Ezekiel 43:7
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.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 31
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָם֙
of man
H120
אָדָם֙
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
4 of 31
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מְקוֹם֙
and the place
H4725
מְקוֹם֙
and the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
6 of 31
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)
כִּסְאִ֗י
of my throne
H3678
כִּסְאִ֗י
of my throne
Strong's:
H3678
Word #:
7 of 31
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מְקוֹם֙
and the place
H4725
מְקוֹם֙
and the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
9 of 31
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)
כַּפּ֣וֹת
of the soles
H3709
כַּפּ֣וֹת
of the soles
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
10 of 31
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-
רַגְלַ֔י
of my feet
H7272
רַגְלַ֔י
of my feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
11 of 31
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶשְׁכָּן
where I will dwell
H7931
אֶשְׁכָּן
where I will dwell
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
13 of 31
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
שָׁ֛ם
H8033
בְּת֥וֹךְ
in the midst
H8432
בְּת֥וֹךְ
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
15 of 31
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 31
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל
of Israel
H3478
יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
17 of 31
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְעוֹלָ֑ם
for ever
H5769
לְעוֹלָ֑ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
18 of 31
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 31
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְטַמְּא֣וּ
no more defile
H2930
יְטַמְּא֣וּ
no more defile
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
20 of 31
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
ע֣וֹד
H5750
ע֣וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
21 of 31
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
בֵּֽית
shall the house
H1004
בֵּֽית
shall the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
22 of 31
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל
of Israel
H3478
יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
23 of 31
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
שֵׁ֣ם
name
H8034
שֵׁ֣ם
name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
24 of 31
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
קָדְשִׁ֞י
and my holy
H6944
קָדְשִׁ֞י
and my holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
25 of 31
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
בִּזְנוּתָ֔ם
by their whoredom
H2184
בִּזְנוּתָ֔ם
by their whoredom
Strong's:
H2184
Word #:
28 of 31
adultery, i.e., (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry
וּבְפִגְרֵ֥י
nor by the carcases
H6297
וּבְפִגְרֵ֥י
nor by the carcases
Strong's:
H6297
Word #:
29 of 31
a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image
Cross References
Ezekiel 43:9Now 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.Psalms 47:8God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.Leviticus 26:30And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.Revelation 22:3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:Psalms 99:1The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.1 Chronicles 28:2Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:Ezekiel 20:39As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.Ezekiel 1:26And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
Historical 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.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing God desires to dwell with you forever shape your understanding of His covenant commitment?
- What defilements need to be cleansed from your life so God's presence can fully dwell and reign?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.