Ezekiel 47

The vision of the holy waters flowed out of the new temple, verse 1, &c. A description of the borders of the new land of inheritance, 13, to be divided among Israel and the strangers, 21.

1. Afterwards he brought me again into the door of the house [The new temple and the sanctuary, (as verse 12) which indeed was before in Jerusalem, but was now destroyed. Compare Isaiah 2:3. Mich. 4.2. Zach. 14.8. Also Luke 24:47,49. Acts 1:8 and 2.2,4 and Revelation 22:1. Where it is said, that these wholesome streams of Jerusalem and Zion (whereof in the sequel) proceeded from heaven, & out of the throne of God and of the lamb] and behold there flowed forth waters, [typifying the wholesome & saying doctrine of the gospel, abundant gifts of the holy ghost, under the New Testament. Compare Isaiah 11:9 and 12.3 and 51.1. Jerem. 31.9. Joel 3:18. Zach. 14.8. Likewise Isaiah 35:7. And 41.18. And 44.3. Joel 2:28. Job 7.38 and Revel. 22.1] from under the threshold of the house towards the east; for the forepart [Heb. face] of the house was (in) the east: and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, from the south [or toward, at the south; that is, the south side] of the altar. [meaning the altar of burnt-offering that before the holy place: of which see above chapter 43.13, c. a type of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his only sacrifice upon the cross: where he merited for such the gifts of the Holy Ghost, which he sendeth to us from the father; typified (as some conceive) by the water that flowed forth out of his side, Job 19.34, 35.]

2. And he brought me out (by) the way of north-gate and carried me about (by) the way without unto the outer-gate, the way that looketh toward the east: and behold the waters sprang out of the right side.

3. (Now) when that man went forth (toward) the east, there was then a measuring line in his hand: and he measured a thousand ells, and caused me to pass through the waters, (and) the waters reached unto the ankles, [Heb. (they were) waters of the ankles; and so in the sequel, waters of the knee waters of the loins, typifying the progress, course and increase of the revelation of the gospel together with the divers measures of the gifts of the holy ghost in this life, and the perfection thereof in the life to come.]

4. Then he measured (yet), and caused me to go through waters, and the waters reached unto the knees: and he measured (yet) a thousand, and caused me to go through, c the waters reached unto the loins.

5. Moreover, he measured (yet) a thousand, and it was a brook where I could not pas through: for the waters were high waters, where one was sain to swim through; [Heb. waters of swimming] a brook were one could not pass through.

6. And he said unto me; child of man, hast thou seen it? [That is, heeded all; whereby the prophet was instructed diligently to heed or mind all things] then he caused me, and brought me again to the brink [Heb. lip. And so in the next verse] of the brook.

7. When I returned, behold there were then at the brink of the brook very many trees on this (side) and on that side. [shadowing out the multitude of the elect, which by virtue of these waters should every where in God’s house grow and be fruitful in all good works, to the honour of God, and to the edificat on their neighbor, as verse 12 is further related. See Psalms 1:3 and 92.13. Isaiah 44:3,4. And 55.11,13. Jeremiah 17:8. Job 15:2, c. 1 Cor. 3.6,7, c.]

8. Then said he unto me, these waters flow forth towards the foremost Galilee, [Or east-Galilee, whereby some understand a part of Galilee lying beyond the Jordan, where Corazim also lay at the east side of the Galilean sea, or the sea of Genes areth, where the Jordan ran through. But this ought especially to be compared with Isaiah 8.23. and 9.1. Mat.4.12,13,14,15. Where it is related that the light of the gospel did likewise first arise in these countries. See further of a twofold Galilee, 1 Kings 9 on verse 11. Otherwise it might also be generally taken for the east countries or borders: also for the country of Gilgag, out of Joel 18.17 compare with Joshua 15:7. lying also in the east side of Jerusalem, but that way they went through the plains of Jericho, Jeremiah 52:7,8. Also 2 Samuel 2:29 and 17.29. and so forth over the Jordan toward the plain of Moab, whereof in the sequel] and go down into the plain: [of the Moabites see Numb. 22.1 Deuteronomy 1:1 and 3.17 and 34.1,8.] after that they go into the sea; [the dead sea or salt sea, where Sodom and Gomorra were in times past, and where Engedi and En-eglaim lay, whereof verse 10. See further Gen. 1 on verse 3.] Being brought forth into the sea, the waters [of the Dead Sea, which were deadly before] become wholesome.

