43:10 43:10

Ezekiel 43:11

43:12 43:12

Bible Versions

And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write [it] in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.
And if they be ashamed {H3637} of all that they have done {H6213}, shew {H3045} them the form {H6699} of the house {H1004}, and the fashion {H8498} thereof, and the goings out {H4161} thereof, and the comings {H4126} in thereof, and all the forms {H6699} thereof, and all the ordinances {H2708} thereof, and all the forms {H6699} thereof, and all the laws {H8451} thereof: and write {H3789} it in their sight {H5869}, that they may keep {H8104} the whole form {H6699} thereof, and all the ordinances {H2708} thereof, and do {H6213} them.
If they become ashamed of all they have done, show them the elevation and plan of the house, its exits and entrances, all its details and decorations, and all its specifications, its design and its Torah. Sketch it for them to see, so that they can observe the entire design with its specifications, and carry them out.
and if they are ashamed of all they have done, then make known to them the design of the temple—its arrangement and its exits and entrances—its whole design along with all its statutes, forms, and laws. Write it down in their sight, so that they may keep its complete design and all its statutes and may carry them out.
And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, make known unto them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the egresses thereof, and the entrances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof; and write it in their sight; that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.

Ezekiel 43:11 stands as a pivotal verse within Ezekiel's grand vision of a new temple, emphasizing the divine requirement for repentance and the meticulous nature of God's instructions for His sacred dwelling.

Context

This verse is part of a detailed prophetic vision given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. After witnessing the departure of God's glory from the first temple in Jerusalem (see Ezekiel 10:18), Ezekiel is now shown a glorious, highly detailed future temple. Chapters 40-48 are dedicated to this architectural blueprint. In chapter 43, the glory of the Lord returns to this new temple (Ezekiel 43:4). Verse 11 acts as a conditional statement: if the people are ashamed of their past idolatry and sin, then God instructs Ezekiel to reveal the temple's precise design and laws. This implies that true understanding and reception of God's holy presence are contingent upon genuine repentance and a turning away from sin.

Key Themes

  • Repentance and Shame: The prerequisite for receiving God's full revelation and instructions is a deep sense of shame and regret over past disobedience and idolatry. This shame leads to a readiness to embrace God's holy standards.
  • Divine Instruction and Precision: The verse emphasizes the exhaustive detail of the temple's "form," "fashion," "goings out," "comings in," "ordinances," and "laws." God's dwelling place and the worship associated with it are not to be a matter of human design but divine prescription.
  • Obedience and Holiness: The purpose of revealing these detailed instructions is that the people "may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them." This highlights the importance of living in strict obedience to God's holy standards, reflecting the holiness of His presence.
  • God's Desire for Dwelling: Despite Israel's past failures, God reveals His continued desire to dwell among His people, but on His terms of holiness and obedience.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "form" (to'ar) and "fashion" (tabnith) are repeated, stressing the exactness and comprehensive nature of the divine blueprint. To'ar often refers to outward appearance or shape, while tabnith denotes a pattern, model, or architectural plan. The terms "ordinances" (chuqqah) and "laws" (torah) further emphasize that the temple's function and the people's conduct within its sphere are governed by divine statutes and precepts, not human tradition. The repetition underscores the comprehensive nature of God's expectations for holiness and order in His presence.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 43:11 holds significant spiritual lessons for believers today:

  • The Necessity of Repentance: Just as ancient Israel needed to be ashamed of their sins, we too must acknowledge and confess our failings before God. True spiritual progress often begins with humble repentance and a desire to align with God's will.
  • Studying God's Word: While we no longer have a physical temple blueprint to follow, God has given us His written Word, the Bible, as our "blueprint" for life and worship. Just as the temple's details were to be "written in their sight," so too should God's Word be central to our lives, to be studied, understood, and applied.
  • Living an Obedient Life: The call to "keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them" translates into a call for believers to live in obedience to God's commands. This is not for salvation, but as a response to God's grace and a reflection of His indwelling Spirit. As Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
  • Holiness in God's Presence: The meticulousness of the temple's design reminds us that God is holy and demands holiness from those who approach Him. Our lives, as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), should reflect His purity and truth.
Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 11:20

    That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

  • Ezekiel 36:27

    And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

  • Ezekiel 40:1

    ¶ In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth [day] of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither.

  • Ezekiel 40:42

    And the four tables [were] of hewn stone for the burnt offering, of a cubit and an half long, and a cubit and an half broad, and one cubit high: whereupon also they laid the instruments wherewith they slew the burnt offering and the sacrifice.

  • Matthew 28:20

    Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

  • Ezekiel 44:5

    And the LORD said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary.

  • Ezekiel 44:6

    And thou shalt say to the rebellious, [even] to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations,
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