Ezekiel 43:5

KJV

So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.

KJV (with Strong's)

So the spirit {H7307} took me up {H5375}, and brought {H935} me into the inner {H6442} court {H2691}; and, behold, the glory {H3519} of the LORD {H3068} filled {H4390} the house {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Next, a spirit took me up and brought me into the inner courtyard, and I saw ADONAI's glory fill the house.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.

American Standard Version

And the Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of Jehovah filled the house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 43:5 describes a profound moment in the prophet's vision, where the Spirit of God transports him into the inner court of the new temple, and he witnesses the majestic return of the Lord's glory, filling the entire house. This event signifies the re-establishment of God's presence among His people after a period of divine absence due to Israel's sin and exile, offering a powerful message of restoration, hope, and the sanctity required for God's dwelling.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within Ezekiel's grand vision of the new temple, detailed in chapters 40-48. Following the meticulous architectural descriptions of the temple complex in Ezekiel 40-42, Ezekiel 43 marks the climax: the return of God's glory. This stands in stark contrast to the earlier scenes in the book where Ezekiel witnessed the glory of the LORD progressively departing from the defiled Jerusalem temple due to the people's idolatry and abominations, as narrated in [Ezekiel 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - Abominations in the Temple") through [Ezekiel 11](/ezekiel/11 "Ezekiel 11 - The Departure of God's Glory"). The Spirit's action of lifting Ezekiel and bringing him into the inner court directly precedes this manifestation, emphasizing the divine initiation and guidance of this revelatory experience, setting the stage for the subsequent instructions regarding the temple's holiness and worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel received these visions during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), a period of profound national trauma and spiritual desolation for the Judean people. Jerusalem and its temple had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar's forces in 586 BC. For the exiles, the temple was the symbolic center of their faith and national identity, representing God's dwelling among them. Its destruction and the prior departure of God's glory were understood as divine judgment. In this context, Ezekiel's vision of a new, purified temple and the return of God's glory offered immense hope and reassurance. It spoke to a future restoration beyond their current suffering, promising a renewed covenant relationship and a purified community, echoing the historical precedents of God's glory filling the Tabernacle at its dedication ([Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - The Glory of the LORD Fills the Tabernacle")) and Solomon's Temple ([1 Kings 8:11](/1_kings/8-11 "1 Kings 8:11 - The Glory of the LORD Fills Solomon's Temple")).
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 43:5 powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes of the book. The most prominent is the **Return of Divine Presence**, reversing the earlier departure of God's glory and signaling a renewed covenant relationship. This manifestation of God's presence is intrinsically linked to **Restoration and Hope** for the exiled nation, promising a future where God would dwell among a purified people in a sanctified place. The meticulous details of the temple and the subsequent regulations underscore the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing that God's presence demands a consecrated environment and a people living in conformity with His righteous standards, as further elaborated in [Ezekiel 43:10-12](/ezekiel/43-10 "Ezekiel 43:10-12 - The Law of the Temple"). Finally, the Spirit's role in transporting Ezekiel highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's absolute control over His plans, revelations, and the destiny of His people, a theme woven throughout Ezekiel's prophetic ministry, from his initial call in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glory") to his visions of the valley of dry bones in [Ezekiel 37](/ezekiel/37 "Ezekiel 37 - The Valley of Dry Bones").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spirit (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** This term, from H7307, primarily means "wind" or "breath," but in a theological context, it refers to a rational being, specifically the Spirit of God. Here, it denotes the active, empowering presence of God, the divine agent who initiates and directs Ezekiel's prophetic experiences. The Spirit's action of "taking up" Ezekiel underscores divine agency and the supernatural nature of the vision, indicating that this is not a mere dream but a divinely orchestrated revelation.
* **Glory (Hebrew, _kâbôwd'_):** Derived from H3519, _kâbôwd_ literally means "weight" or "heaviness," but figuratively signifies splendor, majesty, and honor. In the context of God, it refers to His manifest presence, His visible radiance, and the tangible expression of His divine attributes. When the "glory of the LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh) fills the house, it is a powerful, overwhelming, and undeniable demonstration of God's power, holiness, and transcendent being, making His presence tangibly felt and seen.
* **Filled (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ'_):** From H4390, this root means "to fill" or "to be full of" in a wide application, both literally and figuratively. In Ezekiel 43:5, it conveys the complete and pervasive occupation of the temple by God's glory. The glory did not merely enter but "filled the house," implying an overwhelming, saturating presence that left no space untouched. This signifies the totality of God's return and His complete re-establishment of His dwelling place.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So the spirit took me up":** This phrase emphasizes the divine initiation and supernatural nature of Ezekiel's experience. The Spirit of God, the active agent of divine revelation, supernaturally transports Ezekiel, indicating that this vision is not of human origin but a direct, powerful encounter with God's will and plan. This echoes previous instances where the Spirit lifted Ezekiel, such as in [Ezekiel 3:14](/ezekiel/3-14 "Ezekiel 3:14 - The Spirit Lifts Ezekiel").
* **"and brought me into the inner court":** The inner court (H2691 _châtsêr_, H6442 _pᵉnîymîy_) was the most sacred area of the temple accessible to priests, immediately surrounding the altar and the temple building itself. Being brought to this specific location signifies the proximity and intimacy of the revelation. It is from this consecrated space that Ezekiel is to witness the ultimate manifestation of God's presence.
* **"and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house":** The exclamation "behold" draws immediate attention to the awe-inspiring event. The "glory of the LORD" (H3519 _kâbôwd_ of H3068 _Yᵉhôvâh_) refers to God's manifest, visible presence. The verb "filled" (H4390 _mâlêʼ_) indicates a complete and overwhelming saturation of the entire temple building (H1004 _bayith_). This is a dramatic reversal of the glory's departure in earlier chapters, signifying God's triumphant return to His dwelling place and the restoration of His presence among His people.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 43:5 employs several potent literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "house" (temple) symbolizing God's dwelling place and the center of His covenant relationship with Israel. The "glory of the LORD" is a powerful symbol of God's manifest presence, majesty, and holiness. The act of the "spirit" taking Ezekiel up is an example of **Divine Agency**, highlighting God's active involvement and control over the prophetic experience. The phrase "and, behold," serves as an **Interjection** or an **Exclamatory Particle**, drawing the reader's attention to the momentous and awe-inspiring nature of the event that follows, emphasizing its significance. The entire scene is also an instance of **Dramatic Reversal**, contrasting sharply with the earlier departure of God's glory from the temple, thus building narrative tension and delivering a powerful message of hope and restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 43:5 is a profound theological statement on God's faithfulness and His desire to dwell among His people. It underscores that despite Israel's sin and the subsequent judgment of exile and temple destruction, God's ultimate purpose is restoration and the re-establishment of His presence. The return of the _kavod Yahweh_ signifies not merely a physical rebuilding but a spiritual renewal, where God's holiness once again sanctifies His dwelling and, by extension, His people. This vision serves as a powerful reminder that God's presence is the ultimate source of life, holiness, and blessing, and its absence is the direst consequence of sin.

