Ezekiel 44:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto me, Son {H1121} of man {H120}, mark {H7760} well {H3820}, and behold {H7200} with thine eyes {H5869}, and hear {H8085} with thine ears {H241} all that I say {H1696} unto thee concerning all the ordinances {H2708} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, and all the laws {H8451} thereof; and mark {H7760} well {H3820} the entering in {H3996} of the house {H1004}, with every going forth {H4161} of the sanctuary {H4720}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to me, "Human being, pay attention; see with your eyes and hear with your ears everything I tell you about all the regulations of ADONAI's house and about all its Torah; pay attention to who can enter the house and who must be excluded from the sanctuary.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD said to me: “Son of man, pay attention; look carefully with your eyes and listen closely with your ears to everything I tell you concerning all the statutes and laws of the house of the LORD. Take careful note of the entrance to the temple, along with all the exits of the sanctuary.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah 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 Jehovah, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entrance of the house, with every egress of the sanctuary.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 44:5 presents a solemn divine injunction to the prophet Ezekiel, commanding him to pay meticulous attention to every detail concerning the ordinances and laws of the visionary temple. This verse underscores the absolute necessity of diligent observation, comprehension, and adherence to God's precise instructions regarding the sacred space, its operations, and the conduct within it, emphasizing the divine authority behind these regulations and the profound holiness of the LORD's dwelling.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 44:5 is situated within the latter portion of the book of Ezekiel (chapters 40-48), which describes a detailed vision of a new temple and its associated regulations. Following the glorious return of the LORD's presence to the temple in [Ezekiel 43:4](/ezekiel/43-4 "Ezekiel 43:4 - The Glory of the Lord Returns"), this verse marks a crucial transition from the architectural descriptions of the temple to the specific laws and ordinances governing its functions, priesthood, and access. It serves as an authoritative introduction to the detailed instructions that follow in chapters 44-46, establishing the divine imperative for precision and reverence in all matters pertaining to this holy structure. The preceding verses in chapter 44 detail the closed east gate, signifying the enduring presence of God's glory, and the exclusion of certain individuals, setting a tone of strict holiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile (597-538 BC), a period of profound national trauma for Israel. The destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC left the people without their central place of worship and a tangible symbol of God's presence. Ezekiel's vision of a new, glorious temple served as a powerful message of hope, restoration, and the future renewal of God's covenant with His people. Culturally, ancient Near Eastern temples were meticulously ordered spaces, reflecting the perceived order of the cosmos and the majesty of the deity. The emphasis on detailed ordinances and laws in Ezekiel's vision would resonate with a people accustomed to the intricate ritual and legal codes of the Mosaic Law, reinforcing the idea that God's presence demanded a specific, holy response, even in exile.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Authority**, as the LORD directly commands Ezekiel to heed His precise instructions, demonstrating God's ultimate control over His dwelling and worship. The repeated call to "mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears" highlights the theme of **Diligent Obedience and Attentiveness to God's Word**, echoing the importance of internalizing divine truth found throughout Scripture, as seen in [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teach Your Children Diligently"). Furthermore, the focus on "all the ordinances of the house of the LORD, and all the laws thereof" and the careful regulation of "the entering in... with every going forth of the sanctuary" underscores the profound theme of **Holiness and Purity** required in God's presence, a concept central to the entire book of Ezekiel, which often laments the defilement of the former temple (e.g., [Ezekiel 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - Abominations in the Temple")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **mark well (Hebrew, _sûwm lêb'_):** This idiomatic phrase, derived from H7760 (_sûwm_, "to put" or "to set") and H3820 (_lêb_, "heart" or "mind"), literally means "set your heart" or "put your mind." It signifies a profound and intentional act of attention, demanding deep consideration, earnest reflection, and a complete focus of one's intellect and will upon the divine instructions. It implies not just casual observation, but a diligent effort to understand, internalize, and act upon the divine directive.
* **ordinances (Hebrew, _chuqqâh'_):** From H2708, _chuqqâh_ refers to divine statutes, decrees, or established customs and fixed regulations. In this context, it highlights the specific, unchangeable rules governing the sacred space and its functions, emphasizing their divine origin and mandatory nature. These are the prescribed ways God has ordained for His house.
