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 9:3KJV
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Ezekiel 9:3 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“inkhorn” Hebrew H7083 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezekiel 9:2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
  • Ezekiel 9:11 And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.

“threshold” Hebrew H4670 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Samuel 5:4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
  • Ezekiel 10:4 Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.
  • Ezekiel 46:2 And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.

“linen” Hebrew H906 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
  • 1 Samuel 2:18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
  • Ezekiel 10:2 And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.

“side” Hebrew H4975 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
  • Nehemiah 4:18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
  • Jeremiah 13:11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.