Ezekiel 40:4

KJV

And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew [them] unto thee [art] thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the man {H376} said {H1696} unto me, Son {H1121} of man {H120}, behold {H7200} with thine eyes {H5869}, and hear {H8085} with thine ears {H241}, and set {H7760} thine heart {H3820} upon all that I shall shew {H7200} thee; for to the intent {H4616} that I might shew {H7200} them unto thee art thou brought {H935} hither: declare {H5046} all that thou seest {H7200} to the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The man said to me, "Human being, look with your eyes, hear with your ears, and pay attention to all the things I am showing you; because the reason you were brought here is so that I could show them to you. Tell everything you see to the house of Isra'el."

Berean Standard Bible

“Son of man,” he said to me, “look with your eyes, hear with your ears, and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Report to the house of Israel everything you see.”

American Standard Version

And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thy heart upon all that I shall show thee; for, to the intent that I may show them unto thee, art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 40:4 serves as a pivotal divine commission within Ezekiel's grand visionary encounter, inaugurating the detailed revelation of a new temple. The verse articulates a threefold imperative for the prophet: to engage his visual, auditory, and intellectual faculties with meticulous attention to the forthcoming divine disclosure. It explicitly states the sovereign purpose behind his miraculous transportation to this visionary realm and culminates in a clear, non-negotiable mandate to faithfully communicate every perceived detail to the exiled house of Israel, thereby delivering a message of profound hope and future restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the commencement of the climactic and most extensive section of the Book of Ezekiel, encompassing chapters 40-48, which meticulously details a vision of a new temple, its precise measurements, and its associated cultic practices. This vision follows a period of intense prophecy concerning Israel's judgment and the surrounding nations, interspersed with powerful promises of restoration, most notably the resurrection of the dry bones in [Ezekiel 37](/ezekiel/37 "Ezekiel 37 - The Valley of Dry Bones"). The immediate literary setting is established in [Ezekiel 40:1-3](/ezekiel/40-1-3 "Ezekiel 40:1-3 - The Vision of the Man with a Measuring Line"), where Ezekiel is divinely transported to a very high mountain in the land of Israel and encounters a mysterious "man" with a bronze-like appearance, equipped with a measuring line and a reed. The comprehensive instruction in verse 4 thus sets the methodological tone for the architectural and cultic descriptions that follow, underscoring the divine origin, precise nature, and authoritative weight of the entire revelation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision recounted in [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The New Temple Vision") is dated to the 25th year of Israel's Babylonian exile, approximately 573 BC. This was a period of profound national trauma and spiritual despair for the Jewish people, fourteen years after Jerusalem and its sacred temple were utterly destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The physical obliteration of the temple, the very epicenter of their worship and the tangible symbol of God's dwelling among them, was psychologically and spiritually devastating. In this context of profound loss and perceived divine abandonment, a detailed vision of a new, glorious temple offered an unparalleled beacon of hope. It powerfully signified God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, His enduring intention to restore His people, and the promise of His renewed, glorious presence among them, pointing towards an eschatological future. The meticulous architectural and ritualistic details would have deeply resonated with a people whose identity, worship, and national life were inextricably intertwined with the temple and the Mosaic Law.
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 40:4](/ezekiel/40-4 "Ezekiel 40:4 - The Prophet's Commission") serves as a foundational text for several overarching themes pervasive throughout the book of Ezekiel. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Purposeful Revelation**. Ezekiel's very presence in the vision ("art thou brought hither") and the revelation itself are not accidental but divinely orchestrated with a specific, redemptive purpose. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the critical theme of **Attentive Reception and Obedience**. The triple imperative—"behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thy heart upon all that I shall shew thee"—demands the prophet's full sensory, cognitive, and volitional engagement. This call to holistic attention is a recurring motif in prophetic literature, echoing the imperative to listen to God's word found in passages like [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema") and [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - Hear, But Do Not Understand"). Thirdly, and crucially, the verse establishes the **Prophetic Mandate to Declare God's Word**. Ezekiel is transformed from a mere observer into an active messenger ("declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel"), mirroring the commissions of other prophets such as Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 1:7](/jeremiah/1-7 "Jeremiah 1:7 - Jeremiah's Commission") and Isaiah in [Isaiah 6:8-9](/isaiah/6-8-9 "Isaiah 6:8-9 - Isaiah's Call"). This mandate highlights the imperative of communicating divine truth for the edification, comfort, and hope of God's people, particularly in times of distress and exile.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **man (Hebrew, _ʼîysh'_):** This term, meaning an individual male person, refers to the mysterious figure who guides Ezekiel throughout the temple vision. While appearing human, his description "like the appearance of bronze" in [Ezekiel 40:3](/ezekiel/40-3 "Ezekiel 40:3 - The Man of Bronze") suggests a divine or angelic nature, indicating that the instructions he imparts carry ultimate authority and divine origin. The use of `ʼîysh` maintains a degree of mystery while affirming a tangible, communicative presence, a messenger of God's will.
