God’s glory left the city and stood apart, signifying that nothing replaces faithful devotion to Him.
Ezekiel beholds a remarkable moment when “the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city and stood over the mountain which is east of the city” (v.23). This imagery shows God’s presence departing from Jerusalem, the center of worship for the people of Judah. The phrase indicates that the divine glory lifts away from the Temple area—symbolically removing God’s sheltering hand—and moves out toward the eastern horizon. The city in question is Jerusalem, situated in the southern kingdom of Judah, and the mountain mentioned is generally understood to be the Mount of Olives, a hill to the east of the city known for its olive groves and vantage point overlooking Jerusalem.
For the exiled prophet Ezekiel, who ministered around the time of Jerusalem’s fall in 586 BC (his prophetic activity spanned approximately 592-570 BC), this vision underscored the severity of the judgment that would come upon his people. By seeing God’s glory leave the holy city, Ezekiel received confirmation that divine protection was withdrawn, consistent with the warnings given earlier in the book. The imagery echoes later New Testament scenes where Jesus, referred to as Immanuel or “God with us,” also visited and departed from Jerusalem, notably teaching His disciples on the Mount of Olives about future events (Matthew 24:3). In both the Old and New Testaments, the significance of God’s glory resting or departing points to whether the people’s hearts align with the covenant.
In a broader biblical framework, this departure of the LORD’s glory reveals that external religious structures do not guarantee spiritual safety when people abandon righteousness and steadfast devotion. The shift of God’s manifest presence to the Mount of Olives prepares the way for the transformative hope that will be revealed through later prophecy—an anticipation that ultimately points to redemption and restoration through Christ. The movement away from the city reminds believers that God’s holiness will not be confined to walls but seeks sincere worshipers who respond with faith and humility (John 4:23).
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Ezekiel 11:23 meaning
Ezekiel beholds a remarkable moment when “the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city and stood over the mountain which is east of the city” (v.23). This imagery shows God’s presence departing from Jerusalem, the center of worship for the people of Judah. The phrase indicates that the divine glory lifts away from the Temple area—symbolically removing God’s sheltering hand—and moves out toward the eastern horizon. The city in question is Jerusalem, situated in the southern kingdom of Judah, and the mountain mentioned is generally understood to be the Mount of Olives, a hill to the east of the city known for its olive groves and vantage point overlooking Jerusalem.
For the exiled prophet Ezekiel, who ministered around the time of Jerusalem’s fall in 586 BC (his prophetic activity spanned approximately 592-570 BC), this vision underscored the severity of the judgment that would come upon his people. By seeing God’s glory leave the holy city, Ezekiel received confirmation that divine protection was withdrawn, consistent with the warnings given earlier in the book. The imagery echoes later New Testament scenes where Jesus, referred to as Immanuel or “God with us,” also visited and departed from Jerusalem, notably teaching His disciples on the Mount of Olives about future events (Matthew 24:3). In both the Old and New Testaments, the significance of God’s glory resting or departing points to whether the people’s hearts align with the covenant.
In a broader biblical framework, this departure of the LORD’s glory reveals that external religious structures do not guarantee spiritual safety when people abandon righteousness and steadfast devotion. The shift of God’s manifest presence to the Mount of Olives prepares the way for the transformative hope that will be revealed through later prophecy—an anticipation that ultimately points to redemption and restoration through Christ. The movement away from the city reminds believers that God’s holiness will not be confined to walls but seeks sincere worshipers who respond with faith and humility (John 4:23).