King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 43:7 Mean?

Ezekiel 43:7 in the King James Version says “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 th... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 43:7 · KJV


Context

5

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

6

And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.

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.

8

In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger. and the: or, for there was but a wall between me and them

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God declares: '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.' God identifies the temple as His throne and footstool—the earthly location where His heavenly rule touches earth. The promise 'where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever' assures permanent, unbreakable divine presence. The Hebrew 'le'olam' (לְעוֹלָם, 'for ever') guarantees perpetual indwelling. The condition 'shall the house of Israel no more defile' indicates that previous defilement caused glory's departure; future holiness will secure permanent presence. This promise finds fulfillment in the new covenant—not a physical temple but the redeemed community indwelt by God's Spirit eternally.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase 'throne' and 'footstool' recalls Psalm 132:7 ('we will worship at his footstool') and Isaiah 66:1 ('the earth is my footstool'). The temple represented God's earthly throne room where heaven and earth met. The promise of eternal dwelling seemed impossible given the first temple's destruction, yet God assures it will happen. Historical Israel's failure to maintain holiness led to exile, but the new covenant provides Spirit-enablement for sustained obedience (36:26-27). Jesus fulfilled this by being 'Immanuel—God with us' (Matthew 1:23), and the Spirit's indwelling ensures God permanently dwells with His people (John 14:16-17, Romans 8:9-11). The ultimate fulfillment comes in Revelation 21:3: 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing God desires to dwell with you forever shape your understanding of His covenant commitment?
  2. What defilements need to be cleansed from your life so God's presence can fully dwell and reign?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 31

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֗י2 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵֽי3 of 31

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָם֙4 of 31

of man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

אֶת5 of 31
H853

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

מְקוֹם֙6 of 31

and the place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

כִּסְאִ֗י7 of 31

of my throne

H3678

properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)

וְאֶת8 of 31
H853

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

מְקוֹם֙9 of 31

and the place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

כַּפּ֣וֹת10 of 31

of the soles

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

רַגְלַ֔י11 of 31

of my feet

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

אֲשֶׁ֧ר12 of 31
H834

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

אֶשְׁכָּן13 of 31

where I will dwell

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

שָׁ֛ם14 of 31
H8033

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

בְּת֥וֹךְ15 of 31

in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בְּנֵֽי16 of 31

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל17 of 31

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְעוֹלָ֑ם18 of 31

for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וְלֹ֣א19 of 31
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְטַמְּא֣וּ20 of 31

no more defile

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

ע֣וֹד21 of 31
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בֵּֽית22 of 31

shall the house

H1004

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

יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל23 of 31

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

שֵׁ֣ם24 of 31

name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

קָדְשִׁ֞י25 of 31

and my holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

הֵ֤מָּה26 of 31
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

מַלְכֵיהֶ֖ם27 of 31

neither they nor their kings

H4428

a king

בִּזְנוּתָ֔ם28 of 31

by their whoredom

H2184

adultery, i.e., (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry

וּבְפִגְרֵ֥י29 of 31

nor by the carcases

H6297

a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image

מַלְכֵיהֶ֖ם30 of 31

neither they nor their kings

H4428

a king

בָּמוֹתָֽם׃31 of 31

in their high places

H1116

an elevation


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 43:7 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 43:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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