Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

EZEKIEL 47:1KJV
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Ezekiel 47:1 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 47:1 mean?

Ezekiel 47:1 describes a vision where Ezekiel is brought to the entrance of the temple, and he sees water flowing out from beneath the threshold, heading east. The verse carefully notes the direction and origin of the water, emphasizing it comes from the right side of the temple, south of the altar.

In this vision, Ezekiel is being shown by a guide (often understood as an angel) around the future temple. The setting is a prophetic scene, not a physical event, and the water flowing from the temple is a striking new detail. This marks the beginning of a longer vision about life-giving water that will flow out and transform the land, which is explained further in the following verses.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 47:1

  • "waters" (מַיִם, mayim): This word is plural in Hebrew and often symbolizes abundance or life. Here, it hints at more than just a trickle—something significant is starting.
  • "threshold" (מִפְתָּן, miftan): The threshold is the bottom part of a doorway. The water coming from under the threshold suggests it is emerging from the very heart of the temple, not just from outside or beside it.
  • "eastward" (קֵדְמָה, qedmah): The direction east is repeated and emphasized, which is important because the temple faced east, and in biblical symbolism, the east often represents new beginnings or God's presence.
  • "altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): The mention of the altar’s location shows the water is coming from the area associated with sacrifice and worship, tying the vision to the temple’s spiritual center.

Why Ezekiel 47:1 matters

  • This verse introduces a vision that becomes a key symbol for restoration and life in the rest of the chapter, showing that the temple is the source of blessing.
  • The careful description of direction and location highlights the importance of the temple’s orientation and the altar’s role, connecting worship with the flow of life-giving water.
  • Understanding the setting helps clarify that this is not a literal event but a vision meant to show hope and transformation for the people Ezekiel is addressing.

Where else these words appear

“threshold” Hebrew H4670 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Samuel 5:4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
  • Ezekiel 9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;
  • Ezekiel 10:18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.

“right” Hebrew H3233 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 29:20 Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.
  • Leviticus 14:25 And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot:
  • 2 Kings 11:11 And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.

“side” Hebrew H3802 · used in 58 verses

  • Exodus 27:14 The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
  • Joshua 18:13 And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.
  • Isaiah 46:7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

“eastward” Hebrew H6921 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 41:6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
  • Ezekiel 40:32 And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.
  • Ezekiel 48:3 And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Naphtali.