Now 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.

EZEKIEL 43:9KJV
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Ezekiel 43:9 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 43:9 mean?

Ezekiel 43:9 calls the people to remove their unfaithfulness and the remains of their former rulers from God’s presence, promising that if they do, God will live among them forever. The verse is a direct instruction that God’s presence depends on the people turning away from past wrongs and cleansing their worship.

Ezekiel, a prophet speaking to the Israelites during their exile, delivers this message as God’s word to a people who had mixed their worship with practices God rejected. The “whoredom” refers to spiritual unfaithfulness, and the “carcases of their kings” likely points to pagan practices or memorials tied to past rulers. God’s promise to dwell among them “for ever” is a powerful assurance, but it is tied to their willingness to change.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 43:9

  • “whoredom” (תַּעֲנוּת, taʿanuth; H2184) refers to spiritual adultery or unfaithfulness, not just physical acts. Here, it highlights the seriousness of Israel’s turning away from God to follow other gods or practices.
  • “carcases” (פֶּגֶר, peger; H6297) means dead bodies or remains. In this context, it may refer to literal remains or to symbols and memorials of former kings that were associated with idolatrous worship.
  • “dwell” (שָׁכַן, shakan; H7931) means to settle or reside. God’s promise to “dwell” among the people is about His ongoing, close presence, not just a temporary visit.
  • “ever” (עוֹלָם, olam; H5769) often means a long, indefinite time—here, it stresses the permanence of God’s promise if the people respond.

Why Ezekiel 43:9 matters

  • Ezekiel 43:9 clarifies that God’s presence is not automatic; it is connected to the people’s response and willingness to remove what separates them from Him.
  • The verse shows that spiritual unfaithfulness and lingering reminders of past disobedience must be dealt with before true restoration can happen.
  • This verse connects to the larger vision Ezekiel receives about the restored temple, emphasizing that God’s return depends on the people’s readiness for a new beginning.

Where else these words appear

“whoredom” Hebrew H2184 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 14:33 And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.
  • Jeremiah 3:9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.
  • 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.

“carcases” Hebrew H6297 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 15:11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
  • 2 Kings 19:35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
  • Jeremiah 31:40 And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto the LORD; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.

“away” Hebrew H7368 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • Psalms 22:11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

“dwell” Hebrew H7931 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • 1 Chronicles 17:9 Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,
  • Proverbs 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.