Ezekiel 3:12
New International Version
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound as the glory of the LORD rose from the place where it was standing.

New Living Translation
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me. (May the glory of the LORD be praised in his place!)

English Standard Version
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great earthquake: “Blessed be the glory of the LORD from its place!”

Berean Standard Bible
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me: “Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His dwelling place!”

King James Bible
Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place.

New King James Version
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: “Blessed is the glory of the LORD from His place!”

New American Standard Bible
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me: “Blessed be the glory of the LORD from His place!”

NASB 1995
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me, “Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His place.”

NASB 1977
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me, “Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His place.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me, “Blessed be the glory of Yahweh in His place.”

Amplified Bible
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rushing sound behind me, “Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His place [above the expanse].”

Christian Standard Bible
The Spirit then lifted me up, and I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me—bless the glory of the LORD in his place!—

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Spirit then lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me—praise the glory of the LORD in His place!—

American Standard Version
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of Jehovah from his place.

Contemporary English Version
The Spirit lifted me up, and as the glory of the LORD started to leave, I heard a loud, thundering noise behind me.

English Revised Version
Then the spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the Spirit lifted me, and behind me I heard a loud thundering voice say, "Blessed is the LORD's glory, which left this place."

Good News Translation
Then God's spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the loud roar of a voice that said, "Praise the glory of the LORD in heaven above!"

International Standard Version
Then the Spirit lifted me up and I heard a great earthquake behind me and the glory of the LORD arose from his place,

Majority Standard Bible
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me: ?Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His dwelling place!?

NET Bible
Then a wind lifted me up and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me as the glory of the LORD rose from its place,

New Heart English Bible
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great rushing, saying, "Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place.

World English Bible
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great rushing, saying, “Blessed be Yahweh’s glory from his place.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And a spirit lifts me up, and I hear a noise behind me, a great rushing—“Blessed [is] the glory of YHWH from His place!”

Young's Literal Translation
And lift me up doth a spirit, and I hear behind me a noise, a great rushing -- 'Blessed is the honour of Jehovah from His place!' --

Smith's Literal Translation
And the spirit will lift me up, and I shall hear behind me a voice of a great shaking: Praised be the glory of Jehovah from his place.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great commotion, saying: Blessed be the glory of the Lord, from his place.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Spirit took me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great commotion, saying, “Blessed is the glory of the Lord from his place,”

New American Bible
Then the spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling noise as the glory of the LORD rose from its place:

New Revised Standard Version
Then the spirit lifted me up, and as the glory of the LORD rose from its place, I heard behind me the sound of loud rumbling;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me the sound of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And The Spirit picked me up, and I heard behind me a sound of a great earthquake that said, ‘Blessed is the glory of LORD JEHOVAH from his place!’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then a spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great rushing: 'Blessed be the glory of the LORD from His place';

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then the Spirit took me up, and I heard behind me the voice as of a great earthquake, saying, Blessed be the glory of the Lord from his place.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ezekiel Eats the Scroll
11Go to your people, the exiles; speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.” 12Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me: ‘Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His dwelling place!’ 13It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against one another and the sound of the wheels beside them, a great rumbling sound.…

Cross References
Revelation 1:10
On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,

Acts 8:39
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.

2 Kings 2:11
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.

Revelation 4:2
At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it.

1 Kings 18:12
I do not know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you off when I leave you. Then when I go and tell Ahab and he does not find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared the LORD from my youth.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. / And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— / was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.

Isaiah 6:1-4
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. / Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” ...

Revelation 10:8-11
Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the small scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land.” / And I went to the angel and said, “Give me the small scroll.” “Take it and eat it,” he said. “It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” / So I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter. ...

1 Thessalonians 4:17
After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

2 Kings 2:16
“Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.” “Do not send them,” Elisha replied.

Acts 10:10
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

Daniel 8:18
While he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me, helped me to my feet,

Revelation 11:12
And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.

2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Isaiah 60:8
Who are these who fly like clouds, like doves to their shelters?


Treasury of Scripture

Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place.

spirit

Ezekiel 3:14
So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.

Ezekiel 2:2
And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.

Ezekiel 8:3
And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.

a voice

Acts 2:2
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Revelation 1:10,15
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, …

Blessed

Psalm 72:18,19
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things…

Psalm 103:20,21
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word…

Psalm 148:2
Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

glory

Ezekiel 9:3
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 10:4,18,19
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 11:22,23
Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above…

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Blessed Dwelling Ears Earthquake Glory Great Hear Heard Honour Lifted Noise Praised Rumbling Rushing Sound Spirit Voice Wind
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Blessed Dwelling Ears Earthquake Glory Great Hear Heard Honour Lifted Noise Praised Rumbling Rushing Sound Spirit Voice Wind
Ezekiel 3
1. Ezekiel eats the scroll
4. God encourages him
15. God shows him the rule of prophecy
22. God shuts and opens the prophet's mouth














