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 47:10KJVWhat 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.