Ezekiel 47:2 kjv
Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
Ezekiel 47:2 nkjv
He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.
Ezekiel 47:2 niv
He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side.
Ezekiel 47:2 esv
Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side.
Ezekiel 47:2 nlt
The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway.
Ezekiel 47 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 47:2 | "Then he brought me back to the door of the house. And behold, water was issuing from from under the threshold of the house eastward..." | Ezekiel 10:4 (God's glory departing/returning), Revelation 22:1 (River of water of life from God's throne) |
| Revelation 22:2 | "On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month..." | Revelation 22:14 (Blessed are those who wash their robes), John 7:38 (Rivers of living water) |
| John 4:14 | "...but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." | John 4:10-26 (The Samaritan Woman at the well), Isaiah 12:3 (Wells of salvation) |
| Psalm 46:4 | "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High." | Psalm 36:8-9 (Delight in God's house and His provision), Isaiah 8:6 (Waters of Shiloah) |
| Zechariah 14:8 | "On that day living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and half toward the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter." | Zechariah 13:1 (Fountain for sin), Joel 3:18 (Fountain from the house of the Lord) |
| Genesis 2:10 | "A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden..." | Genesis 13:10 (Soddom compared to Eden's fertility), Revelation 21:1 (New heaven and new earth) |
| Ezekiel 43:1-5 | God's glory fills the temple, indicating His restored presence. | Isaiah 6:1-5 (Isaiah's vision of God), John 1:14 (The Word became flesh) |
| Revelation 21:22 | "And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb." | John 2:19-21 (Jesus speaks of destroying and rebuilding the temple), 1 Corinthians 6:19 (Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit) |
| Jeremiah 31:12 | "They shall come and sing for joy on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD..." | Jeremiah 31:9 (Coming from the north with repentance), Isaiah 61:3 (Trees of righteousness) |
| Amos 9:13 | "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed..." | Isaiah 30:23 (Bountiful harvest), Leviticus 26:5 (Harvest will overlap vintage) |
| Matthew 13:44-46 | Parables of the kingdom of heaven as hidden treasure and precious pearls, implying great value and pursuit. | Song of Solomon 4:12 (Enclosed garden, sealed spring) |
| 1 Corinthians 10:4 | "...and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ." | Exodus 17:6 (Water from the rock), Numbers 20:8 (Strike the rock) |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..." | Acts 2:1-4 (Pentecost and the Holy Spirit) |
| Romans 8:9-11 | The Spirit dwelling within believers brings life. | Galatians 5:22-23 (Fruits of the Spirit) |
| Revelation 7:17 | "For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." | Revelation 21:4 (No more death, mourning, crying, or pain) |
| Isaiah 55:1-3 | Invitation to drink and eat without money or price from God's provision. | John 6:35 (Jesus is the bread of life), John 6:53-56 (Eat my flesh and drink my blood) |
| Ezekiel 11:19 | "I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them." | Ezekiel 18:31 (Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit), Hebrews 8:10 (New covenant inscribed on hearts) |
| Psalm 23:2 | "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters." | John 10:9-11 (Jesus the good shepherd, abundant life) |
| Lamentations 3:24 | "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." | Psalm 73:26 (God is my strength and my portion forever) |
| Genesis 1:2 | "The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." | Psalm 104:6-9 (God's word and creation), Job 38:11 (Set limits for the sea) |
Ezekiel 47 verses
Ezekiel 47 2 Meaning
The verse describes a source of water emanating from the temple, specifically from the south side of the altar. This water then flows eastward, signifying a renewal and life-giving power originating from God's presence.
Ezekiel 47 2 Context
This verse is found within the broader vision of Ezekiel chapters 40-48, which describe a new temple and a new order of worship for Israel. The preceding chapters deal with detailed specifications for the construction of the temple and its courts. This particular vision follows God's glory returning to the restored temple, signifying His renewed presence among His people. The water flowing from the temple represents the life-giving blessings and purification that come from God's direct dwelling place, transforming barrenness into fruitfulness. Historically, this vision provided hope to the exiled Israelites, assuring them of future restoration and divine favor. It points to a spiritual reality that supersedes the physical temple, focusing on the life that emanates from God's presence.
Ezekiel 47 2 Word Analysis
Then (וְאַחַר־ / v'aḥar-): This is a conjunctive particle indicating sequence or continuation of the narrative. It links this vision to the preceding events, signifying a progression in the unfolding revelation.
he brought (וַיּוֹצִאֵנִי / vayyōṣiʾēnī): This is the Qal perfect, third person masculine singular, with the suffix of the first person common singular, meaning "and he caused me to go out" or "he brought me out." The action implies an active guidance and presentation by the angelic guide.
me back (שֻׁב / šūḇ): This root often signifies a return, but here, combined with "brought me out," it emphasizes the return to a specific location or perspective within the vision, likely the threshold of the house.
to the door (אֶל־מִפְתַּח / ʾel-miphṭaḥ): "Miphṭaḥ" means opening, entrance, or threshold. It signifies the point of access, highlighting where the new life originates.
of the house (הַבַּיִת / ha-bayit): Refers to the temple structure itself, emphasizing that the source of life is intimately connected to the dwelling place of God.
And behold (וְהִנֵּה / wə-hinneh): This is an interjection used to draw attention, signifying that something significant is about to be observed.
water (מַיִם / mayim): This is the Hebrew word for water, a fundamental element signifying life, purification, and nourishment throughout Scripture.
was issuing (יֹצְאִים / yōṣiʾīm): This is the Qal active participle, masculine plural, describing the ongoing action of water coming forth. It suggests a continuous flow, not a single event.
from under (מִתַּחַת / mittaḥat): Indicates the source or origin point beneath the indicated location.
the threshold (מִפְתָּן / miphtān): Similar to "miphṭaḥ," but more specifically refers to the doorstep or lintel, the very base of the entrance, underlining the accessibility of this divine provision.
of the house (הַבָּיִת / ha-bayit): Again, linking the source to the house of God.
eastward (קָדִימָה / qādîmâh): Indicates the direction of flow, toward the rising sun. In biblical symbolism, the east is often associated with God's glory, presence, and the coming of His kingdom.
Groups of Words:
- "Water was issuing from under the threshold of the house eastward" highlights the origin of life as being directly from the innermost presence of God, made accessible through His appointed dwelling. The eastward direction is symbolic of light, new beginnings, and divine presence.
Ezekiel 47 2 Bonus Section
The imagery of life-giving water flowing from a divine source is a recurring motif in Scripture, culminating in the New Testament. This Ezekiel passage anticipates Jesus' declaration about "rivers of living water" that would flow from those who believe in Him (John 7:38). It also echoes the ultimate revelation of God's throne room where a pure river of the water of life flows, sustaining eternal life and the Tree of Life (Revelation 22:1-2). The eastward flow also connects with the departure of God's glory from the eastern gate in Ezekiel 11:23, and its subsequent return in Ezekiel 43:2, signifying God’s dwelling with His people in a renewed state. This water transforms a salt desert into a fertile plain, symbolizing redemption from curse to blessing.
Ezekiel 47 2 Commentary
Ezekiel's vision of the flowing water is profoundly symbolic. It originates from the very foundation of God's house, emphasizing that spiritual life and blessing are inseparable from divine presence and worship. The water's constant flow eastward, a direction often associated with the glory of God and the dawning of a new era, signifies the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit that will saturate the land. This life-giving flow contrasts sharply with the spiritual barrenness and judgment that had befallen Israel due to their sin. The vision anticipates a future when God's grace will abundantly renew and transform His people and their environment, fulfilling the promises of restoration and abundance.