Ezekiel 9:3

And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which [had] the writer's inkhorn by his side;

And the glory {H3519} of the God {H430} of Israel {H3478} was gone up {H5927} from the cherub {H3742}, whereupon he was, to the threshold {H4670} of the house {H1004}. And he called {H7121} to the man {H376} clothed {H3847} with linen {H906}, which had the writer's {H5608} inkhorn {H7083} by his side {H4975};

Then the glory of the God of Isra'el was made to go up from over the keruv, where it had been, to the threshold of the house. He called to the man clothed in linen, who had the scribe's writing equipment at his waist.

Then the glory of the God of Israel rose from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side.

And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house: and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn by his side.

Ezekiel 9:3 describes a pivotal moment in Ezekiel's vision of judgment against Jerusalem, highlighting the progressive departure of God's glory from His temple due to the city's rampant idolatry and moral corruption.

Context of Ezekiel 9:3

This verse is set within a series of visions given to the prophet Ezekiel concerning the impending destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the Babylonians. In the preceding chapters (Ezekiel 8), God had shown Ezekiel the various abominations being committed within the temple itself, from idolatrous images to sun worship, indicating a complete spiritual decay. Chapter 9 then shifts to God's response: a divine judgment that begins with the marking of the righteous for preservation and the slaughter of the wicked.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Departing Glory of God: The most striking aspect of this verse is the movement of "the glory of the God of Israel." This refers to the visible manifestation of God's presence (Hebrew: kavod), which resided in the temple. Its movement from the cherubim (celestial beings associated with God's throne) to the temple's threshold signifies the beginning of God's withdrawal from His sanctuary, a precursor to its destruction. This progressive departure underscores God's holiness and His inability to dwell amidst unrepentant sin. The full departure is completed later in Ezekiel 11:23.
  • Divine Authority and Judgment: The Lord's call to the "man clothed with linen" demonstrates His absolute authority over both judgment and preservation. This figure is a divine messenger, tasked with executing God's decrees.
  • The Man with the Inkhorn: This specific detail introduces the instrument of distinction. The "writer's inkhorn" is used to mark those who are righteous and lament the city's sins, setting them apart for protection from the impending judgment. This marking is further elaborated in Ezekiel 9:4.

Linguistic Insights

  • The "glory of the God of Israel" (Hebrew: kavod Yisrael) is a powerful phrase indicating the visible, weighty presence of God. Its movement is symbolic of His sovereign decision to abandon a polluted dwelling place.
  • The "cherub" (Hebrew: keruv) refers to a class of angelic beings often depicted with wings and multiple faces, serving as guardians of God's holiness and bearers of His throne, as seen in Ezekiel's initial vision in chapter 1.
  • The "man clothed with linen" is a figure of purity and often represents a divine or angelic messenger, similar to figures seen in other prophetic books. His linen garments signify his holy commission.
  • The "threshold of the house" is a significant boundary, indicating a transition point for the glory's departure.

Practical Application and Reflection

Ezekiel 9:3 serves as a sobering reminder of God's holiness and the consequences of persistent sin and spiritual corruption. For believers today:

  1. God's Presence is Sacred: It highlights that God's presence, though gracious, is also holy and will not indefinitely tolerate unrepentant sin within His people or His sanctuary (whether physical or spiritual).
  2. The Urgency of Repentance: The departure of glory underscores the importance of genuine repentance and turning from sin to maintain a right relationship with God.
  3. Divine Justice and Mercy: Even amidst judgment, God's justice is precise. He sends a messenger to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, demonstrating His mercy towards those who grieve over the prevailing evil, much like a sealing for protection seen in Revelation.

This verse calls us to examine our own lives and communities, ensuring that our actions and attitudes do not cause God's presence to withdraw, but rather invite His continued blessing and fellowship.

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 10:4

    Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, [and stood] over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.

  • Ezekiel 11:22

    ¶ Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel [was] over them above.

  • Ezekiel 11:23

    And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which [is] on the east side of the city.

  • Ezekiel 43:2

    And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice [was] like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.

  • Ezekiel 43:4

    And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect [is] toward the east.

  • Ezekiel 3:23

    Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face.

  • Ezekiel 8:4

    And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel [was] there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back