* **sanctuary (Hebrew, _miqdâsh'_):** Derived from H4720, _miqdâsh_ denotes a consecrated thing or place, specifically a holy dwelling or temple. Its use here underscores the profound sacredness of the envisioned house of the LORD, implying that all activities within and concerning it must align with its holy purpose and God's presence, demanding reverence and strict adherence to its laws.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"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":** This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authority of the message. The address "Son of man" (H1121 _bên_ H120 _ʼâdâm_) emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity and mortality in contrast to the divine majesty of the LORD (H3068 _Yᵉhôvâh_) who speaks (H559 _ʼâmar_ H1696 _dâbar_). The repeated imperative to "mark well" (H7760 _sûwm_ H3820 _lêb_), "behold with thine eyes" (H7200 _râʼâh_ H5869 _ʻayin_), and "hear with thine ears" (H8085 _shâmaʻ_ H241 _ʼôzen_) is a powerful rhetorical device, underscoring the absolute necessity of meticulous observation, deep cognitive engagement, and full sensory and intellectual reception of the divine communication.
* **"concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD, and all the laws thereof;":** This specifies the subject matter of the divine instruction: the comprehensive body of divine requirements for the temple. "Ordinances" (H2708 _chuqqâh_) refers to established decrees, while "laws" (H8451 _tôwrâh_) refers to general instructions or teachings. Together, they encompass the entire legal and ritual framework governing the temple (H1004 _bayith_) and its service, emphasizing that no detail is insignificant.
* **"and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary.":** This final clause reiterates the command for diligent attention, specifically focusing on the movements and access points of the temple. "Entering in" (H3996 _mâbôwʼ_) and "going forth" (H4161 _môwtsâʼ_) of the "sanctuary" (H4720 _miqdâsh_) highlight the importance of regulating access and movement within the holy space. This signifies the strict protocols and boundaries that must be observed to maintain the purity and sanctity of God's dwelling, emphasizing that even the most basic movements require careful adherence to divine will.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, with the phrase "mark well" appearing twice, amplifying the imperative for diligent attention. This is further reinforced by the sensory parallelism of "behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears," which creates a sense of **Emphasis** and totality, demanding Ezekiel's complete intellectual and spiritual engagement. The use of **Metonymy** is evident in "eyes" and "ears" representing the faculties of observation and comprehension, urging a full reception of the divine word. The phrase "Son of man" serves as a constant **Appellation**, reminding Ezekiel of his human vulnerability and the immense privilege of receiving direct divine revelation. Finally, the meticulous enumeration of "all the ordinances... and all the laws" and "every entering in... every going forth" utilizes **Merism** to convey comprehensiveness, indicating that no aspect of the temple's operation is outside the scope of God's detailed command.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 44:5 profoundly underscores God's meticulous concern for holiness and order in worship, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative. The divine imperative for careful attention to the temple's ordinances reflects God's unchanging nature as a holy God who demands to be approached on His terms. This principle extends beyond the physical temple to the spiritual reality of God's dwelling among His people. It teaches that true worship is not casual or arbitrary but requires intentionality, reverence, and strict adherence to divine instruction. This commitment to God's revealed will is essential for maintaining a right relationship with Him and experiencing His presence. The detailed nature of the laws also foreshadows the precision of God's redemptive plan, which culminates in Christ.
* [Leviticus 10:3](/leviticus/10-3 "Leviticus 10:3 - God Is Holy and Will Be Sanctified")
* [Psalm 119:1-8](/psalm/119-1 "Psalm 119:1-8 - Blessed Are Those Who Walk in the Law of the Lord")
* [Hebrews 12:28-29](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28-29 - Worship God with Reverence and Awe")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 44:5 serves as a timeless call to reverence and intentionality in our spiritual lives. While the physical temple of Ezekiel's vision is not literally rebuilt, the principles of diligent attention to God's word and the pursuit of holiness remain profoundly relevant for believers today. Just as Ezekiel was commanded to "mark well" every detail of the temple, we are called to approach God's revealed truth in Scripture with utmost seriousness and dedication. This means moving beyond superficial reading to deep study, meditation, and prayerful application. Our lives, as temples of the Holy Spirit, and our corporate gatherings as the church, are sacred spaces where God's presence dwells. Therefore, our conduct, our worship, and our obedience should reflect the same meticulous care and reverence that God demanded for His ancient sanctuary. We are to be mindful of how we "enter in" and "go forth" in every aspect of our lives, ensuring that our actions align with God's holy character and His revealed will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How diligently do I "mark well" God's Word in my daily life? Am I truly beholding with my eyes and hearing with my ears, or am I merely skimming?**
* **In what ways do I treat my body, as a "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), with the reverence and attention to holiness that God demands?**
* **How does the emphasis on "ordinances" and "laws" in this verse inform my understanding of Christian freedom and obedience?**
* **What specific areas of my "entering in" and "going forth" (my daily habits, interactions, decisions) need greater intentionality and alignment with God's holy standards?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Son of man" in this verse?**

