And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.

EZEKIEL 47:10KJV
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Ezekiel 47:10 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 47:10 mean?

Ezekiel 47:10 describes a scene where fishermen will stand along the banks of a river, from Engedi to Eneglaim, spreading their nets and catching many kinds of fish, just as abundant as those found in the Mediterranean Sea. This verse paints a picture of great life and abundance returning to the land, especially to waters that were once lifeless.

The prophet Ezekiel is sharing a vision with the people of Israel, showing them a future time when God will restore the land and bring new life. The mention of specific places like Engedi and Eneglaim marks the full stretch of the river’s blessing, and the variety and number of fish highlight how complete and overflowing this restoration will be.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 47:10

  • fishers (דַּיָּג, dayyāg): This word means "fishermen." Its use here emphasizes ordinary people making a living, showing that the river will be so full of life that it supports daily work and community.
  • nets (מִכְמֶרֶת, mikmeret): This word refers to fishing nets. The verse says the banks will be "a place to spread forth nets," underlining that the river will be productive enough for regular, large-scale fishing.
  • kinds (לְמִינֵיהֶם, leminēhem): This means "according to their kinds." The detail that there will be many kinds of fish points to diversity and richness, not just quantity.
  • great (גָּדוֹל, gadol) sea (יָם, yam): This phrase refers to the "great sea," commonly understood as the Mediterranean. Comparing the river’s fish to those of the Mediterranean shows just how extraordinary this transformation is.

Why Ezekiel 47:10 matters

  • Ezekiel 47:10 helps clarify that the vision is not just about physical water, but about a total renewal that brings life where there was none, reaching all the way from one end of the land to the other.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, where the river flowing from the temple brings healing and abundance, showing God’s power to restore even what seems hopeless.
  • By mentioning specific places and the abundance of fish, the verse grounds the vision in real geography and daily life, making the promise of restoration feel concrete and believable to Ezekiel’s audience.

Where else these words appear

“fishers” Hebrew H1728 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 16:16 Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

“forth” Hebrew H4894 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezekiel 26:5 It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations.
  • Ezekiel 26:14 And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

“Engedi” Hebrew H5872 · used in 6 verses

  • Joshua 15:62 And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.
  • 1 Samuel 23:29 And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.

“fish” Hebrew H1710 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
  • Numbers 11:5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:
  • Ezekiel 29:4 But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.