Ezekiel 8 4

Ezekiel 8:4 kjv

And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.

Ezekiel 8:4 nkjv

And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the plain.

Ezekiel 8:4 niv

And there before me was the glory of the God of Israel, as in the vision I had seen in the plain.

Ezekiel 8:4 esv

And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the valley.

Ezekiel 8:4 nlt

Suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel was there, just as I had seen it before in the valley.

Ezekiel 8 verses

Ezekiel 8 4 Meaning

Ezekiel 8:4 states that the glory of the God of Israel was present in the Temple in Jerusalem, manifesting in the same form as the vision Ezekiel had previously witnessed in the plain by the Chebar Canal in Babylon. This verse confirms the authentic divine presence in the Temple at the beginning of Ezekiel's vision of the abominations within, establishing continuity with his earlier call and validating the upcoming revelations of divine judgment.

Ezekiel 8 4 Context

Ezekiel 8:4 serves as a pivotal point in Ezekiel's vision of the Temple abominations. The prophet is spiritually transported from Babylon to Jerusalem (Ezek 8:1-3) to witness the severe idolatry polluting God's sanctuary. This verse immediately confirms the actual, tangible presence of God's glory in the Jerusalem Temple. This re-establishes the connection to Ezekiel's foundational call (Ezek 1-3) where he first beheld this divine manifestation outside of Jerusalem, highlighting God's faithfulness despite His people's unfaithfulness. The historical context is critical: Jerusalem is facing imminent destruction by Babylon (soon to be fulfilled in 586 BC), and many Judahites are already in exile. The people in Jerusalem likely believed God's presence would protect the Temple and the city, but Ezekiel's vision reveals the grievous defilement that would necessitate God's judgment and the departure of His glory.

Ezekiel 8 4 Word analysis

• And behold (וְהִנֵּה - vəhinneh):
  • Word: Hebrew conjunctive "and" (וְ - və) combined with interjection "behold/look" (הִנֵּה - hinneh).
  • Significance: This emphatic particle draws immediate attention, creating suspense and highlighting a significant revelation or an astonishing sight. It often signals something important the reader should notice. It suggests surprise or wonder.
• the glory (כְּבוֹד - kəḇōḏ):
  • Word: Hebrew noun kāḇōḏ. Derived from a root meaning "heavy," "weighty," or "important."
  • Significance: Refers to God's manifested presence, splendor, majesty, and visible self-revelation. It implies His power, holiness, and inherent worth. In Ezekiel, it often takes on a visual, tangible form (Ezek 1:28, 10:4).
• of the God (אֱלֹהֵי - ʾĕlōhê):
  • Word: Hebrew construct form of ʾĕlōhîm (God).
  • Significance: Points to the unique, supreme, and sovereign Creator God.
• of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל - yiśrāʾēl):
  • Word: Hebrew noun yiśrāʾēl, meaning "he strives with God" or "God contends."
  • Significance: Identifies God as the covenant Lord specifically related to His chosen people, emphasizing His personal relationship and promises, despite their current rebellion. It underscores that it is their God who is being dishonored.
• was there (שָׁם - šām):
  • Word: Hebrew adverb of place.
  • Significance: Indicates a specific location. In context, it means "in Jerusalem," referring to the Temple area. This direct statement grounds the vision within the sacred space, making the ensuing idolatry all the more scandalous.
• like the appearance (כַּמַּרְאֶה - kammaʾrʾeh):
  • Word: Hebrew preposition "like/as" (כְּ - ka) affixed to "the appearance/vision" (מַרְאֶה - maʾrʾeh).
  • Significance: Maʾrʾeh denotes a visual phenomenon, a sight or a vision. The preposition ka emphasizes similitude and continuity, directly connecting this vision to his previous encounters with God's glory.
• that I saw (אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתִי - ʾăšer rāʾîtî):
  • Words: Hebrew relative pronoun "that/which" (אֲשֶׁר - ʾăšer) and verb "I saw" (רָאִיתִי - rāʾîtî), perfect tense, first common singular.
  • Significance: This self-referential statement anchors the present vision to Ezekiel's personal, irrefutable past experiences, especially his call vision (Ezek 1-3), solidifying the authority and divine source of what he is now about to witness.
• in the plain (בַּבִּקְעָה - babbīqʿāh):
  • Words: Hebrew preposition "in/at" (בְּ - ba) and "the plain/valley" (בִּקְעָה - biqʿāh).
  • Significance: Refers to the geographical location by the Chebar Canal in Babylon where Ezekiel first saw the vision of God's glory (Ezek 3:22-23). It explicitly confirms that the glory manifested in the Temple in Jerusalem is identical to the glory that appeared to him in exile, demonstrating God's consistent self-revelation.

Ezekiel 8 4 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on the "glory of the God of Israel" appearing in a specific, visual way (like an "appearance" or maʾrʾeh) distinguishes Ezekiel's prophetic experience. While earlier prophets also experienced divine visions, Ezekiel's visions are notably rich in detailed imagery of God's presence, preparing the audience for a physical, demonstrable departure of God's glory, a concept rarely so explicitly depicted. This visual aspect also countered any syncretistic notions among the people that other gods had taken hold or that Yahweh's power was diminished by the exile. By manifesting His glory identically, Yahweh asserts His immutable sovereignty.

Ezekiel 8 4 Commentary

Ezekiel 8:4 acts as a critical anchor, immediately establishing the divine authority and grave seriousness of the subsequent visions of Temple defilement. The phrase "And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there" is profoundly significant. It affirms that despite Jerusalem's physical distance and the exiles' despair, God's personal, majestic presence – kəḇōḏ – remained in His chosen dwelling place. The explicit reference "like the appearance that I saw in the plain" bridges Ezekiel's current visionary experience with his inaugural vision (Ezek 1:28; 3:23). This continuity underscores that the God appearing now is undeniably the same powerful, holy, and covenant-keeping God. It leaves no room for doubt about the validity of Ezekiel's prophetic witness, or the authenticity of the glorious manifestation. However, this divine presence in a Temple deeply scarred by idolatry creates a dramatic tension. It is a foreboding presence, hinting not at protection, but at judgment to come, for the very place of His presence has been utterly defiled by His own people. This sets the stage for God's glory to depart in a subsequent tragic sequence (Ezek 10-11).