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.

EZEKIEL 44:5KJV
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Ezekiel 44:5 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 44:5 mean?

Ezekiel 44:5 records God instructing Ezekiel to pay close attention to everything He is about to reveal about the rules and laws for the temple, especially the entrances and exits. God wants Ezekiel to observe carefully with his eyes and ears so he can fully understand and communicate these instructions.

In this verse, the LORD (God) is speaking directly to Ezekiel, calling him "son of man" and telling him to be alert and attentive. The setting is a vision where Ezekiel is being shown the temple and its regulations. The focus is on the seriousness of following God’s detailed instructions for worship and the operation of the sanctuary.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 44:5

  • The word "mark" (שִׂים, sîm) means to set, place, or pay careful attention. God is emphasizing that Ezekiel should not just hear, but really focus and take these instructions to heart.
  • "Well" (לֵב, lēv) literally means "heart." The phrase "mark well" is more than just noticing; it is about internalizing and understanding deeply.
  • "Ordinances" (חֻקָּה, ḥuqqāh) refers to statutes or prescribed rules. This highlights that what God is about to say is not optional advice, but binding requirements for the temple.
  • "Sanctuary" (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdāsh) points to the most sacred part of the temple, underscoring the holiness and importance of these instructions.

Why Ezekiel 44:5 matters

  • This verse shows that God expects careful attention and respect for His instructions, not casual or careless observance.
  • The emphasis on entrances and exits highlights the order and boundaries God sets for worship, which is a key theme in Ezekiel’s vision of the temple.
  • By calling Ezekiel to listen and observe with both eyes and ears, the verse underscores the importance of fully engaging with God’s word, not just hearing but truly understanding and remembering it.

Where else these words appear

“in” Hebrew H3996 · used in 24 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
  • 2 Kings 16:18 And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.
  • Proverbs 8:3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

“forth” Hebrew H4161 · used in 26 verses

  • Numbers 30:12 But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
  • Psalms 107:35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

“sanctuary” Hebrew H4720 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Nehemiah 10:39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
  • Ezekiel 25:3 And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;

“ordinances” Hebrew H2708 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
  • Leviticus 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.
  • 2 Kings 17:34 Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;