Ezekiel 43:6

KJV

And I heard [him] speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I heard {H8085} him speaking {H1696} unto me out of the house {H1004}; and the man {H376} stood {H5975} by me {H681}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I heard someone speaking to me from the house, and a man was standing by me.

Berean Standard Bible

While the man was standing beside me, I heard someone speaking to me from inside the temple,

American Standard Version

And I heard one speaking unto me out of the house; and a man stood by me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 43:6 marks a profound moment in the prophet's visionary encounter, where he hears a direct divine communication emanating from the very heart of the newly envisioned temple. This voice, belonging to the Lord whose glory has just dramatically re-entered the sanctuary, signifies God's re-established presence and active engagement with His people. The continued presence of the angelic guide, "the man," standing faithfully by Ezekiel, underscores the solemnity and interpretative nature of this pivotal revelation, setting the stage for further divine instructions regarding the temple's sacred purpose and the covenant relationship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the awe-inspiring account of the glory of the God of Israel entering the visionary temple from the east gate, filling the entire house (Ezekiel 43:1-5). This dramatic event serves as a powerful reversal of the earlier, sorrowful departure of God's glory from the first temple and Jerusalem due to Israel's sin and idolatry, as detailed in passages like [Ezekiel 10:18-19](/ezekiel/10-18 "The Glory of the Lord Departs the Temple") and [Ezekiel 11:23](/ezekiel/11-23 "The Glory of the Lord Departs the City"). The voice emanating "out of the house" in [Ezekiel 43:6](/ezekiel/43-6 "Ezekiel Hears a Voice from the Temple") confirms that God has indeed taken up residence again and is now actively communicating from His restored dwelling place, thereby setting the foundational premise for the subsequent divine instructions concerning the temple's laws and the renewed covenant between God and His people (Ezekiel 43:7ff).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel, a priest in exile in Babylon, received this vision during a period of profound national despair and spiritual desolation following the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and the Babylonian captivity. The vision of a new, glorious temple and the return of God's presence offered immense hope for future restoration, a new covenant, and a renewed relationship with God. In ancient Israelite thought, the temple was not merely a building but the very dwelling place of God on earth, the nexus where heaven and earth met. God's communication from His sanctuary, reminiscent of His speaking from the mercy seat in the Tabernacle (e.g., [Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "God Speaking from the Mercy Seat")), underscored His immanence, accessibility, and sovereign authority. The cultural understanding of a divine voice emanating from the sacred space would have powerfully affirmed the authenticity and gravity of the revelation.
* **Key Themes:** A central theme in [Ezekiel 43:6](/ezekiel/43-6 "Ezekiel Hears a Voice from the Temple") is **Divine Presence and Communication**. The return of God's glory and His subsequent voice from within the temple unequivocally establishes His active and immanent presence among His people, signifying a renewed covenant relationship and the restoration of divine favor. This direct communication from the sanctuary highlights **Divine Authority and Revelation**, as the Lord's voice from His throne room underscores His ultimate sovereignty and His intention to reveal critical truths, laws, and commands concerning the proper worship and conduct of His people in this restored era. Furthermore, the continued presence of "the man," the angelic guide who has been with Ezekiel since [Ezekiel 40:3](/ezekiel/40-3 "Ezekiel's Angelic Guide"), emphasizes the theme of **Divine Guidance and Mediation**. His proximity to Ezekiel signifies the necessity of spiritual assistance in comprehending profound and often overwhelming divine visions, ensuring the prophet accurately receives and interprets the powerful messages.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **speaking (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** From the primitive root H1696, meaning perhaps properly "to arrange," but used figuratively (of words) "to speak." It implies an intentional, authoritative, and often declarative communication. Here, it underscores that the voice Ezekiel hears is not a mere sound but a deliberate, articulate message from the divine.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** From H1004, referring to a house in its greatest variation of applications, including a temple or palace. In this context, it specifically denotes the visionary temple, the sacred dwelling place of God. The voice emanating "out of the house" emphasizes that the source of the communication is the very heart of God's sanctuary, signifying His re-established presence and authority within it.
* **man (Hebrew, _ʼîysh'_):** From H376, referring to a man as an individual or a male person. In Ezekiel's vision, "the man" consistently refers to the angelic guide who accompanies and interprets the vision for the prophet. His presence "by me" signifies his continued role as a mediator and witness to the divine revelation, providing support and validation to Ezekiel's experience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I heard [him] speaking unto me out of the house":** This clause describes Ezekiel's reception of a direct auditory message. The "him" refers to the Lord, whose glory has just filled the temple (Ezekiel 43:4-5), making it clear that the voice originates from the divine presence itself. The phrase "out of the house" powerfully conveys that God has re-inhabited His sanctuary and is now actively communicating from His sacred dwelling, reversing the earlier departure of His glory.
* **"and the man stood by me":** This clause highlights the continued presence and proximity of the angelic guide. "The man" has been Ezekiel's constant companion and interpreter throughout the temple vision (starting from Ezekiel 40:3). His standing "by me" signifies his attentive, supportive, and validating presence, ensuring Ezekiel's comprehension and emphasizing the solemnity and divine authority of the communication.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 43:6 employs several powerful literary devices. **Auditory Imagery** is paramount, as the verse centers on Ezekiel "hearing" a voice, emphasizing the direct and personal nature of divine communication. This is not a silent vision but a verbal revelation. The "house" functions as a potent **Symbolism**, representing not merely a physical structure but the sacred dwelling place of God, the locus of His presence, authority, and covenant relationship with Israel. The voice emanating from it signifies God's re-established immanence. Furthermore, the very act of God speaking from His dwelling constitutes a **Theophany**, a manifestation of God's presence, though here it is primarily auditory rather than visual. Finally, the consistent presence of "the man" throughout Ezekiel's vision serves as a form of **Divine Mediation**, highlighting the need for divine assistance and interpretation in comprehending profound spiritual truths.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 43:6 profoundly underscores God's unwavering commitment to dwell among His people and communicate His will. The return of God's voice from the temple, after a period of divine absence due to Israel's sin, signifies a renewed covenant and the restoration of relationship. It teaches that God is not silent but actively seeks to reveal Himself and His purposes, particularly from the place of His established presence. This moment sets the stage for further divine instruction, emphasizing that true worship and obedience flow from hearing and responding to God's authoritative Word. It reminds us that God's presence is intrinsically linked to His revelation, and where His glory dwells, His voice will be heard, guiding and commanding His people.

