Ezekiel 43:7

KJV

¶ And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, [neither] they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto me, Son {H1121} of man {H120}, the place {H4725} of my throne {H3678}, and the place {H4725} of the soles {H3709} of my feet {H7272}, where I will dwell {H7931} in the midst {H8432} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} for ever {H5769}, and my holy {H6944} name {H8034}, shall the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} no more defile {H2930}, neither they, nor their kings {H4428}, by their whoredom {H2184}, nor by the carcases {H6297} of their kings {H4428} in their high places {H1116}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said, "Human being, this is the place for my throne, the place for the soles of my feet, where I will live among the people of Isra'el forever. The house of Isra'el, both they and their kings, will never again defile my holy name by their prostitution, by [burying] the corpses of their kings [on] their high places,

Berean Standard Bible

and He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place for the soles of My feet, where I will dwell among the Israelites forever. The house of Israel will never again defile My holy name—neither they nor their kings—by their prostitution and by the funeral offerings for their kings at their deaths.

American Standard Version

And he said unto me, Son of man, this is the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever. And the house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, and by the dead bodies of their kings in their high places;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 43:7 records the Lord's profound declaration to the prophet, revealing His intention to permanently establish His throne and dwelling place in the midst of the children of Israel. This divine pronouncement signifies an eternal, unblemished presence, contingent upon Israel's complete cessation of spiritual defilement. The verse explicitly condemns the past idolatry and corrupt practices of both the people and their kings, particularly their "whoredom" and the veneration of "carcases of their kings in their high places," marking a new era of demanded holiness and an end to the profanation of God's sacred name.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 43:7 is a pivotal declaration within the visionary account of the new temple, spanning [Ezekiel chapters 40-48](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Vision of the New Temple"). This grand vision follows the devastating destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of Judah to Babylon, events that Ezekiel himself witnessed and prophesied about. Crucially, the vision of the new temple directly contrasts with the earlier, somber prophecies detailing the [departure of God's glory from the old temple](/ezekiel/10-18 "Ezekiel 10:18 - The Departure of God's Glory") due to Israel's rampant idolatry and moral corruption. Here, in [Ezekiel 43:1-5](/ezekiel/43-1 "Ezekiel 43:1-5 - The Return of God's Glory"), the prophet witnesses the glorious return of the Lord's presence to this meticulously described new sanctuary, signifying a renewed covenant and an enduring divine presence. The Lord's words in verse 7, spoken from within the temple, thus serve as a foundational declaration for this new era, establishing the conditions for His permanent dwelling.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecy is the Babylonian Exile (597-538 BC), a period of profound national trauma and theological reflection for Israel. The destruction of Jerusalem and its temple was understood as divine judgment for centuries of covenant unfaithfulness, particularly the pervasive idolatry and syncretism that had infiltrated Israelite worship. The "whoredom" mentioned in the verse is a common prophetic metaphor for spiritual adultery, representing Israel's unfaithfulness to Yahweh by worshipping foreign gods and engaging in pagan rituals, often associated with fertility cults. The "carcases of their kings in their high places" likely refers to the veneration of deceased kings (perhaps as deified ancestors) or the practice of burying kings near or within illicit "high places" (Hebrew: *bâmâh*), which were elevated altars or shrines dedicated to pagan deities. These "high places" were a persistent problem throughout Israel's monarchy, frequently tolerated or even promoted by kings, as seen in the reigns of figures like [King Manasseh](/2_kings/21-5 "2 Kings 21:5 - Manasseh's Idolatry"), who even built altars to the host of heaven within the temple courts, directly defiling God's holy space and name.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 43:7 powerfully articulates several core theological and narrative themes central to the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it emphasizes **God's Enduring Presence and Sovereignty**, declaring the new temple as "the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet," signifying His absolute authority and commitment to dwell among His people forever. This contrasts sharply with the temporary nature of previous divine manifestations and foreshadows a permanent, unbroken fellowship. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, demanding that Israel "no more defile" God's holy name. This reflects God's unchanging character and His requirement for His people to reflect His sanctity, a theme echoed throughout the Torah (e.g., [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")). Finally, it highlights the persistent problem of **Idolatry and Spiritual Defilement**, specifically calling out "whoredom" and the "carcases of their kings in their high places." These practices, which had historically provoked God's wrath and led to judgment, are explicitly forbidden in this new era, emphasizing a radical break from past sin and a future characterized by exclusive devotion to Yahweh.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **defile (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** This primitive root means "to be foul," specifically in a ceremonial or moral sense, implying contamination or pollution. In the context of Ezekiel 43:7, it signifies the profanation of God's holy name and presence through idolatrous practices and moral corruption. The repeated defilement of the temple and God's name by Israel's unfaithfulness was a primary reason for the exile. God's declaration here is a definitive command for this defilement to cease, emphasizing the absolute purity required for His permanent dwelling.
