Ezekiel 40 4

Ezekiel 40:4 kjv

And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 40:4 nkjv

And the man said to me, "Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears, and fix your mind on everything I show you; for you were brought here so that I might show them to you. Declare to the house of Israel everything you see."

Ezekiel 40:4 niv

The man said to me, "Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the people of Israel everything you see."

Ezekiel 40:4 esv

And the man said to me, "Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel."

Ezekiel 40:4 nlt

He said to me, "Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen."

Ezekiel 40 verses

Ezekiel 40 4 Meaning

Ezekiel 40:4 initiates a profound divine command to the prophet Ezekiel concerning the extensive vision of the new temple. It charges him to engage every faculty—sight, hearing, and intellect—with extreme diligence and focus on all that is to be revealed. This comprehensive instruction underscores the critical importance, divine origin, and meticulous nature of the coming revelation, preparing Ezekiel to be a faithful and accurate witness of God's future plans for restoration and holy dwelling. It emphasizes that Ezekiel was divinely brought to this place precisely for the purpose of receiving and transmitting this vision to the people of Israel.

Ezekiel 40 4 Context

Ezekiel 40 marks a pivotal turning point in the Book of Ezekiel. The preceding chapters largely detail God's judgment against Israel and surrounding nations, highlighting their rebellion and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. This verse, therefore, inaugurates a section (chapters 40-48) of profound hope and restoration: the vision of a new, meticulously detailed temple. It takes place in the 25th year of Ezekiel's exile, the 14th year after Jerusalem's fall, a period of deep despair for the exiled Israelites. At this moment, God gives Ezekiel a vision of a restored covenant relationship symbolized by a new, glorious temple complex, signifying His continued presence among His people and their future purity. The detailed measurements and specifications directly contrast the past, desecrated temple and the spiritual state that led to its destruction, while also polemicizing against pagan idolatry by establishing a specific, holy dwelling for the true God, contrasting the chaotic, often immoral worship of foreign deities. The call to "see with your eyes and hear with your ears and set your heart" underscores the urgency for a people spiritually blind and deaf from years of rebellion to finally perceive and receive God's blueprint for their restoration.

Ezekiel 40 4 Word analysis

• Son of man (בֶן-אָדָם, ben-adam): This consistent designation for Ezekiel throughout the book (93 times) highlights his humanity in contrast to God's divine revelation. It serves to emphasize that a mere mortal is chosen to receive such profound truths, underscoring God's condescension and the humble instrumentality of the prophet. This phrase also foreshadows its significance in Daniel's prophecies (Dan 7:13-14) and, crucially, as Jesus' preferred self-designation in the New Testament, linking His humanity and His messianic authority (e.g., Matt 8:20, John 5:27).
• See with your eyes (רְאֵה בְעֵינֶיךָ, r'e be'eyneka): The imperative "see" (רְאֵה, ra'ah) emphasizes direct, clear observation. Coupled with "your eyes," it calls for literal, sensory engagement, stressing the tangible reality and intricate details of the vision. It demands active, meticulous scrutiny, implying that every architectural feature and ritual procedure must be accurately perceived and recorded, vital for its precise transmission to the people. This contrasts with the spiritual blindness that led to Israel's downfall.
• Hear with your ears (וּבְאָזְנֶיךָ שְׁמָע, u've'ozneikha shma'): The imperative "hear" (שְׁמָע, shama') signifies receptive listening and understanding. Beyond auditory perception, "shama'" in Hebrew encompasses obeying and taking heed. This command stresses the importance of not just passively receiving sounds but grasping the divine instructions, explanations, and context given by the angelic guide. It implies a moral and intellectual responsibility to internalize the message, critical for a people who previously refused to hear God's commands (Jer 7:24, Zech 7:12).
• And set your heart (וְשִׂים לִבְּךָ, v'sim lib'kha): "Heart" (לֵב, lev) in Hebrew thought is the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral consciousness—the entire inner being. "Set your heart" (literally "put your heart") means to give full attention, serious consideration, and diligent thought. This goes beyond mere sight and hearing to demand deep comprehension, internalization, and commitment to the revealed truths. It emphasizes total engagement of mind and will, ensuring Ezekiel not only perceives and hears but also processes and fully grasps the significance and implications of the vision. This holistic engagement is essential for faithful proclamation.
• All that I show you (לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי מַרְאֶה אוֹתָךְ, l'khol asher ani mar'eh otakh): This phrase highlights the comprehensive nature of the revelation and its divine source ("I show you"). It signifies that no detail is to be overlooked, and nothing is to be added or subtracted from the divine communication. The vision is complete, originating solely from God, thus assuring its truthfulness and authority.
• For that intent I have brought you here (כִּי עַל-כֵּן הֻבֵּאתָה הֵנָּה, ki al-ken hubbatah hennah): This clearly states the divine purpose and sovereignty behind Ezekiel's presence in this visionary location. "I have brought you" signifies God's direct agency and specific intention. Ezekiel is not accidentally present; his being transported (previously by the Spirit, Ezek 3:12) is part of God's overarching plan for him to be a recipient and conveyor of this precise message of restoration. It emphasizes that Ezekiel's calling is entirely dependent on God's initiative and purpose.

Ezekiel 40 4 Bonus section

The intensive language used in this verse, employing three distinct senses for perceiving truth (sight, sound, and intellect), functions as an oath-like call to full prophetic responsibility. It mirrors ancient Near Eastern legal and covenantal formulas where witnessing with all senses underscored the validity and accountability of the testimony. The very existence of this detailed vision during a time of immense national despair emphasizes that God's plan is not abolished by human failure but endures through His sovereign purpose and promises, offering genuine hope even in seemingly impossible circumstances. This instruction applies universally to believers: true understanding of God's Word requires not just reading (seeing) or listening (hearing), but a profound internal reflection and commitment ("setting one's heart").

Ezekiel 40 4 Commentary

Ezekiel 40:4 serves as a crucial instruction for all prophetic reception and faithful spiritual engagement. It moves beyond a passive reception of truth, demanding the full and active participation of Ezekiel's faculties. "See, hear, and set your heart" represents a holistic command: observation of facts, understanding of their meaning, and deep internalizing of their implications. This triad is vital because the future temple vision is not merely architectural; it is profoundly theological, revealing God's holiness, His intention to dwell among His people, and the divine order necessary for such communion. The imperative is not only for the prophet to receive but also to meticulously transmit, ensuring that a people whose spiritual senses had become dull due to idolatry and disobedience would have an accurate account of God's redemptive plan. God's declaration that He "brought you here" underscores divine intentionality, affirming Ezekiel's specific and divinely ordained role as the trustworthy channel for this essential message of hope and restoration. This divine preparation ensures the message is both authentic and authoritative, laying the groundwork for Israel's renewed walk of holiness and God's promised future glory.