Ezekiel 47 5

Ezekiel 47:5 kjv

Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

Ezekiel 47:5 nkjv

Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed.

Ezekiel 47:5 niv

He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in?a river that no one could cross.

Ezekiel 47:5 esv

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.

Ezekiel 47:5 nlt

Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through.

Ezekiel 47 verses

Ezekiel 47 5 meaning

Ezekiel 47:5 describes the culmination of the river's progressive deepening, flowing from the Temple. After several thousand-cubit measurements where the water reached different depths allowing walking, the final measurement reveals an overwhelmingly deep river that could no longer be crossed on foot. This symbolizes an ultimate, uncontainable outpouring of God's presence, blessing, and the Holy Spirit, demanding complete surrender and immersion rather than human navigation or control. It signifies a profound spiritual reality beyond human comprehension or independent effort, compelling utter reliance on divine power.

Ezekiel 47 5 Context

Ezekiel 47 describes a symbolic vision of a life-giving river flowing from the newly designed Temple in Jerusalem. This vision, given during Israel's exile, offered a message of hope, restoration, and spiritual renewal. The preceding verses (Ezek 47:3-4) detail a "man" with a measuring line, progressively measuring a thousand cubits, at each stage finding the water deepening: first to the ankles, then knees, then loins. This sequence leads to verse 5, where a further measurement reveals a river now so profound that it cannot be traversed by foot. The historical context of the exile underscores the radical nature of this promise, contrasting the spiritual desolation of the time with a future of abundant life and divine presence flowing from a restored sacred space.

Ezekiel 47 5 Word analysis

• Again he measured a thousand: הַיּוֹת (hayōt) is implied here or from previous verses to denote a measurement of 'a thousand cubits' (אַמָּה, 'ammah'). This repetition signifies a continued, systematic, and intentional increase in the river's depth, guided by divine order, rather than arbitrary or uncontrolled growth. Each measured step is part of God's orchestrated outpouring.
• and it was a river: וְהִנֵּה נַחַל (v'hinneh nachal). הִנֵּה ('hinneh', behold!) draws attention to a significant discovery. נַחַל (nachal) is more than a small stream; it denotes a powerful, flowing current, often indicating a life-sustaining perennial source, originating directly from God's sacred dwelling.
• that I could not cross: לֹא אֶעֱבֹר (lo e'evor). The verb אֶעֱבֹר (e'evor) means 'I could pass over' or 'I could cross'. The negative לֹא (lo) emphatically states human inability. This highlights that the river's purpose transcends mere passage or being navigable by human effort. It becomes a force to be yielded to, not conquered.
• for the water was too deep: כִּי עָמְקוּ הַמַּיִם (ki ameku hammayim). עָמְקוּ (omeku) derives from the root עמק ('amaq), meaning 'to be deep'. The plural form implies an immense, almost unfathomable depth, profoundly beyond human measure or control.
• water in which one must swim: מֵי שָׂחוּ (mei sachoo). שָׂחוּ (sachoo) comes from the root שׂחה (sacha), 'to swim'. This is the critical transition from being able to stand and walk to requiring complete immersion. It indicates the cessation of human footing and control, necessitating full surrender to the water's buoyancy and current.
• a river that could not be crossed: נַחַל אֲשֶׁר לֹא יֵעָבֵר (nachal asher lo ye'aver). This repeats the idea of uncrossability from earlier in the verse, serving as an emphatic restatement. The second usage (יֵעָבֵר, ye'aver, passive 'be crossed') strongly confirms the divine, overwhelming, and absolute nature of the river. It cannot be crossed by anyone, reinforcing its untamable character.

• Words-Group analysis: "measured a thousand" series (verses 3-5): The progression from ankle-deep to knee-deep, then loin-deep, and finally uncrossable depth is crucial. This portrays an ordered, intensifying manifestation of divine presence or Spirit. It suggests a journey of spiritual experience where God's presence progressively deepens, inviting increasing surrender until it overwhelms and carries the individual completely, symbolizing a move from human effort to divine indwelling and guidance.
• Words-Group analysis: "could not cross... too deep... must swim... could not be crossed": This sequence describes a deepening realization and an increasing demand. It moves from observing an impossibility ("could not cross") to understanding its cause ("too deep") and recognizing the necessary response ("must swim"), ultimately reinforcing the absolute and overwhelming nature ("could not be crossed"). It paints a picture of being utterly submerged and moved by a power greater than oneself, unable to stand, but completely carried.

Ezekiel 47 5 Bonus section

• The Temple's Significance: The river's origin from the Temple underscores that true spiritual life and blessings flow from God's holy presence and dwelling place, which ultimately points to Christ (John 2:21) and the Spirit-indwelt Church (1 Cor 3:16) as the source of new life.
• Transformation of the Barren: The ultimate destination of this river is to transform the Dead Sea, historically a symbol of barrenness and divine judgment (Gen 19), into fresh, thriving waters (Ezek 47:8-10). This powerful imagery emphasizes God's ability to bring life, healing, and fertility to even the most desolate spiritual and physical realities.
• Progression of Surrender: The four stages of water depth (ankles, knees, loins, uncrossable) are often interpreted as a typology for spiritual growth and deepening intimacy with God. Moving from initial steps of faith, to regular prayer and worship, to being girded for service, and finally to a state of complete abandonment where God's Spirit fully governs one's life.
• Abolishment of Human Boundaries: The river growing to an uncrossable depth means it cannot be contained, controlled, or limited by human boundaries or intentions. Its flow and effects are entirely a work of divine will, signifying the sovereign and boundless nature of God's grace and Spirit, spreading life universally.

Ezekiel 47 5 Commentary

Ezekiel 47:5 marks the climax of the river's increasing depth, revealing it as an immeasurable force. Symbolically, this signifies the overwhelming, abundant, and uncontainable nature of God's spiritual blessings and the work of the Holy Spirit. No longer navigable by human effort or ability, the water demands complete surrender and immersion, where one must swim, utterly relying on its power to sustain and carry. This challenges human self-sufficiency, calling believers into a deeper experience where they are entirely dependent on God's grace and guided by His Spirit. This overflowing life, rooted in divine presence, goes on to bring healing, fruitfulness, and renewal wherever it flows.