Ezekiel 3:12
Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place.
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּשָּׂאֵ֣נִי
took me up
H5375
וַתִּשָּׂאֵ֣נִי
took me up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 11
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
ר֔וּחַ
Then the spirit
H7307
ר֔וּחַ
Then the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
2 of 11
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
וָאֶשְׁמַ֣ע
and I heard
H8085
וָאֶשְׁמַ֣ע
and I heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 11
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אַחֲרַ֔י
behind
H310
אַחֲרַ֔י
behind
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
גָּד֑וֹל
of a great
H1419
גָּד֑וֹל
of a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
7 of 11
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
בָּר֥וּךְ
saying Blessed
H1288
בָּר֥וּךְ
saying Blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
8 of 11
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
כְּבוֹד
be the glory
H3519
כְּבוֹד
be the glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
Cross References
Ezekiel 8:3And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.Acts 8:39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.Acts 2:2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.Ezekiel 11:1Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the LORD'S house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.Ezekiel 3:14So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.
Historical Context
After commissioning (593 BC), Ezekiel heard heavenly worship continuing despite Israel's rebellion. This parallels Isaiah's vision of seraphim crying "Holy, holy, holy" while Judah sank in corruption (Isaiah 6:3). The contrast between earthly rebellion and heavenly worship sustained faithful prophets. God's throne remains stable; His worship continues; His glory shines undiminished. This eternal reality provides courage during temporal opposition. The heavenly perspective corrects earthly myopia.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing heavenly worship continues regardless of earthly response encourage perseverance?
- What difference would maintaining heavenly perspective make during discouraging ministry?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place." The Spirit's transport and the chorus praising God's glory indicate heavenly worship continuing perpetually. Earth's rebellion doesn't diminish heaven's adoration. While Israel rejected God, angels worshiped unceasingly. This provides perspective during discouraging ministry: God's glory remains intact regardless of human response. The phrase "from his place" emphasizes God's transcendent stability—He remains gloriously enthroned despite earthly chaos.