Afterward he brought me to the gate ,.... The dimensions of this wonderful building being finished, the prophet's divine guide brought him from the wall about it, he had last measured, to the gate he first had him to, after he had observed to him the same wall, Ezekiel 40:5 , even the gate that looketh toward the east ; or, as the Targum, which was open to the way of the east. The reason of his being brought hither follows. read more
Afterward , etc. Having completed the survey of the temple precincts ( Ezekiel 42:15-20 ), the prophet's guide, "the measuring man," conducted him back to the gate that looked towards the east, i.e. to the gate leading into the outer court from the east (see on Ezekiel 40:6 ), perhaps because this was the principal entrance to the sanctuary, but chiefly because through it the impending theophany was to pass. read more
The glory of the Lord in the house. The glory of the house of God does not consist in its beauty and grandeur, but in the indwelling of the Eternal himself. When the tabernacle of witness reared in the wilderness was completed, when Moses had finished the work, "then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." Upon the occasion of the dedication of Solomon's temple, " it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the... read more
The return of God's glory. The prophet had witnessed in sadness the departure of the glory of the Lord (see Ezekiel 10:18 , Ezekiel 10:19 ; Ezekiel 11:23 ). He has now a happy vision of its return; and of that return he gives a very graphic description. It affected him. With solemn awe ( Ezekiel 43:3 ) as well as with sacred joy. He found himself transported to the place where, as a priest, he had an official right to stand ( Ezekiel 43:5 ), and there he saw the brightness of... read more
Sunshine after storm. The prophet of Jehovah has inspected all the plans of the second temple. In clearest vision he has seen all its parts arranged. The sacred edifice has grown to perfection before his eyes. Court within court has successively appeared. And now the great question arises, "Will the God of heaven again stoop to dwell there?" In vain will be all this preparation and toil unless Jehovah shall fill the house again with his presence. In vain will be all ceremony and all... read more
The consecration of the temple by the entrance into it of the glory of the God of Israel. read more
The gate - This was the eastern gate from the precincts to the outer court. read more
Ezekiel 43:1-2. Then he brought me to the gate The eastern gate of the court of the priests, which was just before the temple. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel The word behold is an expression of joy and admiration; as if the prophet had said, Behold, a wonderful and joyful sight! The glory of that God who calls himself the God of Israel, which had departed from this place and people, and had absented itself from them for so long a time, is now returning to them, and... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 43:1-6
After Ezekiel has patiently surveyed the temple of God, the greatest glory of this earth, he is admitted to a higher form, and honoured with a sight of the glories of the upper world; it is said to him, Come up hither. He has seen the temple, and sees it to be very spacious and splendid; but, till the glory of God comes into it, it is but like the dead bodies he had seen in vision (Ezek. 37:1-28), that had no breath till the Spirit of life entered into them. Here therefore he sees the house... read more