9. Yea it shall come to pass (that) every living soul [That is, all living creatures, that have life, and sense and motion in them. See Gen. 1 on verse 20.] Which moveth, [see Gen. 1 on verse 20.] Whither forever one of the two brooks come, [Heb. the two brooks shall come; the verb in the singular number; that is, on of the two. It seemeth that these waters in running along divided themselves into two parts, through this be not mentioned here: see Zach. 14.8. Or else we may with some take the dual number for the plural (as else where is often done) and render it, streams] shall live, & and there shall be very much [or great excellent. So verse 10] fish; [because these waters shall come thither] by the great store of fish here mentioned, understand the multitude of the elect, that should be certainly converted by the breaching of the gospel, & by the powerful working of the holy Ghost] and they [the other waters by the flowing in of these] shall become wholesome, and every thing shall live whither this brook shall come.

10. Also it shall come to pass, that there shall stand fishers [that is, teachers of the new Testament, who as instruments of the powerful working Holy Ghost, shall by the net of the Gospel draw up men out of their sinful and deadly condition to the fellowship of Christ and his benefits. See Matth. 4.19 And 13.47. Luke 5:10. By it, [the Dead Sea] from Engeds [formerly called Hazeron-Tamar, lying by the Dead Sea. See Genes. 14.7. 1 Samuel 24:1. 2 Chron. 20.2. with the Annotat.] unto En-eglaim; [lying also by the dead sea, where the Jordan runneth into it] there shall be (places for) for the spreading forth of nets: [or fish, above chapter 26.5] their fish [to wit, the fish of the fisher which they shall catch: or the fish of the aforesaid waters] shall be according to its kind as the fish of the great sea. [The mid-land sea, so distinguished from the land seas or lakes. So verse. 15, 20.]very manifold [or great, glorious. So verse 9.]

11. but the misery places thereof, [Namely, of the Dead Sea] and the marshes thereof shall not become wholesome, [Others, which shall not become wholesome, c.] there are given up to salt. [See Deuteronomy 29:23. Psalms 107:34. Jerem. 17.6. Heb. 6. Hereby may be understood the difference that there shall be between the elect, that shall be partakers of the grace aforesaid, and the reprobate, that shall continue ad perish in their filthiness and sin. See Acts 13:48. 2 Cor. 2.15, 16, c. some join this verse to the former in another sense, thus: the misery (places) and the marshes, and the Moorish places thereof, I say, which were not wholesome, which were delivered to the salt: meaning they shall all become wholesome and abounding with fish. Others, the misery places thereof, and the marshes thereof which were not wholesome are giving to salt. That is, for any use and service. Whereof the attentive reader may judge]

12. Now by the brook, upon the brink, [Heb. lip] thereof, on this (side) and on that side, shall come up all manner of trees for meat, [Heb all trees of meat, that is, all manner of trees bearing fruit, that are fit for meat, or eatable. See above on verse 7.] Whose meat shall not fall off, [see Psalms 1 on verse 3] neither (shall) the fruit thereof perish, [or cease, be consumed] it shall bring forth new fruits [or excellent fruits, like the first ripe fruits, which are very acceptable. See Mich. 7.1] in his moneths; [that is, those trees shall bear new fruit every moneth. Compare Revelation 22:2] for their waters, [beside which they grow, and wherewith they are watered] they flow out of the sanctuary; [see above on verse 1 therefore they shall surely prosper and bear fruit] and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for healing. [Or stamping, beating; as we used to beat leaves or herbs sin all to use them in physic-drinks or plaisters]

13. Thus saith the Lord LORD; this shall be the border (according to) which ye shall take the land for (your) inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel: [Compare with the borders mentioned in this chapter, Numb. chapter 34 and Jos. Fro chapter 15 to chapter 20. And see the Annotate by comparing them together the difference will appear that is between both; which ay be a further motive unto us to contemplate and meditate on the spiritual Israel and heavenly Canaan] Joseph (two) strings. [That is, portions, which were wont to be measured out with strings or cords. See Psalms 16 on verse 5, 6. One line or portion was for Mansseh, and one for Ephraim. See below chapter 48.4,5 and Genesis 48:5. 1 Chronicles 5:1, 2.]

