Ezekiel 47:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Afterward he measured {H4058} a thousand {H505}; and it was a river {H5158} that I could {H3201} not pass over {H5674}: for the waters {H4325} were risen {H1342}, waters {H4325} to swim in {H7813}, a river {H5158} that could not be passed over {H5674}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Finally he measured a thousand, and it was a river I couldn't cross on foot, because the water was so deep one would have to swim across; it was a river that could not be waded through.

Berean Standard Bible

Once again he measured off a thousand cubits, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough for swimming—a river that could not be crossed on foot.

American Standard Version

Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through; for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 47:5 marks the climax of Ezekiel's vision of the life-giving river flowing from the temple, depicting a profound and overwhelming increase in its depth and breadth. Having progressed from ankle-deep to waist-deep, the prophet now encounters waters that are impossible to cross on foot, rising to a level where one must swim. This signifies an immeasurable outpouring of divine presence, blessing, and life that transcends human capacity to comprehend or control, demanding complete immersion and surrender.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a sequence of measurements within the larger temple vision of [Ezekiel 40-48](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel's Temple Vision"). Specifically, [Ezekiel 47:1-4](/ezekiel/47-1 "The River from the Temple") describes an angelic guide leading Ezekiel through the progressively deepening waters, measuring a thousand cubits at each stage. The initial measurements reveal waters that are ankle-deep, then knee-deep, and finally up to the loins, each stage representing an increasing intensity of divine presence and a deeper engagement with the life-giving flow. [Ezekiel 47:5](/ezekiel/47-5 "Ezekiel 47:5 - The Uncrossable River") thus serves as the dramatic climax of this deepening progression, establishing the river's immense and uncontainable nature before the vision shifts to describe its life-giving effects on the surrounding land in [Ezekiel 47:6-12](/ezekiel/47-6 "The Life-Giving River's Effects"). The entire vision underscores themes of restoration, renewal, and the pervasive power of God's presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel's prophecy was delivered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, a people who had lost their temple, their land, and their sense of divine presence. The vision of the new temple and the river in [Ezekiel 40-48](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel's Temple Vision") served as a profound message of hope and restoration. For a people living in a dry, arid land (Mesopotamia, though the vision is set in Judah), the image of an ever-deepening, life-giving river flowing from the temple would have been a powerful symbol of God's inexhaustible provision and the spiritual renewal He promised. The concept of a river flowing from a sacred mountain or temple was also present in ancient Near Eastern mythology, but Ezekiel's vision uniquely portrays it as a divine, life-sustaining force that transforms the barren into fruitful, signifying God's ultimate sovereignty and ability to bring life out of desolation.
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 47:5](/ezekiel/47-5 "Ezekiel 47:5 - The Uncrossable River") powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. It highlights the **Immeasurable Abundance** of God's grace and provision, illustrating that His blessings are not merely sufficient but overwhelmingly vast, exceeding human comprehension or control. The uncrossable nature of the river signifies **Divine Sovereignty and Immersion**, where human effort to navigate or contain God's work becomes impossible, demanding complete surrender and trust in His overwhelming presence. This progressive deepening also symbolizes **Progressive Spiritual Growth and Revelation**, moving from a superficial encounter to a profound, all-encompassing experience of God. Furthermore, in the broader context of [Ezekiel 47:8-12](/ezekiel/47-8 "The River's Healing Power"), this immense river is inextricably linked to the theme of **Life-Giving Transformation**, demonstrating that God's pervasive presence brings healing, fruitfulness, and renewal to all it touches, even the Dead Sea.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **risen (Hebrew, _gâʼâh'_):** From the primitive root H1342, meaning "to mount up," "to rise," or "to be majestic." In this context, it vividly describes the waters swelling to an immense height, indicating an overwhelming and unstoppable force. It suggests not just an increase in volume but an elevation to a majestic, almost triumphant, level, emphasizing the divine origin and power of the river.
* **waters (Hebrew, _mayim'_):** H4325, a dual form used in a singular sense, simply meaning "water." While seemingly straightforward, its repetition and association with "risen" and "to swim in" emphasize the sheer quantity and transformative quality of the liquid. It is the very medium of life and cleansing, here presented in an inexhaustible supply.
* **to swim in (Hebrew, _sâchûw'_):** H7813, derived from a root meaning "to swim." This specific term denotes waters that are deep enough to require swimming, rather than wading or walking. It underscores the complete immersion required, implying a state where human effort to stand or control is futile, necessitating full surrender to the current. This word is pivotal in conveying the overwhelming and all-encompassing nature of the divine outpouring.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Afterward he measured a thousand;":** This clause continues the narrative sequence from the preceding verses, where the angelic guide measures thousand-cubit intervals. Each measurement marked a new, deeper stage of the river. Here, this final measurement signifies the ultimate progression in depth, setting the stage for the revelation of the river's overwhelming nature. It emphasizes the systematic and intentional nature of God's unfolding work.
* **"and it was a river that I could not pass over:":** This is the pivotal declaration of the verse. Unlike the previous stages where Ezekiel could walk through the water, this measurement reveals a depth that renders human traversal impossible. The phrase "could not pass over" (from H3201 _yâkôl_ "to be able" and H5674 _ʻâbar_ "to cross over") highlights the overwhelming power and immensity of the river, signifying that its divine source and supply far exceed any human capacity to contain, control, or even comprehend.
* **"for the waters were risen, waters to swim in,":** This provides the reason for the river's impassability. The waters have not merely deepened but have "risen" (H1342 _gâʼâh_) to a level that demands full immersion. The phrase "waters to swim in" (H7813 _sâchûw_) vividly portrays the necessity of complete surrender to the current, as wading or standing is no longer an option. It implies a state where one must be fully borne by the divine flow, signifying a profound level of dependence and spiritual immersion.
* **"a river that could not be passed over.":** This is a powerful repetition, echoing and reinforcing the earlier declaration. The reiteration serves to emphasize the absolute and undeniable truth of the river's immense and uncontainable nature. It leaves no doubt about the overwhelming scale of the divine outpouring, solidifying the message that God's blessings and presence are boundless and beyond human limitation.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 47:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the physical river represents the spiritual outpouring of God's life, blessing, and presence. Its progressively increasing depth symbolizes the escalating intensity and immeasurable nature of divine grace and revelation. The phrase "waters to swim in" is a vivid **Metaphor** for complete immersion and surrender to God's will and Spirit, where human effort to control or stand is rendered impossible. The **Repetition** of "a river that I could not pass over" serves as a powerful rhetorical device, emphasizing the sheer immensity and uncontainable nature of the divine flow. This repetition creates a sense of awe and finality, underscoring that God's work is beyond human limitation or comprehension. Furthermore, the progression from ankle-deep to uncrossable waters is a form of **Climax**, building narrative tension and spiritual significance to a peak moment of overwhelming divine abundance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 47:5 culminates the imagery of the river's deepening, signifying an overwhelming and immeasurable outpouring of God's Spirit and blessing, far beyond human capacity to control or comprehend. This vision foreshadows the New Covenant reality where God's Spirit is poured out in abundance, not merely as a guiding presence but as an all-encompassing force that transforms and sustains. It speaks to the boundless nature of divine grace, which continually expands to meet and exceed human need, inviting a deeper, more profound immersion in God's presence. The river's uncrossable depth points to the inexhaustible source of life and healing found in God alone, a truth that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

