Ezekiel 47:3 kjv
And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
Ezekiel 47:3 nkjv
And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles.
Ezekiel 47:3 niv
As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep.
Ezekiel 47:3 esv
Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep.
Ezekiel 47:3 nlt
Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet and then led me across. The water was up to my ankles.
Ezekiel 47 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 40:3 | And, behold, a man like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. | Describes a similar divine figure measuring God's house. |
| Revelation 11:1 | And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. | Echoes the theme of measuring God's sanctuary and worshippers. |
| John 2:19-21 | Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. | Jesus refers to His body as the temple, a spiritual dimension of God's dwelling. |
| 1 Corinthians 3:16 | Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? | Identifies believers as the temple of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. |
| 1 Corinthians 6:19 | What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? | Further emphasizes the believer's body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. |
| Ephesians 2:21 | In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: | Portrays the church as a building, growing into a holy temple. |
| Ephesians 2:22 | In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. | Reinforces the concept of believers being built together for God's dwelling. |
| Hebrews 8:2 | A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. | References the true heavenly sanctuary, in contrast to earthly structures. |
| 1 Peter 2:4-5 | To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. | Likens believers to living stones, built into a spiritual house. |
| 2 Corinthians 6:16 | And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. | Contrasts God's presence in believers with the unsuitability of idols. |
| Romans 12:1 | I beseech you therefore, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. | Encourages presenting one's body as a living sacrifice, a sacred offering. |
| Matthew 18:20 | For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. | Asserts Christ's presence in gatherings of believers, reflecting a new form of God's dwelling. |
| Psalm 11:4 | The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. | Affirms God's sovereignty and presence in His heavenly temple. |
| Isaiah 8:18 | Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. | Mentions God dwelling in Mount Zion. |
| Jeremiah 17:12 | The glorious high throne, from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary. | Describes Zion as the sanctuary and place of God's throne. |
| John 1:14 | And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. | "Dwelt" (skēnoō) links to the tabernacle (skēnē), suggesting God's dwelling presence in Christ. |
| Acts 7:48-49 | Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: and what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things? | Quotes Isaiah to explain God's transcendence beyond physical temples. |
| Haggai 2:7 | And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. | Prophesies the glorious arrival of the Messiah in the second temple. |
| Zechariah 6:12-13 | And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is the Branch; and he shall grow up from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord: Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. | Identifies the Branch (Messiah) as the builder of the temple. |
| 1 Kings 6:3 | The porch of the gate eastward was twenty cubits broad, and the length thereof by the measure of the altar was an hundred cubits. | Provides a similar measurement detail in Solomon's temple. |
Ezekiel 47 verses
Ezekiel 47 3 Meaning
This verse describes a man, clothed in linen, with a measuring rod in his hand, standing by the temple complex. He is about to measure the dimensions of the sanctuary, indicating a specific, divinely ordained measurement and assessment is about to take place.
Ezekiel 47 3 Context
Ezekiel 47:3 is part of a larger vision (chapters 40-48) detailing a future, restored temple and land for Israel. This vision follows the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of Judah. The prophet is shown a symbolic, perfect temple, a new Jerusalem, and the flow of a life-giving river from beneath the temple. This chapter describes the measurements and geographical layout of this visionary sanctuary. The man with the measuring rod is instrumental in defining these divine proportions. The historical context is crucial: the exiles in Babylon are yearning for the restoration of worship and the presence of God, which had been absent due to their sin and the temple's desecration. This vision serves as a powerful message of hope and God's unfailing commitment to His people and His dwelling place.
Ezekiel 47 3 Word Analysis
- וְהִנֵּה (ve-hineh): "And behold" or "And lo." This is an introductory phrase, drawing attention to the vision about to be described. It signifies a dramatic revelation.
- אִישׁ (ish): "A man." This man is not identified by name but acts as a divine agent or angelic guide. His appearance is consistent with other revelatory figures.
- מְלֻבָּשׁ (melubash): "Clothed" or "wearing." This refers to the attire of the man.
- בַּדִּים (badim): "Fine linen." In scripture, fine linen often symbolizes purity, righteousness, and priesthood (Exodus 28:42, Revelation 19:8). This suggests the man's character and divine authority.
- וּמְתֹפַה (u-metophah): "And in his hand." Connects the measuring rod directly to the man.
- קָנֶה (qaneh): "Reed" or "rod." This is a measuring rod, symbolizing precise and divinely ordained measurements for God's house and land. It signifies order, structure, and holiness. In measurements, it often represents a unit of length (Ezekiel 40:3, 5).
- לִמְדּוֹד (limdod): "To measure." The purpose of the measuring rod. This action highlights the thoroughness and exactitude of God’s plans and the valuation of His sanctuary.
- וְעוֹמֵד (ve-omed): "And stood." Indicates his stationary position as the work of measuring begins.
- עַל־ (al): "By" or "at" or "upon." Specifies his location relative to the sanctuary structure.
- יְסוֹד (yesod): "Foundation." He is positioned at the foundation or threshold of the structure.
Ezekiel 47 3 Bonus Section
The figure described in Ezekiel 47:3 is often interpreted in various ways. Some scholars view him as an angelic being assigned to survey and map out the divine sanctuary. Others suggest he might be a prophetic representation of the Messiah himself, given the intimate association of building and measuring God's house with Him throughout the prophetic literature (e.g., Zechariah 6:12). The consistent presence of purity symbols like linen across different biblical narratives emphasizes that any interaction with the divine or the sacred requires absolute purity. The measuring activity itself recalls the careful construction of the tabernacle and temple in the past, but this vision elevates these earthly structures to a renewed, perfect state, pointing ultimately to the spiritual temple of God manifested in His people and in His ultimate kingdom.
Ezekiel 47 3 Commentary
This verse introduces a pivotal moment in Ezekiel's visionary experience. The man in linen, arrayed in a manner signifying purity and divine service, holds a measuring rod, ready to delineate the precise dimensions of the temple complex. This act of measuring underscores God's orderliness and the holiness attributed to His dwelling place. The meticulous measurements detailed in the subsequent verses speak to a restoration of God's presence and kingdom in perfect form. The linen garment hints at the antitypical purity associated with Christ and the church, as believers are called to measure up to God's standards. The measuring rod itself signifies judgment and apportionment, but in this context, it primarily points to the completeness and divinely ordained boundaries of God’s future dwelling and its blessings.