King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 47:9 Mean?

Ezekiel 47:9 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. rivers: Heb. two rivers

Ezekiel 47:9 · KJV


Context

7

Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. bank: Heb. lip

8

Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. desert: or, plain

9

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. rivers: Heb. two rivers

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Concerning the river: '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.' The repeated emphasis on 'life' underscores the river's vivifying power—whatever it touches lives. The Hebrew 'yichyeh' (יִחְיֶה, 'shall live') appears three times, emphasizing life as the dominant theme. The 'very great multitude of fish' depicts abundant, teeming life where death previously reigned. The declaration 'they shall be healed' (veniraphu, וְנִרְפְּאוּ) shows this river brings restoration and wholeness, not just survival. This prophesies the gospel's life-giving power transforming spiritually dead people into abundant life (John 10:10).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The river flows to the Dead Sea (47:8), the lowest point on earth, where extreme salinity prevents life. The healing of these deadly waters represents God's power to bring life to the most hostile, hopeless environments. This foreshadows the gospel reaching Gentiles ('the sea' often symbolizing Gentile nations in Scripture) and bringing spiritual life to those dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1-5). The multitude of fish recalls Jesus calling disciples to be 'fishers of men' (Matthew 4:19) and the miraculous catch symbolizing gospel fruitfulness (Luke 5:4-7, John 21:6-11). The river's increasing depth (47:3-5) depicts the gospel's progressive advance—starting small, growing irresistibly until it covers the earth (Habakkuk 2:14).

Reflection Questions

  1. How have you experienced God's life-giving power bringing spiritual vitality to dead or dying areas of your life?
  2. What 'Dead Seas' in your context need the gospel's healing waters to bring abundant life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וְהָיָ֣ה1 of 29
H1961

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

כָל2 of 29
H3605

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

נֶ֣פֶשׁ3 of 29

And it shall come to pass that every thing

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

חַיָּ֣ה׀4 of 29

that liveth

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אֲֽשֶׁר5 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִשְׁרֹ֡ץ6 of 29

which moveth

H8317

to wriggle, i.e., (by implication) swarm or abound

אֶ֣ל7 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל8 of 29
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר֩9 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָ֥בוֹא10 of 29

cometh

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שָׁ֤ם11 of 29
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

הַנָּֽחַל׃12 of 29

whither 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)

יִֽחְיֶ֔ה13 of 29

shall live

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

וְהָיָ֥ה14 of 29
H1961

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

הַדָּגָ֖ה15 of 29

multitude of fish

H1710

fish

רַבָּ֣ה16 of 29

great

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

מְאֹ֑ד17 of 29

and there shall be a very

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

כִּי֩18 of 29
H3588

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

יָ֥בוֹא19 of 29

cometh

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שָׁ֜מָּה20 of 29
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

הַמַּ֣יִם21 of 29

because these waters

H4325

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

הָאֵ֗לֶּה22 of 29
H428

these or those

וְיֵרָֽפְאוּ֙23 of 29

thither for they shall be healed

H7495

properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure

וָחָ֔י24 of 29

and every thing shall live

H2425

to live; causatively to revive

כֹּ֛ל25 of 29
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר26 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָ֥בוֹא27 of 29

cometh

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שָׁ֖מָּה28 of 29
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

הַנָּֽחַל׃29 of 29

whither 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)


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 47:9 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 47:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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