Answer: The address "Son of man" (Hebrew: _ben adam_) is a recurring title for Ezekiel throughout the book, used over 90 times. Its significance lies in emphasizing Ezekiel's humanity and mortality in stark contrast to the divine majesty and authority of the LORD who speaks to him. It serves to humble the prophet, reminding him that he is a mere human receiving profound divine revelation. This reinforces the idea that the message is not of human origin but comes directly from God, requiring the utmost attention and obedience from His chosen messenger.

**Why is there such an emphasis on "marking well" and meticulous attention?**

Answer: The repeated emphasis on "mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears" (Hebrew: _sim leb_, _ra'ah b'eyneka_, _shama' b'ozneka_) underscores the paramount importance of fully grasping and internalizing God's instructions. This is not a casual request but a divine command for absolute diligence. For a people whose temple had been destroyed due to their disobedience and defilement, this meticulous attention signifies God's renewed demand for holiness and order in His presence. It highlights that every detail of His house and its service is sacred and must be approached with reverence and precision, reflecting His own perfect character. This level of detail ensures that the restored worship would be pure and acceptable to God, unlike the defiled practices that led to the first temple's destruction, as described in [Ezekiel 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - Abominations in the Temple").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 44:5, with its intense focus on the meticulous ordinances and laws of the visionary temple, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The detailed regulations for access, purity, and worship in the Old Covenant temple, which were impossible for humanity to perfectly uphold, foreshadowed the perfect obedience and sacrifice of Christ. He is the true and ultimate [Temple of God](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the Temple of His Body"), in whom God's presence fully dwells. Through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus perfectly fulfilled all the requirements of God's law and all the ordinances of the sanctuary. He is the "entering in" and "going forth" for all humanity, the [Door through whom we enter into God's presence](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Door"). The New Covenant, inaugurated by His blood, provides a spiritual reality where believers, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, become [living temples](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit") and are granted direct access to God through Christ, the [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"). Thus, the meticulous attention demanded in Ezekiel 44:5 points to the absolute perfection of Christ's work, which alone enables sinful humanity to approach a holy God, not through adherence to external rituals, but through faith in the One who is the perfect embodiment of God's holiness and the fulfillment of all His laws.

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 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.

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.

Ezekiel 43:11

And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write [it] in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.

Deuteronomy 12:32

What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Deuteronomy 32:46

And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

Daniel 10:12

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

Psalms 96:8

Give unto the LORD the glory [due unto] his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.