1
Then he brought me back to the entrance of the house of the LORD, and behold, water was flowing out from under the threshold of the house of the LORD and going toward the east; for the house of the LORD faced east. And the water was flowing down from under the right side of the house, south of the altar.
2
Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces east, and behold, the water was trickling from the south side.
3
As the man went eastward, with the measuring line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits and led me through the water, and it came up to my ankles.
4
Again he measured a thousand cubits and led me through the water, and it came up to my knees; again he measured a thousand cubits and led me through, and it came up to my waist.
5
Again he measured a thousand cubits, and now it had become a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen, enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed.
6
Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, son of man?” Then he brought me back along the bank of the river.
7
As I returned, behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on this side and on that side.
8
He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the Salt Sea; and the water of the sea is made fresh.
9
So wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms there will live, and there will be very many fish. For wherever this water goes, the waters there become fresh, and everything will live wherever the river goes.
10
Fishermen will stand beside it from En-gedi to En-eglaim; it will be a place for spreading nets. Its fish will be of many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many.
11
But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt.
12
On both banks of the river there will grow all kinds of fruit trees, whose leaves will not wither and whose fruit will not fail. Every month they will bear fresh fruit, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”
13
Thus says the Lord GOD: “These are the boundaries of the land that you shall divide as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions.”
14
The land shall be divided among you as an inheritance by lot, the land which I swore to give to your fathers; thus this land shall become your inheritance.
15
This is the boundary of the land: on the north side, from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon to the entrance of Hamath, and on to Zedad,
16
Berothah, Sibraim, which lies between the territory of Damascus and the territory of Hamath, and on to Hazar-enan, which is in the territory of Hauran.
17
So the boundary shall extend from the sea to Hazar-enan, and the territory of Damascus and also the territory of Hamath shall be on its north side. This is the north side.
18
On the east side: from Hazar-enan, which is between Hauran and Damascus, the Jordan shall be the boundary between Gilead and the land of Israel, and on to the Eastern Sea, as far as Tamar. This is the east side.
19
On the south side: the boundary shall run from Tamar to the waters of Meribah near Kadesh, then to the brook of Egypt, and on to the Great Sea. This is the south side, the boundary with the land of the Negeb.
20
On the west side, the Great Sea shall be the boundary as far as the place opposite the entrance to Hamath. This is the west side.”
21
“You shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.
22
You shall allot it as an inheritance among yourselves and among the foreigners who live among you, who have borne children among you; and they shall be to you as native-born Israelites. Together with you they shall receive an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
23
So if a foreigner is living among a tribe, there you shall give him his inheritance,” declares the Lord GOD.
🌊🌱🏞️ Summary of Ezekiel 47 – The River of Life and the New Division of the Land
Ezekiel 47 is one of the most beautiful and prophetic chapters in this book. In it, Ezekiel sees a river flowing from beneath the Temple, growing deeper and deeper, and bringing life to every place it touches—even to the Salt Sea (the Dead Sea). The closing part of this chapter sets out the division of the land for the 12 tribes of Israel, including inheritance rights for foreigners who live among the people of God.
📌 1. The River Flowing from the Temple (verses 1–5)
➡️ Ezekiel sees water flowing from the threshold of the temple toward the east
➡️ The farther he walks, the deeper the water becomes:
• ankles
• knees
• waist
• a river that could not be crossed
🎯 The Lord gives a vision of spiritual life that grows deeper and more abundant.
📌 2. The River That Gives Life to Everything (verses 6–12)
➡️ This river flows into the Dead Sea and makes it fresh again
➡️ Every living creature—fish, trees, and people—experience new life
➡️ Along the riverbanks, fruit trees grow for food and healing
🎯 The life-giving water from God restores what is dead, heals what is broken, and brings life again to dry land.
📌 3. The New Boundaries of Israel’s Land (verses 13–21)
➡️ God sets new boundaries for the land of inheritance for Israel
➡️ It is divided equally among the 12 tribes, including two portions for Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh)
➡️ The borders of the land expand and include a great territory, showing full restoration
🎯 God keeps His promise to restore and provide a place for all His people.
📌 4. Foreigners Receive a Portion (verses 22–23)
➡️ Foreigners who live among the people of Israel will also receive an inheritance in the land
➡️ They are counted like native-born residents — part of God’s family
🎯 God’s kingdom is inclusive, not exclusive—open to anyone who lives within the covenant.
📖 Main Teaching
- God’s presence flows from the holy place and gives life wherever it goes
- The spiritual river pictures the blessing of the Holy Spirit that restores and refreshes
- God rearranges the division of the land as a sign of His justice, restoration, and inclusion
- Even foreigners receive a share — because God does not limit His love to only one nation
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 John 7:38
“Whoever believes in Me… from within his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
➡️ Jesus is the fulfillment of the river in Ezekiel — the Holy Spirit flows from within the life of the believer.
📖 Revelation 22:1–2
“The river of the water of life… flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb…”
➡️ The river in Ezekiel is a picture of the eternal Kingdom of God, with the tree of life along its banks.
📖 Ephesians 2:19
“You are no longer strangers… but members of God’s household.”
➡️ The stranger receives a portion of the land — a picture that salvation is open to all nations.
📖 Romans 11:17
“Wild branches were grafted in…”
➡️ The nations are grafted into God’s promises — like a stranger being given land.
🕊️ “The water flows eastward and becomes deeper and deeper…” – Ezekiel 47:3–5
🕊️ “Wherever the river goes, everything that lives will be healed.” – Ezekiel 47:9
🕊️ “Its fruit will be for food and its leaves for healing.” – Ezekiel 47:12
🕊️ “You must give a portion of the land to the stranger…” – Ezekiel 47:22
