Water Flowing from the Temple

47 Then he brought me back to (A)the door of the temple, and behold, (B)water was issuing from below (C)the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of (D)the altar. Then he brought me out by way of (E)the north gate and led me around on the outside to (F)the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side.

Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, (G)the man measured a thousand cubits,[a] and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. And he said to me, (H)“Son of man, (I)have you seen this?”

Then he led me back to the bank of the river. As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river (J)very many trees on the one side and on the other. And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into (K)the Arabah, and enters the sea;[b] when the water flows into (L)the sea, the water will become fresh.[c] And wherever the river goes,[d] every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea[e] may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. 10 Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From (M)Engedi to (N)Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of (O)the Great Sea.[f] 11 But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. 12 And on the banks, (P)on both sides of the river, there will grow (Q)all kinds of trees for food. (R)Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, (S)but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and (T)their leaves for healing.”

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 47:3 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
  2. Ezekiel 47:8 That is, the Dead Sea
  3. Ezekiel 47:8 Hebrew will be healed; also verses 9, 11
  4. Ezekiel 47:9 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate, Targum; Hebrew the two rivers go
  5. Ezekiel 47:9 Hebrew lacks the waters of the sea
  6. Ezekiel 47:10 That is, the Mediterranean Sea; also verses 15, 19, 20

Water from the Temple

47 Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple. I noticed[a] that water was flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from under the right side of the temple, from south of the altar. He led me out by way of the north gate and brought me around the outside of the outer gate that faces toward the east; I noticed[b] that the water was trickling out from the south side.

When the man went out toward the east with a measuring line in his hand, he measured 1,750 feet,[c] and then he led me through water, which was ankle deep. Again he measured 1,750 feet and led me through the water, which was now knee deep. Once more he measured 1,750 feet and led me through the water, which was waist deep. Again he measured 1,750 feet, and it was a river I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?”

Then he led me back to the bank of the river. When I had returned, I noticed[d] a vast number of trees on the banks of the river, on both sides. He said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and flow down into the rift valley; when they enter the Dead Sea,[e] where the sea is stagnant,[f] the waters become fresh.[g] Every living creature that swarms where the river[h] flows will live; there will be many fish, for these waters flow there. It will become fresh,[i] and everything will live where the river flows. 10 Fishermen will stand beside it; from En Gedi to En Eglaim they will spread nets. They will catch many kinds of fish, like the fish of the Great Sea.[j] 11 But its swamps and its marshes will not become fresh; they will remain salty. 12 On both sides of the river’s banks, every kind of tree will grow for food. Their leaves will not wither nor will their fruit fail, but they will bear fruit every month, because their water source flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”[k]

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 47:1 tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.
  2. Ezekiel 47:2 tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.
  3. Ezekiel 47:3 tn Heb “1,000 cubits” (i.e., 525 meters); this phrase occurs three times in the next two verses.
  4. Ezekiel 47:7 tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.
  5. Ezekiel 47:8 tn Heb “the sea,” referring to the Dead Sea. This has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  6. Ezekiel 47:8 tn Heb “to the sea, those which are brought out.” The reading makes no sense. The text is best emended to read “filthy” (i.e., stagnant). See L. C. Allen, Ezekiel (WBC), 2:273.
  7. Ezekiel 47:8 tn Heb “the waters become healed.”
  8. Ezekiel 47:9 tn Heb “two rivers,” perhaps under the influence of Zech 14:8. The translation follows the LXX and other ancient versions in reading the singular, which is demanded by the context (see vv. 5-7, 9b, 12).
  9. Ezekiel 47:9 tn Heb “will be healed.”
  10. Ezekiel 47:10 sn The Great Sea refers to the Mediterranean Sea (also in vv. 15, 19, 20).
  11. Ezekiel 47:12 sn See Rev 22:1-2.