וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֗י בֶּן־אָדָם֙ אֶת־מְקֹ֣ום כִּסְאִ֗י וְאֶת־מְקֹום֙ כַּפֹּ֣ות רַגְלַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֧ר אֶשְׁכָּן־שָׁ֛ם בְּתֹ֥וךְ בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְעֹולָ֑ם וְלֹ֣א יְטַמְּא֣וּ עֹ֣וד בֵּֽית־֠יִשְׂרָאֵל שֵׁ֣ם קָדְשִׁ֞י הֵ֤מָּה וּמַלְכֵיהֶם֙ בִּזְנוּתָ֔ם וּבְפִגְרֵ֥י מַלְכֵיהֶ֖ם בָּמֹותָֽם׃ (Ezekiel 43:7)
And He said to me, “Son of man, the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell among the children of Yisraʾel forever—never again shall the house of Yisraʾel defile My holy name, they and their kings, by their harlotry and by the corpses of their kings in their death.”
Introductory Frame: From Presence to Purity
Ezekiel 43:7 unfolds within the visionary context of a restored Temple, offering both hope and warning. The verse masterfully integrates a relative clause construction that defines God’s permanent dwelling, alongside an imperfect verb with negation that projects an ideal moral transformation. Together, these structures reinforce theological permanence and ethical obligation.
Relative Clause Analysis: אֲשֶׁ֧ר אֶשְׁכָּן־שָׁ֛ם
At the heart of the verse is the phrase אֲשֶׁ֧ר אֶשְׁכָּן־שָׁ֛ם (“where I will dwell”). This clause is headed by the relative particle אֲשֶׁר, introducing a subordinate clause that functions adjectivally, modifying the “place” mentioned earlier.
Dissection of the Clause
- אֲשֶׁר – relative particle, “which” or “where”
- אֶשְׁכָּן – Qal imperfect 1st person singular, from שָׁכַן (“to dwell”)
- שָׁם – adverb of place, “there”
This structure emphasizes a future, ongoing action—“I will dwell there”—not a one-time event. The imperfect aspect of אֶשְׁכָּן supports the notion of continual divine presence.
Parsing Focus: אֶשְׁכָּן
| Form | Root | Stem | Aspect | Person / Number | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| אֶשְׁכָּן | שׁ־כ־ן | Qal | Imperfect | 1st Person Singular | “I will dwell” |
Negated Imperfect: וְלֹ֣א יְטַמְּא֣וּ עֹ֣וד
The phrase וְלֹ֣א יְטַמְּא֣וּ עֹ֣וד is a negative imperfect verb construction that expresses a permanent cessation of a past recurring sin—defiling the holy name. It consists of:
- וְלֹ֣א – conjunction + negation: “and not”
- יְטַמְּאוּ – Piel imperfect 3mp from ט־מ־א (“to defile”)
- עֹ֣וד – adverb: “again”
Together, this sequence projects a prophetic hope: “they will no longer defile.”
Structure of Contrast and Renewal
The verse offers a careful contrast between two clauses:
- אֲשֶׁ֧ר אֶשְׁכָּן־שָׁ֛ם – “where I will dwell” (eternal presence)
- וְלֹ֣א יְטַמְּא֣וּ עֹ֣וד – “they will no longer defile” (eternal purity)
The juxtaposition aligns divine commitment with human response. Syntax enforces theology: where God dwells permanently, sin must no longer persist.
Final Perspective: Dwelling and Defilement
Ezekiel 43:7 captures a turning point in prophetic vision. Through the mechanics of Biblical Hebrew—the relative clause, imperfect aspect, and negated verbal projection—an eternal pattern is announced: divine indwelling demands ethical sanctity. This verse shows that Biblical Hebrew is not merely descriptive—it is prescriptive, future-oriented, and holy in rhythm as much as in meaning.
