Ezekiel 40:4

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.

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}.

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."

“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.”

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.

Ezekiel 40:4 introduces a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's vision, marking the beginning of a detailed revelation concerning a new temple. This verse serves as a crucial instruction from an angelic guide, often understood as a divine figure, to Ezekiel, emphasizing the meticulous attention required for the profound vision he is about to receive and the subsequent responsibility to declare it.

Context

This verse opens a significant section of the Book of Ezekiel (chapters 40-48), detailing a grand vision of a future temple. After being transported by the Spirit of God to a very high mountain in the land of Israel (Ezekiel 40:2), Ezekiel encounters a "man" who appears like brass and holds a measuring line and a reed. This vision occurs in the 25th year of Israel's exile in Babylon, a time when the people were despondent, and the original temple in Jerusalem lay in ruins. The vision offers a profound message of hope, restoration, and God's enduring presence among His people, centered around a meticulously described sanctuary.

Key Themes

  • Divine Commission and Attentive Reception: The command "behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee" highlights the extraordinary importance of the impending revelation. Ezekiel is called to engage all his senses and intellect—sight, hearing, and deep mental and spiritual comprehension—to fully grasp the intricate details of the temple vision. This emphasizes the necessity of careful discernment and profound attention when receiving divine truth.
  • Purposeful Revelation: The phrase "for to the intent that I might shew [them] unto thee [art] thou brought hither" underscores the deliberate and sovereign purpose behind Ezekiel's transportation and the revelation. His presence is not accidental; it is divinely orchestrated to prepare him as a vessel for this specific message of God's future plans for Israel.
  • Mandate to Declare: The final instruction, "declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel," transforms Ezekiel from a mere observer into a messenger. The detailed vision is not for his private understanding but is explicitly intended to be faithfully communicated to the exiled people. This prophetic mandate was crucial for providing comfort, direction, and a tangible picture of God's coming restoration and renewed worship.

Linguistic Insights

The address "Son of man" is a consistent way God refers to Ezekiel throughout the book. In Hebrew, ben adam emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity and mortality, contrasting him with the divine majesty and heavenly revelations he experiences. This title also connects him to humanity as a whole, making him a representative figure for the people he serves.

The phrase "set thine heart upon" translates a Hebrew idiom that implies much more than casual observation. It signifies a deep commitment to understanding, internalizing, and remembering the details. It calls for diligent and thorough attention, suggesting that the revelation is complex and requires careful study.

Related Scriptures

Ezekiel's commissioning here echoes similar divine calls to other prophets throughout Scripture. For instance, Jeremiah was commanded, "Whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak," highlighting the prophet's role as God's mouthpiece. The imperative to "declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel" aligns with the broader prophetic duty to communicate God's word to His people, whether it be warnings, comfort, or promises of restoration.

In the New Testament, the principle of faithful witnessing is central. Jesus commissioned His disciples to be witnesses of what they had seen and heard concerning His life, death, and resurrection, carrying forward a similar principle of meticulous observation and faithful declaration.

Practical Application

  • Attentive Reception of Truth: This verse serves as a timeless reminder for believers to approach God's Word with diligence. Just as Ezekiel was commanded to engage all his faculties, we are called to read, hear, and meditate deeply on biblical truths. Superficial engagement often leads to limited understanding and application.
  • Purpose in Revelation: God reveals truth for a reason. Whether through the Bible, creation, or personal experience, His revelations are purposeful, designed to guide us, transform us, and equip us for His service. We should seek to understand the divine intent behind what He shows us.
  • Faithful Witnessing: Ezekiel's mandate to "declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel" is a powerful call for Christians today to share the truths of the Gospel and God's faithfulness with others. We are called to be faithful messengers of what we have received, offering hope and truth to a world in need, much like Ezekiel offered hope to the exiles concerning God's future plans and glory.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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