King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 47:12 Mean?

Ezekiel 47:12 in the King James Version says “And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall n... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. shall grow: Heb. shall come up new: or, principal for medicine: or, for bruises and sores

Ezekiel 47:12 · KJV


Context

10

And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.

11

But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. shall not: or, and that which shall not be healed

12

And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. shall grow: Heb. shall come up new: or, principal for medicine: or, for bruises and sores

13

Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions.

14

And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance. lifted: or, swore


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Describing trees along the river's banks: 'And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: therefore the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.' These perpetually fruitful trees echo Eden's tree of life (Genesis 2:9) and anticipate Revelation's tree of life bearing twelve manner of fruits with leaves for healing of nations (Revelation 22:2). The continuous fruitfulness ('according to his months'—every month new fruit) represents unceasing blessing and provision. The dual purpose—fruit for food, leaves for medicine—shows comprehensive care: nourishment and healing. The source 'out of the sanctuary' identifies God's presence as origin of all blessing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Trees symbolized life, stability, and blessing throughout Scripture (Psalm 1:3, Jeremiah 17:7-8). The unfading leaves contrast with natural trees that go dormant seasonally—this supernatural vitality comes from waters flowing from God's presence. The monthly fruitfulness suggests perpetual harvest, uninterrupted blessing unlike agricultural cycles with fallow seasons. Jewish interpretation connected these trees to messianic age abundance. Christian interpretation sees fulfillment in Christ (the tree of life accessed through His cross) and the church bearing Spirit-fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). The ultimate fulfillment appears in Revelation 22:2—the tree of life in the New Jerusalem, symbol of eternal life and healing in God's presence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does being planted by God's life-giving river enable you to bear continuous fruit for His kingdom?
  2. In what ways do you see Christ as the tree of life providing both nourishment and healing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וְעַל1 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַנַּ֣חַל2 of 29

And by the river

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

יַעֲלֶ֣ה3 of 29

thereof on this side and on that side shall grow

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עַל4 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שְׂפָת֣וֹ5 of 29

upon the bank

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

מִזֶּ֣ה׀6 of 29
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וּמִזֶּ֣ה׀7 of 29
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כָּל8 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֵֽץ9 of 29

all trees

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

לְמַֽאֲכָ֔ל10 of 29

for meat

H3978

an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)

לֹא11 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִבּ֨וֹל12 of 29

shall not fade

H5034

to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint

וְעָלֵ֖הוּ13 of 29

and the leaf

H5929

a leaf (as coming up on a tree); collectively, foliage

וְלֹֽא14 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִתֹּ֣ם15 of 29

thereof be consumed

H8552

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

פִרְיוֹ֙16 of 29

and the fruit

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

לָֽחֳדָשָׁיו֙17 of 29

according to his months

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

יְבַכֵּ֔ר18 of 29

it shall bring forth new fruit

H1069

to give the birthright

כִּ֣י19 of 29
H3588

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

מֵימָ֔יו20 of 29

because their waters

H4325

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

מִן21 of 29
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמִּקְדָּ֖שׁ22 of 29

of the sanctuary

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

הֵ֣מָּה23 of 29
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יֽוֹצְאִ֑ים24 of 29

they issued out

H3318

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

וְהָיָ֤ו25 of 29
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

פִרְיוֹ֙26 of 29

and the fruit

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

לְמַֽאֲכָ֔ל27 of 29

for meat

H3978

an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)

וְעָלֵ֖הוּ28 of 29

and the leaf

H5929

a leaf (as coming up on a tree); collectively, foliage

לִתְרוּפָֽה׃29 of 29

thereof for medicine

H8644

a remedy


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 47:12 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 47:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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