Ezekiel 47:4 kjv
Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
Ezekiel 47:4 nkjv
Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist.
Ezekiel 47:4 niv
He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist.
Ezekiel 47:4 esv
Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep.
Ezekiel 47:4 nlt
He measured off another 1,750 feet and led me across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist.
Ezekiel 47 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 47:3 | And when the man went out toward the east... | Ezekiel 47:3 (Direct antecedent) |
| Ezekiel 47:5 | A thousand cubits: and he measured again... | Ezekiel 47:5 (Continues the measurement) |
| Genesis 1:6 | And God said, Let there be a firmament... | Genesis 1:6 (Water separation) |
| Genesis 7:20 | Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail... | Genesis 7:20 (Flood waters, depth) |
| Exodus 7:19 | Thus says the LORD, About this time tomorrow... | Exodus 7:19 (Nile turning to blood) |
| Exodus 15:8 | By the blast of your nostrils the waters... | Exodus 15:8 (Parting of the Red Sea) |
| Psalms 18:15 | Then the channels of water appeared... | Psalms 18:15 (God's power over waters) |
| Psalms 29:3 | The voice of the LORD is upon the waters... | Psalms 29:3 (God's voice on many waters) |
| Psalms 77:16 | The waters saw you, O God; the waters saw... | Psalms 77:16 (God's power displayed) |
| Psalms 107:25 | For he commanded and raised the stormy... | Psalms 107:25 (Lord controls storms) |
| Isaiah 8:7 | Now therefore, behold, the Lord brings up... | Isaiah 8:7 (Assyrian flood imagery) |
| Isaiah 11:9 | They shall not hurt nor destroy in all... | Isaiah 11:9 (New creation peace) |
| Isaiah 30:25 | And there shall be on every lofty mountain... | Isaiah 30:25 (Future blessing, water) |
| Isaiah 35:6 | Then shall the lame man leap like a... | Isaiah 35:6 (Desert blooming, water) |
| Isaiah 43:2 | When you pass through the waters, I will be... | Isaiah 43:2 (God with His people in trials) |
| Jeremiah 51:13 | O you who dwell by many waters, abundant... | Jeremiah 51:13 (Babylon's location) |
| John 3:5 | Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to... | John 3:5 (Born of water and the Spirit) |
| Acts 19:15 | But the evil spirit answered and said to... | Acts 19:15 (Spiritual warfare context) |
| Revelation 22:1 | Then he showed me the river of the water of... | Revelation 22:1 (Heavenly river) |
| Revelation 22:2 | It is in the midst of the street of the city... | Revelation 22:2 (Tree of life, river) |
Ezekiel 47 verses
Ezekiel 47 4 Meaning
The verse describes a quantity of water, specified as "a thousand cubits," and the method by which it was measured out. This water then reached the ankles of the men being measured. The specific numerical value and the location indicate a progressive deepening and the start of a significant measurement.
Ezekiel 47 4 Context
This verse is part of Ezekiel's vision of a restored Jerusalem and its temple, emphasizing renewed life and fertility. Chapter 47 specifically details a stream flowing from the temple eastward. The prophet is witnessing a transformation of the land from desolation to abundance. This particular verse marks the initial measurement of this life-giving water source, indicating the start of its restorative power. Historically, Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile, and these visions offered hope for a future restoration for the deported Israelites. The imagery of water often symbolizes cleansing, life, and the presence of God.
Ezekiel 47 4 Word Analysis
- וְ When: "And" or "then," serving as a conjunctive, linking this action to the previous one.
- אִ֕ין (a·yin): "he measured," from the root meaning "to measure."
- אֶת־ (et): A direct object marker, indicating that the following noun is the object of the verb.
- אֶלֶף (eleph): "a thousand."
- אַמָּה (am·mah): "cubit," a unit of measurement (approximately 18 inches or 45 cm).
- וַיָּ֧ (vay·ya): "and he measured," the past tense form of the verb with a conjunctive "vav."
- בָּ֠ (ba·mmah): "in it" or "through it," indicating progression.
- הָלַ֤ךְ (ha·lach): "he walked" or "went."
- מִמֶּ֣נּוּ (mim·me·nu): "from it" or "out of it," referring to the water.
- רַגְלֵ֥י (rag·ley): "the feet" (plural construct state).
- הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֧ים (ha·’a·na·shim): "the men" or "the people."
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "a thousand cubits": This establishes the initial distance measured out. A cubit is a biblical unit of length. This first measurement marks a specific increment in the deepening of the water.
- "and he measured again": This signifies the continuation of the process and a systematic progression. The measuring implies order and deliberate action, rather than a random flow.
- "through it he walked": This phrase describes the person moving through the measured water. It's a progression into the substance of the water.
- "the feet of the men": This indicates the depth of the water at that point. A thousand cubits into the flow, the water had risen to the level of the men's ankles.
Ezekiel 47 4 Bonus Section
The specific unit of a "cubit" is significant. While ancient cubits varied, it consistently represented a forearm's length, symbolizing human measure or interaction with the divine. The imagery of water flowing from the temple is paralleled in John's vision (Revelation 22), highlighting the centrality of God's presence in dispensing life. The progressive deepening—ankles, knees, waist, unmanageable river—mirrors the believer's deepening relationship with God, moving from initial contact to a complete immersion in His presence and power. This flowing water also speaks to spiritual cleansing and the outflow of the Holy Spirit, essential elements for life in God's kingdom.
Ezekiel 47 4 Commentary
This verse vividly depicts the initial phase of a miraculous river's flow, originating from the sanctuary. The precise measurement of "a thousand cubits" followed by "he measured again" emphasizes an orderly divine progression. The water reaching the ankles signifies a point where life-giving power begins to touch humanity, yet it is still a shallow and manageable depth, inviting further engagement. This early stage anticipates a much greater outflow of God's blessing and restorative power, as indicated in subsequent verses. It speaks to a foundational step in a grand work of spiritual and physical renewal, reflecting God's careful and purposeful actions in bringing life where there was none.