Ezekiel 3:23
Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face.
Original Language Analysis
וָאָקוּם֮
Then I arose
H6965
וָאָקוּם֮
Then I arose
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 18
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
וָאֵצֵ֣א
and went forth
H3318
וָאֵצֵ֣א
and went forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
2 of 18
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַבִּקְעָה֒
into the plain
H1237
הַבִּקְעָה֒
into the plain
Strong's:
H1237
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, a split, i.e., a wide level valley between mountains
שָׁ֤ם
H8033
כַּכָּב֕וֹד
and behold the glory
H3519
כַּכָּב֕וֹד
and behold the glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֹמֵ֔ד
stood
H5975
עֹמֵ֔ד
stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
9 of 18
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
כַּכָּב֕וֹד
and behold the glory
H3519
כַּכָּב֕וֹד
and behold the glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
רָאִ֖יתִי
which I saw
H7200
רָאִ֖יתִי
which I saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
12 of 18
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נְהַר
by the river
H5104
נְהַר
by the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
14 of 18
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
וָאֶפֹּ֖ל
and I fell
H5307
וָאֶפֹּ֖ל
and I fell
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
16 of 18
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
Cross References
Ezekiel 1:28As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.Revelation 1:17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:Acts 7:55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Historical Context
This second vision of divine glory (the first in 1:4-28) occurred in the Babylonian plain, far from Jerusalem. Traditional Jewish theology tied God's presence to the temple, yet here His glory manifests in exile territory. This revolutionized understanding of divine presence—God transcends geography. The dating places this around 593 BC, several years before Jerusalem's destruction (586 BC).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's glory appearing in Babylon challenge our assumptions about where we can encounter His presence?
- What does Ezekiel's falling on his face teach us about proper response to encountering God's glory?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The 'glory of the LORD' appearing to Ezekiel in the plain mirrors his earlier vision by Chebar, confirming divine consistency. God's glory manifests wherever He chooses, not confined to temple or territory. Ezekiel's falling on his face represents appropriate creature response to Creator glory—worship, awe, and recognition of unworthiness. The repetition of the earlier vision validates its reality and emphasizes God's continued presence with exiles despite Jerusalem's temple being intact but doomed.