Bible Strands
Ezekiel 47:3
As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through ankle-deep water.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Ezekiel is being led by a surveying man through the temple complex after being brought out the north gate to the outer east gate. The guide measures the depth of water flowing from the temple's south side as they walk eastward.
The words — הָאִישׁ (ha.'Ish) literally means "the man," while קָו (qav) denotes a "measuring-line" or cord used for surveying. These terms establish the guide's function of systematically assessing the expanding water depth.
The thread — This measuring motif appears in Ezekiel 40:3 with a man holding a linen cord and in Zechariah 2:1 with a man carrying a measuring line. Luke 24:49 introduces a parallel promise of divine empowerment that remains in place until fulfillment.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of a progressive, measured expansion of water that increases in depth with each measured interval. The reader must observe how the guide's systematic pacing dictates the encounter with the rising stream.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 40:3 So He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze. He was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand.
- Zechariah 2:1 Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.
- Luke 24:49 And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
- Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
- Acts 2:33 Exalted, then, to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
- Acts 10:45 All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
- Acts 11:16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
- Revelation 11:1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there.
- Revelation 21:15 The angel who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city and its gates and walls.