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.

Now let them put away {H7368} their whoredom {H2184}, and the carcases {H6297} of their kings {H4428}, far {H7368} from me, and I will dwell {H7931} in the midst {H8432} of them for ever {H5769}.

So now, they should put their prostitution at a distance and the corpses of their kings far away from me; then I will live among them forever.

Now let them remove far from Me their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings, and I will dwell among them forever.

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

Ezekiel 43:9 is a pivotal verse within Ezekiel's vision of the new temple and the restoration of God's glory to Israel. It declares the divine condition for God's permanent presence among His people: the removal of all defilement and idolatry.

Context

Prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile, a period when Jerusalem and its Temple were destroyed. His visions offered hope and a blueprint for spiritual and physical restoration. Chapters 40-48 describe a detailed vision of a new, glorious temple, symbolizing God's renewed dwelling among His people. This verse immediately follows the dramatic return of God's glory to the temple (see Ezekiel 43:4-5), emphasizing that this divine presence is contingent upon the people's purification from past sins.

Key Themes

  • Holiness and Purity: God demands absolute purity from His people, especially concerning His dwelling place. The "whoredom" refers to Israel's spiritual idolatry and unfaithfulness, which was the primary reason for their exile and the departure of God's glory previously (Ezekiel 10:18).
  • Defilement of Idolatry: The phrase "the carcases of their kings" is particularly potent. This likely refers to pagan altars, idols, or even the literal tombs of idolatrous kings located near the temple, which desecrated the holy space and violated God's commands. It symbolizes the corrupting influence of human authority and practices that elevate anything above God.
  • Conditional Presence: The promise "I will dwell in the midst of them for ever" is a profound declaration of God's desire for an eternal, intimate relationship. However, it is conditional upon the people's repentance and removal of all that offends His holiness. This reflects the broader biblical principle that God's presence is linked to obedience and purity, as seen in the building of the Tabernacle in Exodus.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "whoredom" is zanah (זָנָה), which is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry, likening it to marital infidelity. It underscores the covenant relationship God had with His people, where idolatry was a betrayal of their sacred vows. The term "carcases" (piggēr, פֶּגֶר) emphasizes the abhorrent, dead, and defiling nature of these idolatrous objects or practices in God's sight.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 43:9 resonates deeply today, challenging believers to examine what "whoredom" or "carcases of kings" might exist in their own lives. This isn't necessarily literal idolatry, but anything that replaces God's rightful place in our hearts – whether it be materialism, ambition, entertainment, or self-worship. God's desire remains to dwell fully within His people (John 14:23), but this requires a commitment to purity and a willingness to remove all that defiles or competes for His supreme position. The promise of His perpetual presence is the ultimate motivation for genuine repentance and holiness.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 43:7

    ¶ 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.

  • Ezekiel 37:26

    Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

  • Ezekiel 37:28

    And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

  • Colossians 3:5

    ¶ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

  • Colossians 3:9

    Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

  • Ezekiel 18:30

    ¶ Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn [yourselves] from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

  • Ezekiel 18:31

    Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

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