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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
said
H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
said
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 29
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
הָאִ֗ישׁ
And the man
H376
הָאִ֗ישׁ
And the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 29
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בֶּן
unto me Son
H1121
בֶּן
unto me Son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 29
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֡ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֡ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
5 of 29
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
רֹאֶ֖ה
all that thou seest
H7200
רֹאֶ֖ה
all that thou seest
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
6 of 29
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
בְעֵינֶיךָ֩
with thine eyes
H5869
בְעֵינֶיךָ֩
with thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
7 of 29
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּבְאָזְנֶ֨יךָ
with thine ears
H241
וּבְאָזְנֶ֨יךָ
with thine ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
8 of 29
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
שְּׁמָ֜ע
and hear
H8085
שְּׁמָ֜ע
and hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
9 of 29
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְשִׂ֣ים
and set
H7760
וְשִׂ֣ים
and set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
10 of 29
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לִבְּךָ֗
thine heart
H3820
לִבְּךָ֗
thine heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
11 of 29
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
לְכֹ֤ל
H3605
לְכֹ֤ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
רֹאֶ֖ה
all that thou seest
H7200
רֹאֶ֖ה
all that thou seest
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
15 of 29
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אוֹתָ֔ךְ
H853
אוֹתָ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לְמַ֥עַן
thee for to the intent
H4616
לְמַ֥עַן
thee for to the intent
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
18 of 29
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
רֹאֶ֖ה
all that thou seest
H7200
רֹאֶ֖ה
all that thou seest
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
19 of 29
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הֻבָ֣אתָה
them unto thee art thou brought
H935
הֻבָ֣אתָה
them unto thee art thou brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
20 of 29
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הֵ֑נָּה
H2008
הַגֵּ֛ד
hither declare
H5046
הַגֵּ֛ד
hither declare
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
22 of 29
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
24 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
25 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
רֹאֶ֖ה
all that thou seest
H7200
רֹאֶ֖ה
all that thou seest
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
27 of 29
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
Cross References
Ezekiel 44:5And 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.Jeremiah 26:2Thus 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 10:27What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.Ezekiel 43:10Thou 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 13:9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.Ezekiel 3:17Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.Ezekiel 2:1And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.Isaiah 21:10O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.Acts 20:27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.1 Corinthians 11:23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern temple construction followed divine blueprints—Egyptian and Mesopotamian texts describe gods providing architectural plans. However, Ezekiel's vision uniquely emphasizes prophetic proclamation of what was seen. Unlike pagan temples built primarily for deity residence, Israel's temple served didactic purposes—teaching God's holiness, humanity's need for mediation, and covenantal relationship. The command to 'declare... to the house of Israel' addressed exiles who had abandoned proper worship. They needed detailed instruction for future restoration. Whether this vision describes a literal millennial temple, an idealized second temple, or symbolizes spiritual realities, the imperative remains: God's people must worship according to His revealed will, not human tradition or innovation.
Questions for Reflection
- How seriously do you 'set your heart' on what God reveals in His Word, or do you read casually without deep meditation?
- What responsibility do those who receive biblical insight bear toward declaring it to God's people?
- How does this verse challenge selective proclamation—sharing only comfortable truths while avoiding difficult ones?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This commissioning parallels Moses' tabernacle instructions—'behold... hear... set thine heart'—engaging sight, hearing, and understanding. The threefold command emphasizes comprehensive attention to divine revelation. The Hebrew שִׂים לִבְּךָ (sim libekha, 'set thine heart') means more than casual observation; it demands focused meditation and internalization. The purpose clause reveals God's intent: Ezekiel must 'declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.' This is revelatory worship—God shows, the prophet proclaims, the people respond. The vision isn't merely for Ezekiel's private edification but for covenant community instruction. Reformed theology emphasizes that God's Word must be declared faithfully—nothing added, nothing subtracted (Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:18-19). The phrase 'for to the intent' shows God's purposeful pedagogy; He teaches through visual revelation before verbal proclamation.