Ezekiel 44:5
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 44:5 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, the LORD is instructing the prophet Ezekiel to pay close attention to and carefully observe everything the LORD is revealing to him regarding the ordinances and laws of the house of the LORD. The phrase "Son of man" is a title of humility and human frailty that is used throughout the book of Ezekiel. The LORD is emphasizing the importance of Ezekiel listening, seeing, and understanding all the details concerning the regulations and requirements of the temple, as well as being mindful of the coming and going of the sanctuary.
By instructing Ezekiel to "mark well" and "behold with thine eyes," the LORD is stressing the significance of paying attention to even the smallest details when it comes to matters of worship and service to God. The house of the LORD represents a sacred and holy place, and it is crucial for those who serve in it to be diligent and obedient in following the prescribed laws and ordinances. The LORD's command to Ezekiel serves as a reminder to all believers to be diligent in their observance of God's commands and to approach worship with reverence and attentiveness.
Theological Overview
In this verse from Ezekiel 44:5, the theological interpretation concerns the importance of paying attention to and obeying the ordinances and laws of the Lord. The Lord instructs Ezekiel, referred to as "Son of man," to closely observe and listen to everything He reveals about the regulations of His house. This emphasizes the significance of understanding and following the divine laws and commands set forth by God. The phrase "mark well" indicates the need for careful attention and diligence in comprehending and adhering to these ordinances. It also underscores the idea that these instructions are not to be taken lightly but should be deeply ingrained in one's mind and heart. The mention of the "sanctuary" symbolizes the sacredness and holiness of the place where God dwells, further emphasizing the need for reverence and respect in all aspects of worship and service to the Lord.
Ezekiel 44:5 in other translations
American Standard Version
And Jehovah 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 Jehovah, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entrance of the house, with every egress of the sanctuary.
World English Bible
Yahweh said to me, Son of man, mark well, and see with your eyes, and hear with your ears all that I tell you concerning all the ordinances of Yahweh’s house, and all its laws; and mark well the entrance of the house, with every exit of the sanctuary.
Douay-Rheims
And the Lord said to me: Son of man, attend with thy heart and behold with thy eyes, and hear with thy ears, all that I say to thee concerning all the ceremonies of the house of the Lord, and concerning all the laws thereof: and mark well the ways of the temple, with all the goings out of the sanctuary.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the Lord sayd vnto me, Sonne of man, marke well, and behold with thine eyes, and heare with thine eares, all that I say vnto thee, concerning al the ordinances of the house of the Lord, and al the lawes thereof, and marke well the entring in of the house with euery going forth of the Sanctuarie,