Ezekiel 44:4

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 44:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then he brought me by the way of the north gate before the house; and I looked, and, behold, the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah: and I fell upon my face.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then he brought me by the way of the north gate before the house; and I looked, and, behold, the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah: and I fell upon my face.
Ezekiel 44:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 44

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Then he brought me by the way of the north gate before the house; and I looked, and, behold, the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah: and I fell upon my face.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house, &c.] The north gate of the inward court, whither he was brought from the east gate, which was shut: this, and what follow, may have some respect to the churches in these our northern parts of the world, in their now declining circumstances, which are aptly represented in some following verses; but will hereafter be filled with the glory of the Lord, as follows: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord; as he had seen at the eastern gate, (<264302>Ezekiel 43:2,4,5): and I fell upon my face; as he had done before, under a sense of the greatness and glory of the divine Majesty, and of his own…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Directions as to the priests. Their acts of desecration are attributed to "the house of Israel" (Eze 44:6-7), as the sins of the priesthood and of the people acted and reacted on one another; "like people, like priest" (Jer 5:31; Hos 4:9).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Admonition to the ministering priests, grounded upon former neglect. Ezekiel 44:4 The north gate before the house - The north gate of the inner court. God expostulates with His people in the seat of their former idolatries Ezekiel 8:3. Ezekiel 44:5 Mark well - The careful arrangements made had all been intended to keep the temple and its surroundings from profanation. Hence, attention to these particulars is enjoined. Ezekiel 44:7 Strangers - This refers especially to the sin of unauthorized and unfaithful priests ministering in the services of the temple. Compare marginal references. Ezekiel 44:8 Mine holy things - The altar, its sacrifices, the sacred utensils, and the like. For yourselves…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He - Christ in the appearance of a man. Ezekiel 44:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the way: Eze 40:20, Eze 40:40 the glory: Eze 3:23, Eze 10:4, Eze 10:18, Eze 10:19, Eze 11:22, Eze 11:23, Eze 43:4, Eze 43:5; Isa 6:3, Isa 6:4; Hag 2:7; Mal 3:1 and I fell: Eze 1:28, Eze 43:3; Gen 17:3; Num 16:42-45; Psa 89:7; Rev 1:17 Ezekiel 44:5”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Position of Foreigners, Levites, and Priests in Relation to the Temple and the Temple Service. - The further precepts concerning the approach to the sanctuary, and the worship to be presented there, are introduced with a fresh exhortation to observe with exactness all the statutes and laws, in order that the desecration of the sanctuary which had formerly taken place might not be repeated, and are delivered to the prophet at the north gate in front of the manifestation of the glory of God ( Eze 44:4-8). \- Eze 44:4. And he brought me by the way of the north gate to the front of the house; and I looked, and behold the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah, and I fell down upon my…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification