In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither.

EZEKIEL 40:1KJV
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Ezekiel 40:1 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 40:1 mean?

Ezekiel 40:1 describes a specific moment when the prophet Ezekiel, during the twenty-fifth year of his exile and fourteen years after Jerusalem was conquered, experienced a powerful encounter with God. On that exact day, Ezekiel says God’s hand was upon him and brought him to a new place, setting the stage for a vision.

Ezekiel himself is speaking, addressing his fellow exiles in Babylon. The verse carefully marks the date, connecting the vision to real events: the exile (captivity) and the fall of Jerusalem. This introduction signals that what follows is a significant message from God, given at a meaningful time in Israel’s history.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 40:1

  • "Captivity" (גּוֹלָה, golah) refers to the forced relocation of the people of Judah to Babylon. This word grounds the vision in the painful reality of exile, not just a spiritual or symbolic event.
  • "Hand" (יָד, yad) is often used in the Hebrew Bible to describe God’s power or direct influence. Here, it means Ezekiel is about to receive a vision or experience led by God’s active presence.
  • "Brought" (בּוֹא, bo) means to bring or lead. This word shows that Ezekiel did not go to this place on his own; God actively took him there, emphasizing the vision’s divine origin.

Why Ezekiel 40:1 matters

  • The verse’s careful dating ties the vision to real historical trauma, reminding readers that God’s messages come in the midst of loss and uncertainty.
  • By stating that God’s hand was upon him, Ezekiel underlines that what follows is not his own idea, but a revelation with authority.
  • This verse opens a new section in Ezekiel, introducing a detailed vision of restoration and hope for a people who have lost their home.

Where else these words appear

“captivity” Hebrew H1546 · used in 14 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:27 And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;
  • Jeremiah 28:4 And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.
  • Ezekiel 1:2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,

“tenth” Hebrew H6218 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 24:55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
  • Numbers 29:7 And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:
  • Psalms 144:9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

“selfsame” Hebrew H6106 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • 1 Kings 13:31 And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones:
  • Psalms 141:7 Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.