14. And he shall inherit it, one as well as another: Heb the man as his brother; that is, one shall inheritance as well or as much as another, for there will be room enough to made or be prepared by Christ in the heavenly Canaan or in the house of our heavenly father for all believers, Job 14:2. See further in the next chapter] (concerning) which I lifted up mine hand, [that is, swore. See Gen. 14 on verse 22] to give in unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance. [To wit, by lot: that is, ye shall divide it by casting or drawing of lots. So above chapter 45.1 and below verse 22. To signifie that it was a gracious gift of God and a filial inheritance: but se above chapter 45 on verse 1. If it be taken that it is as much as if the word lot were express in the text, then the casting of drawing of lots may be applied to every one particular portion; for the common borders of the tribes are expelled by God in the next chapter]

15. Now this shall be the border of the land at the north corner, from the great sea, [As above verse 10. But in these parts it was also called the sea of Phoenicia or Syria] the way of Herhlon, where one cometh to Zedad.

16. Hamath, Berotha, Sibraim that is between the border of Damascus and between the border of Hamath: Hazer-Hattichan, [or the villages that are in the midst, with &c.] which is by the border of Hauran. [Heb. Hauran; also the country laying at the east end of Labnus over the Jordan, where it taketh its original]

17. So the border from the sea shall be Henzar-Enan, the border of Damascus, and the North-ward, and the border of Hamath: and (that) shall be in the North-corner.

18. Now the east-corner ye shall measure from between Hauran, and from between Damascus, and from between Gilead, and from between the land of Israel by the Jordan; [Where the Jordan taketh its original] from the border unto the East-sea: [that is the salt-sea, or the Dead-sea] and that shall be the East-corner.

19. And the South-corner south-ward, [Others, towards Teman; that is, Edom, where one Teman lay. See Jeremiah 49:7. the sense agreeing, for Edom lay in the south of Canaan] from Tamar, [laying over against the east-end of Edom, on the wilderness of Tsin, or Kades, where the city of Kades is also placed by some maps, by the water of strife, or water of Meriba, where Miriam, Aarons sister, died and was buried. See Numb. 20.1,13,14, &c and 27.14. So below chapter 48.28.] unto the water of strife of Kades, (so on) towards the brook, [the river Sichor. See Joshua 13:3 and 15.47. also 1 Chronicles 13:5. With the Annotate.] Unto the great sea: [the mid-land sea: as above verse 10 and here in the next verse] and (that) shall be the south-corner south-war.

20. And the west-corner, [Heb. corner of the sea. See Genesis 12 on verse 8] the great sea; from border still where one cometh right against Hamath: that shall be the west-corner.

21. Now ye shall divide thus land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.

22. But it shall come to pas, that ye shall cause it [The aforesaid land] to fall for inheritance [To wit, by lot, as above verse 14 and chapter 45.1] for you, and for the strangers that sojourn in the midst of you, that shall have begotten children the midst of you; and they shall be unto you as a native among the children of Israel; they shall fall into inheritance with you [that is, have their lot as well as you, the lot shall be likewise cast for them in the midst of the tribes of Israel. [By this new ordinance is signified that the Christian church that as to partake the benefits of Christ, and inheritance the heavenly Canaan, should not only conflict of Jews, but also (according to the manifold prophecies of the Old Testament) of Gentiles, or all nations, without difference or distinction. See Acts 25:7,8,9. Romans 3:29. And 4.11, &c. and 10.12 and 15.9, &c. 1 Cor. 12.13. Galatians 3:28, 29. Ephesians 3:6. Colos. 1.12 and 3.11. Revel. 7.9, 10, &c.]

23. Also it shall come to pass, (that) in the tribe among whom the stranger Sojourneth, there shall ye give (him) his inheritance, saith the Lord LORD. [Wheresoever he shall joyn himself to the obedience of the gospel and the true church of Jesus Christ, (which is the spiritual Israel and feed of Abraham) he shall be reckoned among the whole body of the church, and a fellow-heir with Jesus Christ]