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.
And by the river {H5158} upon the bank {H8193} thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow {H5927} all trees {H6086} for meat {H3978}, whose leaf {H5929} shall not fade {H5034}, neither shall the fruit {H6529} thereof be consumed {H8552}: it shall bring forth new fruit {H1069} according to his months {H2320}, because their waters {H4325} they issued out {H3318} of the sanctuary {H4720}: and the fruit {H6529} thereof shall be for meat {H3978}, and the leaf {H5929} thereof for medicine {H8644}.
On both riverbanks will grow all kinds of trees for food; their leaves will not dry up, nor will their fruit fail. There will be a different kind of fruit each month, because the water flows from the sanctuary, so that this fruit will be edible, and the leaves will have healing properties."
Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of all kinds will grow. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. Each month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be used for food and their leaves for healing.”
And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow every tree for food, whose leaf shall not wither, neither shall the fruit thereof fail: it shall bring forth new fruit every month, because the waters thereof issue out of the sanctuary; and the fruit thereof shall be for food, and the leaf thereof for healing.
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Revelation 22:2
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, [was there] the tree of life, which bare twelve [manner of] fruits, [and] yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree [were] for the healing of the nations. -
Psalms 1:3
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. -
Jeremiah 17:8
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. -
Genesis 2:9
And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. -
Ezekiel 47:7
Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river [were] very many trees on the one side and on the other. -
Psalms 92:12
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. -
Job 8:16
He [is] green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.
Ezekiel 47:12 is a powerful verse from Ezekiel's prophetic vision, describing the miraculous properties of the river flowing from the new temple. This passage paints a vivid picture of divine provision and perpetual life.
Context
This verse is part of a larger vision in Ezekiel chapters 40-48, which describes a new temple, a restored land, and the blessings that flow from God's presence. Chapter 47 specifically focuses on a river that issues forth from the temple's threshold, growing in depth and breadth as it flows eastward, bringing life and healing wherever it goes. The river transforms the barren landscape, even making the Dead Sea fresh and teeming with fish. Verse 12 highlights the abundant vegetation that thrives along its banks, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of this divinely sourced water and the promise of future restoration.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV word "meat" (מַאֲכָל - ma'akhal) in this context simply means food or sustenance, not specifically animal flesh. The phrase "for medicine" (לִתְרוּפָה - lit'ruphah) implies a broader sense of healing or restorative power, not just a modern pharmaceutical meaning. It suggests that the leaves will contribute to the health and well-being of those who partake of them, ensuring perfect vitality.
Connections and Significance
This vision in Ezekiel resonates strongly with other biblical prophecies of a renewed creation. It finds a powerful parallel in the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 22:1-2, where a "pure river of water of life" flows from the throne of God and the Lamb, and on either side are the "tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." This connection suggests that Ezekiel's vision is not merely about a physical temple, but a prophetic picture of God's ultimate plan for eternal life and blessing, culminating in a perfect, renewed creation where there is no more curse or death. The continuous fruitfulness and unfading leaves are also reminiscent of the blessed man in Psalm 1:3, "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither."
Practical Application
For believers today, Ezekiel 47:12 offers profound hope and assurance. It reminds us that God is the ultimate source of all good things—spiritual nourishment, healing, and life itself. While the physical temple and river may be part of a future literal or symbolic fulfillment, the spiritual truth remains: abundant life flows from God's presence. We are invited to draw from Him, the wellspring of life, for our sustenance and healing, trusting in His never-ending provision and the promise of a glorious future where all things are made new. It encourages us to seek the "living water" that Jesus spoke of, which brings eternal life and spiritual vitality, as seen in John 7:38.