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Ezekiel 47

Read Ezekiel 47 (WEB)+

1He brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, waters flowed out from under the threshold of the house eastward, for the front of the house faced toward the east. The waters came down from underneath, from the right side of the house, on the south of the altar. 2Then he brought me out by the way of the gate northward, and led me around by the way outside to the outer gate, by the way of the gate that looks toward the east. Behold, waters ran out on the right side. 3When the man went out eastward with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles. 4Again he measured one thousand, and caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the knees. Again he measured one thousand, and caused me to pass through waters that were to the waist. 5Afterward he measured one thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through; for the waters had risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be walked through. 6He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen?” Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the bank of the river. 7Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8Then he said to me, “These waters flow out toward the eastern region, and will go down into the Arabah. Then they will go toward the sea; and flow into the sea which will be made to flow out; and the waters will be healed. 9It will happen, that every living creature which swarms, in every place where the rivers come, will live. Then there will be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters have come there, and the waters of the sea will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river comes. 10It will happen, that fishermen will stand by it. From En Gedi even to En Eglaim will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be after their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceedingly many. 11But the miry places of it, and its marshes, will not be healed. They will be given up to salt. 12By the river on its bank, on this side and on that side, will grow every tree for food, whose leaf won’t wither, neither will its fruit fail. It will produce new fruit every month, because its waters issue out of the sanctuary. Its fruit will be for food, and its leaf for healing.” 13Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “This shall be the border, by which you shall divide the land for inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions. 14You shall inherit it, one as well as another; for I swore to give it to your fathers. This land will fall to you for inheritance. 15“This shall be the border of the land: “On the north side, from the great sea, by the way of Hethlon, to the entrance of Zedad; 16Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazer Hatticon, which is by the border of Hauran. 17The border from the sea, shall be Hazar Enon at the border of Damascus; and on the north northward is the border of Hamath. This is the north side. 18“The east side, between Hauran and Damascus and Gilead, and the land of Israel, shall be the Jordan; from the north border to the east sea you shall measure. This is the east side. 19“The south side southward shall be from Tamar as far as the waters of Meriboth Kadesh, to the brook, to the great sea. This is the south side southward. 20“The west side shall be the great sea, from the south border as far as over against the entrance of Hamath. This is the west side. 21“So you shall divide this land to yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. 22It will happen, that you shall divide it by lot for an inheritance to you and to the aliens who live among you, who will father children among you. Then they shall be to you as the native-born among the children of Israel. They shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. 23It shall happen, that in whatever tribe the stranger lives, there you shall give him his inheritance,” says the Lord Yahweh.

World English Bible (public domain)

"And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes."

Ezekiel 47:9

Summary

Ezekiel chapter 47 introduces a prophetic vision where a stream of water flows from beneath the threshold of the Temple, symbolizing purification and life. As the water flows eastward, it transforms from a trickle into a mighty river, illustrating the transformative and life-giving power of God's presence. Ezekiel is guided through the waters, measuring their depth, which eventually becomes too deep to cross, highlighting the abundant and overwhelming nature of God’s blessings. Along the riverbanks, numerous trees grow, signifying healing and sustenance. The waters eventually flow into the Dead Sea, bringing life to its waters and enabling an abundance of fish, which symbolizes restoration to the barren and desolate places. The chapter concludes with the delineation of tribal boundaries and the distribution of the land, emphasizing equity and restoration among the people of Israel.

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Chapter outline

How Ezekiel 47 unfolds

  1. Ezekiel 47:1–2 Water Flows from the Temple

    Ezekiel is brought to the Temple's threshold where waters flow eastward, symbolizing God's life-giving presence and purification.

  2. Ezekiel 47:3–5 Measuring the Waters

    As Ezekiel is led by a man measuring the waters, they progressively deepen, illustrating the overwhelming abundance of God's blessings.

  3. Ezekiel 47:6–12 Life Along the River

    Ezekiel observes trees flourishing along the riverbanks, symbolizing healing and nourishment for life, resulting from the waters flowing from the sanctuary.

  4. Ezekiel 47:13–23 Land Inheritance and Justice

    God outlines the borders for the land inheritance among the tribes of Israel, including provisions for aliens, emphasizing equity and restoration.

Key verses

  • Ezekiel 47:9Ezekiel 47:9 highlights the life-giving power of God's river, encapsulating the chapter's themes of restoration and abundance.

Main themes in Ezekiel 47

Renewal and Restoration

This theme surfaces as the waters transform barren lands, particularly in verses 8-9. The chapter develops this idea by showing how the flowing waters, originating from the Temple, bring life to previously desolate areas, indicating that God's presence revitalizes the environment. Ultimately, it signifies a broader restoration of Israel and its inhabitants, offering a vision of hope and renewal for a community that has faced significant hardships.

Abundance and Provision

Ezekiel 47 depicts abundance through the measurements of water and the flourishing trees in verses 7-12. The life-giving river creates a thriving ecosystem, illustrating God's generous provision for His creation. This theme is crucial as it emphasizes the sustenance provided by God for His people, assuring them of His ongoing care and the richness of life that comes from being in His presence.

Transformation by God's Presence

The transformative nature of God's presence is evident as the waters flow from the Temple in verses 1-5. As Ezekiel experiences the deepening waters, it highlights how God's presence not only changes physical environments but also impacts the lives of individuals and communities. This transformation is essential to understanding the new covenant relationship with God, emphasizing that true change comes through His divine influence.

Equity and Justice

God's instructions for land distribution in verses 13-23 reflect equity and justice among the tribes and aliens. By ensuring that even foreigners receive inheritance, the text challenges existing social boundaries and emphasizes the importance of inclusivity within the community. This equitable distribution underscores God's desire for a just society, promoting fairness and unity among all people connected to His covenant.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Ezekiel 47

Study questions

Questions for studying Ezekiel 47

  1. What do the waters flowing from the Temple represent?
  2. How does the depth of the river evolve as Ezekiel measures it?
  3. What role do the trees along the riverbanks play in the vision?
  4. How does the chapter address the distribution of land among the tribes?
  5. What significance does the inclusion of aliens have in this inheritance?
  6. How does the healing of the Dead Sea reflect the overall theme of restoration?
  7. In what ways does this chapter illustrate God's presence in the lives of His people?

Ezekiel 47: frequently asked questions

What is Ezekiel 47 about?+
Ezekiel chapter 47 introduces a prophetic vision where a stream of water flows from beneath the threshold of the Temple, symbolizing purification and life. As the water flows eastward, it transforms from a trickle into a mighty river, illustrating the transformative and life-giving power of God's presence. Ezekiel is guided through the waters, measuring their depth, which eventually becomes too deep to cross, highlighting the abundant and overwhelming nature of God’s blessings. Along the riverbanks, numerous trees grow, signifying healing and sustenance. The waters eventually flow into the Dead Sea, bringing life to its waters and enabling an abundance of fish, which symbolizes restoration to the barren and desolate places. The chapter concludes with the delineation of tribal boundaries and the distribution of the land, emphasizing equity and restoration among the people of Israel.
What is the key verse in Ezekiel 47?+
Ezekiel 47:9: "It will happen, that every living creature which swarms, in every place where the rivers come, will live. Then there will be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters have come there, and the waters of the sea will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river comes."
What are the main themes of Ezekiel 47?+
The main themes of Ezekiel 47 are Renewal and Restoration, Abundance and Provision, Transformation by God's Presence, Equity and Justice.

Related chapters

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Study Notes