Ezekiel 47:9
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֣ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 29
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נֶ֣פֶשׁ
And it shall come to pass that every thing
H5315
נֶ֣פֶשׁ
And it shall come to pass that every thing
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 29
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
חַיָּ֣ה׀
that liveth
H2416
חַיָּ֣ה׀
that liveth
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
4 of 29
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
אֲֽשֶׁר
H834
אֲֽשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִשְׁרֹ֡ץ
which moveth
H8317
יִשְׁרֹ֡ץ
which moveth
Strong's:
H8317
Word #:
6 of 29
to wriggle, i.e., (by implication) swarm or abound
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)
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁ֤ם
H8033
הַנָּֽחַל׃
whither the river
H5158
הַנָּֽחַל׃
whither the river
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
12 of 29
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
יִֽחְיֶ֔ה
shall live
H2421
יִֽחְיֶ֔ה
shall live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
13 of 29
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
וְהָיָ֥ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 29
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
רַבָּ֣ה
great
H7227
רַבָּ֣ה
great
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
16 of 29
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
מְאֹ֑ד
and there shall be a very
H3966
מְאֹ֑ד
and there shall be a very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
17 of 29
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שָׁ֜מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֜מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
20 of 29
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
הַמַּ֣יִם
because these waters
H4325
הַמַּ֣יִם
because these waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
21 of 29
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
וְיֵרָֽפְאוּ֙
thither for they shall be healed
H7495
וְיֵרָֽפְאוּ֙
thither for they shall be healed
Strong's:
H7495
Word #:
23 of 29
properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure
כֹּ֛ל
H3605
כֹּ֛ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
25 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
26 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 55:1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.Psalms 78:16He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.John 6:63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.John 4:14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.Isaiah 30:26Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.Isaiah 49:12Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.Isaiah 12:3Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.Acts 2:47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.Acts 2:41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.Psalms 103:3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Historical 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).
Questions for Reflection
- How have you experienced God's life-giving power bringing spiritual vitality to dead or dying areas of your life?
- What 'Dead Seas' in your context need the gospel's healing waters to bring abundant life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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).