* [Psalm 36:8-9](/psalm/36-8 "Psalm 36:8-9 - Fountain of Life")
* [Joel 3:18](/joel/3-18 "Joel 3:18 - Valley of Shittim")
* [Revelation 22:1-2](/revelation/22-1 "Revelation 22:1-2 - River of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 47:5 serves as a powerful invitation to examine the depth of our own spiritual journey and our willingness to surrender to the overwhelming current of God's grace. Are we content to merely wade in the shallow end of faith, or do we yearn for the "waters to swim in"—a profound, immersive experience of God's Spirit that transcends our understanding and control? This verse challenges us to move beyond self-reliance and partial engagement, encouraging us to embrace a full and trusting dependence on God's boundless power and provision. It reminds us that true spiritual growth often involves stepping into depths where we cannot stand on our own, trusting that God's current will sustain and carry us. Embracing this deeper immersion allows us to experience the transformative, life-giving power of God in ways that lead to profound spiritual fruitfulness, healing, and a greater capacity to be channels of His blessing to a world in need.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you still trying to wade or stand, rather than allowing yourself to be fully carried by God's grace?**
* **What does it mean for you to be in "waters to swim in" spiritually, and what might be holding you back from that level of immersion?**
* **How does the immeasurable abundance of God's presence, as depicted in this verse, challenge your understanding of His provision and power?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper, more surrendered relationship with the Holy Spirit?**

### FAQ
**What does the increasing depth of the river in Ezekiel 47 signify for believers today?**

Answer: The increasing depth of the river, culminating in "waters to swim in" in [Ezekiel 47:5](/ezekiel/47-5 "Ezekiel 47:5 - The Uncrossable River"), symbolizes a progressive and ever-deepening experience of God's presence, power, and grace. For believers today, it signifies that our spiritual journey is not meant to be static or superficial. It calls us to move beyond initial encounters with God into a profound, all-encompassing immersion in His Spirit, where His influence becomes so overwhelming that we must fully surrender to His leading. It represents the boundless nature of God's provision and the limitless potential for spiritual growth and transformation when we yield to His will.

**Is the river in Ezekiel 47 a literal river, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: While the vision in [Ezekiel 47](/ezekiel/47 "Ezekiel 47 - The River from the Temple") uses vivid, literal imagery of a flowing river, the overwhelming consensus among biblical scholars is that it is primarily **symbolic**. It represents the spiritual life, healing, and blessing that flow from God's presence, particularly from His dwelling place (the temple). The miraculous attributes of the river—its ever-increasing depth without a visible source, its ability to heal the Dead Sea ([Ezekiel 47:8-9](/ezekiel/47-8 "The River's Healing Power")), and its fruit-bearing trees ([Ezekiel 47:12](/ezekiel/47-12 "Trees by the River"))—point to its supernatural nature. This symbolic understanding allows for its fulfillment in both the spiritual realities of the New Covenant and potentially in a future, eschatological context, rather than being limited to a purely physical phenomenon.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The vision of the ever-deepening, life-giving river in [Ezekiel 47:5](/ezekiel/47-5 "Ezekiel 47:5 - The Uncrossable River") finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). This "living water" is explicitly identified as the Holy Spirit, whom believers would receive after Jesus' glorification. Just as Ezekiel's river brought life and healing wherever it flowed, the Holy Spirit, poured out by Christ, brings spiritual life, regeneration, and transformation to all who believe. The uncrossable depth of Ezekiel's river foreshadows the immeasurable and inexhaustible supply of grace, truth, and power found in Christ, who is the true Temple from whom all spiritual blessings flow ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Destroy This Temple")). Through Christ, we are not merely wading in the shallows of faith but are invited into an overwhelming, Spirit-filled immersion, where His life permeates every aspect of our being, leading to abundant fruitfulness and eternal life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). This divine outpouring, initiated by Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, is the very essence of the New Covenant, where God's Spirit dwells within His people, transforming barren lives into flourishing gardens for His glory.

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

Habakkuk 2:14

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11:9

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Matthew 13:31

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Matthew 13:32

Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Revelation 11:15

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:2

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Revelation 20:4

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.