Then the Spirit lifted me up
The phrase begins with "Then," indicating a continuation of the divine encounter Ezekiel is experiencing. The "Spirit" here refers to the Ruach in Hebrew, which can mean breath, wind, or spirit. In the context of Ezekiel, it signifies the Holy Spirit's active presence, guiding and empowering the prophet. The lifting up by the Spirit symbolizes a divine elevation, both physically and spiritually, preparing Ezekiel for the prophetic mission. This act of being lifted is reminiscent of other biblical instances where God's presence elevates individuals, such as Elijah's ascension or the transfiguration of Jesus, emphasizing the transformative power of divine encounters.

and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me
The "great rumbling sound" can be understood as a manifestation of God's majestic presence. The Hebrew word used here, "ra'ash," often describes an earthquake or a loud noise, symbolizing God's power and authority. This auditory experience underscores the awe-inspiring nature of God's glory and serves as a reminder of His omnipotence. The sound coming from "behind" suggests that God's presence is encompassing and not limited to a single direction, indicating His omnipresence. This echoes the biblical theme that God's voice and actions are often accompanied by natural phenomena, as seen in the giving of the Law at Sinai.

'Blessed be the glory of the LORD
The proclamation "Blessed be the glory of the LORD" is a doxology, a short hymn of praises to God. The "glory" (Hebrew: "kavod") of the LORD refers to His weighty, significant presence, often associated with light and splendor. This phrase acknowledges God's supreme majesty and holiness. In the conservative Christian perspective, this blessing is a recognition of God's eternal and unchanging nature, deserving of worship and reverence. It reflects the biblical tradition of glorifying God for His mighty works and His covenantal faithfulness to His people.

in His dwelling place!
The "dwelling place" refers to the location of God's presence. In the Old Testament context, this would be the Temple in Jerusalem, the earthly representation of God's heavenly abode. The Hebrew term "mishkan" can mean tabernacle or dwelling, emphasizing God's desire to be among His people. For Christians, this concept is expanded to include the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within believers, making each person a temple of God. This phrase highlights the intimate relationship God seeks with His creation, dwelling among and within His people, and points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence with humanity in the New Jerusalem as described in Revelation.

(12) Then the spirit took me up.--This also is to be understood as done in vision, as in Ezekiel 8:3; Ezekiel 11:1; Ezekiel 11:24. (Comp. Acts 8:39.) In the last case the "taking up" is expressly said to have been in vision. This closes one act, so to speak, of the prophet's consecration, and now the vision which he has been seeing all along leaves him for a time. He hears the great voice of ascription of praise, without definite mention of its source, but doubtless, as in Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4, from all that surround the throne; and he hears the noise of the moving wings of the cherubim, and of the wheels. He has seen the representation of the glory of Him who sends him, and has heard the character of his message. He must now, in the light of this knowledge, see those to whom he is sent. The Hebrew for "wings that touched one another" is beautifully figurative: "wings that kissed each one its sister."

Verse 12. - Then the Spirit took me up, etc. The words are to be interpreted as in Ezekiel 2:2. Luther, however, gives "a wind lifted me up." The parallels of Ezekiel 8:3 (where, however, we have the addition, "in the visions of God") and Ezekiel 11:1 suggest the conclusion that this was a purely subjective sensation, that it was one of the phenomena of the ecstatic state, and that there was no actual change of place. On the other hand, the use of like language in the cases of Elijah (1 Kings 18:12; 2 Kings 2:16), of our Lord (Mark 1:12), of Philip (Acts 8:39), would justify the inference that the prophet actually passed from one locality to the other. The language of 1 Kings 18:46 probably points to the true solution of the problem. The ecstatic state continued, and in it Ezekiel went from the banks of Chebar to the dwellings of the exiles at Tel-Abib (see note on ch. 1.), at some distance from it. I heard behind me, etc. The words imply that the prophet, either in his vision or in very deed. had turned from the glory of the living creatures and of the wheels, and set his face in the direction in which he was told to go. As he does so, he hears the sounds of a great rushing (LXX., σείσμος; Luther, "earthquake"), followed by words which, though in the form of a doxology, uttered, it may be presumed, by the living creatures, were also a message of encouragement. His readiness to do his work as a preacher of repentance calls forth the praise of God from those in whose presence there is "joy over one sinner that repenteth." We are reminded of the earthquake in the Mount of Purification and the Gloria, in excelsis of Dante ('Purg.,' 20:127-141; 21:53-60). The words, from his place (belonging, probably, to the narrative rather than the doxology), point, not to the sanctuary at Jerusalem, which Jehovah had forsaken, but to the region thought of as in the north (see note on Ezekiel 1:4), to which he had withdrawn himself.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the Spirit
ר֔וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

lifted me up,
וַתִּשָּׂאֵ֣נִי (wat·tiś·śā·’ê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

and I heard
וָאֶשְׁמַ֣ע (wā·’eš·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

a great
גָּד֑וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

rumbling
רַ֣עַשׁ (ra·‘aš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7494: Vibration, bounding, uproar

sound
ק֖וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

behind me—
אַחֲרַ֔י (’a·ḥă·ray)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

blessed be
בָּר֥וּךְ (bā·rūḵ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

the glory
כְּבוֹד־ (kə·ḇō·wḏ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness

of the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

in His dwelling place!—
מִמְּקוֹמֽוֹ׃ (mim·mə·qō·w·mōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 3:12 Then the Spirit lifted me up (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 3:11
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