Ezekiel 47:4

KJV

Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters [were] to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters [were] to the loins.

KJV (with Strong's)

Again he measured {H4058} a thousand {H505}, and brought me through {H5674} the waters {H4325}; the waters {H4325} were to the knees {H1290}. Again he measured {H4058} a thousand {H505}, and brought me through {H5674}; the waters {H4325} were to the loins {H4975}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He measured another thousand and had me wade through the water, which reached my knees. He measured another thousand and had me wade through water up to my waist.

Berean Standard Bible

Then he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through knee-deep water. Again he measured a thousand cubits and led me through waist-deep water.

American Standard Version

Again 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 47:4 continues the prophet's awe-inspiring vision of a life-giving river flowing from the new temple, illustrating its miraculous and ever-increasing depth. Following the initial measurement where the water reached the ankles, the divine guide leads Ezekiel further into the stream, revealing its progressive growth to the knees and then to the loins. This systematic and divinely orchestrated expansion signifies a profound and escalating immersion in God's presence and blessing, emphasizing the call to deeper engagement with His transformative power and abundant provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 47:4 is an integral part of a larger prophetic vision spanning [Ezekiel chapters 40-48](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel's Vision of the New Temple and Restored Land"), which meticulously describes the blueprint of a new temple, the restoration of the land, and the reordering of Israel. Specifically, this verse is embedded within the vision of the river ([Ezekiel 47:1-12](/ezekiel/47 "The River of Life from the Temple")), which serves as a powerful symbol of God's life-giving presence and the transformative power of His Spirit flowing out from the temple to bring healing and fertility to a barren world. The progression of the river's depth—from ankles in [Ezekiel 47:3](/ezekiel/47-3 "Ezekiel 47:3 - Water to the Ankles") to knees and loins in [Ezekiel 47:4](/ezekiel/47-4 "Ezekiel 47:4 - Water to the Knees and Loins"), and finally a river to swim in by [Ezekiel 47:5](/ezekiel/47-5 "Ezekiel 47:5 - A River to Swim In")—is central to the narrative's unfolding message of increasing divine blessing and immersion, culminating in a complete surrender to its current.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision in Ezekiel was given to the prophet during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC), a period of profound despair and displacement for the Jewish people. They had lost their temple, their land, and their national identity. In this context, the vision of a new, glorious temple and a life-giving river offered immense hope and reassurance of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. The imagery of a river bringing life to a desolate land would have resonated deeply with an agricultural society dependent on water for survival, particularly in a region where fresh water sources were vital and often scarce. The Dead Sea, mentioned as being healed by this river later in the chapter ([Ezekiel 47:8-9](/ezekiel/47-8 "Ezekiel 47:8-9 - Healing of the Dead Sea")), was a stark symbol of barrenness and death, making the river's transformative power even more striking and a powerful promise of restoration.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **Progressive Revelation and Immersion**, as the increasing depth of the water symbolizes a deeper, more encompassing experience of God's presence and Spirit. It illustrates a journey from superficial engagement to profound dependence, mirroring the spiritual growth of a believer. Another key theme is **Divine Provision and Abundance**, where the ever-deepening river signifies the overflowing and inexhaustible nature of God's blessings, life, and healing, emphasizing that His grace is not static but continually expands. Furthermore, the theme of **Divine Guidance** is evident as the angel actively "brought" Ezekiel through the waters, emphasizing that this spiritual journey into deeper realms is not self-initiated but divinely led, echoing the concept of being [led by the Spirit](/romans/8-14 "Romans 8:14 - Led by the Spirit of God") in the New Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **measured (Hebrew, _mâdad'_):** From H4058, a primitive root meaning "to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended." In Ezekiel 47:4, the repeated action of "measuring a thousand" (cubits) underscores a precise, deliberate, and systematic unfolding of God's plan. This is not a random occurrence but a divinely ordered expansion, highlighting the intentionality and control God exercises over the outpouring of His blessing and presence.
* **brought me through (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** From H5674, a primitive root meaning "to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative)." This word emphasizes the active role of the angelic guide in leading Ezekiel deeper into the waters. It highlights that the experience of increasing spiritual depth and immersion is not a solitary or self-initiated endeavor, but one facilitated and guided by divine agency, ensuring the prophet's safe passage through the intensifying current and symbolizing God's active leading in our spiritual journey.
* **waters (Hebrew, _mayim'_):** From H4325, a dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense) referring to "water." In this prophetic vision, "waters" are profoundly symbolic, representing the life-giving, cleansing, and healing power of God's Spirit and presence. The increasing volume and depth of these waters signify the overflowing abundance and pervasive influence of divine life that flows from the temple, transforming everything it touches and bringing vitality to barrenness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters [were] to the knees."** This clause describes the second stage of Ezekiel's journey into the river. Following the initial 1,000 cubits where the water reached the ankles, another 1,000 cubits are measured, and the angel leads the prophet further in. The water now reaches his knees, signifying a deeper level of immersion that requires greater engagement and effort to move through. This depth symbolizes a more profound commitment and participation in God's Spirit, moving beyond a superficial encounter to a more active and intentional walk of faith.
* **"Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters [were] to the loins."** This marks the third stage of the progression. Another 1,000 cubits are measured, and Ezekiel is guided even further into the ever-deepening current. The water now reaches his loins, which is the waist or small of the back, a region associated with strength, procreation, and the center of the body's power. This depth indicates an even greater level of surrender and dependence, as movement becomes significantly more challenging, and one is increasingly enveloped by the current. It symbolizes a deeper, more encompassing experience of God's presence, where one's own efforts become less effective, and reliance on the divine current becomes paramount.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 47:4 is rich with **Symbolism**, where the physical progression of the water's depth serves as a potent metaphor for spiritual growth and immersion. The **water** itself symbolizes God's life-giving Spirit, His healing power, and the abundance of His blessings. The increasing **depth** (from ankles to knees to loins) symbolizes a progressive, intensifying experience of God's presence, moving from a superficial encounter to a profound, all-encompassing saturation. This illustrates the principle of **Progression**, where divine blessing and spiritual engagement are not static but continually deepen and expand. The repeated phrase "Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through" highlights **Repetition** and **Parallelism**, reinforcing the systematic, deliberate, and divinely guided nature of this expanding spiritual reality. The angel's consistent action of "brought me through" emphasizes **Divine Guidance**, portraying the spiritual journey as one led by God, not undertaken independently, underscoring the necessity of divine leading for true spiritual advancement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 47:4 vividly portrays the escalating nature of God's life-giving presence and the call to deeper spiritual immersion. The increasing depth of the river from ankles to knees to loins is a powerful theological statement about the progressive work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers and in the world. It signifies that God's transformative power is not limited but ever-expanding, inviting His people to move beyond a shallow experience of faith into a profound, all-encompassing surrender to His Spirit. This deepening experience leads to greater vitality, fruitfulness, and an increased capacity to receive and impart God's life, echoing the abundance of grace and truth found in Christ and the inexhaustible nature of His divine provision.

