And he said to me, "This water flows out to the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh. He said to meThis phrase indicates a direct communication from God to Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophetic nature of the vision. In Hebrew, the verb "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) is often used in divine revelations, underscoring the authority and certainty of the message. This divine communication assures the reader of the authenticity and importance of the vision. This water flows
The imagery of flowing water is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing life, purification, and the presence of God. The Hebrew word for "flows" (יָצָא, yatsa) suggests a continuous and purposeful movement, indicating that this is not a stagnant or temporary phenomenon but a perpetual and life-giving process. out to the eastern region
The "eastern region" refers to the area east of Jerusalem, which historically includes the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. This geographical reference is crucial as it situates the vision within a real-world context, making the prophecy tangible and relatable to the original audience. The east often symbolizes new beginnings and hope in biblical texts. and goes down into the Arabah
The "Arabah" is a desert region, part of the Great Rift Valley, extending from the Sea of Galilee to the Red Sea. This area is typically arid and lifeless, making the imagery of water flowing into it particularly striking. The Hebrew term "Arabah" (עֲרָבָה) can also mean "desert" or "plain," highlighting the transformative power of God's provision in barren places. When it enters the sea
The "sea" here is traditionally understood to be the Dead Sea, known for its high salinity and inability to support life. The act of the water entering the sea signifies a divine intervention where the natural order is altered. This phrase underscores the miraculous nature of God's work, as the impossible becomes possible through His power. the water there becomes fresh
The transformation of the Dead Sea's water from salty to fresh is a powerful metaphor for renewal and restoration. The Hebrew word for "fresh" (רָפָא, rapha) can also mean "healed" or "restored," suggesting a complete and holistic renewal. This transformation symbolizes the redemptive work of God, bringing life and healing to what was once dead and barren. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God who received visions and prophecies during the Babylonian exile. He is the recipient of the vision described in this passage. 2. The ManOften interpreted as an angelic guide or a representation of God’s messenger, who explains the vision to Ezekiel. 3. The Eastern RegionRefers to the area east of Jerusalem, which includes the Dead Sea region. 4. The ArabahA desert region that extends from the Sea of Galilee to the Gulf of Aqaba, including the area around the Dead Sea. 5. The SeaCommonly understood to be the Dead Sea, known for its high salinity and inability to support life. Teaching Points The Transformative Power of GodJust as the waters transform the Dead Sea's salty water into fresh, God has the power to transform our lives, bringing life and healing where there was once barrenness. The Reach of God's BlessingThe waters flow from the temple, symbolizing that God's blessings originate from His presence and extend outward, reaching even the most desolate places. Spiritual RenewalThe vision encourages believers to seek spiritual renewal and transformation through God's presence, much like the fresh waters that bring life to the Dead Sea. Hope for RestorationThis passage offers hope for restoration and renewal, reminding us that no situation is too dire for God's life-giving power. The Role of BelieversAs recipients of God's transformative power, believers are called to be conduits of His life-giving presence in the world, much like the river flowing from the temple. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the transformation of the Dead Sea's waters in Ezekiel 47:8 illustrate God's power to bring life to seemingly hopeless situations in our lives? 2. In what ways can we, as believers, act as channels of God's life-giving presence in our communities? 3. How does the vision of the river in Ezekiel 47 compare to the description of the river of life in Revelation 22, and what does this tell us about God's ultimate plan for creation? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced spiritual renewal. How can Ezekiel 47:8 encourage you to seek further transformation in your walk with God? 5. Considering the connection between Ezekiel 47:8 and John 7:38, how can we ensure that the "living water" of the Holy Spirit flows through us to impact those around us? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 2:10-14The river flowing from Eden, which nourishes the garden and divides into four rivers, can be seen as a parallel to the life-giving waters in Ezekiel's vision. Revelation 22:1-2The river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb, bringing healing to the nations, echoes the transformative power of the waters in Ezekiel 47. John 7:38Jesus speaks of living water flowing from within believers, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, which aligns with the life-giving and transformative nature of the waters 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 Arabah, Becomes, Circuit, Desert, District, East, Eastern, Empties, Enter, Entered, Enters, Flow, Flowing, Flows, Forth, Fresh, Goes, Healed, Issue, Plain, Putrid, Region, Stagnant, Sweet, Thereof, Towards, WatersDictionary 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 Ezekiel 47:8-9 9411 heaven 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 47:8 NIVEzekiel 47:8 NLTEzekiel 47:8 ESVEzekiel 47:8 NASBEzekiel 47:8 KJV
Ezekiel 47:8 Commentaries
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