Ezekiel 47:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A thousand cubits east, the waters reach ankle depth—shallow but measurable and advancing.
The Context of Ezekiel 47:3
The first of four measurement points reveals water depth increasing as it flows eastward.
What Does Ezekiel 47:3 Mean?
The heavenly measurer (a figure of precise divine ordering) moves eastward with a measuring line, the biblical tool for assigning land, determining distance, and establishing order. At the first measurement—a thousand cubits—the waters are shallow enough only to reach the ankles, indicating the river's beginning as a small, manageable flow from the sanctuary.
This initial shallowness does not diminish the river's significance; rather, it reveals the vision's progressive power. The water touches Ezekiel himself, inviting direct experience of its reality and hinting that what begins modestly will grow into something immense and transformative.
Ezekiel 47:3 in the Original Language
kaphel (כַּף), 'ankles' — literally the sole or palm of the foot; here marking the water's initial depth as Ezekiel wades into its reality.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 47:3
What does Ezekiel 47:3 mean?
A thousand cubits east, the waters reach ankle depth—shallow but measurable and advancing.
What is the context of Ezekiel 47:3?
The first of four measurement points reveals water depth increasing as it flows eastward.