And there I saw the glory of the God of Israel, like the vision I had seen in the plain.
Parallel translations
- WEB Behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the appearance that I saw in the plain.
- KJV And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.
- NKJV And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the plain.
- NASB And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the appearance which I saw in the plain.
- NLT Suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel was there, just as I had seen it before in the valley.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The glory of Israel's God is present in the temple, just as Ezekiel had seen it in Babylon. It heightens the horror that idolatry stood in the very place of His glory.
Overview
The same glory Ezekiel saw "in the plain" by the Chebar now appears at Jerusalem, linking the visions and affirming God's presence with both exiles and homeland. Its appearance here sets up the tragic theme of these chapters: the glory will withdraw because of the people's sin. God's holiness cannot coexist indefinitely with deliberate rebellion. The departing glory points forward to its return and ultimate dwelling among us in Jesus, Immanuel.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Ezek 3:22–23And there the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He said to me, “Get up, go out to the plain, and there I will speak with you.”
- Ezek 1:26–28Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man.
- Exod 25:22And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.
- Ezek 9:3Then the glory of the God of Israel rose from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side.
- 2 Cor 3:18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
- 2 Cor 4:4–6The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- Ezek 10:1–4And I looked and saw above the expanse, above the heads of the cherubim, the likeness of a throne of sapphire.
- Heb 1:3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
- Ezek 11:22–23Then the cherubim, with the wheels beside them, spread their wings, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them.
- Exod 40:34–35Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
- Ezek 43:2–4and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 8:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.