Then he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through knee-deep water. Again he measured a thousand cubits and led me through waist-deep water. He measured off another thousand cubitsThis phrase indicates a continuation of the vision that Ezekiel is experiencing. The act of measuring is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing God's order and precision. The "thousand cubits" suggests a substantial distance, emphasizing the vastness and abundance of God's provision. In the Hebrew context, the act of measuring can also imply preparation for something significant, such as a divine plan or purpose being revealed. and led me through the water
Here, Ezekiel is being guided, which is a recurring theme in Scripture where God leads His people. The water symbolizes life, cleansing, and the Holy Spirit. In the Hebrew tradition, water is often associated with purification and renewal. This imagery can inspire believers to trust in God's guidance through life's challenges, knowing that He leads us to spiritual growth and renewal. water that was knee-deep
The progression of the water's depth from ankle-deep to knee-deep signifies increasing spiritual maturity and depth in one's relationship with God. In biblical symbolism, the knees are often associated with prayer and submission. This suggests a call to deeper prayer life and surrender to God's will. Historically, water levels rising could also indicate the abundance and prosperity that comes from God's blessings. 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, often through vivid and symbolic imagery. 2. The Man with the Measuring LineThis figure, often interpreted as an angelic being or a divine messenger, guides Ezekiel through the vision, measuring the depths of the water. 3. The RiverSymbolic of God's life-giving presence and blessings, the river flows from the temple, increasing in depth and significance as it progresses. 4. The TempleThe source of the river, representing God's dwelling place and the origin of spiritual life and renewal. 5. The VisionA prophetic vision given to Ezekiel, illustrating the transformative power of God's presence and the abundance of life that flows from Him. Teaching Points Spiritual Growth and DepthJust as the water deepens, our spiritual journey should progress from shallow to deeper faith and understanding. God's Abundant ProvisionThe increasing depth of the river signifies God's abundant provision and blessings, which are available to all who seek Him. The Transformative Power of God's PresenceThe river's source at the temple highlights the transformative power of God's presence in our lives, bringing renewal and life. Invitation to Deeper RelationshipWe are invited to wade deeper into our relationship with God, moving beyond surface-level faith to a more profound and committed walk with Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the increasing depth of the river in Ezekiel 47:4 reflect your current spiritual journey and growth? 2. In what ways can you seek a deeper relationship with God, moving from "knee-deep" to "waist-deep" in your faith? 3. How does the imagery of the river flowing from the temple challenge or encourage you in your understanding of God's provision and presence? 4. What parallels can you draw between Ezekiel's vision and Jesus' teachings on living water in the New Testament? 5. How can you apply the concept of God's abundant provision in your daily life, especially in times of spiritual dryness or challenge? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 2The river flowing from Eden parallels the river in Ezekiel's vision, symbolizing life and sustenance from God. John 7Jesus speaks of living water, connecting to the life-giving and cleansing properties of the river in Ezekiel's vision. Revelation 22The river of the water of life in the New Jerusalem echoes Ezekiel's vision, emphasizing the eternal life and healing that come from God. 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 Body, Caused, Causeth, Cubits, Knee-deep, Knees, Led, Loins, Measured, Measureth, Measuring, Middle, Pass, Reaching, Thousand, Waist, WatersDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 47:1-8 4290 valleys Ezekiel 47:1-12 3290 Holy Spirit, life-giver
5059 rest, eternal Ezekiel 47:3-5 5618 measures, linear 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 47:4 NIVEzekiel 47:4 NLTEzekiel 47:4 ESVEzekiel 47:4 NASBEzekiel 47:4 KJV
Ezekiel 47:4 Commentaries
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