King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 43:8 Mean?

Ezekiel 43:8 in the King James Version says “In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 43:8 · KJV

Context

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.

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

Read Ezekiel 43 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God explains why He consumed Israel in anger: they 'defiled my holy name' by setting their threshold by His, their posts by His posts, with only a wall between. This proximity without holiness—physical nearness to God's house while maintaining spiritual adultery—provoked divine wrath. The Hebrew זָנָה (zanah, 'whoredom') represents covenant unfaithfulness, particularly idolatry (Israel as God's bride committing spiritual adultery). The 'carcases of their kings' may refer to royal tombs near the temple or idolatrous monuments. God's holiness cannot coexist with defilement—darkness and light cannot fellowship (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). The phrase 'they have even defiled my holy name' indicates that Israel's sin wasn't merely breaking rules but profaning God's reputation before nations. Reformed theology emphasizes that sin's primary offense is against God's glory (Psalm 51:4), not merely horizontal ethics.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological evidence suggests Judahite kings were buried near the temple mount (1 Kings 2:10, 2 Chronicles 21:20, 24:16), creating proximity God found offensive. Manasseh erected altars to foreign gods within the temple courts (2 Kings 21:4-5), and Ahaz built a Syrian-style altar (2 Kings 16:10-16)—literal placement of idolatrous 'thresholds' beside God's. The 'wall between' suggests minimal separation—physical proximity masking spiritual distance. This is hypocritical religiosity: maintaining temple worship while embracing idolatry. Jesus condemned similar behavior: 'This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth... but their heart is far from me' (Matthew 15:8). God consumed them in anger—the Babylonian conquest in 586 BC—because covenant unfaithfulness despite privileged access demanded covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28). The exile purged this syncretism, teaching that proximity to God requires holiness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'thresholds' do you place beside God's—allowing sacred and profane to coexist without conviction?
  2. How does this verse challenge 'cultural Christianity' that maintains religious forms while embracing worldly values?
  3. In what ways might you be defiling God's holy name through inconsistency between profession and practice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
בְּתִתָּ֨ם1 of 20

“In their setting”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

סִפִּ֗י2 of 20

“by my thresholds”

H5592

a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)

אֶת3 of 20
H853

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

סִפִּ֗י4 of 20

“by my thresholds”

H5592

a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)

מְזוּזָתִ֔י5 of 20

“and their post”

H4201

a door-post (as prominent)

אֵ֣צֶל6 of 20

“by”

H681

a side; (as a preposition) near

מְזוּזָתִ֔י7 of 20

“and their post”

H4201

a door-post (as prominent)

וְהַקִּ֖יר8 of 20

“and the wall”

H7023

a wall (as built in a trench)

בֵּינִ֣י9 of 20
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וּבֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם10 of 20
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וְטִמְּא֣וּ׀11 of 20

“between me and them they have even defiled”

H2930

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

אֶת12 of 20
H853

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

שֵׁ֣ם13 of 20

“name”

H8034

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

קָדְשִׁ֗י14 of 20

“my holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

בְּתֽוֹעֲבוֹתָם֙15 of 20

“by their abominations”

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

אֲשֶׁ֣ר16 of 20
H834

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

עָשׂ֔וּ17 of 20

“that they have committed”

H6213

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

וָאֲכַ֥ל18 of 20
H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֹתָ֖ם19 of 20
H853

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

בְּאַפִּֽי׃20 of 20

“them in mine anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

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 43:8 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 43:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 5:112 Chronicles 33:4Ezekiel 23:39Ezekiel 44:7Ezekiel 8:3-162 Chronicles 33:7

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