ScriptureDepth's study of Ezekiel 47
“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.”
Ezekiel 47:9
Yahweh states that every living creature will thrive where the waters flow from the temple, which sets in motion the restoration and healing of life in the land.
What Ezekiel 47 is about
Waters flow from under the threshold of the house in the east, moving south of the altar (vv. 1-2). A man measures the waters as he leads Ezekiel eastward. At first, the water reaches the ankles, then the knees, and then the waist. After one thousand cubits, it becomes a river too deep to cross (vv. 3-5). Upon returning to the bank, Ezekiel sees many trees along the river. The waters flow eastward into the Arabah and heal the sea, allowing living creatures to thrive where the river goes. Fishermen will stand by the river from En Gedi to En Eglaim (vv. 6-10). The trees along the banks produce monthly fruit and provide healing (vv. 11-12). Yahweh instructs Ezekiel about the land borders for inheritance among the twelve tribes, including provisions for the aliens living among them (vv. 13-23).
Each tribe will receive its inheritance, including the strangers living among them, as Yahweh commands.
Ezekiel 47 at a glance
- Ezekiel 47:1–2Water Flows from the Temple
- Ezekiel 47:3–5Measuring the Waters
- Ezekiel 47:6–12Life Along the River
- Ezekiel 47:13–23Land Inheritance and Justice
Key verse: Ezekiel 47:9
One thing to notice
Verses 13 to 23 provide a detailed account of the land borders for the tribes of Israel. The division of the land is specified, including that Joseph will receive 'two portions' as part of the inheritance outlined in these verses, which includes instructions for both native and alien inhabitants.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Ezekiel 47 (WEB)
Water Flows from the Temple Ezekiel 47:1–2
1Verse 1. He 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. 2Verse 2. Then 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.
Measuring the Waters Ezekiel 47:3–5
3Verse 3. When 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. 4Verse 4. Again 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. 5Verse 5. Afterward 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.
Life Along the River Ezekiel 47:6–12
6Verse 6. 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. 7Verse 7. Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8Verse 8. Then 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. 9Verse 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.
10Verse 10. It 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. 11Verse 11. But the miry places of it, and its marshes, will not be healed. They will be given up to salt. 12Verse 12. By 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.”
Land Inheritance and Justice Ezekiel 47:13–23
13Verse 13. Thus 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. 14Verse 14. You 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. 15Verse 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; 16Verse 16. Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazer Hatticon, which is by the border of Hauran.
17Verse 17. The 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. 18Verse 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. 19Verse 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. 20Verse 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.
21Verse 21. “So you shall divide this land to yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. 22Verse 22. It 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. 23Verse 23. It 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)
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Main themes in Ezekiel 47
Renewal and Restoration
The chapter begins with a vision of water flowing from the temple, which signifies renewal as it brings life to the surrounding areas. In vv. 8-9, the waters flowing into the sea are said to 'be made to flow out; and the waters will be healed.' This healing of waters leads to an abundant environment where every living creature thrives, illustrating a transformative renewal for the land and its inhabitants.
Abundance and Provision
Ezekiel 47 describes a river that brings abundance to the land in vv. 12, where trees grow on both banks, producing 'new fruit every month' and providing food and healing. The chapter shows that the waters from the temple supply life-sustaining resources that support both trees and fish, as fishermen will stand by it in v. 10. This abundance signifies God’s provision for His people and the flourishing of life.
Transformation by God's Presence
In this chapter, the waters flowing from the temple illustrate how God's presence brings transformation, seen in vv. 1-2 where the waters flow 'from under the threshold of the house.' The transformation is evident as the water heals the sea and brings life to creatures, as described in v. 9. The connection between the temple and the life-giving river shows how God's presence creates a new reality for the land.
Equity and Justice
Ezekiel 47 discusses land inheritance and social equity in vv. 13-23. God delineates the borders for the twelve tribes of Israel, instructing that 'you shall divide this land to yourselves.' The chapter includes provisions for 'aliens who live among you' to receive an inheritance (v. 22), ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their origin, are granted access to the blessings of the land, which highlights the principle of equity in God's provision.
Chapter outline
How Ezekiel 47 unfolds
Ezekiel 47:1–2 Water Flows from the Temple
A man brings Ezekiel to the temple entrance, where 'waters flowed out from under the threshold of the house eastward' (v. 1), beginning a description of the water's source and direction.
Ezekiel 47:3–5 Measuring the Waters
Ezekiel is guided eastward, where the man measures the waters in increments, revealing them rising from 'ankles' to 'a river that could not be walked through' (vv. 3-5), illustrating the increasing abundance.
Ezekiel 47:6–12 Life Along the River
Upon returning to the riverbank, Ezekiel sees 'very many trees' (v. 7) on both sides, and the waters are said to bring life, healing, and abundance to the ecosystems along their course (vv. 8-12).
Ezekiel 47:13–23 Land Inheritance and Justice
The Lord outlines the boundaries for the land inheritance of Israel, stating that 'you shall divide it by lot for an inheritance' (v. 22) and includes provisions for 'aliens who live among you' (v. 22), ensuring justice in distribution.
Key verses
Ezekiel 47:9Yahweh states that every living creature will thrive where the waters flow from the temple, which sets in motion the restoration and healing of life in the land.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Ezekiel 47
- observeIn v1, what do the 'waters' flowing out from under the threshold symbolize?
- observeWhy does the 'river' become too deep to cross in v5?
- interpretThe measurement of one thousand cubits in vv. 3-5: what does this indicate about the progression of the river?
- interpretThe command in v22 about the 'aliens who live among you': what implications does this have for the Israelite community?
- applyWhen have you experienced a situation that seemed overwhelming, like the 'river' in v5?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Ezekiel 47
- Psalm 1Ezekiel 47:12 and Psalm 1:3Both produce fruit: Ezekiel 47:12 says, "Its fruit will be for food," while Psalm 1:3 states, "that produces its fruit in its season."
- Revelation 22Ezekiel 47:12 and Revelation 22:2Both provide healing: Ezekiel 47:12 says, "its leaf for healing," while Revelation 22:2 states, "The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
- John 7Ezekiel 47:1 and John 7:38Both flow rivers: Ezekiel 47:1 says, "waters flowed out from under the threshold," while John 7:38 states, "from within him will flow rivers of living water."
- Jeremiah 17Ezekiel 47:12 and Jeremiah 17:8Both are trees: Ezekiel 47:12 says, "will grow every tree for food," while Jeremiah 17:8 states, "For he will be as a tree planted by the waters."
- Numbers 34Ezekiel 47:15 and Numbers 34:8Both define borders: Ezekiel 47:15 states, "This shall be the border of the land," while Numbers 34:8 says, "the border shall pass by Zedad."
- Ezekiel 48Ezekiel 47:13 and Ezekiel 48:4Both delineate borders: Ezekiel 47:13 states, "This shall be the border," while Ezekiel 48:4 says, "By the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west side."
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