King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 44:5 Mean?

Ezekiel 44:5 in the King James Version says “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 un... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. mark well: Heb. set thine heart mark well: Heb. set thine heart

Ezekiel 44:5 · KJV


Context

3

It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.

4

Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD: and I fell upon my face.

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. mark well: Heb. set thine heart mark well: Heb. set thine heart

6

And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations,

7

In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers , uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. strangers: Heb. children of a stranger


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commands: '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 mark well the entering in of the house'—comprehensive attention required. The Hebrew שִׂים לֵב (sim lev, 'mark well'—literally 'set heart') demands focused concentration. The threefold emphasis—mark well, behold, hear—engages complete attention. God's ordinances (חֻקּוֹת, chuqqot) aren't suggestions but binding regulations. The specific attention to 'entering in' stresses proper access protocols. Reformed theology emphasizes that God's Word requires careful, comprehensive attention—not casual skimming (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2). The command to 'mark well' challenges superficial Bible study that misses crucial details.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses similarly commanded careful attention to God's law (Deuteronomy 4:1, 5:1, 6:4). Prophets frequently addressed inattention to divine instruction (Isaiah 1:2-3, Jeremiah 7:2, Ezekiel 3:10). The exiles' catastrophe resulted from ignoring God's Word—they 'refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears' (Zechariah 7:11-12). The detailed ordinances governing temple access, worship, and service required careful transmission and observance. Ezra's post-exilic ministry emphasized reading and explaining the law (Nehemiah 8:1-8). Jesus rebuked disciples who had eyes but didn't see, ears but didn't hear (Mark 8:18). The early church 'continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine' (Acts 2:42), demonstrating sustained attention to authoritative teaching.

Reflection Questions

  1. How carefully do you 'mark well' Scripture versus scanning quickly without deep engagement?
  2. What percentage of your Bible reading actually engages eyes (reading), ears (hearing), and heart (applying)?
  3. Do you pay particular attention to 'entering in'—how you approach God—or assume all approaches are equally acceptable?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 30

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֜י2 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֖ה3 of 30

And the LORD

H3068

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

בֶּן4 of 30

unto me Son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֡ם5 of 30

of man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וְשַׂמְתָּ֤6 of 30

mark

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לִבְּךָ֙7 of 30

well

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וּרְאֵ֨ה8 of 30

and behold

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בְעֵינֶ֜יךָ9 of 30

with thine eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וּבְאָזְנֶ֣יךָ10 of 30

with thine ears

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

שְּׁמָ֗ע11 of 30

and hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֵ֣ת12 of 30
H853

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

כָּל13 of 30
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר14 of 30
H834

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

אֲנִי֙15 of 30
H589

i

מְדַבֵּ֣ר16 of 30

all that I say

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֹתָ֔ךְ17 of 30
H853

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

לְכָל18 of 30
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֻקּ֥וֹת19 of 30

unto thee concerning all the ordinances

H2708

a statute

הַבַּ֔יִת20 of 30

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֖ה21 of 30

And the LORD

H3068

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

וּלְכָל22 of 30
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

תּֽוֹרֹתָ֑ו23 of 30

and all the laws

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

וְשַׂמְתָּ֤24 of 30

mark

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לִבְּךָ֙25 of 30

well

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

לִמְב֣וֹא26 of 30

the entering in

H3996

an entrance (the place or the act); specifically sunset or the west; also (adverb with preposition) towards

הַבַּ֔יִת27 of 30

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

בְּכֹ֖ל28 of 30
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מוֹצָאֵ֥י29 of 30

with every going forth

H4161

a going forth, i.e., (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence, a source or product; specifically, dawn, the rising of the sun (the east), ex

הַמִּקְדָּֽשׁ׃30 of 30

of the sanctuary

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum


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 44:5 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 44:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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