King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 40:1 Mean?

Ezekiel 40:1 in the King James Version says “In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fou...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither.”

Ezekiel 40:1 · KJV

Context

1

In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither.

2

In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south. by which: or, upon which

3

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.

Read Ezekiel 40 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse precisely dates Ezekiel's temple vision to 573 BC, the 25th year of exile and 14th year after Jerusalem's fall. The phrase 'the hand of the LORD was upon me' (yad-YHWH, יַד־יְהוָה) indicates divine compulsion and prophetic inspiration—this is not human imagination but God's sovereign revelation. The temporal precision underscores the historical reality of God's dealings with His people. Coming 14 years after the temple's destruction, this vision provided hope during the darkest period of exile. The vision's timing (beginning of the year, likely Nisan) may connect to Passover themes of redemption and new beginnings. Reformed theology emphasizes that God's promises remain certain despite historical catastrophe; His covenant faithfulness transcends human failure.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The vision occurred in 573 BC during Babylon's dominance under Nebuchadnezzar II. The exiles at Tel-abib by the Chebar canal had witnessed Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BC and the temple's desecration. This detailed architectural vision addressed their despair—would God ever dwell with His people again? The date formula follows Babylonian reckoning, showing the exiles' adaptation to captivity. Unlike earlier prophetic oracles of judgment (Ezekiel 1-24), this vision begins the restoration section (40-48). The precision recalls Moses receiving tabernacle plans (Exodus 25-40) and anticipates John's New Jerusalem vision (Revelation 21-22). For Reformed interpreters, this demonstrates God's progressive revelation of His dwelling presence culminating in Christ (John 1:14) and the church (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's precise timing of this vision demonstrate His sovereignty over history and His care for His people?
  2. When have you experienced God's 'hand upon you' during times of personal or corporate devastation?
  3. How does this vision's dating 14 years after Jerusalem's fall speak to God's patience and ultimate redemptive purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
בְּעֶשְׂרִ֣ים1 of 25

“and twentieth”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וְחָמֵ֣שׁ2 of 25

“In the five”

H2568

five

שָׁנָ֔ה3 of 25

“of the year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

לְ֠גָלוּתֵנוּ4 of 25

“of our captivity”

H1546

captivity; concretely, exiles (collectively)

בְּרֹ֨אשׁ5 of 25

“in the beginning”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

שָׁנָ֔ה6 of 25

“of the year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בֶּעָשׂ֣וֹר7 of 25

“in the tenth”

H6218

ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord

לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ8 of 25

“day of the month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

בְּאַרְבַּ֤ע9 of 25

“in the fourteenth”

H702

four

עֶשְׂרֵה֙10 of 25
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָ֔ה11 of 25

“of the year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

אַחַ֕ר12 of 25

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֻכְּתָ֖ה14 of 25

“was smitten”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

הָעִ֑יר15 of 25

“that the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

בְּעֶ֣צֶם׀16 of 25

“in the selfsame”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

הַיּ֣וֹם17 of 25

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֗ה18 of 25
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הָיְתָ֤ה19 of 25
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עָלַי֙20 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יַד21 of 25

“the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְהוָ֔ה22 of 25

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיָּבֵ֥א23 of 25

“was upon me and brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֹתִ֖י24 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שָֽׁמָּה׃25 of 25
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 40:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 40:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 33:21Ezekiel 3:14Ezekiel 3:22Ezekiel 1:2-3Ezekiel 37:1Ezekiel 32:1

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezekiel 40 →

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