Ezekiel 47:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Afterward he brought me again {H7725} unto the door {H6607} of the house {H1004}; and, behold, waters {H4325} issued out {H3318} from under the threshold {H4670} of the house {H1004} eastward {H6921}: for the forefront {H6440} of the house {H1004} stood toward the east {H6921}, and the waters {H4325} came down {H3381} from under from the right {H3233} side {H3802} of the house {H1004}, at the south {H5045} side of the altar {H4196}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he brought me back to the entrance of the house, and I saw water flowing eastward from under the threshold of the house, for the house faced east. The water flowed down from under the right side of the house, south of the altar.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar.

American Standard Version

And he brought me back 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 was toward the east); and the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house, on the south of the altar.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 47:1 initiates one of the most profound and hopeful visions in the book of Ezekiel, depicting the prophet being led back to the visionary temple where he observes a miraculous stream of water emerging from beneath its threshold. This seemingly small outflow, originating from the east-facing front of the temple and specifically from the south side of the altar, marks the beginning of a life-giving river that will expand exponentially, transforming barren landscapes and bringing healing wherever it flows, symbolizing God's abundant provision and restorative power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 47:1 is situated within the final section of the book of Ezekiel (chapters 40-48), which details an elaborate vision of a new temple, its dimensions, ordinances, and the redistribution of the land. This vision follows a series of prophecies concerning Israel's restoration after the Babylonian exile. The preceding chapters (40-46) meticulously describe the architectural layout and functions of this ideal temple, emphasizing its holiness and the return of God's glory. Chapter 47 then introduces the miraculous river, which flows from this temple, serving as a powerful climax to the temple vision and a transition to the re-allotment of the land in chapter 48, underscoring the life-giving presence of God in the midst of His restored people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision was given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, a period of immense despair and national desolation for the Jewish people. They had lost their land, their temple was destroyed, and their covenant relationship with God seemed broken. In this context, the detailed vision of a new, glorious temple and the life-giving waters flowing from it served as a profound message of hope, restoration, and God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The eastward orientation of the temple was significant; in [Ezekiel 43:2](/ezekiel/43-2 "Ezekiel 43:2 - The Glory of the Lord Returns to the Temple"), the prophet saw the glory of the Lord returning to the temple from the east, implying that the life-giving waters issuing eastward symbolize the outward flow of God's presence and blessing to the world. The altar, a place of sacrifice and atonement, being near the source of the waters, subtly connects the life-giving flow to divine reconciliation and purification.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several key themes that resonate throughout Ezekiel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Presence as the Source of Life**, emphasizing that true vitality and blessing originate directly from God's dwelling place. The waters' emergence from the temple's core signifies that God Himself is the fountainhead of all good things. Secondly, it foreshadows **Abundance and Overflow**, as the initial trickle grows into a mighty river, symbolizing God's lavish and ever-increasing supply of grace, healing, and fruitfulness. Thirdly, the vision speaks to **Restoration and Healing**, as these waters transform barren lands and purify the Dead Sea in subsequent verses, pointing to God's ultimate plan for the spiritual and physical renewal of His creation and His people. Finally, the spontaneous and continuous flow demonstrates **God's Unstoppable Purpose** to bring life and blessing to the world, irrespective of human circumstances.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **issued out (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** This primitive root signifies "to go (causatively, bring) out" in a vast array of applications, both literal and figurative. In Ezekiel 47:1, its use describes a spontaneous, dynamic, and powerful outflow of water. It's not a mere trickle or seepage but an active "issuing forth," emphasizing the divine agency and the inherent power of the source from which the waters originate. This verb conveys a sense of continuous, purposeful emergence, highlighting the life-giving force that cannot be contained.
* **waters (Hebrew, _mayim'_):** This term is the dual form of a primitive noun, though used in a singular sense, meaning "water." In biblical contexts, "water" frequently symbolizes life, purification, sustenance, and the Holy Spirit. Here, the "waters" are not ordinary; their miraculous origin and transformative power indicate a supernatural, divine source of life and blessing. The term immediately signals a life-giving element, setting the stage for the river's profound impact described later in the chapter.
* **threshold (Hebrew, _miphtân'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to open," this word refers to a "stretcher" or "sill," specifically the "threshold" or "entrance" of a building. In this context, the waters issuing from "under the threshold of the house" are significant. The threshold represents the very foundation and entrance of God's dwelling place, the temple. The fact that the life-giving flow originates from such a foundational and sacred point underscores that divine life and blessing emanate directly from God's presence and the core of His holy habitation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house;":** This clause re-establishes the prophet Ezekiel's position within the visionary temple complex, indicating a continuation of the guided tour described in earlier chapters. The "house" refers to the visionary temple, emphasizing that this is a divine revelation centered on God's dwelling place.
* **"and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward:":** This is the pivotal observation. Ezekiel sees water miraculously emerging from the very foundation of the temple, specifically from beneath its main entrance. The direction "eastward" is crucial, as the temple's primary entrance and the direction of God's glory were associated with the east. This indicates that the divine life and blessing are flowing out from God's presence into the world.
* **"for the forefront of the house [stood toward] the east,":** This parenthetical explanation confirms the architectural orientation of the visionary temple, reinforcing the significance of the eastward flow. It emphasizes the deliberate design and divine purpose behind the direction of the waters.
* **"and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south [side] of the altar.":** This provides precise topographical details about the waters' immediate origin. The "right side" (Hebrew: _yᵉmânîy_) of the house, combined with "at the south side" (Hebrew: _negeb_) of the altar, pinpoints the exact location. The altar, being central to worship and atonement, suggests a connection between the life-giving waters and the sacrificial system, hinting at purification and reconciliation as part of God's restorative work.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 47:1 is rich in **Symbolism**. The "waters" are a potent symbol of life, divine blessing, purification, and the Holy Spirit, a motif found throughout Scripture. Their origin from the "threshold of the house" (the temple) symbolizes that all true life and spiritual vitality emanate directly from God's presence. The "house" itself is symbolic, representing not just a physical structure but God's dwelling place among His people, embodying His holiness and restorative power. The eastward flow holds **Symbolic Significance**, recalling the direction of the rising sun (new beginnings) and the return of God's glory in [Ezekiel 43:2](/ezekiel/43-2 "Ezekiel 43:2 - The Glory of the Lord Returns to the Temple"). The detailed description employs vivid **Imagery**, allowing the reader to visualize the scene: the prophet standing at the door, the spontaneous gushing of water, and its precise directional flow. This sensory detail enhances the reality and impact of the divine vision. The entire vision also serves as **Foreshadowing**, pointing to ultimate spiritual realities, particularly the New Testament understanding of God's Spirit as living water and the eschatological river of life in the New Jerusalem.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 47:1 profoundly illustrates that God's presence is the ultimate source of life, renewal, and blessing. The waters issuing from the temple's threshold signify that spiritual vitality and healing flow directly from the heart of God's dwelling place, reaching out to transform barrenness into fruitfulness. This vision underscores God's sovereign power to bring restoration and abundance even in the most desolate circumstances, emphasizing that divine life is not limited but expands exponentially, bringing purification and healing wherever it goes. It paints a picture of God's desire to dwell among His people and to pour out His life-giving Spirit upon them and through them to the world.

* [John 7:38](/john/7-38 "John 7:38 - Rivers of Living Water")
* [Revelation 22:1](/revelation/22-1 "Revelation 22:1 - The River of the Water of Life")
* [Psalm 46:4](/psalms/46-4 "Psalm 46:4 - A River Making Glad the City of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 47:1 offers a powerful reminder that true life, healing, and abundance flow from God's presence. For believers today, this vision encourages us to recognize God as the wellspring of all spiritual vitality. Just as the waters emanated from the temple, the Church, as God's spiritual temple and the body of Christ, is called to be a conduit through which the life-giving message of the Gospel and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit flow out into the world. This requires us to remain intimately connected to the divine source, allowing God's Spirit to flow through us to bring healing, hope, and transformation to others. Personally, it challenges us to cultivate a deep relationship with God, recognizing that our own spiritual flourishing depends on drawing from His inexhaustible supply of grace. Even in our most barren or seemingly hopeless situations, this verse instills profound hope that God can bring forth life, renewal, and abundance from His very presence, turning deserts into fruitful lands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of water flowing from the temple's threshold speak to your understanding of God's presence in your life?**
* **In what ways can you, as a believer, be a conduit for God's life-giving presence to flow into your community or sphere of influence?**
* **What "barren lands" in your personal life or in the world around you are you praying for God's life-giving waters to transform?**

### FAQ
**Is the temple described in Ezekiel 40-48 a literal structure or a symbolic vision?**

Answer: The temple in Ezekiel 40-48 is generally understood by scholars as a symbolic, idealized vision rather than a literal blueprint for a physical building to be constructed. While its architectural details are meticulously described, its sheer size, the miraculous river flowing from it, and its perfect alignment with the land's redistribution suggest a spiritual reality. It represents God's ideal dwelling place among His people, emphasizing holiness, order, and the abundant life that flows from His presence. It serves as a prophetic picture of God's ultimate restoration and the perfect communion He desires to have with humanity, foreshadowing the New Covenant and the New Jerusalem where God's presence is fully realized without a physical temple ([Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - No Temple in the New Jerusalem")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 47:1 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Ezekiel's vision depicts life-giving waters flowing from a physical temple, the New Testament reveals Jesus as the true temple, the very dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the Temple")). He is the ultimate source of the "living water" that satisfies spiritual thirst and brings eternal life, as He declared to the Samaritan woman at the well ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water")). Furthermore, Jesus promised that from within believers, "rivers of living water will flow" ([John 7:38](/john/7-38 "John 7:38 - Rivers of Living Water")), referring to the Holy Spirit, who is poured out from Him. This signifies that the life-giving flow of God's Spirit, once confined to a temple, now emanates from Christ and through His people, bringing healing and transformation to the world. Ultimately, the vision culminates in the New Jerusalem, where there is no temple because God and the Lamb are its temple, and from their throne flows the "river of the water of life" ([Revelation 22:1-2](/revelation/22-1-2 "Revelation 22:1-2 - The River of Life from God's Throne")), a perfect realization of Ezekiel's prophetic imagery in Christ's eternal reign.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 22:1

¶ And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Zechariah 14:8

¶ And it shall be in that day, [that] living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Joel 3:18

¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

Isaiah 55:1

¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Jeremiah 2:13

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Psalms 46:4

[There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High.

Ezekiel 47:12

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.