King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 3:23 Mean?

Ezekiel 3:23 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 3:23 · KJV

Context

21

Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

22

And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee.

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.

24

Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house.

25

But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:

Read Ezekiel 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The 'glory of the LORD' appearing to Ezekiel in the plain mirrors his earlier vision by Chebar, confirming divine consistency. God's glory manifests wherever He chooses, not confined to temple or territory. Ezekiel's falling on his face represents appropriate creature response to Creator glory—worship, awe, and recognition of unworthiness. The repetition of the earlier vision validates its reality and emphasizes God's continued presence with exiles despite Jerusalem's temple being intact but doomed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This second vision of divine glory (the first in 1:4-28) occurred in the Babylonian plain, far from Jerusalem. Traditional Jewish theology tied God's presence to the temple, yet here His glory manifests in exile territory. This revolutionized understanding of divine presence—God transcends geography. The dating places this around 593 BC, several years before Jerusalem's destruction (586 BC).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's glory appearing in Babylon challenge our assumptions about where we can encounter His presence?
  2. What does Ezekiel's falling on his face teach us about proper response to encountering God's glory?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וָאָקוּם֮1 of 18

“Then I arose”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

וָאֵצֵ֣א2 of 18

“and went forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶל3 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַבִּקְעָה֒4 of 18

“into the plain”

H1237

properly, a split, i.e., a wide level valley between mountains

וְהִנֵּה5 of 18
H2009

lo!

שָׁ֤ם6 of 18
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

כַּכָּב֕וֹד7 of 18

“and behold the glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

יְהוָה֙8 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עֹמֵ֔ד9 of 18

“stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

כַּכָּב֕וֹד10 of 18

“and behold the glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

רָאִ֖יתִי12 of 18

“which I saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

עַל13 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נְהַר14 of 18

“by the river”

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

כְּבָ֑ר15 of 18

“of Chebar”

H3529

kebar, a river of mesopotamia

וָאֶפֹּ֖ל16 of 18

“and I fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עַל17 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פָּנָֽי׃18 of 18

“on my face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 3:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 3:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 1:28Acts 7:55Revelation 1:17Ezekiel 9:3Daniel 10:8-9Revelation 5:14

Places in This Verse

ChebarRiver · Modern: Shatt en Nil · 32.13°N, 45.23°E8 verses across 1 book
View all places in Ezekiel 3 →

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