* [Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "God Speaking from the Mercy Seat")
* [Isaiah 6:8](/isaiah/6-6 "Isaiah's Vision and Call")
* [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 43:6 offers a powerful reminder that God is a speaking God, one who desires to communicate intimately with His people. Just as the Lord's voice returned to the temple, signifying a renewed presence and purpose, so too does God desire to speak into our lives today, even after periods of spiritual dryness or perceived absence. This verse challenges us to cultivate an attentive and obedient spirit, actively listening for His voice in His inspired Word, through prayer, and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the angelic guide standing by Ezekiel reminds us that understanding divine truth often requires humility, seeking spiritual discernment, and relying on the Holy Spirit as our ultimate guide and interpreter, enabling us to grasp and apply God's profound messages in our daily walk.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the return of God's voice to the temple in Ezekiel's vision encourage us about God's faithfulness even after periods of spiritual desolation?**
* **In what ways do you actively cultivate an attentive spirit to hear God's voice in your life today?**
* **How does the presence of the angelic guide inform our understanding of the need for spiritual discernment and guidance in interpreting divine revelation?**

### FAQ
**Who is "him" speaking in this verse?**

Answer: The "him" refers to the Lord himself, whose glory has just dramatically re-entered and filled the visionary temple in [Ezekiel 43:4-5](/ezekiel/43-4 "The Glory of the Lord Enters the Temple"). This is a direct divine communication, signifying God's re-established presence and active engagement from His sacred dwelling place.

**Who is "the man" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: "The man" refers to the angelic guide who has been accompanying Ezekiel throughout this extensive temple vision, beginning in [Ezekiel 40:3](/ezekiel/40-3 "Ezekiel's Angelic Guide"). He serves as a divine interpreter and guide, ensuring Ezekiel comprehends the profound spiritual realities and measurements being revealed to him. His continued presence underscores the solemnity and interpretive nature of the divine encounter.

**What is the significance of the voice coming "out of the house"?**

Answer: The phrase "out of the house" is profoundly significant as it indicates that God has re-inhabited His sanctuary and is actively communicating from His throne room within the temple. This event powerfully reverses the earlier departure of God's glory from the first temple and Jerusalem due to Israel's sin, as described in [Ezekiel 10:18-19](/ezekiel/10-18 "The Glory of the Lord Departs") and [Ezekiel 11:23](/ezekiel/11-23 "The Glory Departs the City"). It marks a new era of divine presence, direct revelation, and renewed covenant relationship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 43:6, with its emphasis on God's voice emanating from His dwelling, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The visionary temple, from which the Lord speaks, foreshadows Christ himself, who is the true and ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity. As [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh") declares, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." In Christ, God's presence is no longer confined to a physical structure, but is fully embodied in a person. Jesus is the very **Word of God** made manifest, the one through whom God speaks most clearly and definitively to humanity (as stated in [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "God Speaks Through His Son")). He is the ultimate "man" who stands by us, not merely as a guide but as the Good Shepherd whose voice His sheep hear and follow ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "Jesus' Sheep Hear His Voice")). Through Christ, believers themselves become the temple of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "Believers as God's Temple"); [1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), a spiritual house from which God's presence and voice continue to resonate in the world. Thus, the divine communication from the "house" in Ezekiel points forward to the incarnate Christ, the living temple, who perfectly reveals God's will and establishes a new covenant where God dwells within His people.

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

Ezekiel 40:3

And he brought me thither, and, behold, [there was] a man, whose appearance [was] like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.

Revelation 16:1

¶ And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Leviticus 1:1

¶ And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

Isaiah 66:6

A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.