Ezekiel 47:5
New International Version
He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross.

New Living Translation
Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through.

English Standard Version
Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.

Berean Standard Bible
Once again he measured off a thousand cubits, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough for swimming—a river that could not be crossed on foot.

King James Bible
Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

New King James Version
Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed.

New American Standard Bible
Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not wade across, because the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be crossed by wading.

NASB 1995
Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded.

NASB 1977
Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded.

Legacy Standard Bible
Again he measured one thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had become high—enough water to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.

Amplified Bible
Again he measured a thousand [cubits]; and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be crossed [by wading].

Christian Standard Bible
Again he measured off a third of a mile, and it was a river that I could not cross on foot. For the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed on foot.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Again he measured off a third of a mile, and it was a river that I could not cross on foot. For the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed on foot.

American Standard Version
Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through; for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.

Contemporary English Version
Another 500 meters downstream, the stream had become a river that could be crossed only by swimming.

English Revised Version
Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he measured another 1,500 feet. But the water had risen so much that it became a river which I couldn't cross. The river was too deep to cross except by swimming.

Good News Translation
He measured 560 yards more, and there the stream was so deep I could not wade through it. It was too deep to cross except by swimming.

International Standard Version
When he had measured out another 1,000 cubits, the water had become deep enough that I wasn't able to ford it. Instead, I would have had to swim through it.

Majority Standard Bible
Once again he measured off a thousand cubits, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough for swimming?a river that could not be crossed on foot.

NET Bible
Again he measured 1,750 feet and it was a river I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed.

New Heart English Bible
Afterward he measured one thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through; for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.

Webster's Bible Translation
Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters had risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

World English Bible
Afterward he measured one thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the waters had risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be walked through.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he measures one thousand—a stream that I am not able to pass over; for the waters have risen—waters to swim in—a stream that is not passed over.

Young's Literal Translation
And he measureth a thousand -- a stream that I am not able to pass over; for risen have the waters -- waters to swim in -- a stream that is not passed over.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will measure a thousand, a torrent which I shall not be able to pass through: for the waters rose, waters of swimming, a torrent which shall not be passed through.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he measured a thousand. and he brought me through the water up to the loins. And he measured a thousand, and it was a torrent, which I could not pass over: for the waters were risen so as to make a deep torrent, which could not be passed over.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he measured one thousand, and he led me forward, through the water, up to the waist. And he measured one thousand, into a torrent, through which I was not able to pass. For the waters had risen to become a profound torrent, which was not able to be crossed.

New American Bible
Once more he measured off a thousand cubits. Now it was a river I could not wade across. The water had risen so high, I would have to swim—a river that was impassable.

New Revised Standard Version
Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Afterward he measured a thousand cubits; and it was a torrent that no man could cross; for the waters were risen so high and the stream had become so turbulent that no one could cross it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he measured one thousand cubits, a stream that no man can cross, because the waters had increased, and the stream had become powerful, and no man was able to cross it
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through; for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and again he measured a thousand; and he could not pass through: for the water rose as of a torrent which men cannot pass over.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Waters from Under the Temple
4Then he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through knee-deep water. Again he measured a thousand cubits and led me through waist-deep water. 5Once again he measured off a thousand cubits, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough for swimming— a river that could not be crossed on foot. 6“Son of man, do you see this?” he asked. Then he led me back to the bank of the river.…

Cross References
Revelation 22:1-2
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb / down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Zechariah 14:8
And on that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it toward the Eastern Sea and the other half toward the Western Sea, in summer and winter alike.

John 7:38
Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

Isaiah 55:1
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!

Joel 3:18
And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.

Psalm 46:4
There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

Revelation 21:6
And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life.

Isaiah 35:6-7
Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. / The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt where jackals once lay, there will be grass and reeds and papyrus.

John 4:14
But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and currents on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.

Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Jeremiah 17:8
He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.

Psalm 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Isaiah 41:18
I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.

Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.


