King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 43:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 43:11 in the King James Version says “And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goi... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.

Ezekiel 43:11 · KJV


Context

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.

10

Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern. pattern: or, sum, or, number

11

And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.

12

This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.

13

And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar. bottom: Heb. bosom edge: Heb. lip


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Conditional upon shame ('if they be ashamed'), God commands comprehensive instruction: 'shew them the form... fashion... goings out... comings in... forms... ordinances... laws.' The repetition emphasizes thoroughness—nothing withheld. The instruction must be written ('write it in their sight') for permanence and accuracy. The purpose: 'that they may keep the whole form... and do them.' Revelation aims at obedience, not mere knowledge. The phrase 'the whole form' warns against selective obedience—God's standards form an integrated whole. Reformed theology emphasizes the regulative principle: worship according to Scripture alone, not human innovation. The command to write it recalls Moses writing the law (Exodus 24:4, Deuteronomy 31:9), ensuring accurate transmission across generations. God provides His Word clearly, completely, and permanently so His people can obey without excuse.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Written revelation distinguished Israel from oral-tradition-based ancient cultures. Moses wrote the law (Deuteronomy 31:24-26), prophets' words were recorded (Jeremiah 36:1-4, Isaiah 8:16), and exilic/post-exilic communities treasured written Scripture (Nehemiah 8:1-8). The command to write the temple vision parallels Habakkuk's instruction to 'write the vision, and make it plain upon tables' (Habakkuk 2:2). Written text prevents distortion across time and distance. The exiles, who maintained identity through Scripture during captivity (Daniel 9:2 references Jeremiah's writings), understood written revelation's importance. The comprehensive detail ('all the forms... all the ordinances... all the laws') prevented innovative worship corrupting true worship—the error that led to exile. This principle continues in New Testament apostolic teaching (2 Thessalonians 2:15, 3:6, 2 Timothy 1:13-14).

Reflection Questions

  1. How seriously do you study God's written Word to know 'the whole form' rather than selected favorite passages?
  2. What does comprehensive obedience ('keep the whole form... do them') look like versus selective compliance with convenient commands?
  3. Does this verse challenge worship innovation not grounded in Scripture—adding human traditions to divine ordinances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וְאִֽם1 of 32
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

נִכְלְמ֞וּ2 of 32

And if they be ashamed

H3637

properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult

מִכֹּ֣ל3 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר4 of 32
H834

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

וְעָשׂ֥וּ5 of 32

of all that they have done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

צוּרָת֛וֹ6 of 32

in thereof and all the forms

H6699

a rock (job 28:10); also a form (as if pressed out)

הַבַּ֡יִת7 of 32

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וּתְכוּנָת֡וֹ8 of 32

and the fashion

H8498

adjustment, i.e., structure; by implication, equipage

וּמוֹצָאָ֡יו9 of 32

thereof and the goings out

H4161

a going forth, i.e., (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence, a source or product; specifically, dawn, the rising of the sun (the east), ex

וּמוֹבָאָ֣יו10 of 32

thereof and the comings

H4126

an entrance

וְֽכָל11 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צוּרָת֛וֹ12 of 32

in thereof and all the forms

H6699

a rock (job 28:10); also a form (as if pressed out)

וְאֵ֣ת13 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל14 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֻקֹּתָ֖יו15 of 32

thereof and all the ordinances

H2708

a statute

וְכָל16 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צוּרָת֛וֹ17 of 32

in thereof and all the forms

H6699

a rock (job 28:10); also a form (as if pressed out)

וְכָל18 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

תּֽוֹרֹתָו֙19 of 32

thereof and all the laws

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

הוֹדַ֣ע20 of 32

shew

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אוֹתָ֔ם21 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וּכְתֹ֖ב22 of 32

thereof and write

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

לְעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם23 of 32

it in their sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וְיִשְׁמְר֞וּ24 of 32

that they may keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

אֶת25 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל26 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צוּרָת֛וֹ27 of 32

in thereof and all the forms

H6699

a rock (job 28:10); also a form (as if pressed out)

וְאֶת28 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל29 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֻקֹּתָ֖יו30 of 32

thereof and all the ordinances

H2708

a statute

וְעָשׂ֥וּ31 of 32

of all that they have done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אוֹתָֽם׃32 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)


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 43:11 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 43:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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