Ezekiel Chapter 47 – Commentary and Explanation
Bible Study Blog
So, here we are. Ezekiel chapter 47. Almost to the end of the book. It's been quite the ride, right? We've seen judgments, wild visions, crazy symbolism, a valley of dry bones come to life—and now, we’re deep into Ezekiel’s final vision. And this one? This one is about water—but not just water. It’s about healing, life, restoration. Honestly, this chapter is one of the most hopeful and life-giving in the whole book.
Let’s dive in (pun kinda intended).
Verses 1–2: The Water That Flows from the Temple
“Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east…”
The vision kicks off with something simple, but profound—a little trickle of water coming out from the temple. Now, this ain’t no plumbing issue. This is spiritual. It’s symbolic. But it’s also literal, in Ezekiel’s vision.
This water flows east, down from the threshold of the temple, which faced east. Interesting detail, since in Scripture, east often represents the direction of exile, judgment, or even Eden. There’s a hint here—this water is going to reverse something. Something broken. Something lost.
And it flows from the temple. That’s crucial. It’s from the very place where God’s glory returned in chapter 43. The place where His presence dwells.
Verses 3–6: From Ankle Deep to a River You Can’t Cross
Ezekiel starts walking along this stream with the man (probably an angelic guide again). At first, the water is ankle deep. Then knee deep. Then waist. And finally, it becomes a river that can’t be crossed. That’s wild, right?
There’s no tributaries. No rain. Just a growing stream. Miraculously expanding.
This is no ordinary river. It’s supernatural. And it teaches us something about how God moves. His healing, His Spirit—it often starts small. A trickle. A moment. A whisper. But it grows. Quietly, powerfully. Until it’s unstoppable.
Also notice how Ezekiel doesn’t just see the river. He has to walk through it. Step by step. Deeper and deeper.
Man, there’s a message right there. Sometimes, following God is like walking into deeper water. You don’t just dive in. You’re invited. First ankle-deep obedience. Then a little deeper. And then suddenly—you’re not in control anymore. You’re swimming. You're dependent on the current.
Verse 6: “Have you seen this, son of man?”
That question. It’s like God is saying, “Did you catch that?”
He wants Ezekiel (and us) to really look. Not just observe, but perceive. This river means something. It’s life-giving. Transformational. And it’s not just about water. It’s about God's Spirit. His presence going out from the temple—reaching places it’s never been before.
Verses 7–10: Life Springs Up Along the River
The river flows down to the Dead Sea. Let’s pause there.
The Dead Sea is… well, dead. Like, super salty. No fish. No life. No nothing. But when this river gets there, it changes everything.
“...the waters of the sea may become fresh…”
That’s insane. You ever try to desalinate the ocean with a trickle of fresh water? Not possible. But this river does it. Because this river is different.
It’s a symbol of the Gospel, really. The living water of Christ coming into dead, hopeless places—places where nothing grows, nothing thrives—and bringing life.
And what happens? Fish show up. Lots of them. So many fish it’s like the Great Sea (the Mediterranean). Fishermen stand along the shore, casting nets, catching abundance.
Here’s the imagery: where God’s presence flows, life explodes. Fruitfulness. Abundance. Revival.
Verse 11: But the Swamps and Marshes Won’t Become Fresh
This verse is odd. All this beauty and life, and then… swamps that don’t get healed?
“But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt.”
Why? Why not heal everything?
There’s something symbolic here. It reminds us that not all will be transformed. Some places—some hearts—stay salty. Bitter. Stagnant. They reject the flow of God’s river.
Also, in the ancient world, salt was needed too—for preserving, for covenant, even for offerings. So maybe this is a reminder that some places serve a different purpose. But it’s sobering. Not everything gets fixed.
Verses 12: Trees That Never Fail
Now this verse right here? So full of hope.
“And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food…”
These trees don’t wither. They don’t die off in winter. They don’t drop fruit every third season. No—they never fail. Their leaves don’t wither, and their fruit doesn’t fail. Every month they bear fresh fruit.
And why? Because they’re nourished by the water from the temple.