* [Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - The Glory of the LORD Fills the Tabernacle")
* [1 Kings 8:11](/1_kings/8-11 "1 Kings 8:11 - The Glory of the LORD Fills Solomon's Temple")
* [Haggai 2:7-9](/haggai/2-7 "Haggai 2:7-9 - The Latter Glory of the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's vision of the glory of the LORD filling the house offers profound encouragement and challenge for contemporary believers. While the physical temple in Jerusalem no longer stands as the primary dwelling place of God's glory, the New Testament reveals that through Christ, God's Spirit now indwells believers individually and collectively. Our lives, therefore, are called to be "houses" filled with God's glory, reflecting His character and presence to the world. This demands a commitment to holiness, purity, and a constant seeking of God's presence, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that the church is a spiritual house built for God's dwelling. The vision reminds us that God desires intimate communion with His people, and our greatest hope lies in His manifest presence, both now and in the consummation of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the departure and return of God's glory in Ezekiel's prophecy inform your understanding of God's presence in your own life and in the church today?**
* **What "inner courts" in your life or community need to be purified to allow God's glory to "fill the house" more completely?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and as a church, better reflect the holiness and majesty of God's indwelling presence?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "inner court" in Ezekiel's vision?**

Answer: The inner court (H2691 _châtsêr_, H6442 _pᵉnîymîy_) was the most sacred area of the temple complex, accessible primarily to priests, where the altar of burnt offering and the temple building itself were located. Being brought by the Spirit into this specific, consecrated space signifies the profound intimacy and holiness of the revelation Ezekiel was about to receive. It emphasizes that the return of God's glory would occur in a purified and designated sacred space, highlighting the theme of holiness that permeates the entire temple vision in [Ezekiel 40-48](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Vision of the New Temple").

**How does Ezekiel 43:5 relate to earlier accounts of God's glory filling the Tabernacle and Temple?**

Answer: Ezekiel 43:5 is a direct echo and reversal of earlier historical events where the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle at its dedication in [Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - The Glory of the LORD Fills the Tabernacle") and Solomon's Temple upon its completion in [1 Kings 8:11](/1_kings/8-11 "1 Kings 8:11 - The Glory of the LORD Fills Solomon's Temple"). These earlier instances marked the establishment of God's dwelling among His people. In Ezekiel, the glory had departed due to Israel's sin ([Ezekiel 10:18-19](/ezekiel/10-18 "Ezekiel 10:18-19 - The Glory of the LORD Departs")). Therefore, its return in Ezekiel 43:5 signifies a profound act of divine restoration, forgiveness, and renewed covenant faithfulness, promising a future where God would once again dwell among a purified people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 43:5, with its vision of God's glory filling the house, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. While Ezekiel's vision pointed to a restored physical temple, the New Testament reveals that Jesus Himself is the true temple, the very dwelling place of God among humanity, as declared in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), where "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory." Through Christ, the glory of God is not confined to a building but is fully embodied in a person. Furthermore, through the sacrifice of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, believers individually become "temples of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), and the church collectively becomes a "spiritual house" where God dwells by His Spirit ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, a Spiritual House")). This means the promise of God's glory filling the house is now realized in the lives of His people, who are being built into a dwelling place for God. The ultimate culmination of this promise is found in the new heavens and new earth, where there will be no temple because "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" ([Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - No Temple in the New Jerusalem")), and God will dwell directly with His people for eternity ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with Humanity")).

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.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 12:2

I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:4

How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Ezekiel 11:24

Afterwards the spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.

Ezekiel 8:3

And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where [was] the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.

1 Kings 8:10

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy [place], that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,

1 Kings 8:11

So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

Ezekiel 37:1

¶ The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which [was] full of bones,