Ezekiel 47 1

Ezekiel 47:1 kjv

Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

Ezekiel 47:1 nkjv

Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar.

Ezekiel 47:1 niv

The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out 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.

Ezekiel 47:1 esv

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 (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar.

Ezekiel 47:1 nlt

In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side.

Ezekiel 47 verses

Ezekiel 47 1 meaning

Ezekiel 47:1 describes the prophet's return to the door of the visionary temple, where he observes a remarkable phenomenon: life-giving waters issuing forth from beneath the threshold, flowing eastward. This precise origin point—from the temple's foundation, from the right (south) side of the altar within the eastern-facing house—signifies that divine life and blessing originate directly from God's holy presence in the renewed temple, destined to spread outwards.

Ezekiel 47 1 Context

Ezekiel 47:1 is part of the final vision in the book of Ezekiel (chapters 40-48), detailing a new, divinely designed temple, the restored land, and the future prosperity of Israel. Preceding this verse, chapters 40-46 provide meticulous architectural specifications for the temple, its courts, gates, and the roles of priests and the prince. Chapter 43 describes the return of God's glory to this temple through the East Gate, which then remains shut. Thus, the emergence of water in chapter 47 immediately after these descriptions signifies that the temple is not merely an empty structure but a vibrant source of divine life and blessing, demonstrating God's continued, dynamic presence. Historically, this vision served as a profound message of hope and restoration for the exilic and post-exilic Jewish people, reassuring them that God had not abandoned them and would bring about a new era of spiritual and physical flourishing. The temple's eastern orientation was typical, aligning it with the rising sun, but here specifically points to the direction from which God's glory re-entered.

Ezekiel 47 1 Word analysis

• Afterward (וַיְשִׁבֵנִי - vay'shivēni): Lit. "And he caused me to return." Signifies the guiding angel brings Ezekiel back to a specific, significant location within the visionary temple complex after prior explorations. This suggests a focused redirection of the vision.
• he brought me again unto the door of the house: Refers to the main entrance of the temple, highlighting the sanctity and significance of this starting point for the flowing waters. The "house" (הַבַּיִת - habbayit) specifically denotes the Temple structure.
• behold (וְהִנֵּה - v'hinneh): An interjection that draws attention, indicating a surprising and significant revelation. It emphasizes the immediate and striking nature of what Ezekiel witnesses.
• waters issued out (מַיִם יֹצְאִים - mayim yotz'im): The plural "waters" emphasizes volume and movement. "Issued out" (יֹצְאִים - yotz'im, present participle) conveys continuous, active flowing. This is not static water, but dynamic and alive, originating from within.
• from under the threshold (מִתַּחַת לְמִפְתַּן - mitacht l'miftan): Points to the very foundation and innermost part of the temple, directly beneath the entrance. This signifies the profound and inherent connection between the divine presence in the temple and the source of this life. It originates from the deepest sanctity.
• of the house eastward: The flow is directed toward the east (קָדִים - qadim). The East Gate was where God's glory entered the temple (Eze 43:2-4), implying a spreading of divine blessing in the direction from which God's presence manifested.
• for the forefront of the house stood toward the east: (וּפְנֵי הַבַּיִת קָדִים - u'fnei habbayit qadim). This confirms the standard orientation of the Temple and provides a natural reason for the water's eastward flow, reinforcing the deliberate design and divine purpose.
• and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house: "Right side" (מִכֶּתֶף הַיְמָנִית - mikketeph hayemanit). In Hebrew thought, the right side often symbolizes strength, favor, or position of honor. When facing east, "right" indicates the south. This specifies the precise origin point within the temple structure.
• at the south side of the altar: (מִן מִזְבֵּחַ נֶגֶב - min mizbeach negev). Further clarifies the water's emergence. The altar of burnt offering, central to atonement and worship, being close to the source emphasizes the connection between divine mercy, sacrifice, and the resulting life-giving flow. "South side" confirms the right side from the east-facing temple perspective.

Words-group analysis

• He brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out: The direct guidance by the divine escort (the angel) to a specific point underscores the intentional revelation of this miraculous flow. The "behold" creates a sense of immediate wonder at the manifestation of the water from such an unexpected source—not from a spring, but from within the temple itself.
• from under the threshold of the house eastward: This specific origin (from the sacred inner sanctuary) and direction (towards the east, symbolizing restoration and new beginnings in biblical imagery, and towards the desolate areas like the Dead Sea as detailed later in the chapter) is crucial. It connects the flow directly to God's presence, signifying that true life emanates from Him and is designed to bring renewal to barren places.
• for the forefront of the house stood toward the east; and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar: This precise anatomical and directional description leaves no ambiguity about the source. It is intrinsically tied to the very core of worship (the altar) and the sacred dwelling of God (the house). The specificity validates the divine origin and significance, showing that even within a grand vision, divine detail is not overlooked.

Ezekiel 47 1 Bonus section

This vision of water flowing from the temple stands in stark contrast to pagan fertility cults that often sought water from earthly springs, rain gods, or by their own efforts. Here, the water originates purely from the holy God's dwelling, untainted by human sin or effort, emphasizing Yahweh's sole sovereignty over life and sustenance. It functions as a polemic against the futility of relying on false gods for fertility or prosperity, highlighting that true life-giving power resides only with the Creator, flowing directly from His presence and not from man-made religious practices or idols. This living water represents an unmerited, unstoppable, and ever-increasing flood of divine grace, healing, and life.

Ezekiel 47 1 Commentary

Ezekiel 47:1 introduces a profound vision of divine life flowing directly from the presence of God in the new temple. The meticulous description of the water's origin—from under the temple's threshold, specifically from the right (south) side of the altar, and flowing eastward—is highly symbolic. It underscores that God himself, manifest in His sanctuary, is the exclusive source of all true spiritual and physical blessing. The living water is not just a trickle but initiates a river that, as the chapter progresses, deepens, spreads, and brings healing and fertility wherever it goes, even to the Dead Sea. This vision signifies spiritual regeneration, purification, and abundant life emanating from the divine source, profoundly impacting the land and its people. It ultimately points to the Messiah and the Spirit, the true sources of living water for a thirsty world, as experienced in the New Covenant and ultimately fulfilled in the New Jerusalem.