Ezekiel 47

King James Version

Full text for Ezekiel Chapter 47

1¶ 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.

2Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.

3And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters [were] to the ankles.

4Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters [were] to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters [were] to the loins.

5Afterward 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.

6And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen [this]? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.

7Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river [were] very many trees on the one side and on the other.

8Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: [which being] brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

9And it shall come to pass, [that] every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

10And it shall come to pass, [that] the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a [place] to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.

11But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.

12And 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.

13¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; This [shall be] the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph [shall have two] portions.

14And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: [concerning] the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.

15And this [shall be] the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;

16Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which [is] between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazarhatticon, which [is] by the coast of Hauran.

17And the border from the sea shall be Hazarenan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And [this is] the north side.

18And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel [by] Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And [this is] the east side.

19And the south side southward, from Tamar [even] to the waters of strife [in] Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And [this is] the south side southward.

20The west side also [shall be] the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This [is] the west side.

21So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.

22And it shall come to pass, [that] ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.

23And it shall come to pass, [that] in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give [him] his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Ezekiel is shown a miraculous river flowing from the temple, which progressively deepens and brings life and healing wherever it flows, causing abundant fish and ever-fruiting trees. The chapter then outlines the divinely ordained borders for the land's inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. Notably, this inheritance is also extended to the strangers dwelling among them, who are to receive portions alongside the native-born.

Medium Summary

The prophet Ezekiel is led to witness a miraculous vision of waters flowing from beneath the threshold of the temple, moving eastward. An angelic guide measures the waters at intervals, revealing their progressive deepening from ankle-high to an impassable river. This life-giving river flows into the desert and then into the sea, healing its waters and causing all living things it touches to thrive, including an abundance of fish. Along its banks, trees bearing continuous fruit for food and leaves for medicine flourish, though some marshy areas remain unhealed. The chapter then transitions to the Lord God's instructions for the division of the promised land among the twelve tribes of Israel, with Joseph receiving a double portion. Detailed boundaries are provided for the northern, eastern, southern, and western sides of the territory. Significantly, the Lord commands that the land be divided by lot not only for the children of Israel but also for the strangers who sojourn among them, ensuring they receive an inheritance within the tribe where they reside, as if they were native-born.

Long Summary

Ezekiel is brought back to the temple, where he observes waters issuing forth from beneath its eastern threshold, flowing from the right side of the house. An angelic figure, holding a measuring line, guides Ezekiel eastward, measuring the depth of the waters at intervals of a thousand cubits. The waters progressively deepen from ankle-deep to knee-deep, then to the loins, and finally become an uncrossable river, deep enough to swim in. The guide then shows Ezekiel the banks of this river, which are lined with numerous trees on both sides. He explains that these waters flow eastward into the desert and then into the sea, where they will heal the sea's waters. Consequently, every living creature touched by this river will live, leading to a vast multitude of fish, and fishers will cast their nets from Engedi to Eneglaim. However, certain miry places and marshes will remain unhealed, designated for salt. The trees along the riverbanks will bear fruit continuously, providing food, and their leaves will serve as medicine, their vitality stemming from the sanctuary's waters. The chapter then shifts to the Lord God's decree regarding the inheritance of the land for the twelve tribes of Israel, specifying that Joseph shall receive two portions. God reiterates His ancient promise to their fathers, affirming that this land will fall to them as an inheritance. Precise borders are delineated for the north, east, south, and west, using various geographical markers. Crucially, the Lord commands that the land be divided by lot not only among the tribes of Israel but also for the strangers who reside among them and have begotten children. These sojourners are to be regarded as native-born and are to receive an inheritance within the specific tribe where they dwell, ensuring their inclusion in the divine promise.

Core Concepts

  • Sanctuary WatersWaters miraculously issue from under the temple threshold, flowing eastward, symbolizing divine life and blessing originating from God's presence.
  • Progressive DeepeningThe waters are measured at intervals, progressively deepening from ankles to an uncrossable river, illustrating the increasing abundance and power of God's spiritual provision.
  • Healing and LifeThe river flows into the desert and sea, transforming barrenness and bitterness into vitality, causing all living things it touches to thrive and fish to multiply.
  • Ever-Fruiting TreesTrees along the riverbanks bear continuous fruit for food and leaves for medicine, signifying perpetual sustenance and healing derived from the sanctuary's waters.
  • Inheritance of the LandGod outlines the precise borders for the division of the promised land among the twelve tribes of Israel, fulfilling ancient covenants and ensuring each tribe receives a portion.
  • Inclusion of StrangersA significant decree is made that strangers dwelling among Israel, who have children, are to receive an inheritance by lot alongside the native-born, emphasizing God's inclusive justice and provision.