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.

EZEKIEL 47:4KJV
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Ezekiel 47:4 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 47:4 mean?

Ezekiel 47:4 describes a vision in which Ezekiel is led through a river that gets deeper each time he crosses, first reaching his knees, then his waist. The verse shows the increasing depth of the water as Ezekiel is guided further, highlighting a gradual progression.

In this scene, the prophet Ezekiel is being shown a vision by a heavenly guide, who measures out a distance ("a thousand") and leads him through the water each time. The water, which started shallow, now reaches Ezekiel's knees and then his loins (waist), showing a steady increase in depth. This is part of a larger vision about a river flowing from the temple, symbolizing abundance and growth.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 47:4

  • "Measured" (מָדַד, madad): This word means to measure or mark out, emphasizing the careful, deliberate process by which the guide leads Ezekiel through the water, not just a casual walk but a purposeful progression.
  • "Waters" (מַיִם, mayim): Used repeatedly, this word draws attention to the central image of water, which in the context of Ezekiel's vision often represents life, blessing, or cleansing.
  • "Knees" (בֶּרֶךְ, berek) and "loins" (מָתְנַיִם, motnayim): These specific body parts indicate the increasing depth, making the progression concrete and easy to picture, rather than just saying "deeper."

Why Ezekiel 47:4 matters

  • Ezekiel 47:4 helps clarify that the river in Ezekiel's vision is not static but grows deeper and more powerful, which is important for understanding the message of increasing blessing or influence.
  • The careful measurement and repeated crossings show that this growth is intentional and guided, not random or accidental.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by setting up the dramatic moment later when the water becomes too deep to cross on foot, highlighting the overwhelming abundance flowing from God's presence.

Where else these words appear

“knees” Hebrew H1290 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 30:3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.
  • 1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,
  • Psalms 109:24 My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.

“loins” Hebrew H4975 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
  • Nehemiah 4:18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
  • Jeremiah 13:11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

“measured” Hebrew H4058 · used in 49 verses

  • Exodus 16:18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.
  • Ezekiel 40:11 And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits.
  • Ezekiel 41:5 After he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of every side chamber, four cubits, round about the house on every side.