King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 47:1 Mean?

Ezekiel 47:1 in the King James Version says “Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

1

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.

2

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.

3

And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. the waters were: Heb. waters of the ankles


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ezekiel sees '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.' This river flowing from the temple represents life-giving blessing emanating from God's presence. The eastward flow recalls Eden's river watering the garden (Genesis 2:10) and anticipates Revelation's river of life flowing from God's throne (Revelation 22:1). The water originating 'from under the threshold' suggests it flows from the very foundation of God's dwelling—His presence is the source of all life and blessing. The south side of the altar location connects life-giving water to sacrificial atonement—blessing flows through sacrifice.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In arid Palestine, water symbolized life, fertility, and blessing. Prophets frequently used water imagery for spiritual renewal (Isaiah 44:3, Joel 2:28-29). This river's supernatural origin (flowing from temple, not a natural spring) and its miraculous growth (ankle to knee to waist to unswimmable depth, 47:3-5) demonstrate divine, not natural, source. The vision came to exiles in Babylon (circa 573 BC), where they lived near actual rivers (Chebar, Euphrates) yet were spiritually dry. God promises that His restored presence will produce abundant life. Jesus identified Himself as source of living water (John 4:14, 7:38), and the Spirit is the living water believers receive (John 7:39). The church dispenses this life to the world.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you see Christ and the Spirit as fulfillments of this life-giving river flowing from God's presence?
  2. In what ways should the church function as a conduit of God's life-giving water to a spiritually dry world?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיְשִׁבֵנִי֮1 of 23

Afterward he brought me again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל2 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פֶּ֣תַח3 of 23

unto the door

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

הַבַּ֙יִת֙4 of 23

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וְהִנֵּה5 of 23
H2009

lo!

וְהַמַּ֣יִם6 of 23

and behold waters

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

יֹצְאִ֗ים7 of 23

issued out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִתַּ֨חַת8 of 23
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

מִפְתַּ֤ן9 of 23

from under the threshold

H4670

a stretcher, i.e., a sill

הַבַּ֙יִת֙10 of 23

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

קָדִ֑ים11 of 23

eastward

H6921

the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)

כִּֽי12 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

פְנֵ֥י13 of 23

for the forefront

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַבַּ֙יִת֙14 of 23

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

קָדִ֑ים15 of 23

eastward

H6921

the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)

וְהַמַּ֣יִם16 of 23

and behold waters

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

יֹרְדִ֗ים17 of 23

came down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מִתַּ֜חַת18 of 23
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

מִכֶּ֤תֶף19 of 23

side

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

הַבַּ֙יִת֙20 of 23

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַיְמָנִ֔ית21 of 23

from under from the right

H3233

right (i.e., at the right hand)

מִנֶּ֖גֶב22 of 23

at the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

לַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃23 of 23

side of the altar

H4196

an altar


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 47:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 47:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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