* **whoredom (Hebrew, _zᵉnûwth'_):** Derived from the verb "to commit fornication," this noun refers to adultery, and figuratively, to infidelity or idolatry. In prophetic literature, "whoredom" is a powerful and frequently used metaphor for Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness to Yahweh, their covenant husband. It encapsulates the act of turning away from the one true God to worship false deities, engaging in pagan rituals, and forming illicit alliances, all of which constituted a betrayal of their exclusive covenant relationship with God.
* **high places (Hebrew, _bâmâh'_):** This term denotes an "elevation" or "height," referring to cultic sites, often on hills or raised platforms, where pagan worship and idolatrous rituals were performed. These "high places" were a persistent source of spiritual defilement throughout Israel's history, frequently associated with the worship of Baal, Asherah, and other Canaanite deities. Even righteous kings often failed to completely eradicate them, as seen in [2 Kings 12:3](/2_kings/12-3 "2 Kings 12:3 - The High Places Not Removed"). The mention of "carcases of their kings in their high places" suggests a particularly egregious form of defilement, possibly involving necrolatry or the association of deceased monarchs with idolatrous cults, further polluting the land and God's name.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto me, Son of man":** This opening phrase establishes the divine origin and prophetic nature of the message. The speaker is the Lord God, and the recipient is Ezekiel, consistently addressed as "Son of man" (a designation emphasizing his humanity in contrast to God's divinity), underscoring the revelatory nature of the communication.
* **"the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet":** This is a powerful anthropomorphic expression conveying God's absolute sovereignty, authority, and complete ownership over the designated dwelling place. "Throne" signifies His kingship and rule, while "soles of my feet" implies His firm establishment and permanent presence. It asserts that this new temple is not merely a house for God, but the very seat of His universal dominion, where His divine rule is fully manifested and His glory rests.
* **"where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever":** This clause declares God's unwavering commitment to a perpetual presence among His chosen people. The phrase "for ever" (Hebrew: *ʻôwlâm*) emphasizes the eternal and unchanging nature of this divine indwelling, a stark contrast to the previous, conditional presence that was withdrawn due to Israel's sin. It signifies a new, unbreakable covenant relationship.
* **"and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile":** This is the divine mandate for the new era. God's "holy name" represents His character, reputation, and very being. To "defile" it means to profane, dishonor, or pollute it through unholy actions. The command signifies that the future dwelling of God depends on Israel's complete cessation of all actions that would bring dishonor to His sanctity, demanding a radical transformation in their conduct and worship.
* **"[neither] they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places":** This specifies the exact nature of the defilement that must cease. "They" refers to the general populace, while "their kings" highlights the leadership's culpability in past sins. "Whoredom" is spiritual idolatry and unfaithfulness. The "carcases of their kings in their high places" points to specific abominable practices, likely involving the worship of deceased monarchs or the placement of royal tombs/memorials at pagan cult sites, thereby mixing death, idolatry, and illicit worship in places meant to honor God alone. This list underscores the comprehensive nature of the required purity.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 43:7 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrases "the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet," which attributes human-like physical characteristics (throne for sitting, feet for standing) to God. This device makes God's sovereignty and presence more relatable and concrete to the human audience, emphasizing His firm establishment and ultimate authority. **Metaphor** is powerfully used with "whoredom" (Hebrew: *zᵉnûwth*), which serves as a vivid and recurring metaphor throughout prophetic literature for Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry, portraying their betrayal of the covenant relationship with God as a marital infidelity. The imagery of "carcases of their kings in their high places" functions as **Symbolism**, representing the depths of Israel's defilement, combining the impurity of death with the abomination of idolatrous worship at illicit altars. Finally, the verse employs **Contrast**, setting the past history of Israel's defilement against the future demand for absolute holiness and God's promised eternal dwelling. This stark contrast highlights the radical transformation required for the new covenant relationship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 43:7 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering desire to dwell among His people, a theme that reverberates throughout the entire biblical narrative from Eden to the New Jerusalem. It underscores the intrinsic connection between God's holy presence and the holiness demanded of His people. The defilement of God's name and dwelling place, whether through explicit idolatry ("whoredom") or the adoption of pagan practices associated with corrupt leadership ("carcases of their kings in their high places"), is presented as an intolerable affront to His character. This verse, therefore, not only promises a restored presence but also sets the terms for that presence: a people purified from all forms of spiritual adultery and devoted exclusively to Yahweh. It speaks to the enduring truth that true worship requires undivided allegiance and a life consecrated to God, free from the contaminations of the world.