* **heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** This word signifies not merely the physical organ but, more comprehensively, the inner self—the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. The command to "set thine heart upon" implies a profound level of mental and spiritual engagement. It calls for meticulous attention, deep consideration, and complete internalization of the vision, suggesting that the revelation is complex, significant, and requires more than superficial observation. It demands intellectual understanding, emotional receptivity, and volitional commitment to the truth being revealed.
* **declare (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** This primitive root means "to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present)." The command for Ezekiel to "declare" signifies a public, verbal proclamation. It emphasizes the active role of the prophet as God's mouthpiece, not merely an observer. The message is not for private contemplation but for open, clear, and faithful communication to the exiled community, thereby fulfilling the very purpose for which Ezekiel was brought to this visionary encounter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the man said unto me":** This introductory phrase identifies the speaker as the mysterious divine guide first encountered in [Ezekiel 40:3](/ezekiel/40-3 "Ezekiel 40:3 - The Man with a Measuring Line"). His words carry the weight of divine authority, setting the stage for a crucial and comprehensive commission to the prophet.
* **"Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thy heart upon all that I shall shew thee":** This constitutes a powerful, tripartite imperative directed at Ezekiel, emphasizing the absolute necessity of comprehensive and holistic engagement with the forthcoming vision. The address "Son of man" highlights Ezekiel's humanity and mortality in stark contrast to the divine messenger and the extraordinary nature of the revelation. The commands to "behold with thine eyes" (requiring precise visual observation), "hear with thine ears" (demanding careful auditory reception of instructions and explanations), and "set thy heart upon" (calling for deep intellectual and spiritual comprehension, meditation, and internalization) collectively demand Ezekiel's full sensory, cognitive, and volitional attention to every intricate detail of the elaborate temple vision.
* **"for to the intent that I might shew [them] unto thee [art] thou brought hither":** This crucial clause reveals the overarching divine purpose behind Ezekiel's miraculous transportation and the entire visionary experience. It unequivocally clarifies that his presence in this visionary realm is not accidental but divinely orchestrated and purposeful. The revelation is specifically intended for him, establishing him as a chosen recipient and a unique, authoritative witness to God's future redemptive plans for Israel.
* **"declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel":** This is the ultimate prophetic mandate and the culmination of the commission. The meticulous observation and profound understanding gained by Ezekiel are not for his private benefit or intellectual curiosity but are fundamentally for the sake of the exiled community. He is solemnly commissioned to faithfully and comprehensively convey every detail of the vision to the "house of Israel," providing them with a concrete, tangible picture of God's enduring presence, future restoration, and renewed worship. This command underscores the public, communal, and redemptive nature of prophetic revelation.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 40:4 masterfully employs several literary devices to underscore the gravity, urgency, and divine purpose of the prophet's commission. The most prominent is the pervasive use of the **Imperative Mood**, evident in the direct commands: "behold," "hear," "set," and "declare." This forceful and authoritative language conveys the non-negotiable nature of Ezekiel's task, leaving no room for casual engagement or misinterpretation. There is also a strong element of **Emphasis through Repetition and Parallelism**, particularly in the triad of sensory and intellectual engagement: "behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thy heart upon." This structure not only highlights the comprehensive attention required but also builds a rhetorical crescendo, moving from external observation to deeper spiritual and intellectual understanding implied by "set thy heart." Furthermore, the repeated address "Son of man" functions as a form of **Apostrophe**, directly addressing Ezekiel and serving as a constant reminder of his human limitations and mortality in contrast to the divine source of the revelation, while simultaneously affirming his representative role for humanity. Finally, the "man" himself can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing a divine or angelic messenger whose appearance of "bronze" ([Ezekiel 40:3](/ezekiel/40-3 "Ezekiel 40:3 - The Man of Bronze")) signifies purity, strength, and the unyielding nature of divine judgment and truth, further enhancing the authority and solemnity of the instructions he imparts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 40:4 is profoundly theological, articulating fundamental principles concerning the nature of divine revelation and the weighty responsibility of its recipients. It teaches that God's truth is not imparted haphazardly but with specific intent and a sovereign purpose, demanding a holistic and comprehensive engagement from those who receive it—intellectually, emotionally, and volitionally. The meticulous detail required of Ezekiel foreshadows the precision of God's redemptive plans and underscores the unwavering importance of His covenant faithfulness, even in the midst of national desolation and exile. Ultimately, the verse underlines the enduring principle that divine revelation is never solely for personal consumption; rather, it is given for the benefit, instruction, and hope of God's people, to be faithfully declared and applied for their restoration and edification.

