Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me backThis phrase indicates a return to a significant location, the temple, which is central to Ezekiel's vision. The Hebrew root for "brought" (שׁוּב, shuv) often implies a return or restoration, suggesting a divine guidance back to a place of spiritual importance. This return is not just physical but symbolic of a return to God's presence and His plans for restoration. to the entrance of the temple
The temple represents the dwelling place of God among His people. In the historical context, the temple was the center of Jewish worship and the place where God's glory resided. The entrance signifies access to divine presence and blessings, a theme that resonates with the hope of restoration and renewal for Israel. and I saw water flowing
Water in biblical symbolism often represents life, cleansing, and the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew word for "flowing" (יָצָא, yatsa) conveys the idea of going forth or issuing out, indicating a continuous and life-giving source. This imagery of water flowing from the temple suggests the outpouring of God's blessings and the life-giving power of His Spirit. from under the threshold of the temple
The threshold is the point of transition from the outside world into the sacred space of the temple. Water flowing from under the threshold symbolizes the divine origin of this life-giving stream. It emphasizes that true spiritual life and renewal come from God alone, originating from His holy presence. toward the east
The east is often associated with new beginnings and the dawn of a new day. In biblical times, the east was also the direction from which God's glory would return to the temple (Ezekiel 43:2). This directional flow signifies hope and the promise of a new era of God's favor and presence among His people. (for the temple faced east)
This parenthetical note highlights the orientation of the temple, which was designed to face the rising sun, symbolizing enlightenment, guidance, and the presence of God. It underscores the intentionality of God's design and His desire to illuminate and guide His people. The water was coming down
The imagery of water descending suggests a divine source and a heavenly blessing being poured out upon the earth. It reflects the concept of God's grace and mercy flowing down to His people, bringing life and restoration. from under the south side of the temple
The south side, associated with warmth and light, further emphasizes the life-giving and nurturing aspects of the water. In the context of the temple, it suggests that God's blessings are abundant and accessible to all who seek Him. south of the altar
The altar is the place of sacrifice and atonement, central to the worship and reconciliation with God. The water flowing south of the altar signifies that the life and blessings from God are made possible through sacrifice and atonement, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, which brings spiritual renewal and life to all believers. 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 TempleThe central place of worship for the Israelites, symbolizing God's presence among His people. In this vision, it represents the source of life and blessing. 3. The WaterFlowing from the temple, this water symbolizes life, healing, and the outpouring of God's Spirit. It starts as a trickle and becomes a mighty river, indicating growth and abundance. 4. The EastThe direction the temple faces, symbolizing new beginnings and the coming of God's glory. In biblical symbolism, the east often represents the source of divine intervention. 5. The AltarLocated in the temple, the altar is a place of sacrifice and worship, signifying the foundation of spiritual life and communion with God. Teaching Points The Source of LifeThe water flowing from the temple signifies that true life and spiritual nourishment come from God alone. Believers are encouraged to seek God as the source of their spiritual vitality. Growth and AbundanceThe increasing depth of the water illustrates spiritual growth and the abundance of God's blessings. Christians are called to grow in their faith and experience the fullness of God's Spirit. Healing and RestorationThe water's healing properties point to God's power to restore and renew. Believers can find hope in God's ability to heal their lives and circumstances. The Role of WorshipThe temple and altar emphasize the importance of worship and sacrifice in the believer's life. Worship is central to experiencing God's presence and blessings. Mission and OutreachAs the water flows outward, it symbolizes the spread of God's kingdom. Christians are tasked with sharing the life-giving message of the Gospel with the world. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the vision of water flowing from the temple in Ezekiel 47:1 relate to the concept of spiritual life and growth in your own life? 2. In what ways can you seek God as the source of your spiritual nourishment and vitality, as depicted in this passage? 3. How does the imagery of water in Ezekiel 47:1 connect with Jesus' teaching on living water in the New Testament? 4. What areas of your life need God's healing and restoration, and how can you invite His transformative power into those areas? 5. How can you participate in the mission of spreading God's life-giving message, as symbolized by the outward flow of water from the temple? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 2The river flowing from Eden parallels the life-giving water from the temple, symbolizing God's provision and sustenance. John 7Jesus speaks of living water, connecting the life-giving water from the temple to the Holy Spirit's work in believers' lives. Revelation 22The river of life flowing from God's throne in the New Jerusalem echoes Ezekiel's vision, representing eternal life and healing. 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 Altar, Behold, Door, East, Eastward, Faced, Forefront, Issued, South, Temple, Threshold, WatersDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 47:1-8 4290 valleys Ezekiel 47:1-12 3290 Holy Spirit, life-giver
4260 rivers and streams
5059 rest, eternal
5580 thirst
8261 generosity, God's 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 47:1 NIVEzekiel 47:1 NLTEzekiel 47:1 ESVEzekiel 47:1 NASBEzekiel 47:1 KJV
Ezekiel 47:1 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
