Ezekiel 47:11

KJV

But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.

KJV (with Strong's)

But the miry places {H1207} thereof and the marishes {H1360} thereof shall not be healed {H7495}; they shall be given {H5414} to salt {H4417}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, its mud flats and marshes will not become fresh but will remain salty.

Berean Standard Bible

But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.

American Standard Version

But the miry places thereof, and the marshes thereof, shall not be healed; they shall be given up to salt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 47:11 presents a stark contrast within the prophet's glorious vision of the life-giving river flowing from the temple, revealing that while God's divine healing and abundance are vast, there remain specific areas—the "miry places" and "marishes"—that will not partake in this restoration. These unhealed regions are destined to be "given to salt," a powerful symbol of perpetual barrenness and judgment, serving as a sobering counterpoint to the widespread vitality and fruitfulness promised by the miraculous river.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the climactic vision of the new temple and the life-giving river in [Ezekiel chapter 47](/ezekiel/47 "Ezekiel 47 - The River of Life"). The preceding verses describe a miraculous river originating from the temple, growing from a trickle to an uncrossable torrent, bringing life and healing wherever it flows. It transforms the barren Arabah into fertile land, purifies the Dead Sea, and causes an abundance of fish and diverse fruit trees to flourish along its banks ([Ezekiel 47:7-10](/ezekiel/47-7 "Ezekiel 47:7-10 - The River's Abundance")). Verse 11, however, introduces a striking exception, highlighting specific areas that will not experience this pervasive healing, thereby emphasizing divine prerogative and the consequences of remaining outside the sphere of this life-giving flow.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, "miry places" and "marishes" referred to swamps, bogs, or stagnant pools—areas that, without constant refreshing flow, would become putrid and unproductive. The act of "giving to salt" was a potent symbol of judgment and desolation. Conquerors would sometimes sow salt on the land of defeated cities to render them infertile and uninhabitable, ensuring their perpetual barrenness (e.g., [Judges 9:45](/judges/9-45 "Judges 9:45 - Abimelech Sows Salt on Shechem")). This imagery evokes a sense of irreversible curse and abandonment, contrasting sharply with the agricultural abundance envisioned elsewhere in the chapter. Geographically, the vision describes the river flowing towards the Dead Sea, a body of water naturally high in salinity and devoid of life; the river's power to heal even this sea makes the unhealed "miry places" all the more significant.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 47:11 contributes to several key themes within Ezekiel's prophecy and broader biblical theology. It underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, illustrating that while God's grace and restorative power are immense, there are limits or conditions to their application, and consequences for areas that resist or are designated for judgment. It highlights the **Contrast of Life and Death**, sharply juxtaposing the vibrant, life-giving river with the desolate, unhealed areas. Symbolically, the "miry places" and "marishes" can represent **Resistance to Spiritual Life** or areas of stubbornness and unrepentance that remain stagnant and unproductive, unwilling or unable to receive the divine flow of grace and healing, echoing themes found in [Jeremiah 17:5-6](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5-6 - The Cursed Man").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Miry places (Hebrew, _bitstsâh'_):** From an intensive root meaning a swamp or bog. This term denotes low-lying, waterlogged ground, often stagnant and unproductive, prone to becoming foul. In the context of the life-giving river, these are areas that, despite the proximity of divine flow, remain resistant to transformation, holding water but not allowing it to circulate and purify.
* **Marishes (Hebrew, _gebeʼ'_):** Derived from a root likely meaning "to collect," this word refers to a reservoir or, by analogy, a marsh. Similar to "miry places," it suggests areas where water gathers and becomes stagnant, rather than flowing freely. These are places that, by their nature or condition, do not participate in the dynamic, cleansing, and life-giving movement of the river.
* **Healed (Hebrew, _râphâʼ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to mend," "cure," or "make whole." The emphatic declaration "shall not be healed" underscores a permanent, unchangeable state of spiritual or physical barrenness. It signifies a refusal or inability to be restored by the divine, life-giving power that transforms all other areas.
* **Salt (Hebrew, _melach'_):** Properly "powder," specifically salt. In this context, salt is not for preservation or seasoning but for desolation. To be "given to salt" is an idiom for being abandoned to perpetual barrenness, judgment, and unfruitfulness, reflecting ancient practices of sowing salt on conquered lands to ensure their lasting ruin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof":** This phrase identifies specific geographical areas within the landscape affected by the river's flow. These are low-lying, boggy, or stagnant regions, inherently distinct from the fertile lands nourished by the river. Symbolically, they represent areas or conditions that resist the life-giving and purifying influence of God's presence.
* **"shall not be healed":** This is a powerful negative declaration. While the river brings healing and life to the Dead Sea and surrounding desert, these particular spots are explicitly excluded from that restorative power. It signifies a permanent state of un-transformation, indicating either a divine decree of judgment or a condition of inherent resistance that prevents their renewal.
* **"they shall be given to salt":** This concluding clause reveals the ultimate fate of these unhealed areas. To be "given to salt" is a vivid idiom for perpetual desolation and barrenness. It implies that these places will remain infertile, unproductive, and symbolically under a curse or judgment, serving as a stark reminder of consequences for those who do not partake in the divine flow of life.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 47:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "river" representing divine life, healing, and blessing, while the "miry places" and "marishes" symbolize areas of spiritual stagnation, resistance, or unrepentance. The act of being "given to salt" is a powerful symbol of divine judgment and perpetual barrenness. The verse also utilizes stark **Contrast**, setting the widespread healing and abundance of the river against the specific, unhealed desolation of these particular areas, thereby highlighting the consequences of remaining outside the sphere of divine grace. Furthermore, the passage can be read as a **Metaphor** for the human soul or community, where receptivity to God's Spirit leads to life and fruitfulness, while stubbornness or rejection results in spiritual barrenness and judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 47:11 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine judgment and the consequences of spiritual unreceptivity. While God's grace and transformative power are boundless, this verse reminds us that not all will partake in His full blessings. It underscores the principle that there are areas, whether literal or symbolic, that remain outside the sphere of divine healing, either by divine decree or by their own inherent resistance to life. This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty in determining who and what receives His restorative touch, and serves as a sober reminder that while the river of life flows freely, its benefits are not universally applied without condition or consequence.

