But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
Analysis & Commentary
But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams (כִּי אִם־שָׁם אַדִּיר יְהוָה לָנוּ מְקוֹם־נְהָרִים יְאֹרִים רַחֲבֵי יָדָיִם, ki im-sham adir YHWH lanu meqom-neharim ye'orim rachavey yadayim)—there the אַדִּיר (adir, glorious, majestic) Yahweh is to us a place of rivers (נָהָר, nahar) and streams (יְאֹר, ye'or) of רָחָב (rachav, breadth, width). Wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby (בַּל־תֵּלֶךְ־בּוֹ אֳנִי שַׁיִט וְצִי אַדִּיר לֹא יַעַבְרֶנּוּ, bal-telekh-bo oni shayit vetsi adir lo ya'avrenu)—no warship (אֳנִי שַׁיִט, oni shayit) or gallant ship will pass.
God Himself becomes the river—source of life, provision, protection. But unlike natural rivers that enable enemy invasion (Assyrians used Euphrates/Tigris for transport, Egyptians used Nile), God-as-river permits no hostile vessels. The paradox: all benefits of water (fertility, commerce, beauty) without the liability (military invasion). Psalm 46:4: 'There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.' Ezekiel 47:1-12 and Revelation 22:1-2 depict river flowing from God's throne, bringing life. Jesus offered 'rivers of living water' (John 7:38-39)—the Holy Spirit.
Historical Context
Ancient cities needed water—rivers provided drinking water, irrigation, commerce. But rivers also enabled invasion—Babylon used Euphrates to attack, Egypt controlled Nile. Jerusalem lacked major river, relying on springs and cisterns. Isaiah promises supernatural river—divine presence providing all benefits without military vulnerability. New Jerusalem needs no created river because 'the Lamb is the light thereof' (Revelation 21:23), and the river of life flows from God's throne (Revelation 22:1).
Questions for Reflection
How does God as 'river' provide all life's necessities without the vulnerabilities of earthly provision sources?
What does it mean that no enemy ship can pass on God's river—complete security in His provision?
How have you experienced the Holy Spirit as 'rivers of living water' (John 7:38-39) in your life?
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Analysis & Commentary
But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams (כִּי אִם־שָׁם אַדִּיר יְהוָה לָנוּ מְקוֹם־נְהָרִים יְאֹרִים רַחֲבֵי יָדָיִם, ki im-sham adir YHWH lanu meqom-neharim ye'orim rachavey yadayim)—there the אַדִּיר (adir, glorious, majestic) Yahweh is to us a place of rivers (נָהָר, nahar) and streams (יְאֹר, ye'or) of רָחָב (rachav, breadth, width). Wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby (בַּל־תֵּלֶךְ־בּוֹ אֳנִי שַׁיִט וְצִי אַדִּיר לֹא יַעַבְרֶנּוּ, bal-telekh-bo oni shayit vetsi adir lo ya'avrenu)—no warship (אֳנִי שַׁיִט, oni shayit) or gallant ship will pass.
God Himself becomes the river—source of life, provision, protection. But unlike natural rivers that enable enemy invasion (Assyrians used Euphrates/Tigris for transport, Egyptians used Nile), God-as-river permits no hostile vessels. The paradox: all benefits of water (fertility, commerce, beauty) without the liability (military invasion). Psalm 46:4: 'There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.' Ezekiel 47:1-12 and Revelation 22:1-2 depict river flowing from God's throne, bringing life. Jesus offered 'rivers of living water' (John 7:38-39)—the Holy Spirit.