Ezekiel 43
Read Ezekiel 43 (WEB)+
1Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looks toward the east. 2Behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 3It 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 on my face. 4Yahweh’s glory came into the house by the way of the gate which faces toward the east. 5The Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, Yahweh’s glory filled the house. 6I heard one speaking to me out of the house; and a man stood by me. 7He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell among the children of Israel forever. The house of Israel will no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their prostitution, and by the dead bodies of their kings in their high places; 8in their setting of their threshold by my threshold, and their door post beside my door post. There was a wall between me and them; and they have defiled my holy name by their abominations which they have committed. Ttherefore I have consumed them in my anger. 9Now let them put away their prostitution, and the dead bodies of their kings, far from me. Then I will dwell among them forever. 10“You, son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern. 11If they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the form of the house, and its fashion, and its exits, and its entrances, and all its forms, and all its ordinances, and all its forms, and all its laws; and write it in their sight; that they may keep the whole form of it, and all its ordinances, and do them. 12“This is the law of the house. On the top of the mountain the whole limit around it shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house. 13“These are the measurements of the altar by cubits (the cubit is a cubit and a hand width): the bottom shall be a cubit, and the width a cubit, and its border around its edge a span; and this shall be the base of the altar. 14From the bottom on the ground to the lower ledge shall be two cubits, and the width one cubit; and from the lesser ledge to the greater ledge shall be four cubits, and the width a cubit. 15The upper altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar hearth and upward there shall be four horns. 16The altar hearth shall be twelve cubits long by twelve wide, square in its four sides. 17The ledge shall be fourteen cubits long by fourteen wide in its four sides; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and its bottom shall be a cubit around; and its steps shall look toward the east.” 18He said to me, “Son of man, thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they make it, to offer burnt offerings on it, and to sprinkle blood on it. 19You shall give to the priests the Levites who are of the offspring of Zadok, who are near to me, to minister to me,’ says the Lord Yahweh, ‘a young bull for a sin offering. 20You shall take of its blood, and put it on its four horns, and on the four corners of the ledge, and on the border all around. You shall cleanse it and make atonement for it that way. 21You shall also take the bull of the sin offering, and it shall be burned in the appointed place of the house, outside of the sanctuary. 22“On the second day you shall offer a male goat without defect for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they cleansed it with the bull. 23When you have finished cleansing it, you shall offer a young bull without defect, and a ram out of the flock without defect. 24You shall bring them near to Yahweh, and the priests shall cast salt on them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering to Yahweh. 25“Seven days you shall prepare every day a goat for a sin offering. They shall also prepare a young bull, and a ram out of the flock, without defect. 26Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and purify it. So shall they consecrate it. 27When they have accomplished the days, it shall be that on the eighth day, and forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings on the altar, and your peace offerings. Then I will accept you,’ says the Lord Yahweh.”
World English Bible (public domain)
“And the glory of the LORD entered the temple by the gate facing east.”
Ezekiel 43:4
Summary
Ezekiel 43 describes the vision of the return of the glory of God to the temple. The chapter opens with Ezekiel seeing the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east, filling the temple with divine presence. This vision signifies God's return to dwell among His people, restoring the relationship that had been broken due to their disobedience. God's glory resembles what Ezekiel witnessed earlier in his ministry, emphasizing continuity and hope. The Lord commissions Ezekiel to describe the temple to the people of Israel, encouraging them to reflect on their ways and align themselves with God's holiness. In the subsequent verses, God outlines the principles of worship and holiness required in His presence, focusing on the altar's significance and consecration. The altar symbolizes purification and proper worship, key elements in the renewed relationship between God and His people. Instructions are given for the use of the altar, emphasizing the seriousness of worship and the need for atonement. This chapter highlights the theme of restoration, urging Israel to abandon previous defilements and move toward righteousness. Theologically, Ezekiel 43 emphasizes God's desire for a holy dwelling place among His people and the importance of worship and repentance. It underscores the sacredness of God's presence and the necessity of maintaining purity to sustain divine fellowship. This renewed presence represents hope and restoration, signaling God's faithfulness and the possibility of renewal for a repentant community.
