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. Once again he measured off a thousand cubitsThe phrase "once again" indicates a continuation of a process, suggesting a methodical and deliberate action. The "thousand cubits" is a significant measurement, symbolizing completeness and divine order in biblical numerology. In the Hebrew context, a cubit is approximately 18 inches, making this a substantial distance. This measurement reflects God's precise and purposeful plan, emphasizing His sovereignty and the unfolding of His divine will. but now it was a river
The transformation from a stream to a river signifies growth and abundance. In biblical symbolism, rivers often represent life, prosperity, and the flow of God's blessings. The Hebrew word for river, "nahar," conveys a sense of continuous movement and vitality. This imagery aligns with the prophetic vision of God's kingdom expanding and His life-giving presence becoming more profound and pervasive. that I could not cross
This phrase highlights the overwhelming and boundless nature of God's provision and power. The inability to cross the river signifies human limitations in the face of divine majesty. It serves as a reminder of our dependence on God and the vastness of His grace, which surpasses human understanding and capability. because the water had risen
The rising water symbolizes the increasing influence and impact of God's Spirit. In the biblical context, water often represents the Holy Spirit, cleansing, and renewal. The Hebrew root "alah" for "risen" suggests an elevation or lifting up, indicating the Spirit's transformative work in elevating believers to new spiritual heights and deeper intimacy with God. and was deep enough to swim in
This phrase conveys the depth and richness of the spiritual life available to believers. Swimming implies immersion and full engagement, inviting us to dive into the fullness of God's presence. The depth of the water reflects the profound mysteries of God, encouraging believers to explore and experience the vastness of His love and wisdom. a river that could not be crossed
The repetition of the river's uncrossable nature underscores the inexhaustible and eternal nature of God's kingdom. It serves as a metaphor for the infinite and unending flow of God's grace and mercy. This imagery invites believers to trust in God's eternal promises and to rest in the assurance of His unchanging faithfulness. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God who received visions and messages to deliver to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He is the primary figure receiving the vision in this passage. 2. The Man with the Measuring LineA heavenly being or angelic figure guiding Ezekiel through the vision, measuring the depth of the river. 3. The RiverSymbolic of God's life-giving presence and blessings, flowing from the temple, representing spiritual abundance and restoration. 4. The TempleThe source of the river, symbolizing 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 future restoration of Israel. Teaching Points The Abundance of God's BlessingThe increasing depth of the river signifies the overflowing abundance of God's blessings and spiritual life available to His people. The Inexhaustible Nature of God's PresenceThe river that cannot be crossed on foot illustrates the boundless and immeasurable nature of God's presence and power. Spiritual Growth and DepthJust as the river deepens, believers are called to grow deeper in their relationship with God, moving from ankle-deep faith to a fully immersed life in Christ. Restoration and RenewalThe vision points to God's promise of restoration and renewal, not only for Israel but for all who are in Christ, offering hope and healing. Dependence on GodThe inability to cross the river on foot reminds us of our need to rely on God's strength and guidance rather than our own efforts. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the increasing depth of the river in Ezekiel 47:5 reflect the nature of God's blessings in your life? 2. In what ways can you seek to deepen your spiritual walk with God, moving from ankle-deep to fully immersed? 3. How does the vision of the river in Ezekiel 47 connect with the concept of living water that Jesus speaks about in the New Testament? 4. What areas of your life need God's restoration and renewal, as symbolized by the life-giving river in Ezekiel's vision? 5. How can you cultivate a greater dependence on God's presence and power, recognizing the limitations of your own strength? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 2The river flowing from Eden parallels the river in Ezekiel's vision, both symbolizing life and divine provision. Revelation 22The river of the water of life in the New Jerusalem echoes Ezekiel's vision, representing eternal life and healing. John 7Jesus speaks of living water flowing from within believers, connecting to the life-giving river in Ezekiel's vision. 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 Able, Afterward, Cross, Deep, Ford, Forded, Measured, Measureth, Measuring, Pass, Passed, Possible, Risen, River, Stream, Swim, Swimming, Thousand, WatersDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 47:5 4035 abundance 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 47:5 NIVEzekiel 47:5 NLTEzekiel 47:5 ESVEzekiel 47:5 NASBEzekiel 47:5 KJV
Ezekiel 47:5 Commentaries
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