Ezekiel – Chapter 47

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

Ezekiel 47 opens with the words: "And he brought me again to the gate of the house, and behold waters issued out from under the threshold of the house toward the east: for…" Joseph stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: healing and family and covenant relationships. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And he brought me again to the gate of the house, and behold waters issued out from under the threshold of the house toward the east: for the forefront of the house looked toward the east: but the waters came down to the right side of the temple to the south part of the altar.

2And he led me out by the way of the north gate, and he caused me to turn to the way without the outward gate to the way that looked toward the east: and behold there ran out waters on the right side.

3And when the man that had the line in his hand went out towards the east, he measured a thousand cubits: and he brought me through the water up to the ankles.

4And again he measured a thousand, and he brought me through the water up to the knees.

5And he measured a thousand, and he brought me through the water up to the loins. And he measured a thousand, and it was a torrent, which I could not pass over: for the waters were risen so as to make a deep torrent, which could not be passed over.

6And he said to me: Surely thou hast seen, O son of man. And he brought me out, and he caused me to turn to the bank of the torrent.

7And when I had turned myself, behold on the bank of the torrent were very many trees on both sides.

8And he said to me: These waters that issue forth toward the hillocks of sand to the east, and go down to the plains of the desert, shall go into the sea, and shall go out, and the waters shall be healed.

9And every living creature that creepeth whithersoever the torrent shall come, shall live: and there shall be fishes in abundance after these waters shall come thither, and they shall be healed, and all things shall live to which the torrent shall come.

10And the fishers shall stand over these waters, from Engaddi even to Engallim there shall be drying of nets: there shall be many sorts of the fishes thereof, as the fishes of the great sea, a very great multitude:

11But on the shore thereof, and in the fenny places they shall not be healed, because they shall be turned into saltpits.

12And by the torrent on the banks thereof on both sides shall grow all trees that bear fruit: their leaf shall not fall off, and their fruit shall not fail: every month shall they bring forth firstfruits, because the waters thereof shall issue out of the sanctuary: and the fruits thereof shall be for food, and the leaves thereof for medicine.

13Thus saith the Lord God: This is the border, by which you shall possess the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: for Joseph hath a double portion.

14And you shall possess it, every man in like manner as his brother: concerning which I lifted up my hand to give it to your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for a possession.

15And this is the border of the land: toward the north side, from the great sea by the way of Hethalon, as men go to Sedada,

16Emath, Berotha, Sabarim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Emath the house of Tichon, which is by the border of Auran.

17And the border from the sea even to the court of Enan, shall be the border of Damascus, and from the north to the north: the border of Emath, this is the north side.

18And the east side is from the midst of Auran, and from the midst of Damascus, and from the midst of Galaad, and from the midst of the land of Israel, Jordan making the bound to the east sea, and thus you shall measure the east side.

19And the south side southward is, from Thamar even to the waters of contradiction of Cades: and, the torrent even to the great sea: and this is the south side southward.

20And the side toward the sea, is the great sea from the borders straight on, till thou come to Emath: this is the side of the sea.

21And you shall divide this land unto you by the tribes of Israel:

22And you shall divide it by lot for an inheritance to you, and to the strangers that shall come over to you, that shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as men of the same country born among the children of Israel: they shall divide the possession with you in the midst of the tribes of Israel.

23And in what tribe soever the stranger shall be, there shall you give him possession, saith the Lord God.

Important Verses in Ezekiel 47

And he brought me again to the gate of the house, and behold waters issued out from under the threshold of the house toward the east: for the forefront of the house looked toward the east: but the waters came down to the right side of the temple to the south part of the altar.

Ezekiel 47:1

And again he measured a thousand, and he brought me through the water up to the knees.

Ezekiel 47:4

Thus saith the Lord God: This is the border, by which you shall possess the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: for Joseph hath a double portion.

Ezekiel 47:13

And in what tribe soever the stranger shall be, there shall you give him possession, saith the Lord God.

Ezekiel 47:23

Historical Context

Ezekiel belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the exiles in Babylon, moved from despair to hope of restoration. Chapter 47 of 48 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Joseph, the principal figures named in this chapter. The chapter begins: "And he brought me again to the gate of the house, and behold waters issued out from under the threshold of the house…" It concludes: "And in what tribe soever the stranger shall be, there shall you give him possession, saith the Lord God. " The wider setting of Ezekiel is this: Ezekiel was deported to Babylon in 597 BC and prophesied among the exiles through astonishing visions: God's throne-chariot, the departure of His glory from the Temple, the valley of dry bones brought to life, and a new… The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About 593-571 BC, in Babylon.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Ezekiel, priest and exile

When It Was Written

About 593-571 BC, in Babylon

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, this oracle names the sins, judgments, or promises relevant to its original hearers. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And he brought me again to the gate of the house, and behold waters issued out from under the threshold of the house toward the east: for the forefront of the…" The passage repeatedly touches on healing and restoration.

Catholic exegesis reads Ezekiel 47 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Ezekiel's visions inform Catholic understanding of heaven and liturgy (CIC 1137). St. Gregory the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2559).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God will give His people a new heart. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Ezekiel 47 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Christ is the Divine Physician who heals both body and soul.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

People in This Chapter

Joseph1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Ezekiel Chapter 47 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that judgment, restoration, and God's glory is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing the reality of spiritual combat and vigilance.

May your reading of Ezekiel Chapter 47 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how God will give His people a new heart applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ezekiel Chapter 47 about?

Ezekiel 47 contains 23 verses. It opens with "And he brought me again to the gate of the house, and behold waters issued out from under the threshold of the house…" and closes with "And in what tribe soever the stranger shall be, there shall you give him possession, saith the Lord God. ". The book as a whole is prophetic visions and oracles.

What is a key verse in Ezekiel 47?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And he brought me again to the gate of the house, and behold waters issued out from under the threshold of the house toward the east: for the forefront of the house looked toward…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Ezekiel Chapter 47?

This chapter mentions Joseph.

Who wrote Ezekiel and when?

The prophet Ezekiel, priest and exile. About 593-571 BC, in Babylon.

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