Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of all kinds will grow. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. Each month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be used for food and their leaves for healing." Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of all kinds will grow.This phrase envisions a lush and fertile landscape, symbolizing abundance and life. The river represents the life-giving presence of God, reminiscent of the Garden of Eden ( Genesis 2:10) and the river of life in Revelation 22:1-2. The diverse fruit trees suggest the variety and richness of God's provision, indicating spiritual nourishment and blessing for all who are connected to this divine source. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail.
This imagery conveys the idea of perpetual vitality and productivity, reflecting the eternal nature of God's blessings. The unfailing leaves and fruit symbolize the enduring and unchanging nature of God's promises. This can be connected to Psalm 1:3, where the righteous are likened to a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Each month they will bear fruit,
The monthly bearing of fruit signifies continuous and consistent provision, unlike the natural cycle of fruit trees which bear seasonally. This suggests a supernatural element, emphasizing God's ability to provide abundantly and consistently. It also points to the idea of spiritual fruitfulness in the life of believers, as seen in Galatians 5:22-23, where the fruit of the Spirit is described. because the water from the sanctuary flows to them.
The source of this life and fruitfulness is the water from the sanctuary, indicating that true life and sustenance come from God's presence. The sanctuary represents God's dwelling place, and the flowing water symbolizes the Holy Spirit, as seen in John 7:38-39, where Jesus speaks of living water flowing from within believers. This highlights the transformative power of God's Spirit in bringing life and growth. Their fruit will be used for food and their leaves for healing.
The dual purpose of the fruit and leaves underscores the comprehensive nature of God's provision—both physical and spiritual. The fruit provides sustenance, while the leaves offer healing, pointing to the holistic restoration found in God's kingdom. This echoes Revelation 22:2, where the leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations, symbolizing the ultimate restoration and healing brought by Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God who received visions and prophecies during the Babylonian exile. He is the author of the book bearing his name. 2. The RiverSymbolic of the life-giving presence of God, flowing from the sanctuary, representing divine provision and blessing. 3. Fruit TreesRepresenting abundance and continual provision, these trees symbolize the sustenance and healing that come from God. 4. The SanctuaryThe holy place from which the life-giving water flows, symbolizing God's presence and the source of spiritual nourishment. 5. Healing LeavesSymbolizing restoration and health, these leaves represent the comprehensive healing that comes from God. Teaching Points Divine ProvisionGod provides for His people abundantly, as seen in the fruit trees that never fail. Trust in God's provision, even in difficult times. Spiritual NourishmentJust as the trees are nourished by the water from the sanctuary, believers are nourished by God's Word and presence. Prioritize time in Scripture and prayer. Continual FruitfulnessThe trees bear fruit every month, symbolizing consistent spiritual growth and productivity. Seek to bear spiritual fruit in every season of life. Healing and RestorationThe leaves for healing remind us of God's power to restore and heal. Turn to God for healing in all areas of life—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Source of LifeThe river flowing from the sanctuary represents the life that comes from God. Recognize God as the ultimate source of life and vitality. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of the river and trees in Ezekiel 47:12 enhance your understanding of God's provision and presence? 2. In what ways can you ensure that you are spiritually nourished by the "water from the sanctuary" in your daily life? 3. How does the concept of continual fruitfulness challenge you in your personal walk with God? 4. What areas of your life need the healing that the leaves in Ezekiel's vision represent, and how can you seek God's restoration? 5. How do the connections between Ezekiel 47:12 and other scriptures like Revelation 22:1-2 and John 4:14 deepen your understanding of eternal life and spiritual sustenance? Connections to Other Scriptures Revelation 22:1-2This passage describes the river of life and the tree of life, drawing a parallel to Ezekiel's vision, emphasizing the eternal life and healing found in God's presence. Psalm 1:3The righteous are compared to a tree planted by streams of water, highlighting the theme of spiritual nourishment and fruitfulness. John 4:14Jesus speaks of the living water that He provides, which becomes a spring of eternal life, connecting to the life-giving water from the sanctuary. Jeremiah 17:7-8Describes the blessed man who trusts in the Lord, likened to a tree by the water, reinforcing the theme of trust and divine sustenance. People Amos, Enan, Ezekiel, Israelites, Joseph, TamarPlaces Arabah, Berothah, Brook of Egypt, Damascus, Eneglaim, Engedi, Gilead, Great Sea, Hamath, Hauran, Hazar-enan, Hazer-hatticon, Hethlon, Jordan River, Lebo-hamath, Meribah-kadesh, Most Holy Place, Sibraim, Tamar, ZedadTopics Bank, Banks, Bear, Bring, Consumed, Edge, Fade, Fadeth, Fail, First-fruits, Flows, Forth, Fresh, Fruit, Fruits, Fruit-tree, Green, Grow, Healing, Holy, Ill, Issue, Issued, Kind, Kinds, Leaf, Leaves, Meat, Medicine, Month, Months, River, Sanctuary, Serve, Sides, Stream, Thereof, Tree, Trees, Waters, Whither, Wither, YieldethDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 47:12 2378 kingdom of God, characteristics
4035 abundance
4450 fruit
5297 disease
5333 healing
5405 medicine
9411 heaven Ezekiel 47:1-12 3290 Holy Spirit, life-giver
5059 rest, eternal Library The River of Life
Waters issued out from under the threshold of the house ... EZEKIEL xlvii. 1. Unlike most great cities, Jerusalem was not situated on a great river. True, the inconsiderable waters of Siloam--'which flow softly' because they were so inconsiderable--rose from a crevice in the Temple rock, and beneath that rock stretched the valley of the Kedron, dry and bleached in the summer, and a rainy torrent during the rainy seasons; but that was all. So, many of the prophets, who looked forward to the better …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture"And the Redeemer Shall Come unto Zion, and unto them that Turn,"
Isaiah lix. 20.--"And the Redeemer shall come unto Zion, and unto them that turn," &c. Doctrines, as things, have their seasons and times. Every thing is beautiful in its season. So there is no word of truth, but it hath a season and time in which it is beautiful. And indeed that is a great part of wisdom, to bring forth everything in its season, to discern when and where, and to whom it is pertinent and edifying, to speak such and such truths. But there is one doctrine that is never out of season, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Fresh Supplies of Power.
"As the Dew." There is another very important bit needed to complete the circle of truth we are going over together in these quiet talks. Namely, the daily life after the act of surrender and all that comes with that act. The steady pull day by day. After the eagle-flight up into highest air, and the hundred yards dash, or even the mile run, comes the steady, steady walking mile after mile. The real test of life is here. And the highest victories are here, too. I recall the remark made by a friend …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezekiel 47:12 NIVEzekiel 47:12 NLTEzekiel 47:12 ESVEzekiel 47:12 NASBEzekiel 47:12 KJV
Ezekiel 47:12 Commentaries
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