Ezekiel 47:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנַּ֣חַל
And by the river
H5158
הַנַּ֣חַל
And by the river
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
2 of 29
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
יַעֲלֶ֣ה
thereof on this side and on that side shall grow
H5927
יַעֲלֶ֣ה
thereof on this side and on that side shall grow
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
3 of 29
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שְׂפָת֣וֹ
upon the bank
H8193
שְׂפָת֣וֹ
upon the bank
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
5 of 29
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
מִזֶּ֣ה׀
H2088
וּמִזֶּ֣ה׀
H2088
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֵֽץ
all trees
H6086
עֵֽץ
all trees
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
9 of 29
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
לְמַֽאֲכָ֔ל
for meat
H3978
לְמַֽאֲכָ֔ל
for meat
Strong's:
H3978
Word #:
10 of 29
an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִבּ֨וֹל
shall not fade
H5034
יִבּ֨וֹל
shall not fade
Strong's:
H5034
Word #:
12 of 29
to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint
וְעָלֵ֖הוּ
and the leaf
H5929
וְעָלֵ֖הוּ
and the leaf
Strong's:
H5929
Word #:
13 of 29
a leaf (as coming up on a tree); collectively, foliage
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתֹּ֣ם
thereof be consumed
H8552
יִתֹּ֣ם
thereof be consumed
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
15 of 29
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
לָֽחֳדָשָׁיו֙
according to his months
H2320
לָֽחֳדָשָׁיו֙
according to his months
Strong's:
H2320
Word #:
17 of 29
the new moon; by implication, a month
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֵימָ֔יו
because their waters
H4325
מֵימָ֔יו
because their waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
20 of 29
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
21 of 29
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַמִּקְדָּ֖שׁ
of the sanctuary
H4720
הַמִּקְדָּ֖שׁ
of the sanctuary
Strong's:
H4720
Word #:
22 of 29
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
יֽוֹצְאִ֑ים
they issued out
H3318
יֽוֹצְאִ֑ים
they issued out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
24 of 29
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְהָיָ֤ו
H1961
וְהָיָ֤ו
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
25 of 29
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְמַֽאֲכָ֔ל
for meat
H3978
לְמַֽאֲכָ֔ל
for meat
Strong's:
H3978
Word #:
27 of 29
an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)
Cross References
Revelation 22:2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.Psalms 1:3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.Jeremiah 17:8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.Ezekiel 47:7Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.Genesis 2:9And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.Psalms 92:12The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.Isaiah 60:21Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.Isaiah 61:3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.Job 8:16He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.Jeremiah 8:22Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does being planted by God's life-giving river enable you to bear continuous fruit for His kingdom?
- In what ways do you see Christ as the tree of life providing both nourishment and healing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.