Ezekiel 47 Footnotes

47:1–48:35 Some interpreters consider this concluding section to be wholly symbolic. While the passage is saturated with symbolic spiritual truths of great importance, it may also be intended as a description of literal events. It is best to interpret this text allowing for both possibilities.

47:1-12 Ezekiel saw a stream of water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, then under the south wall, increasing in breadth and depth as it flowed toward the Dead Sea. Current topography of the area would preclude water flow as described here. Zechariah’s vision described a cleavage in the Mount of Olives that will occur in the latter days (Zch 14:4-8); Ezekiel’s vision apparently presupposed such a topographical restructuring of the region. On either side of the river grow fruit trees whose leaves perpetually provide healing (Ezk 47:7,12). The water of the river brings life to everything it touches, including healing the uninhabitable waters of the Dead Sea, although the useful salt marshes will remain unchanged (vv. 8-11).

Ezekiel’s picture of the “river of living water” forms part of the vision of the “new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven” (Rv 21:2) in the revelation to John (Rv 22:1-3). Both passages envision a new quality of life governed by the influence of the worship of God. Water, a commodity not always easy to obtain in the Near East, is a biblical symbol of life—not only physical life but life in its deeper dimension as the fulfillment of God’s purpose in the human spirit. He invites all to come to the living waters available in unending supply (Is 55:1; Jn 4:14; 6:35; 7:37-39). The “water of life” flows from the temple, and from the “throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rv 22:1) in the heavenly city. Christian worship, which celebrates the sacrifice of Christ and exalts God the Father as King, can be a release of divine power in human life—the power of the Holy Spirit—for healing, spiritual sustenance, and productive activity that blesses others. Thus interpreters can see in Ezekiel’s vision a charter for the worshiping church, whose influence permeates and transforms the barrenness of surrounding cultures.