* [Psalm 46:4](/psalm/46-4 "Psalm 46:4 - A River Whose Streams Make Glad")
* [Joel 3:18](/joel/3-18 "Joel 3:18 - Fountains Flowing from the House of the Lord")
* [Zechariah 14:8](/zechariah/14-8 "Zechariah 14:8 - Living Waters Flowing from Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 47:4 serves as a profound metaphor for the Christian walk, challenging believers to embrace a journey of progressive immersion in God's Spirit and truth. Just as the river deepened, so too are we called to move beyond a superficial understanding or experience of faith into a place where we are more fully dependent on and controlled by the Holy Spirit. This passage encourages us to actively seek deeper encounters with God, allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of our lives, much like the life-giving waters transform the barren land. It calls for a surrender of control, moving from wading where we can still stand firm, to being enveloped where we must trust the current to carry us. This progressive deepening leads to greater spiritual vitality, fruitfulness, and an increased capacity to receive and impart God's life to others, ultimately transforming us into conduits of His blessing and agents of His redemptive work in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel you are only wading in the waters of God's Spirit, and where might you be invited to go deeper?**
* **What does it mean practically to allow God's Spirit to move you from "knees" to "loins" in your spiritual journey, surrendering more control?**
* **How does the idea of "divine guidance" in this verse encourage or challenge your approach to spiritual growth and trusting God's leading?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the water reaching specific depths like the knees and loins?**

Answer: The progression of the water's depth in [Ezekiel 47:4](/ezekiel/47-4 "Ezekiel 47:4 - Water to the Knees and Loins") is highly symbolic, illustrating increasing levels of spiritual immersion and dependence. Water to the "knees" suggests a depth where one's movement is still somewhat controlled, but more effort is required, symbolizing a deeper engagement in prayer, worship, or service that moves beyond mere casual involvement. Water to the "loins" (waist) signifies an even greater depth where one's stability is challenged, and movement becomes more difficult without surrendering to the current. This represents a profound level of surrender and reliance on God's Spirit, where personal strength and control diminish, and divine influence becomes more pervasive and necessary for navigation. This progression culminates in [Ezekiel 47:5](/ezekiel/47-5 "Ezekiel 47:5 - A River to Swim In"), where the water is deep enough to swim in, symbolizing complete immersion and surrender to the Holy Spirit's leading, where one is fully carried by God's grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The vision of the life-giving river in Ezekiel 47, specifically its progressive deepening, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). John clarifies that Jesus was speaking "of the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive" ([John 7:39](/john/7-39 "John 7:39 - The Spirit Given")). Just as the river in Ezekiel flowed from the temple, the true and eternal temple, Jesus Christ, is the inexhaustible source of this living water. His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection opened the way for the Spirit to be poured out at Pentecost, initiating a new covenant era where believers can experience not just a trickle, but an ever-deepening, overflowing abundance of God's presence. This spiritual river, the Holy Spirit, flows from Christ to bring healing, life, and fruitfulness to all who are immersed in Him, ultimately culminating in the new creation where the "river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb" ([Revelation 22:1](/revelation/22-1 "Revelation 22:1 - The River of Life")) will eternally nourish God's redeemed people.

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

Colossians 1:6

Which is come unto you, as [it is] in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as [it doth] also in you, since the day ye heard [of it], and knew the grace of God in truth:

Acts 19:10

And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 19:20

So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Romans 15:19

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.