Treasury of Scripture

Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

Isaiah 11:9
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Daniel 2:34,35
Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces…

Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

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Ezekiel 47
1. The vision of the holy waters
6. The virtue of them
13. The borders of the land
22. The division of it by lot














Once again he measured off a thousand cubits
The phrase "once again" indicates a continuation of a process, suggesting a methodical and deliberate action. The "thousand cubits" is a significant measurement, symbolizing completeness and divine order in biblical numerology. In the Hebrew context, a cubit is approximately 18 inches, making this a substantial distance. This measurement reflects God's precise and purposeful plan, emphasizing His sovereignty and the unfolding of His divine will.

but now it was a river
The transformation from a stream to a river signifies growth and abundance. In biblical symbolism, rivers often represent life, prosperity, and the flow of God's blessings. The Hebrew word for river, "nahar," conveys a sense of continuous movement and vitality. This imagery aligns with the prophetic vision of God's kingdom expanding and His life-giving presence becoming more profound and pervasive.

that I could not cross
This phrase highlights the overwhelming and boundless nature of God's provision and power. The inability to cross the river signifies human limitations in the face of divine majesty. It serves as a reminder of our dependence on God and the vastness of His grace, which surpasses human understanding and capability.

because the water had risen
The rising water symbolizes the increasing influence and impact of God's Spirit. In the biblical context, water often represents the Holy Spirit, cleansing, and renewal. The Hebrew root "alah" for "risen" suggests an elevation or lifting up, indicating the Spirit's transformative work in elevating believers to new spiritual heights and deeper intimacy with God.

and was deep enough to swim in
This phrase conveys the depth and richness of the spiritual life available to believers. Swimming implies immersion and full engagement, inviting us to dive into the fullness of God's presence. The depth of the water reflects the profound mysteries of God, encouraging believers to explore and experience the vastness of His love and wisdom.

a river that could not be crossed
The repetition of the river's uncrossable nature underscores the inexhaustible and eternal nature of God's kingdom. It serves as a metaphor for the infinite and unending flow of God's grace and mercy. This imagery invites believers to trust in God's eternal promises and to rest in the assurance of His unchanging faithfulness.

(5) A river that could not be passed over.--The whole distance measured is 4,000 cubits, or less than a mile and a half, during which the waters, without external addition, have swollen from a mere streamlet to an impassable river, in direct opposition to the ordinary fact in nature. A large part (1,500 cubits, or half of 3,000 cubits) of this distance must have been within the precincts described in Ezekiel 42:16-20, but the prophet takes no notice of this, as the whole is ideal, and the precincts were to set forth one truth, the river another. The point thus far brought out is plainly the increase of the kingdom of God--the same truth illustrated by our Lord in the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), and often declared by the prophets (see Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:27; &c.). All history, since the Christian era, has been occupied with the fulfilment of the prophecy. . . . Verse 5. - After a fourth distance of a thousand cubits, the waters had risen, or, lifted themselves up (comp. Job 8:11, in which the verb is used of a plant growing up), and become waters to swim in - literally, waters of swimming (שָׂחוּ occurs only here; the noun צְפָה only in Ezekiel 32:6) - a river that could not be passed over, on account of its depth. The word נָחַל was applied either to a river that constantly flowed from a fountain, as the Amen, or to a winter torrent that springs up from rain or snow upon the mountains, and disappears in summer like the Kedron, which had seldom any water in it (see Robinson's 'Bibl. Res.,' 1:402). That Ezekiel's river broadened and deepened so suddenly, and apparently without receiving into it any tributaries, clearly pointed to miraculous action.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Once again he measured off
וַיָּ֣מָד (way·yā·māḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4058: To stretch, to measure, to be extended

a thousand [cubits],
אֶ֔לֶף (’e·lep̄)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

but now it was a river
נַ֕חַל (na·ḥal)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft

that
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I could
אוּכַ֖ל (’ū·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

cross,
לַעֲבֹ֑ר (la·‘ă·ḇōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

because
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the water
הַמַּ֙יִם֙ (ham·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

had risen
גָא֤וּ (ḡā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1342: To mount up, to rise, be majestic

[and]
מֵ֣י (mê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

was deep enough for swimming—
שָׂ֔חוּ (śā·ḥū)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7813: Swimming

a river
נַ֖חַל (na·ḥal)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft

that
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

could not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be crossed on foot.
יֵעָבֵֽר׃ (yê·‘ā·ḇêr)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 47:5 Afterward he measured one thousand (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 47:4
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