So He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze. He was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand.
Parallel translations
- WEB He brought me there; and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.
- KJV And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.
- NKJV He took me there, and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze. He had a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand, and he stood in the gateway.
- NASB So He brought me there; and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze, with a thread of flax and a measuring rod in his hand; and he was standing in the gateway.
- NLT As he brought me nearer, I saw a man whose face shone like bronze standing beside a gateway entrance. He was holding in his hand a linen measuring cord and a measuring rod.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A man like bronze with measuring tools stands in the gate to guide Ezekiel. A heavenly surveyor will reveal the temple's exact design.
Overview
Ezekiel sees a man whose appearance is like bronze, holding a flax line and a measuring reed, standing in the gateway. The figure functions as a divine guide who will measure the temple precisely, conveying that its design is exact and God-given. The careful measuring underscores that God orders His dwelling with perfect intention, a theme echoed in Revelation, where the New Jerusalem is likewise measured.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Ezek 47:3As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through ankle-deep water.
- Rev 11:1Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there.
- Rev 1:15His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.
- Rev 21:15The angel who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city and its gates and walls.
- Ezek 1:7Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the hooves of a calf, gleaming like polished bronze.
- Dan 10:5–6I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.
- Zech 2:1–2Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.
- Ezek 1:27From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him.
- Isa 28:17I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place.
- Isa 8:20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 40:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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