Ezekiel 47 9

Ezekiel 47:9 kjv

And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

Ezekiel 47:9 nkjv

And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.

Ezekiel 47:9 niv

Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.

Ezekiel 47:9 esv

And wherever the river goes, 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 may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.

Ezekiel 47:9 nlt

There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows.

Ezekiel 47 verses

Ezekiel 47 9 meaning

Ezekiel 47:9 describes a profound transformation and revitalization brought about by the miraculous river flowing from the temple. The verse vividly portrays a future where divine waters infuse life and healing into every region they reach, culminating in a thriving ecosystem, particularly an unprecedented abundance of fish, where barrenness once prevailed. This miraculous transformation is not limited but universally impacts all living creatures in the river's path, emphasizing the waters' inherent power to cleanse, restore, and sustain life in its fullest capacity.

Ezekiel 47 9 Context

Ezekiel 47:9 is part of Ezekiel's extensive vision of a new temple and a restored land for Israel, primarily detailed in chapters 40-48. This vision comes after prophecies of Israel's judgment and eventual restoration. Chapter 47 specifically describes a miraculous river flowing from under the threshold of the new temple, gradually deepening and widening as it flows eastward. This river's impact is transformative: it flows into the Dead Sea, historically known for its high salinity and inability to support life, and remarkably renders its waters fresh. The immediate context, therefore, highlights God's power to bring life and fruitfulness even to the most desolate places, symbolizing both the physical restoration of the land and a profound spiritual revitalization for God's people. This vision often carries eschatological implications, pointing to a future era of unprecedented blessing and the flourishing of creation under God's righteous rule, contrasting with the past barrenness due to human sin and God's judgment.

Ezekiel 47 9 Word analysis

• And it shall come to pass: Signifies a definite future event, divinely decreed and certain to unfold.
• that every living thing: Hebrew: כָל־נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה (kol-nephesh chayyah). This phrase is expansive, encompassing all forms of animated existence, demonstrating the universal reach of the river's life-giving power, reminiscent of the first creations (Gen 1:20-21).
• that moves: Hebrew: הָרֹומֶשׂ (ha-romes). This refers to creatures that creep or swarm, highlighting the smallest and most numerous forms of life. Its inclusion emphasizes the completeness of the restoration, from the greatest to the least, signifying that no corner of creation is overlooked.
• which swarms: Emphasizes profusion and active habitation, reflecting a thriving ecosystem rather than just survival.
• wherever the rivers go: While the primary Hebrew noun for "river" (nahar) in Ezekiel 47 is consistently singular, this specific phrasing, "rivers" in the plural, suggests the branching out of the main river's streams or its pervasive influence extending through numerous channels into the land and sea, indicating its widespread impact. It speaks to the ubiquity of its life-giving reach.
• shall live: Hebrew: יִחְיֶה (yichyeh). This verb is repeated in the verse, strongly emphasizing life and revitalization. It implies a transition from a state of death or desolation to one of vibrant, sustained existence, and stands in stark contrast to the Dead Sea's current lifelessness.
• and there shall be a very great multitude of fish: Hebrew: דָגָה (dagah) - "fish," with רַבָּה מְאֹד (rabbah me'od) - "very great multitude." This specific mention of fish, particularly in such abundance, is highly significant. Fish are typically absent from the Dead Sea. This imagery directly reverses its natural condition, symbolizing extraordinary, unprecedented fertility and blessing that overturns all natural limitations.
• because these waters shall come thither: Establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The transformation is entirely due to the divine waters, not natural processes or human effort. "Thither" points specifically to the formerly desolate regions the river reaches.
• for they shall be healed: Hebrew: יֵרָפְאוּ (yerawf’u) from raphe'. The waters themselves are not healed but heal the receiving waters, meaning the toxic, saline waters of the Dead Sea will be purified and made fresh. This purification is central to the life-giving outcome and speaks of spiritual cleansing and renewal.
• and everything shall live: A conclusive restatement, reiterating the comprehensiveness of life-restoration.
• whithersoever the river comes: Reinforces the universal scope. The life-giving effect is not localized but extends to every point where the river's influence touches, leaving no place untouched by its regenerative power.

Ezekiel 47 9 Bonus section

This vision of a life-giving river also functions as a powerful polemic against the pagan belief systems of Ezekiel's time, which often attributed fertility and life to local deities or natural forces. By depicting life as exclusively emanating from God's temple and by overturning the natural barrenness of the Dead Sea, the text asserts the singular and absolute power of Yahweh as the sole source of all life and healing. In early Christian interpretation, this river is frequently seen as a prophetic anticipation of the Holy Spirit, poured out from Christ (the true Temple), bringing spiritual life, healing, and the abundance of the Church. The "living waters" also represent the message of the Gospel itself, which spreads throughout the world, bringing spiritual life and transforming previously "dead" or lost individuals and communities into vibrant expressions of God's kingdom.

Ezekiel 47 9 Commentary

Ezekiel 47:9 is a pinnacle of hope within Ezekiel's vision, forecasting an astonishing era of life, abundance, and healing stemming directly from God's presence. The miraculous river flowing from the temple embodies divine grace, providing both physical renewal for the devastated land and a powerful symbol for spiritual restoration. The transformation of barren, death-filled waters (like the Dead Sea) into fresh, teeming ecosystems, particularly with an "exceeding great multitude of fish," signifies an reversal of curse and an outpouring of blessing that far exceeds natural capacity. This healing and life are attributed solely to the advent of these divine waters, highlighting God's sovereign power to restore creation and redeem His people. It speaks to a future where divine life, peace, and fruitfulness characterize all that comes under the sway of God's manifest presence. The consistent repetition of "shall live" reinforces the central message of revitalization, reminding believers of God's promise of new life.(Example: This transformation serves as an ultimate vision for the spiritual revitalization that the Gospel brings, turning hearts once dead in sin into flourishing sources of new life, akin to the once-barren sea becoming teeming with life through Christ, the living water.)