King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 43:3 Mean?

Ezekiel 43:3 in the King James Version says “And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. when: or, when I came to prophesy that the city should be destroyed”

Ezekiel 43:3 · KJV

Context

1

Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:

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.

3

And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. when: or, when I came to prophesy that the city should be destroyed

4

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

5

So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.

Read Ezekiel 43 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ezekiel connects this vision to two previous encounters: (1) the cherubim vision by the Chebar canal (Ezekiel 1), and (2) the vision of Jerusalem's judgment (Ezekiel 8-11). The phrase 'when I came to destroy the city' doesn't mean Ezekiel destroyed it but that he came with God's message announcing destruction—the prophet identified with God's purposes. Ezekiel's prostration ('I fell upon my face') demonstrates proper response to divine glory—overwhelming reverence, humility, and awe. This isn't casual observation but transformative encounter. The repetition emphasizes continuity: the same God who revealed His glory in exile, pronounced judgment on apostasy, now promises restoration. Reformed theology emphasizes God's unchanging character—He is both judge and redeemer, holy and merciful. The vision's consistency across contexts teaches that God's nature doesn't fluctuate based on circumstances. His glory remains constant whether in judgment (destroying) or mercy (restoring).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Chebar canal (Ezekiel 1:1-3) was an irrigation canal near Nippur in Babylonia where Jewish exiles settled. Ezekiel's initial vision (593 BC) introduced the merkavah (throne-chariot) imagery central to his prophecy. The vision of Jerusalem's abominations (Ezekiel 8-11, around 592 BC) showed God's glory departing the corrupted temple—tragic but necessary. Now in 573 BC (Ezekiel 40:1), fourteen years after Jerusalem's fall, the glory returns. This chronological progression—glory revealed in exile, glory departing from apostate Jerusalem, glory returning to restored temple—structures Ezekiel's theology. For the exiles, this continuity was crucial: their God hadn't abandoned them despite exile. The same divine presence encountered in foreign land would return to dwell among them. This assured that God's covenantal faithfulness transcends historical catastrophe.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when encountering God's glory—with prostrate reverence or casual familiarity?
  2. What comfort comes from recognizing that the God who judges sin is the same God who promises restoration?
  3. How does Ezekiel's progression (glory in exile, glory departing, glory returning) mirror your own spiritual journey?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כַּמַּרְאֶ֕ה1 of 21

“And it was according to the appearance”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

כַּמַּרְאֶ֕ה2 of 21

“And it was according to the appearance”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

אֲשֶׁ֣ר3 of 21
H834

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

רָאִ֖יתִי4 of 21

“that I saw”

H7200

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

כַּמַּרְאֶ֕ה5 of 21

“And it was according to the appearance”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

אֲשֶׁר6 of 21
H834

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

רָאִ֖יתִי7 of 21

“that I saw”

H7200

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

בְּבֹאִי֙8 of 21

“when I came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְשַׁחֵ֣ת9 of 21

“to destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

אֶת10 of 21
H853

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

הָעִ֔יר11 of 21

“the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וּמַרְא֕וֹת12 of 21

“and the visions”

H4759

(causatively) a mirror

כַּמַּרְאֶ֕ה13 of 21

“And it was according to the appearance”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

אֲשֶׁ֥ר14 of 21
H834

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

רָאִ֖יתִי15 of 21

“that I saw”

H7200

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

אֶל16 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְהַר17 of 21

“by the river”

H5104

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

כְּבָ֑ר18 of 21

“Chebar”

H3529

kebar, a river of mesopotamia

וָאֶפֹּ֖ל19 of 21

“and I fell”

H5307

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

אֶל20 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פָּנָֽי׃21 of 21

“upon 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 43:3 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 43:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 9:1Ezekiel 9:5Ezekiel 3:23Ezekiel 32:18Ezekiel 1:3-28Jeremiah 1:10

Places in This Verse

ChebarRiver · Modern: Shatt en Nil · 32.13°N, 45.23°E8 verses across 1 book
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezekiel 43 →

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