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Ezekiel 43
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.
Daily Scripture study
Get a short devotional by email
One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.
Subscribe free and instantly get “Depth Without Seminary” — our step-by-step study guide (PDF).
One short email each morning. Unsubscribe anytime.
Studying Ezekiel with a print Bible beside you? See our picks for the best study Bibles for women.
Chapter outline
How Ezekiel 43 unfolds
Ezekiel 43:1–2 The Arrival of God's Glory
Ezekiel is brought to the eastern gate where he witnesses the glory of God arriving, illuminating the earth with His presence.
Ezekiel 43:3–5 Ezekiel's Vision and Awe
Ezekiel reflects on previous visions, falling on his face in reverence as God's glory fills the temple.
Ezekiel 43:6–9 God's Promise of Presence
A voice declares that God's presence will dwell among Israel, contingent on their abandonment of idolatry and sin.
Ezekiel 43:10–12 Instructions for Israel
Ezekiel is commanded to show the temple's design to Israel, urging them to reflect on their past iniquities.
Ezekiel 43:13–27 Regulations for Worship
God details the altar's construction and the rituals for atonement, emphasizing the need for purity in worship.
Key verses
Ezekiel 43:4Ezekiel 43:4 encapsulates the chapter's focus on God's glory returning, symbolizing hope and the restoration of divine fellowship.
Main themes in Ezekiel 43
God's Presence
God's presence is central in Ezekiel 43, particularly in verses 2 and 4, where the glory of the Lord returns to the temple. The chapter develops this theme by illustrating God's intention to dwell among His people once again, which signifies a restoration of their relationship after a period of estrangement. This presence conveys hope for Israel, as it indicates that God desires to renew His covenant and restore the sacred space that has been defiled.
Holiness
Holiness is a recurring theme, especially in verses 7 and 9 when God calls for the removal of defilements. The chapter complicates this by detailing the processes required to maintain holiness, such as the specific rituals for the altar. This focus underscores the seriousness of approaching God and the commitment to living righteously.
Restoration
Restoration is emphasized in the chapter, particularly in verses 7 and 10, with God inviting Israel to return to Him. The detailed instructions for the temple and altar serve as a means to facilitate this restoration, calling Israel to repent and align with divine holiness. This movement signals a fresh start for the community, emphasizing God's faithfulness.
Worship
Worship is vital in Ezekiel 43, especially in verses 18-27 which outline the altar's significance. The detailed regulations for offerings highlight the importance of proper worship and atonement as prerequisites for God's acceptance. This focus illustrates that worship must be rooted in reverence and purity to sustain a relationship with God.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Ezekiel 43
- 2 Corinthians 6This passage connects as it discusses God's desire to dwell among His people, paralleling themes in Ezekiel.
- Ezekiel 1Ezekiel 1 echoes the vision of God's glory, reinforcing the continuity of divine revelation throughout Ezekiel's ministry.
- Ezekiel 40Ezekiel 40 develops the vision of the temple's architecture, which provides context for the instructions in this chapter.
- Ezekiel 44Ezekiel 44 connects by continuing the theme of holiness and the need for proper worship practices.
- Psalm 46This psalm echoes God's presence as a refuge, aligning with the themes of His glory and comfort in Ezekiel.
- Exodus 29Exodus 29 develops the theme of consecration and the rituals required for God’s presence among His people.
Study questions
Questions for studying Ezekiel 43
- What does the glory of God symbolize in this chapter?
- How does Ezekiel's reaction to God's glory reflect his prophetic role?
- What conditions does God set for His presence among Israel?
- How are the instructions for the altar significant for worship?
- What does the law of the house reveal about God's expectations?
- Why is it important for Israel to measure the temple's pattern?
- How does this chapter connect to themes of restoration and holiness?
Ezekiel 43: frequently asked questions
What is Ezekiel 43 about?+
What is the key verse in Ezekiel 43?+
What are the main themes of Ezekiel 43?+
Related chapters