* [Deuteronomy 29:23](/deuteronomy/29-23 "Deuteronomy 29:23 - Land Sown with Salt and Brimstone")
* [Jeremiah 17:5-6](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5-6 - The Cursed Man")
* [Matthew 25:41](/matthew/25-41 "Matthew 25:41 - Eternal Fire Prepared for the Devil")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 47:11 offers a poignant spiritual challenge, prompting us to examine our own lives for any "miry places" or "marishes"—areas of stubbornness, unconfessed sin, unforgiveness, or spiritual apathy—that may be resisting the healing and purifying flow of God's Spirit. The divine river of life, often associated with the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Christ, flows to bring cleansing, vitality, and fruitfulness. True spiritual growth and transformation require a willingness to surrender these stagnant areas to God's restorative power, allowing His grace to penetrate and purify every part of our being. This verse serves as a sober reminder that while God's mercy is vast, persistent rejection or resistance to His life-giving power can lead to spiritual barrenness, urging us to actively position ourselves to receive the abundant life He offers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "miry places" or "marishes" might exist in my own life, resisting the flow of God's Spirit and grace?**
* **Am I truly open and receptive to the transformative power of God, or are there areas I am holding back from His healing touch?**
* **How does the concept of "being given to salt" challenge my understanding of God's justice and the consequences of spiritual stagnation?**

### FAQ
**What do the "miry places" and "marishes" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: Symbolically, the "miry places" and "marishes" represent areas of spiritual stagnation, unrepentance, or stubbornness that resist the life-giving and purifying flow of God's Spirit. Unlike the rest of the land that is transformed by the river, these areas remain stagnant and unproductive, signifying an unwillingness or inability to partake in divine healing and fruitfulness. They can be understood as parts of a person's life, a community, or even a nation that remain hardened against God's restorative work.

**Why are these specific areas "given to salt" and not healed by the river?**

Answer: The phrase "given to salt" signifies perpetual barrenness, desolation, and judgment. In ancient cultures, salting the land was a practice associated with rendering it infertile and uninhabitable, a sign of irreversible curse or abandonment (e.g., [Judges 9:45](/judges/9-45 "Judges 9:45 - Abimelech Sows Salt on Shechem")). The reason these areas are not healed, despite the river's immense power, points to God's divine sovereignty and justice. It suggests that certain conditions or persistent resistance lead to a state of being outside the sphere of His restorative grace, serving as a stark warning about the consequences of rejecting or remaining impervious to the life-giving presence of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel's vision of the life-giving river finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is the true source of living water, as He declared in [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-38 - Jesus, the Source of Living Water"), promising that "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" This divine flow, which purifies and brings life, is the Holy Spirit, poured out through Christ's atoning work. The "miry places" and "marishes" that remain unhealed in Ezekiel's vision can be understood in light of Christ's teachings on spiritual receptivity and judgment. While Christ offers abundant life and healing to all who believe, those who persistently reject His offer, remaining hardened in their sin and spiritual stagnation, ultimately choose a path of barrenness. Just as the river in Ezekiel brings life to those who receive it, Christ's grace transforms hearts and lives, turning spiritual deserts into gardens ([Isaiah 35:1-2](/isaiah/35-1 "Isaiah 35:1-2 - The Desert Blooms")). The ultimate vision of the New Jerusalem in [Revelation 22:1-2](/revelation/22-1 "Revelation 22:1-2 - The River of Life in New Jerusalem") shows the "river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb," highlighting that in Christ, there is no unhealed place for those who dwell in His presence, as all barrenness is overcome by His eternal life.

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

Deuteronomy 29:23

[And that] the whole land thereof [is] brimstone, and salt, [and] burning, [that] it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

Revelation 22:11

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

2 Peter 2:19

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

2 Peter 2:22

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Hebrews 10:26

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Hebrews 10:31

[It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Psalms 107:34

A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.