Ezekiel 47:6
And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
Ezekiel 47:6 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, the speaker refers to the prophet Ezekiel as "Son of man," emphasizing his humanity and mortality. The phrase "hast thou seen this?" suggests that the speaker is drawing Ezekiel's attention to something significant that he needs to observe and understand. By bringing Ezekiel to the brink of the river, the speaker is likely providing him with a visual cue or setting where a particular event or revelation is about to take place. This act of guiding Ezekiel to the river could be symbolic of a journey towards deeper understanding or enlightenment, as rivers are often associated with cleansing, renewal, and spiritual awakening in biblical imagery. Overall, this verse can be seen as a metaphorical invitation for Ezekiel to observe and contemplate the significance of what he is about to witness or experience by the river.
Theological Overview
In the theological interpretation of the verse, the term "Son of man" is a title commonly used in the Old Testament to refer to a human being, emphasizing the prophet Ezekiel's humanity and mortal nature. This title is often used in the Bible to emphasize the weakness and frailty of mankind in contrast to the power and majesty of God. In this specific verse, God asks Ezekiel if he has seen something, indicating that God is bringing Ezekiel's attention to a particular vision or revelation. The act of bringing Ezekiel to the brink of the river symbolizes a turning point or a moment of reflection, where Ezekiel is being guided by God to gain insight and understanding. This verse can be seen as a metaphor for God leading us to the edge of our comfort zones and challenging us to see things from a new perspective, ultimately deepening our faith and trust in Him.
Ezekiel 47:6 in other translations
American Standard Version
And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen [this] ? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the bank of the river.
World English Bible
He said to me, Son of man, have you seen? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the bank of the river.
Douay-Rheims
And he said to me: Surely thou hast seen, O son of man. And he brought me out, and he caused me to turn to the bank of the torrent.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he said vnto me, Sonne of man, hast thou seene this? Then he brought me, and caused me to returne to the brinke of the riuer.