1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house [stood toward] the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south [side] of the altar.
2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters [were] to the ancles.
4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters [were] to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters [were] to the loins.
5 Afterward he measured a thousand; [and it was] a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
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.
7 Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river [were] very many trees on the one side and on the other.
8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: [which being] brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
9 And it shall come to pass, [that] every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
10 And it shall come to pass, [that] the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a [place] to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.
11 But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
13 Thus saith the Lord GOD; This [shall be] the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph [shall have two] portions.
14 And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: [concerning] the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.
15 And this [shall be] the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;
16 Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which [is] between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazarhatticon, which [is] by the coast of Hauran.
17 And the border from the sea shall be Hazarenan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And [this is] the north side.
18 And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel [by] Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And [this is] the east side.
19 And the south side southward, from Tamar [even] to the waters of strife [in] Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And [this is] the south side southward.
20 The west side also [shall be] the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This [is] the west side.
21 So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.
22 And it shall come to pass, [that] ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
23 And it shall come to pass, [that] in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give [him] his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.
Overview of Ezekiel Chapter 47
Ezekiel Chapter 47 presents a vivid and symbolic vision of a river flowing from the temple, signifying restoration, healing, and the abundance of life. This chapter is a continuation of Ezekiel’s prophetic messages regarding the future of Israel and the temple in the new order of things after exile.
Key Themes
- Divine Presence: The river symbolizes the presence of God flowing from the temple, indicating that God’s blessings will be abundant.
- Restoration: The imagery of the river signifies the restoration of Israel and the healing of the land.
- Life and Abundance: The river brings life to everything it touches, illustrating the transformative power of God’s grace.
- Inclusivity: The chapter emphasizes that God’s blessings are not limited to Israel but extend to all nations.
Detailed Analysis
1. The Vision of the River (Verses 1-12)
The chapter opens with a description of a river that flows from the temple, guided by an angelic figure. The river’s journey is marked by increasing depth and width, symbolizing the escalating blessings and life it brings.
- Source of the River: The river begins at the threshold of the temple, illustrating that true life and sustenance come from God’s presence.
- Measurement of Depth: As the angel measures the river, it deepens from ankle-deep to knee-deep, waist-deep, and finally to a river that cannot be crossed. This progression signifies the overwhelming nature of God’s blessings.
- Life-giving Properties: The river brings life to the surrounding areas, and wherever it flows, it revitalizes the land, turning saltwater into fresh water, which symbolizes healing and renewal.
2. The Trees Along the River (Verses 7-12)
The trees that grow along the banks of the river are described as having leaves for healing and fruit for food. This imagery reinforces the idea of abundance and sustenance provided by God.
- Healing Leaves: The leaves of the trees symbolize healing, indicating that God’s presence brings restoration not only to the land but also to the people.
- Fruitfulness: The trees bear fruit every month, emphasizing the constant provision and nourishment God offers to His people.
- Symbol of Eternal Life: The river and the trees together represent eternal life and the ongoing relationship between God and humanity.
3. The Division of the Land (Verses 13-23)
The latter part of the chapter details the division of the land among the tribes of Israel, highlighting God’s intention for the people to inherit the land in peace and unity.
- Restoration of Heritage: Each tribe receives its allotted portion, symbolizing the restoration of their identity and heritage after exile.
- Inclusivity of the Strangers: The chapter emphasizes that even strangers who dwell among the Israelites will share in the inheritance, reflecting God’s inclusive nature.
- Unity in Diversity: The division of land among the tribes illustrates the unity of God’s people despite their diverse backgrounds.
Conclusion
Ezekiel Chapter 47 serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual renewal and restoration. The vision of the river flowing from the temple encapsulates the essence of God’s blessings, healing, and the promise of life. It invites readers to reflect on the transformative power of God’s presence and the hope of restoration for both individuals and communities.
