And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;
EZEKIEL 9:3KJVWhat does Ezekiel 9:3 mean?
Ezekiel 9:3 describes how the visible glory of the God of Israel rises from above the cherub (a type of angelic being) and moves to the entrance (threshold) of the temple. At this moment, God calls out to the man dressed in linen who carries a writer’s inkhorn at his side, preparing him for a special task.
In this scene, Ezekiel is seeing a vision where God’s presence, once resting above the cherubim inside the temple, begins to leave its usual place, signaling a serious change. The movement of God’s glory shows that something significant is about to happen, and the calling of the man in linen sets the stage for the actions that follow in the vision.
The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 9:3
- "glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavod): This word means weightiness or honor, often used to describe the visible, awe-inspiring presence of God. Its movement signals a major shift in God’s relationship with the temple.
- "cherub" (כְּרוּב, keruv): Refers to a specific kind of angelic being associated with God’s throne or presence, highlighting the holiness of the place from which God’s glory departs.
- "threshold" (מִפְתָּן, miftan): This word means the entrance or doorway, marking the boundary between the inner sanctuary and the rest of the temple. The glory moving here suggests God is preparing to leave the temple.
- "man" (אִישׁ, ish) and "linen" (בַּד, bad): The man in linen is often understood as a special messenger or angel, set apart for a holy purpose, with linen symbolizing purity.
Why Ezekiel 9:3 matters
- This verse marks the beginning of God’s withdrawal from the temple, a powerful symbol that God’s protective presence is no longer guaranteed for Jerusalem.
- The movement of God’s glory from the cherub to the threshold connects to earlier visions in Ezekiel, emphasizing that God’s presence is not tied to a building but responds to the people’s faithfulness.
- The calling of the man with the inkhorn introduces the next part of the vision, where marking and judgment will take place, showing that God’s actions are deliberate and purposeful.