“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.”
My Notes
What Does Ezekiel 43:7 Mean?
In Ezekiel's vision of the restored temple, God declares: "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." God's presence returns to the temple — not temporarily, not conditionally, but forever. The departure of the glory in chapter 10 is reversed by the return of the glory in chapter 43.
The phrase "soles of my feet" is intimately physical — God describes his presence in the temple as standing there. Not hovering above, not visiting from a distance, but feet on the ground. The imagery domesticates divine presence: God's feet are on the floor of his house. He lives there.
The promise that Israel will "no more defile" God's name is aspirational — it describes the ideal state of the restored relationship. The defiling happened through idolatry ("whoredom") and through burying kings' remains near the temple ("carcases of their kings in their high places"). Both pollutants are permanently removed in the vision.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does God 'putting his feet down' in the temple tell you about how he wants to dwell with you?
- 2.How does the return of God's glory (ch. 43) after its departure (ch. 10) shape your hope for restoration?
- 3.What in your life might need to be permanently removed for God's permanent presence to dwell?
- 4.What does 'forever' mean in the context of God's dwelling — and do you believe it applies to you?
Devotional
God puts his feet down. Literally. "The place of the soles of my feet" — he's standing in the temple, feet on the floor, present and permanent. Not visiting. Not hovering. Living there. Forever.
The glory that left in Ezekiel 10 — that devastating scene where God's presence withdrew from the temple, step by reluctant step — returns in Ezekiel 43. The same glory, the same presence, the same God. But this time, the promise includes a word that wasn't there before: forever. The departure was temporary. The return is permanent.
The physicality of "soles of my feet" should move you. God describes his presence in the most human, domestic terms available. Not enthroned above the cherubim (though he is). Not filling the temple with unapproachable light (though he does). Standing. Feet on the ground. In the midst of his people. This is a God who wants to be at home with you, not a God who visits from a palace.
The promise that the defilement stops — no more idolatry, no more pollution — describes the condition of permanent dwelling. God can stay forever when the conditions that drove him away are permanently removed. The glory left because the temple was polluted. The glory returns when the temple is clean. And this time, the cleanliness is permanent.
God wants to put his feet down in your life and stay. Not visit on Sundays. Not show up in emergencies. Stay. The question is whether the conditions of your inner temple permit permanent residence.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And he said unto me, son of man,.... A kind, usual, and singular appellation, given to this prophet: these are the words…
He said - i. e., God “said.” Both the Septuagint and the Vulgate break this verse into two, so as to make the first half…
Son of man, the place of my throne - The throne refers to his majesty; the soles of his feet, to his condescension in…
God does here, in effect, renew his covenant with his people Israel, upon his retaking possession of the house, and…
the place of my throne this is the place of my throne … for ever: and the house of Israel shall no more defile. No…
Cross References
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