When I arrived, I saw a great number of trees along both banks of the river. When I arrivedThis phrase indicates a moment of arrival and revelation. In the Hebrew text, the verb used here is "בּוֹא" (bo), which means to come or to enter. This suggests a transition from one state to another, symbolizing a movement from ignorance to understanding, or from barrenness to fruitfulness. In the context of Ezekiel's vision, it marks the prophet's entry into a deeper understanding of God's restorative plans for Israel. This arrival is not just physical but spiritual, as Ezekiel is being led by God to witness His transformative power. I saw
The act of seeing in biblical terms often implies more than just physical sight; it denotes perception and insight. The Hebrew word "רָאָה" (ra'ah) is used, which can mean to see, perceive, or understand. This suggests that Ezekiel is not merely observing with his eyes but is gaining spiritual insight into the vision before him. It is a moment of divine revelation where God is unveiling His plans for renewal and life. a great number of trees
Trees in the Bible often symbolize life, growth, and prosperity. The Hebrew word for tree is "עֵץ" (etz), which can also represent strength and endurance. The presence of a great number of trees signifies abundance and the flourishing of life. In the context of Ezekiel's vision, these trees are a testament to the life-giving power of the river, which is a metaphor for God's Spirit and His blessings. Historically, trees were vital for survival, providing food, shelter, and resources, thus their abundance here symbolizes God's provision and care. along both banks of the river
The river in Ezekiel's vision is a central element, representing the life-giving presence of God. The Hebrew word for river is "נָהָר" (nahar), which can also mean a stream or a flow. Rivers are often seen as sources of life and fertility in the Bible, and their banks are places where life thrives. The fact that trees are growing along both banks indicates a complete and encompassing blessing, suggesting that God's provision is not limited but extends fully and generously. This imagery aligns with the biblical theme of God's abundant grace and the promise of restoration for His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel receives visions from God, including the vision of the river flowing from the temple. 2. The RiverSymbolic of life and healing, this river flows from the temple, representing God's presence and blessing. 3. The TreesThese trees symbolize life, fruitfulness, and healing, growing along the banks of the river. 4. The TempleThe source of the river, representing God's dwelling place and the origin of spiritual life and blessing. 5. The VisionThis vision is part of a larger prophetic revelation given to Ezekiel, illustrating the restoration and renewal that comes from God. Teaching Points God as the Source of LifeJust as the river flows from the temple, God is the ultimate source of spiritual life and renewal. We must remain connected to Him to experience true life. Fruitfulness in God's PresenceThe trees along the riverbanks are fruitful and healing, illustrating that when we are rooted in God, our lives bear fruit and bring healing to others. Restoration and RenewalThe vision of the river and trees signifies God's promise of restoration and renewal, offering hope to those in exile or spiritual dryness. The Importance of Spiritual NourishmentJust as the trees thrive by the river, we need regular spiritual nourishment through prayer, scripture, and fellowship to grow and thrive. Hope for the FutureThis vision points to the ultimate restoration and healing that God will bring, encouraging us to live with hope and anticipation of His promises. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of the river and trees in Ezekiel 47:7 enhance your understanding of God's provision and blessing? 2. In what ways can you ensure that you are spiritually nourished and rooted in God, similar to the trees by the river? 3. How does the vision of restoration in Ezekiel 47:7 offer hope in your current life circumstances? 4. What parallels can you draw between the river in Ezekiel's vision and the river of life described in Revelation 22? 5. How can you apply the concept of fruitfulness and healing in your relationships and community, inspired by the trees along the riverbanks? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 2The Garden of Eden, where a river waters the garden and trees grow, parallels the imagery of life and abundance. Revelation 22The river of the water of life and the tree of life in the New Jerusalem echo the vision in Ezekiel, symbolizing eternal life and healing. Psalm 1The righteous are compared to a tree planted by streams of water, drawing a parallel to the trees along the 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 Amos, Bank, Behold, Edge, Returned, River, Stream, Trees, TurningDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 47:1-8 4290 valleys Ezekiel 47:1-12 3290 Holy Spirit, life-giver
5059 rest, eternal Ezekiel 47:6-11 4306 minerals Ezekiel 47:7-9 4357 salt 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 47:7 NIVEzekiel 47:7 NLTEzekiel 47:7 ESVEzekiel 47:7 NASBEzekiel 47:7 KJV
Ezekiel 47:7 Commentaries
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