a single central sanctuary.
• their (Hebrew: בְּתֹעֲבֹתֵיהֶם, bəṯō‘ăḇōṯêhem) - "in their abominations." This phrase strongly implies the idolatrous objects and practices that Israel engaged in, which were utterly detestable to God and constituted defilement of His sanctuary and name.
• with their abominations - This is a crucial phrase highlighting the cause for God's withdrawal. "Abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, tô‘êḇāh) is a strong term in Hebrew, often used to describe idolatry, false worship, and actions contrary to God's law.
• either (Hebrew: עוֹד, ‘ōd) - Means "again" or "further."
• shall (Hebrew: לֹא, lō) - A strong negation.
• defile (Hebrew: לְחַלֵּל, ləḥalēl) - To profane, to make common, to desecrate. This verb carries the weight of violating sacredness and bringing dishonor to something holy.
• my (Hebrew: קָדְשִׁי, qodšî) - My holiness, my holy things.
• holy (Hebrew: קָדְשִׁי, qodšî) - The same root as holiness. The "holy name" signifies God’s reputation, His character, and His presence among His people.
• name (Hebrew: שְׁמִי, šmî) - God's name represents His very being and authority. To defile God's name is to dishonor Him.
• Neither (Hebrew: לֹא, lō) - Another negation, reinforcing the absolute prohibition.
• they (Hebrew: הֵמָּה, hēmmah) - The people.
• nor (Hebrew: וְ, wə) - Conjunction.
• their kings (Hebrew: מַלְכֵיהֶם, malkêhem) - The rulers.

Words Group by Words Group Analysis:

• "And shall no more defile my holy name": This clause signifies a complete cessation of past sins. The "holy name" is intrinsically linked to God's reputation and presence. The verb "defile" (לְחַלֵּל, ləḥalēl) is powerful, indicating the breaking of sanctity.
• "neither they, nor their kings": This inclusion of both the populace and the leadership emphasizes universal responsibility in maintaining the holiness of God's dwelling and His name. Their past kings frequently led the nation astray into idolatry.
• "with their abominations": This directly attributes the defilement of God's name to the people's corrupt practices and idolatry. "Abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, tô‘êḇāh) encapsulates all that God detests, especially false worship.

Ezekiel 43 9 Bonus Section

The eastern gate mentioned in chapter 43 is a significant symbol. In Ezekiel's vision, this gate is shut, symbolizing that God's glory alone enters and exits through it. This points prophetically to Jesus Christ, the King of glory, entering Jerusalem through the eastern gate. It also aligns with the understanding of Jesus as the one through whom God’s presence is fully manifested. The promise that His holy name will no longer be defiled by their abominations speaks to a future state of ultimate redemption and sanctification, where sin will be fully eradicated from God's presence.

Ezekiel 43 9 Commentary

This verse acts as a solemn declaration from God, returning to His cleansed and re-established temple. The primary condition for God's dwelling among His people and the proper functioning of His house is the complete eradication of sin, particularly idolatry. The emphasis on "my holy name" underscores that the sanctity of God's reputation and presence is paramount. The inclusion of "neither they, nor their kings" stresses that both commoners and rulers share responsibility for maintaining the purity required for God's dwelling. Israel's history was rife with the "abominations" of idol worship, which had driven God's presence from His sanctuary. This verse is a potent reminder of the inseparable link between God's presence and His people's holiness. For believers today, this speaks to the understanding that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16-17), and His presence within us is jeopardized by sin and defilement, which must be confessed and forsaken to walk in fellowship with Him.