* [Leviticus 26:11-12](/leviticus/26-11 "Leviticus 26:11-12 - God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel")
* [Jeremiah 3:9](/jeremiah/3-9 "Jeremiah 3:9 - Spiritual Whoredom of Israel")
* [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with Humanity in the New Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 43:7 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God's desire for intimate fellowship is matched by His demand for holiness. Just as ancient Israel was called to cease defiling God's name through idolatry and corrupt practices, so too are we called to live lives that honor His presence within us. Our bodies are now temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), and our lives are meant to be living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")). This verse challenges us to identify and dismantle any "high places" or "idols" in our own hearts—whether they be pursuits of wealth, status, comfort, or even self-righteousness—that compete for God's rightful place on the throne of our lives. It is a call to radical purity and undivided devotion, assuring us that as we strive for holiness, God's abiding presence will be our eternal comfort and strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high places" or forms of "whoredom" (spiritual idolatry) might exist in my life today that are defiling God's holy name or hindering His full presence?**
* **How does understanding God's desire for a permanent, undefiled dwelling place influence my daily choices and my pursuit of personal holiness?**
* **In what ways can I, as part of the "house of Israel" (spiritual Israel), actively participate in honoring God's holy name and ensuring it is not defiled by my actions or the actions of the community?**
* **How does the promise of God dwelling "for ever" in the midst of His people provide comfort and assurance in times of personal or collective struggle?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet"?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful anthropomorphic expression emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty, authority, and permanent presence. "The place of my throne" signifies that this new temple is not just a building, but the very seat of God's universal kingship and dominion, where His divine rule is fully established. "The place of the soles of my feet" reinforces this idea, indicating a firm, settled, and enduring presence. It conveys that God is not merely visiting, but is taking up permanent residence, asserting His complete ownership and control over this sacred space and, by extension, over His people. This imagery highlights that the temple is the epicenter of God's governing presence on earth, a concept echoed in [Isaiah 66:1](/isaiah/66-1 "Isaiah 66:1 - Heaven is My Throne, Earth My Footstool") where God declares heaven as His throne and the earth as His footstool, demonstrating His cosmic authority.

**What does "whoredom" refer to in this context?**

Answer: In Ezekiel 43:7, "whoredom" (Hebrew: *zᵉnûwth*) is a potent prophetic metaphor for Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. It refers to their betrayal of the covenant relationship with Yahweh, their divine "husband," by turning away to worship false gods, engaging in pagan rituals, and forming illicit alliances with foreign nations that led them astray. This spiritual adultery was a pervasive problem throughout Israel's history, as seen in passages like [Hosea 1:2](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea 1:2 - Hosea's Marriage as a Metaphor for Israel's Unfaithfulness") and [Jeremiah 3:8](/jeremiah/3-8 "Jeremiah 3:8 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery"). It signifies any act that diverts ultimate allegiance and devotion from the one true God to anything or anyone else.

**How does this vision relate to the New Testament?**

Answer: Ezekiel's vision of the new temple and God's permanent dwelling, free from defilement, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament through Jesus Christ and the Church. While the physical temple in Ezekiel is a literal vision, its spiritual principles point to a greater reality. Jesus declared Himself to be the true temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")), and through His atoning sacrifice, He cleansed humanity from sin, making it possible for God to dwell among and within His people in a new and profound way. The Church, as the body of Christ, is described as God's spiritual temple, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - The Church as God's Temple")). Ultimately, this vision culminates in the New Jerusalem, where God's dwelling is directly with humanity, and there is no need for a physical 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")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 43:7, with its declaration of God's permanent, undefiled dwelling among His people, finds its most profound and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament tabernacle and temples were shadows, physical representations of God's desire to indwell humanity, but they were always susceptible to defilement by human sin and required constant ritual cleansing. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the ultimate and perfect "place of God's throne" and "soles of His feet," for in Him, "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")). He is the true temple, as He Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking of His body ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")). Through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, Christ perfectly fulfilled the demands of holiness and cleansed humanity from the "whoredom" and "carcases" of spiritual idolatry that defiled God's name. His blood, unlike the blood of bulls and goats, provides a perfect and eternal cleansing, making it possible for God's holy name to be honored without defilement ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Moreover, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers become living temples, collectively forming the Church, which is the spiritual dwelling place of God on earth ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - The Church, a Holy Temple")). This promise culminates in the New Jerusalem, where God's tabernacle is finally and eternally with humanity, and "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity") and [Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - No Temple in the New Jerusalem")), realizing Ezekiel's vision of an undefiled, permanent divine presence.

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 43:9

Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

Psalms 47:8

God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

Leviticus 26:30

And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.

Psalms 99:1

¶ The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth [between] the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

Revelation 22:3

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

1 Chronicles 28:2

Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: [As for me], I [had] in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:

Ezekiel 1:26

¶ And above the firmament that [was] over their heads [was] the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne [was] the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.