Ezekiel 47:3 - When the man went out eastward with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles.
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What does "Ezekiel 47:3" mean?
Ezekiel 47:3 is part of a larger vision Ezekiel has of a river flowing from the Temple in Jerusalem. The verse describes the prophet being led by a man who is measuring the river's progress and depth. Here's a breakdown of the verse and its possible interpretations:
"When the man went out eastward with the line in his hand..." The man is likely an angel or a divine being acting as a guide and measurer. The "line" is a measuring cord, indicating the precision and divine order of the vision. The eastward direction is significant, as the Temple faced east, and the river is flowing in that direction, symbolizing its spreading influence.
"...he measured one thousand cubits..." A cubit is an ancient unit of length, roughly equivalent to the length of a forearm (around 18 inches or 45 cm). So, one thousand cubits would be a considerable distance. This measurement emphasizes the deliberate and expanding nature of the river.
"...and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles." Ezekiel is being led into the river, and at this initial distance, the water is shallow, only reaching his ankles. This symbolizes the beginning of a journey and the initial stages of transformation or blessing.
Symbolic Meanings:
The river in Ezekiel's vision is generally understood to symbolize:
God's presence and blessing: The river originates from the Temple, the center of God's presence. Its flow represents the outpouring of God's grace and power.
Spiritual renewal and restoration: The river brings life and healing wherever it flows, symbolizing the restoration of Israel and the renewal of the land.
The Gospel and its spreading influence: In a New Testament context, some interpret the river as a symbol of the Gospel message, which starts small but gradually spreads and deepens its impact.
Progressive spiritual growth: The increasing depth of the water as the man measures further symbolizes the deepening of one's faith and spiritual life. The ankle-deep water in verse 3 represents the initial stages of that growth.
In summary, Ezekiel 47:3 describes the beginning of a divinely guided journey through a river of life-giving water. The shallow water at the beginning suggests the initial, perhaps tentative, steps into a deeper relationship with God and the beginning of experiencing His blessings and transformative power. As the vision progresses, the water gets deeper, signifying increasing spiritual depth and impact.
Ezekiel 47:3 - When the man went out eastward with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles.
What does "Ezekiel 47:3" mean?
Ezekiel 47:3 is part of a larger vision Ezekiel has of a river flowing from the Temple in Jerusalem. The verse describes the prophet being led by a man who is measuring the river's progress and depth. Here's a breakdown of the verse and its possible interpretations:
"When the man went out eastward with the line in his hand..." The man is likely an angel or a divine being acting as a guide and measurer. The "line" is a measuring cord, indicating the precision and divine order of the vision. The eastward direction is significant, as the Temple faced east, and the river is flowing in that direction, symbolizing its spreading influence.
"...he measured one thousand cubits..." A cubit is an ancient unit of length, roughly equivalent to the length of a forearm (around 18 inches or 45 cm). So, one thousand cubits would be a considerable distance. This measurement emphasizes the deliberate and expanding nature of the river.
"...and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles." Ezekiel is being led into the river, and at this initial distance, the water is shallow, only reaching his ankles. This symbolizes the beginning of a journey and the initial stages of transformation or blessing.
Symbolic Meanings:
The river in Ezekiel's vision is generally understood to symbolize:
God's presence and blessing: The river originates from the Temple, the center of God's presence. Its flow represents the outpouring of God's grace and power.
Spiritual renewal and restoration: The river brings life and healing wherever it flows, symbolizing the restoration of Israel and the renewal of the land.
The Gospel and its spreading influence: In a New Testament context, some interpret the river as a symbol of the Gospel message, which starts small but gradually spreads and deepens its impact.
Progressive spiritual growth: The increasing depth of the water as the man measures further symbolizes the deepening of one's faith and spiritual life. The ankle-deep water in verse 3 represents the initial stages of that growth.
In summary, Ezekiel 47:3 describes the beginning of a divinely guided journey through a river of life-giving water. The shallow water at the beginning suggests the initial, perhaps tentative, steps into a deeper relationship with God and the beginning of experiencing His blessings and transformative power. As the vision progresses, the water gets deeper, signifying increasing spiritual depth and impact.