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Ezekiel 47:3

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 47:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “When the man went forth eastward with the line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

When the man went forth eastward with the line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles.
Ezekiel 47:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 47

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And he brought me back unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward; (for the forefront of the house was toward the east;) and the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house, on the south of the altar.
2Then he brought me out by the way of the gate northward, and led me round by the way without unto the outer gate, by the way of [the gate] that looketh toward the east; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
3When the man went forth eastward with the line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles.
4Again he measured a thousand, and caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and caused me to pass through [the waters], waters that were to the loins.
5Afterward he measured a thousand; [and it was] a river that I could not pass through; for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.
6And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen [this]? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the bank of the river.
← Ezekiel 47:2Ezekiel 47:4 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when the man that had the line in his hand, &c.] The same as in (<264003>Ezekiel 40:3) and is no other than Christ, who appeared in a human form to the prophet; and who hitherto had only made use of the measuring reed in taking the dimensions of the house, and what appertained to it; but now he uses the line of flax he had in his hand, in measuring the waters as they ran; by which line is meant the Scriptures, the word of God, by which all doctrines are to be measured: this is the rule that both preachers and hearers are to go by; and, as by the direction of this person the waters flowed where he would have them, so the doctrines of the Gospel are preached by the order of Christ where he…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The ancles - This may coincide with the step gained in the baptism of Cornelius Acts 10:0, and the opening of the Church to the Gentiles. The dispersion which had followed the martyrdom of Stephen Acts 11:19, had carried believers into various countries, and so paved the way for the foundation of Gentile Churches. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He measured - By the line in his hand. He brought me - Went before, and the prophet followed; all this was in vision. Ezekiel 47:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“47:3-5 At first, the stream was a mere trickle coming out from the gate of the Temple, but as it flowed out it became deeper and deeper until it was too deep to walk through. The exiles needed to be reminded that God often works from small beginnings that miraculously blossom into full flower.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the man: Eze 40:3; Zac 2:1; Rev 11:1, Rev 21:15 waters were to the ankles: Heb. waters of the ancles, Luk 24:49; Act 2:4, Act 2:33, Act 10:45, Act 10:46, Act 11:16-18 Ezekiel 47:4”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification