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Ezekiel 47:1

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¶ 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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Context of Ezekiel 47:1

Ezekiel 47:1 introduces one of the most vivid and symbolic visions in the book of Ezekiel, occurring within chapters 40-48, which detail a new, glorious temple and its ordinances. This vision was given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, offering a profound message of hope, restoration, and God's continued presence among His people. The "house" refers to the visionary temple, a blueprint for a future spiritual reality rather than merely a physical structure. The detail that the house "stood toward the east" is significant, as the east gate was traditionally associated with the glory of God entering and departing the temple in previous visions. The emergence of water from the temple's threshold, specifically from the right (south) side of the altar, immediately signals a supernatural and life-giving phenomenon, setting the stage for the miraculous river described in subsequent verses.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Source of Life and Blessing: The primary message of this verse is that true life, blessing, and spiritual vitality originate directly from God's presence, symbolized by the temple. The waters issuing from under the threshold indicate that God Himself is the fountainhead of all good things.
  • Abundance and Overflow: The immediate flow of water, growing into a mighty river throughout the chapter, signifies an abundant and ever-increasing supply of divine grace, healing, and fruitfulness.
  • Restoration and Healing: These waters are not ordinary; as the vision unfolds, they bring life and healing wherever they flow, transforming barren lands and purifying the Dead Sea. This points to God's ultimate plan for restoration and healing for His creation and His people.
  • God's Unstoppable Purpose: The spontaneous and continuous flow of the waters from the temple's core demonstrates God's unstoppable and sovereign purpose to bring life and blessing to the world.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "waters issued out" (Hebrew: mayim yotze'im, מַיִם יוֹצְאִים) emphasizes a continuous, spontaneous, and powerful outflow. It's not a trickle but a wellspring, indicating a dynamic and ever-present source. The precise architectural details, such as "under the threshold," "eastward," and "from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar," underscore the divine precision and reality of the vision. The "threshold" (Hebrew: mippataḥ, מִפֶּתַח) signifies the very entrance and foundation of God's dwelling place.

Related Scriptures

Practical Application

Ezekiel 47:1 reminds us that God's presence is the ultimate source of life and renewal. For believers today, this vision can be understood in several ways:

  • The Church as a Conduit: The Church, as God's spiritual temple, is meant to be a source from which the life-giving message of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit flow out to the world, bringing healing and transformation.
  • Personal Transformation: Just as the waters transform the landscape, God's Spirit flowing from within us can transform our lives and enable us to be agents of blessing to others. It calls us to draw closer to the divine source to experience this life-giving flow.
  • Hope for Restoration: This verse offers profound hope that even in the most barren or desolate spiritual circumstances, God has the power to bring forth life, healing, and abundance from His very presence.
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Cross-References

  • Revelation 22:1 (16 votes)

    ¶ 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 (16 votes)

    ¶ 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 (13 votes)

    ¶ 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 (12 votes)

    ¶ 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 (9 votes)

    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 (9 votes)

    [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 (8 votes)

    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.