That’s the key. Not the soil. Not the weather. Not the effort. It’s where the water comes from. The temple. The presence of God.
And the leaves? They’re for healing.
This is almost identical to the image in Revelation 22, where the river of life flows from the throne of God and the Lamb. Same river. Same trees. Same healing. It’s like Ezekiel’s vision bleeds into John’s.
Honestly, it’s breathtaking.
Verses 13–23: Dividing the Land
Now this last section of the chapter shifts gears a bit. Suddenly we’re back into land boundaries, inheritance, and tribal divisions. But don’t zone out. There’s something really cool here.
God is giving the land back to the twelve tribes. He’s restoring what was lost.
“Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘This is the boundary by which you shall divide the land...’”
It’s orderly. It’s intentional. It’s generous.
But even more striking? Look at verse 22:
“You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens who reside among you…”
Wait. What?
Aliens? Foreigners? People who aren’t ethnically Israel?
Yep. They’re included. They get a share of the land. God says if they live among you and raise their families here—they’re family. They get inheritance.
This is radical.
Back in the Old Testament, inheritance was always bloodline. Tribe. Lineage. But here, God is saying, if they dwell with you, they’re one of you. This hints at the New Covenant reality, where Gentiles are grafted in. Where the dividing wall is broken down.
This little verse carries a big message: God’s Kingdom is inclusive.
So… What’s the Big Picture Here?
Ezekiel 47 is a vision of restoration. Of God’s presence going out—not just staying in the temple, but flowing out into the world. It’s healing, bringing life to dead places. It’s creating fruitfulness. It’s reviving what was lost.
But it’s also challenging.
That river? It asks us to step in. To go deeper. To trust. To not stay ankle-deep forever. Some people stay in the shallows. Safe. Controlled. But the life is in the deep. Where we’re not in charge anymore.
And those marshes? They warn us. If we stay disconnected from God’s flow, we dry up. We get salty. We lose our purpose.
But for those who stay near the river, who draw from its source—there’s life. Fruit. Healing. Not just for ourselves, but for others. The leaves are for the healing of the nations, after all.
Jesus and the Living Water
Let’s tie this into the New Testament, because oh man—it’s everywhere.
In John 7:37-39, Jesus stood up and cried out:
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Sound familiar?
He was talking about the Spirit. The river Ezekiel saw was a prophetic picture of the Holy Spirit flowing from Jesus, and then from us—His people.
The temple isn’t a building anymore. We’re the temple. His Spirit dwells in us. And from us flows rivers—into our workplaces, families, communities, into the darkest places.
That’s crazy, right? We get to be part of the river. We don’t just receive it. We become channels.
Application Time: Where’s Your Water?
Alright, let’s bring it home with a few questions. Let’s chew on this.
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Where are you in the river?
Are you ankle-deep? Still dipping your toe in? Or are you out there swimming in the deep—trusting God, letting go of control?
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Is life flowing out of you?
Jesus said rivers of living water would flow from within us. So… is that happening? Are others experiencing life, healing, and hope through you?
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Are there places in your life like the Dead Sea?
Bitter. Dry. Lifeless. Can you invite God’s Spirit into those places? Watch what happens when His river touches those dead spots.
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What about the marshes?
Are there areas where you’ve become stagnant? Maybe cut off from God’s flow? It’s not too late. Reconnect. Let the river reach you.
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And who are you including?
God told Israel to share the land with the foreigners. Who are the “outsiders” in your world that need to be welcomed, included, loved?
Final Thoughts
Ezekiel 47 is more than a vision. It’s a promise. A prophecy. A preview of what’s to come—but also an invitation for now.
It tells us that God’s not done. That even the most desolate places can be filled with life. That the Spirit flows out from His presence and transforms everything in its path. That we, too, can be healed, fruitful, restored.
And even more amazing—we get to be part of it.
So let’s walk a little deeper. Let’s follow the current. Let’s become rivers of living water in a dry and weary land.
Until the whole earth is filled with His glory, like the waters cover the sea.
Amen.
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