* [Jeremiah 1:9-10](/jeremiah/1-9-10 "Jeremiah 1:9-10 - Jeremiah's Prophetic Commission")
* [Revelation 1:19](/revelation/1-19 "Revelation 1:19 - John's Command to Write")
* [Hebrews 2:1](/hebrews/2-1 "Hebrews 2:1 - Pay Careful Attention")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 40:4 offers timeless and profound principles for how believers should engage with divine truth in every generation. Just as Ezekiel was commanded to apply all his faculties—sight, hearing, and heart—to the overwhelming vision, so too are we called to approach God's written Word, the Bible, with profound diligence, intentionality, and reverence. We are not merely to passively read or casually hear its pronouncements, but to actively "set our hearts upon" its truths, allowing them to penetrate our intellect, stir our deepest emotions, and fundamentally shape our will and actions. This requires more than superficial engagement; it demands thoughtful meditation, prayerful consideration, diligent study, and a committed resolve to understand God's purposes as revealed in Scripture. Moreover, the verse powerfully reminds us that divine revelation is never solely for personal consumption or private spiritual enrichment; it inherently carries a mandate for declaration. We are called to be faithful witnesses, sharing the hope, truth, and transformative power of God's word with our "house of Israel"—our families, our communities, our churches, and indeed, the wider world—just as Ezekiel was tasked with providing a beacon of hope to the exiles in their despair.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How diligently do I "behold with my eyes" (read) and "hear with my ears" (listen to teaching) when engaging with God's Word? Am I truly attentive, or am I often distracted by other things?**
* **What does it practically mean for me to "set my heart upon" a biblical truth? How can I move beyond superficial understanding to deep internalization, personal conviction, and life-altering application?**
* **In what specific ways am I called to "declare all that I see" (i.e., what I understand of God's truth and experience of His work) to those around me? What prevents me from being a more faithful and courageous messenger of His hope?**

### FAQ
**Who is "the man" mentioned in Ezekiel 40:4, and what is his significance?**

Answer: "The man" is a mysterious, divinely appointed figure introduced in [Ezekiel 40:3](/ezekiel/40-3 "Ezekiel 40:3 - The Man of Bronze"). While his identity is not explicitly stated, his appearance "like the appearance of bronze" and his authoritative role as Ezekiel's guide and instructor throughout the elaborate temple vision strongly suggest he is either a powerful angel of the Lord or, as many theologians propose, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ (a Christophany). His significance lies in his divine authority and his function as the authoritative revealer of God's future plans for the temple and Israel. He acts as God's direct agent, ensuring the precision, accuracy, and divine origin of the entire vision communicated to the prophet.

**Why is Ezekiel addressed as "Son of man" so frequently in the book, especially here?**

Answer: The title "Son of man" (Hebrew: *ben adam*) is used over 90 times in the Book of Ezekiel, almost exclusively by God or His divine messenger when addressing the prophet. It serves primarily to emphasize Ezekiel's humanity, mortality, and frailty in profound contrast to the divine majesty, power, and overwhelming nature of the revelations he receives. In [Ezekiel 40:4](/ezekiel/40-4 "Ezekiel 40:4 - The Prophet's Commission"), it functions as a potent reminder that despite being chosen for extraordinary visions and a unique prophetic calling, Ezekiel remains a human being, a representative of humanity, tasked with humbly receiving and faithfully delivering a divine message. This title also carries significant theological weight, subtly preparing the reader for its later and distinct use in the New Testament as a primary messianic self-designation for Jesus, highlighting both His true humanity and His unique divine authority.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 40:4, with its profound emphasis on a divine revelation concerning a future temple and the prophet's solemn mandate to declare it, finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Ezekiel's vision describes a meticulously detailed physical temple, the New Testament unequivocally reveals that Jesus Christ is the true and ultimate fulfillment of God's dwelling place among humanity. He is the true temple, as He Himself declared in [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus and the Temple"), stating, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up... But he was speaking about the temple of his body." Through Christ, God's glorious presence is no longer confined to a physical building but dwells fully in a person, and through Him, in His body, the Church ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone")). Just as Ezekiel was supernaturally brought to witness God's future dwelling, believers are brought into intimate, living fellowship with God through Christ, who perfectly declares God's truth. Jesus is the ultimate "man" who perfectly shows us the Father ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Jesus, the Way to the Father")) and flawlessly fulfills the prophetic mandate to "declare all that thou seest," for He is the very Word made flesh, full of grace and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). His incarnate life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection constitute the ultimate revelation of God's redemptive purpose for humanity, a truth we are now commanded to behold with our eyes of faith, hear with our spiritual ears, set our hearts upon with unwavering devotion, and faithfully declare to the "house of Israel" and indeed, to all nations, as commanded in the Great Commission ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 44:5

And the LORD said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary.

Ezekiel 2:7

And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they [are] most rebellious.

Ezekiel 2:8

But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

Ezekiel 43:10

Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern.

Matthew 10:27

What I tell you in darkness, [that] speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, [that] preach ye upon the housetops.

Jeremiah 26:2

Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:

Matthew 13:9

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.