Next he brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and there I saw the water trickling out from the south side. Then he brought me out through the north gateThis phrase begins with the action of being "brought out," indicating a guided movement, which in the Hebrew context often implies divine guidance or revelation. The "north gate" is significant in the temple's layout, as the north side was traditionally associated with God's presence and judgment. Historically, the north gate could symbolize a place of entry for divine revelation, as the north was often seen as the direction from which God's presence would come ( Isaiah 14:13). This movement through the north gate suggests a transition from a place of divine encounter to a broader revelation. and led me around the outside
The phrase "led me around" suggests a comprehensive tour or exploration, indicating that Ezekiel is being shown something significant. The Hebrew root for "led" often implies guidance with purpose, suggesting that God is revealing something important to Ezekiel. The "outside" refers to the outer areas of the temple, which could symbolize the extension of God's presence beyond the inner sanctum, hinting at the inclusivity of God's grace and the expansion of His kingdom. to the outer gate facing east
The "outer gate" represents the boundary between the sacred temple area and the outside world. The direction "facing east" is symbolically rich in biblical literature. Eastward is the direction of the sunrise, symbolizing new beginnings, hope, and the coming of God's light. In the context of Ezekiel's vision, the east gate is particularly significant as it is associated with the return of God's glory to the temple (Ezekiel 43:1-5). This directionality underscores the theme of restoration and renewal. and the water was trickling out from the south side
The "water" in this vision is a powerful symbol of life, purification, and the Holy Spirit. In biblical symbolism, water often represents cleansing and the life-giving presence of God (John 4:14, Revelation 22:1). The "trickling" suggests a humble beginning, a small start that will grow into something much greater, reflecting the mustard seed principle of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 13:31-32). The "south side" may indicate the direction of blessing and abundance, as the south wind in biblical times was often associated with warmth and fertility. This imagery of water flowing from the temple signifies the outpouring of God's blessings and the spread of His life-giving presence to all nations. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the recipient of this vision. His role is to convey God's messages to the Israelites. 2. The ManOften interpreted as an angelic guide, this figure leads Ezekiel through the vision, showing him the temple and the miraculous waters. 3. The North GatePart of the temple complex in Ezekiel's vision, symbolizing access and entry into the sacred space. 4. The Outer Gate Facing EastThis gate is significant as it faces the direction of the rising sun, often associated with God's glory and presence. 5. The WaterRepresents life, healing, and the outpouring of God's blessings, starting as a trickle and growing into a mighty river. Teaching Points Symbolism of WaterWater in Scripture often symbolizes life, cleansing, and the Holy Spirit. Reflect on how God's Spirit brings renewal and transformation in our lives. God's Progressive RevelationThe water starts as a trickle and becomes a river, illustrating how God's work in our lives often begins small but grows as we walk in faith. Access to God's PresenceThe journey through the gates signifies the importance of seeking and entering into God's presence regularly. Direction and GuidanceJust as Ezekiel was led by the man, we need to be open to God's guidance in our spiritual journey. Healing and RestorationThe water's healing properties remind us of God's power to restore and heal our brokenness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of water in Ezekiel 47:2 relate to the concept of spiritual renewal in your life? 2. In what ways can you seek to enter God's presence more intentionally, as symbolized by the journey through the gates? 3. Reflect on a time when God's work in your life started small but grew significantly. How does this encourage you in your current walk of faith? 4. How can you be more open to God's guidance, similar to how Ezekiel followed the man in the vision? 5. Consider the healing properties of the water in Ezekiel's vision. What areas of your life need God's healing touch, and how can you invite Him into those areas? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 2The river flowing from Eden parallels the life-giving water in Ezekiel's vision, symbolizing God's provision and sustenance. Revelation 22The river of life flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb echoes Ezekiel's vision, emphasizing eternal life and healing. John 7Jesus speaks of living water, connecting to the spiritual life and renewal that comes from belief in Him, similar to the life-giving water in Ezekiel. 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 Behold, Causeth, Doorway, East, Eastward, Faces, Facing, Flowing, Forth, Gate, Led, Looks, North, Northward, Outer, Outside, Ran, Round, Running, Slowly, South, Towards, Trickled, Trickling, Turn, Utter, WatersDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 47:1-8 4290 valleys 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 47:2 NIVEzekiel 47:2 NLTEzekiel 47:2 ESVEzekiel 47:2 NASBEzekiel 47:2 KJV
Ezekiel 47:2 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
