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." Along both banks of the riverThis phrase paints a vivid picture of abundance and life. In the Hebrew context, rivers are often symbols of life and sustenance. The river here is not just any river but one that flows from the sanctuary, indicating divine origin and blessing. The banks of the river represent the boundaries within which God's provision and life-giving power operate. Historically, rivers were central to the life of ancient civilizations, providing water for drinking, agriculture, and transportation. Spiritually, this imagery suggests that God's blessings are abundant and accessible to all who are near His presence. fruit trees of all kinds will grow
The diversity of the fruit trees signifies the richness and variety of God's provision. In the Hebrew Bible, fruitfulness is often associated with God's blessing and favor. The phrase "of all kinds" suggests inclusivity and the idea that God's blessings are not limited to a specific type or group. This can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual fruits that believers are called to bear, as described in Galatians 5:22-23. The growth of these trees is a testament to the life-giving power of the river, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's work in the life of a believer. Their leaves will not wither
This phrase emphasizes the perpetual vitality and health of the trees. In the harsh climate of the Middle East, withering leaves would be a common sight, indicating drought or disease. However, these trees are sustained by the river from the sanctuary, ensuring their constant health. This can be seen as a metaphor for the believer's life, which, when rooted in God's Word and Spirit, remains vibrant and resilient despite external circumstances. The imagery echoes Psalm 1:3, where the righteous are likened to a tree planted by streams of water. and their fruit will not fail
The unfailing fruit represents the reliability and constancy of God's provision. In an agrarian society, the failure of crops could mean disaster, but here, there is a promise of continual harvest. This assurance can be seen as a reflection of God's faithfulness and the certainty of His promises. Spiritually, it suggests that the fruits of the Spirit and the works of righteousness in a believer's life will be enduring and impactful. Each month they will bear fruit
The regularity of the fruit-bearing is significant, indicating a supernatural provision that defies natural agricultural cycles. In ancient Israel, most fruit trees would have specific seasons for bearing fruit, but these trees are extraordinary, producing fruit every month. This can be interpreted as a symbol of the continuous and unending blessings that flow from a relationship with God. It also suggests the idea of spiritual growth and productivity that is not bound by earthly limitations. because the water from the sanctuary flows to them
The source of the trees' vitality is the water from the sanctuary, highlighting the divine origin of their life and fruitfulness. The sanctuary, being the dwelling place of God, signifies His presence and holiness. The water flowing from it represents the life-giving power of God, reminiscent of the living water that Jesus speaks of in John 4:10-14. This connection underscores the importance of being rooted in God's presence for spiritual nourishment and growth. Their fruit will be used for food
The fruit serves a practical purpose, providing sustenance and nourishment. This reflects the idea that the blessings and gifts from God are meant to be shared and used for the benefit of others. In a spiritual sense, it suggests that the fruits of a believer's life—such as love, joy, peace, and kindness—are meant to nourish and bless those around them. and their leaves for healing
The healing properties of the leaves point to restoration and wholeness. In ancient times, leaves and herbs were often used for medicinal purposes, symbolizing health and healing. This imagery is echoed in Revelation 22:2, where the leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations. It suggests that God's provision is not only for sustenance but also for healing and restoration, both physically and spiritually. This can be seen as a promise of the ultimate healing and restoration that comes through Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God who received visions and prophecies during the Babylonian exile. He is the author of the book bearing his name. 2. The RiverSymbolic of the life-giving presence of God, flowing from the sanctuary, representing divine provision and blessing. 3. Fruit TreesRepresenting abundance and continual provision, these trees symbolize the sustenance and healing that come from God. 4. The SanctuaryThe holy place from which the life-giving water flows, symbolizing God's presence and the source of spiritual nourishment. 