What does Ezekiel 47:3 mean?

"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 ancles." - Ezekiel 47:3

Ezekiel 47:3 - "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 ancles."

Ezekiel 47:3 - "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 ancles."

Ezekiel 47:3 (King James Version) reads: "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."

To fully understand the meaning and significance of this verse, it's important to delve into the context in which it appears. The book of Ezekiel is situated in the Old Testament and is attributed to the prophet Ezekiel, who lived during the Babylonian exile. In the passage leading up to this verse, Ezekiel describes a vision he had, in which he was taken to the entrance of the Temple and saw water flowing from the altar, increasing in depth as it flowed. The vision is highly symbolic and contains spiritual implications.

In Ezekiel’s vision, the man with the measuring line is none other than an angel. This angel was ready to measure the extent and boundaries of the future temple. The symbolism of the eastward direction is important, as it signifies the direction of divine revelation. By going eastward, the angel is indicating that Ezekiel is being brought closer to the source of divine enlightenment and insight.

The initial measurement of a thousand cubits and the depth of the waters to the ankles signify that, at this stage, the revelation and divine presence are only at a shallow level, just barely covering the surface. This symbolizes an initial stage of understanding or spiritual fulfillment, but it also suggests that there is much more depth and insight to come. It serves as a reminder to not become complacent with the initial levels of spiritual understanding but to continue to seek deeper and more meaningful experiences with God.

Furthermore, the mention of the ankles is significant because it represents a level of stability and rootedness. It suggests that while the water is shallow, it still provides a firm foundation for spiritual growth. It's a place where one can stand securely, able to explore and grow in their faith.

This vision can also be seen as a metaphor for the journey of faith. Just as the man with the measuring line leads Ezekiel through the waters, God guides us through the various depths of spiritual understanding, always leading us closer to Him. The shallow waters represent the beginning of our spiritual journey, and as we grow in faith and understanding, the waters gradually deepen, signifying a deeper and more profound relationship with God.

The symbolism of water is prevalent throughout the Bible and often represents purification, life, and spiritual rebirth. The flowing waters in Ezekiel's vision may also symbolize the constant and unending grace of God, always flowing and nourishing spiritual life.

In a broader sense, this vision can also be interpreted as a metaphor for the continual growth and expansion of the kingdom of God. Just as the water in Ezekiel's vision becomes deeper and wider as it flows, so too does God's kingdom continue to grow and encompass more souls. It's a reminder of the ever-expanding nature of God's grace and the ongoing work of redemption and restoration that He is carrying out in the world.

Overall, Ezekiel 47:3 is a deeply symbolic and evocative verse that provides spiritual insight and encouragement. It speaks to the journey of faith, the continual growth of spiritual understanding, and the all-encompassing grace of God. It serves as a reminder to seek deeper understanding and to faithfully follow God as He leads us through the depths of spiritual revelation.

Ezekiel 47:3 Artwork

Ezekiel 47:3 - "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 ancles."

Ezekiel 47:3 - "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 ancles."

Ezekiel 47:12 – "Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river."

Ezekiel 47:12 – "Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river."

Ezekiel 47:21 - "So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel."

Ezekiel 47:21 - "So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel."

Ezekiel 47:11 - "But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt."

Ezekiel 47:11 - "But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt."

Lamentations 3:47 - "Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction."

Lamentations 3:47 - "Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction."

Ezekiel 47:17 - "And the border from the sea shall be Hazar-enan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And this is the north side."

Ezekiel 47:17 - "And the border from the sea shall be Hazar-enan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And this is the north side."

Ezekiel 47:16 - "Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazar-hatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran."

Ezekiel 47:16 - "Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazar-hatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran."

Ezekiel 40:47 - "So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar that was before the house."

Ezekiel 40:47 - "So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar that was before the house."

Ezekiel 47:15 - "And this shall be the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;"

Ezekiel 47:15 - "And this shall be the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;"

Ezekiel 47:7 - "Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other."

Ezekiel 47:7 - "Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other."

Psalms 47:3 - "He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet."

Psalms 47:3 - "He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet."

Ezekiel 47:19 - "And the south side southward, from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is the south side southward."

Ezekiel 47:19 - "And the south side southward, from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is the south side southward."

Ezekiel 47:20 - "The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side."

Ezekiel 47:20 - "The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side."

Ezekiel 47:23 - "And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel 47:23 - "And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel 47:6 - "¶ And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river."

Ezekiel 47:6 - "¶ And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river."

Ezekiel 47:5 - "Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over."

Ezekiel 47:5 - "Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over."

Ezekiel 47:13 - "¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions."

Ezekiel 47:13 - "¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions."

Ezekiel 47:4 - "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 - "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 47:18 - "And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is the east side."

Ezekiel 47:18 - "And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is the east side."

Ezekiel 16:47 - "Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways."

Ezekiel 16:47 - "Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways."

Ezekiel 47:14 - "And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance."

Ezekiel 47:14 - "And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance."

Ezekiel 47:8 - "Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed."

Ezekiel 47:8 - "Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed."

Ezekiel 47:2 - "Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side."

Ezekiel 47:2 - "Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side."

Numbers 3:47 - "Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:)"

Numbers 3:47 - "Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:)"

Genesis 47:3 - "And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers."

Genesis 47:3 - "And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers."

Jeremiah 47:3 - "At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;"

Jeremiah 47:3 - "At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;"

Isaiah 47:3 - "Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man." The image should not depict explicit or offensive content but be symbolic.

Isaiah 47:3 - "Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man." The image should not depict explicit or offensive content but be symbolic.

Ezekiel 47:12 - "And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine."

Ezekiel 47:12 - "And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine."

Ezekiel 47:10 - "And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many."

Ezekiel 47:10 - "And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many."

Ezekiel 1:3 - "The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him."

Ezekiel 1:3 - "The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him."