And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

EZEKIEL 47:12KJV
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Ezekiel 47:12 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 47:12 mean?

Ezekiel 47:12 describes a vision where all kinds of fruit trees grow along both banks of a river, continually producing fresh fruit and never withering, because the water that nourishes them comes from the temple. The fruit is for food, and the leaves are for healing.

In this vision, the prophet Ezekiel is shown a river flowing from the temple in Jerusalem, symbolizing life and blessing coming from God. The verse highlights the abundance and ongoing renewal provided by this river, with trees that never fail to bear fruit and leaves that serve a healing purpose, suggesting a scene of complete restoration and well-being.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 47:12

  • "river" (נָהָר, nāhār): This word refers to a large, flowing river, emphasizing the life-giving source that comes from the temple, not just a small stream.
  • "meat" (מַאֲכָל, ma’ăkāl): This word means food or nourishment, showing that the fruit from these trees is meant to sustain people, not just for decoration.
  • "medicine" (תְּרוּפָה, tĕrūfāh): This word means healing or remedy, pointing out that the leaves have a restorative or health-giving quality, not just a symbolic value.

Why Ezekiel 47:12 matters

  • Ezekiel 47:12 clears up that the vision is not just about physical abundance but also about ongoing health and restoration, as shown by the leaves being for medicine.
  • The verse emphasizes that the source of this blessing is the sanctuary (temple), making clear that life and healing flow from God’s presence.
  • This verse connects to the broader vision in Ezekiel 47, where the river transforms everything it touches, underlining the theme of renewal and hope for the people who had experienced exile and loss.