5. Healing LeavesSymbolizing restoration and health, these leaves represent the comprehensive healing that comes from God. Teaching Points Divine ProvisionGod provides for His people abundantly, as seen in the fruit trees that never fail. Trust in God's provision, even in difficult times. Spiritual NourishmentJust as the trees are nourished by the water from the sanctuary, believers are nourished by God's Word and presence. Prioritize time in Scripture and prayer. Continual FruitfulnessThe trees bear fruit every month, symbolizing consistent spiritual growth and productivity. Seek to bear spiritual fruit in every season of life. Healing and RestorationThe leaves for healing remind us of God's power to restore and heal. Turn to God for healing in all areas of life—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Source of LifeThe river flowing from the sanctuary represents the life that comes from God. Recognize God as the ultimate source of life and vitality. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of the river and trees in Ezekiel 47:12 enhance your understanding of God's provision and presence? 2. In what ways can you ensure that you are spiritually nourished by the "water from the sanctuary" in your daily life? 3. How does the concept of continual fruitfulness challenge you in your personal walk with God? 4. What areas of your life need the healing that the leaves in Ezekiel's vision represent, and how can you seek God's restoration? 5. How do the connections between Ezekiel 47:12 and other scriptures like Revelation 22:1-2 and John 4:14 deepen your understanding of eternal life and spiritual sustenance? Connections to Other Scriptures Revelation 22:1-2This passage describes the river of life and the tree of life, drawing a parallel to Ezekiel's vision, emphasizing the eternal life and healing found in God's presence. Psalm 1:3The righteous are compared to a tree planted by streams of water, highlighting the theme of spiritual nourishment and fruitfulness. John 4:14Jesus speaks of the living water that He provides, which becomes a spring of eternal life, connecting to the life-giving water from the sanctuary. Jeremiah 17:7-8Describes the blessed man who trusts in the Lord, likened to a tree by the water, reinforcing the theme of trust and divine sustenance. People Amos, Enan, Ezekiel, Israelites, Joseph, TamarPlaces Arabah, Berothah, Brook of Egypt, Damascus, Eneglaim, Engedi, Gilead, Great Sea, Hamath, Hauran, Hazar-enan, Hazer-hatticon, Hethlon, Jordan River, Lebo-hamath, Meribah-kadesh, Most Holy Place, Sibraim, Tamar, ZedadTopics Bank, Banks, Bear, Bring, Consumed, Edge, Fade, Fadeth, Fail, First-fruits, Flows, Forth, Fresh, Fruit, Fruits, Fruit-tree, Green, Grow, Healing, Holy, Ill, Issue, Issued, Kind, Kinds, Leaf, Leaves, Meat, Medicine, Month, Months, River, Sanctuary, Serve, Sides, Stream, Thereof, Tree, Trees, Waters, Whither, Wither, YieldethDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 47:12 2378 kingdom of God, characteristics
4035 abundance
4450 fruit
5297 disease
5333 healing
5405 medicine
9411 heaven Ezekiel 47:1-12 3290 Holy Spirit, life-giver
5059 rest, eternal Library The River of Life
Waters issued out from under the threshold of the house ... EZEKIEL xlvii. 1. Unlike most great cities, Jerusalem was not situated on a great river. True, the inconsiderable waters of Siloam--'which flow softly' because they were so inconsiderable--rose from a crevice in the Temple rock, and beneath that rock stretched the valley of the Kedron, dry and bleached in the summer, and a rainy torrent during the rainy seasons; but that was all. So, many of the prophets, who looked forward to the better …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture"And the Redeemer Shall Come unto Zion, and unto them that Turn,"
Isaiah lix. 20.--"And the Redeemer shall come unto Zion, and unto them that turn," &c. Doctrines, as things, have their seasons and times. Every thing is beautiful in its season. So there is no word of truth, but it hath a season and time in which it is beautiful. And indeed that is a great part of wisdom, to bring forth everything in its season, to discern when and where, and to whom it is pertinent and edifying, to speak such and such truths. But there is one doctrine that is never out of season, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Fresh Supplies of Power.
"As the Dew." There is another very important bit needed to complete the circle of truth we are going over together in these quiet talks. Namely, the daily life after the act of surrender and all that comes with that act. The steady pull day by day. After the eagle-flight up into highest air, and the hundred yards dash, or even the mile run, comes the steady, steady walking mile after mile. The real test of life is here. And the highest victories are here, too. I recall the remark made by a friend …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezekiel 47:12 NIVEzekiel 47:12 NLTEzekiel 47:12 ESVEzekiel 47:12 NASBEzekiel 47:12 KJV
Ezekiel 47:12 Commentaries
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