Bible Strands

Ezekiel 47:4

Then he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through knee-deep water. Again he measured a thousand cubits and led me through waist-deep water.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The narrator Ezekiel is being led by a measuring man through a visionary temple courtyard. This moment follows the measurement of ankle-deep water and precedes the point where the current becomes uncrossable.

The words — The Hebrew וַ/יַּעֲבִרֵ֥/נִי (va/i.ya.'a.vi.Re./ni) literally means "and he made pass me," denoting the man's active guidance. The term בִּרְכָּ֑יִם (bir.Ka.yim) translates to "knees," specifying the exact depth of the water at this stage.

The thread — The progression of deepening water parallels the expanding reach of the gospel in Colossians 1:6, Romans 15:19, and Acts 19:10. These passages document the message bearing fruit and traveling across regions.

Why it lands — The text records a measured increase in water depth to demonstrate progressive divine provision. It asks the reader to observe how spiritual reality intensifies through deliberate, counted steps.

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

וַיָּ֣מָדva/i.Ya.modand/ he measured outאֶ֔לֶף'E.lefa thousand [cubits]וַיַּעֲבִרֵ֥נִיva/i.ya.'a.vi.Re./niand/ he made pass/ meבַמַּ֖יִםva./Ma.yimin the/ watersמַ֣יִםMa.yimwatersבִּרְכָּ֑יִםbir.Ka.yimkneesוַיָּ֣מָדva/i.Ya.modand/ he measured outאֶ֔לֶף'E.lefa thousand [cubits]וַיַּעֲבִרֵ֖נִיva/i.ya.'a.vi.Re./niand/ he made pass through/ meמֵ֥יmeiwaters ofמָתְנָֽיִם׃ma.te.Na.yimloins

King James Version

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.

Cross-references