He measured a thousand cubits - the waters were to the Ankles; a thousand more, - the waters were to the Knees; a thousand more, - they became a River that could not be forded. The waters were risen, and they were waters to Swim in. I. This may be applied to the gradual discoveries of the plan of salvation, - read more
Having completed his survey of the sacrificial kitchens in the outer court ( Ezekiel 46:19-24 ), the prophet was once more conducted by his guide to the door of the house , or of the temple in the strict sense, i.e. of the sanctuary. There he perceived that waters issued (literally, and behold waters issuing ) from under the threshold of the house , i.e. of the temple porch (see Ezekiel 40:48 , Ezekiel 40:49 ; and comp. Ezekiel 9:3 ), eastward , the direction having been... read more
The vision of the waters. Hitherto most of Ezekiel's representations of the happy age of the restoration have been given in somewhat prosaic details which could be realized in actual facts. But now he returns to his figurative style, and sets before us a narrative picture of the glorious future. He passes from the regulations of the priesthood and the government to a description of a fountain of water issuing from the temple in the most natural way, as though all these things were equally... read more
The holy waters. The beauty and even sublimity of this portion of Ezekiel's prophecies must impress every reader of imagination and taste. Upon the suggestion of the waters of Siloam taking their rise from the temple rock, and the watercourse of the Kedron threading its way among the rocky deserts until it reaches the expanse of the Dead Sea, the poet-prophet describes a river which has its source in the sanctuary of Jehovah, and which broadens and deepens as it flows, until it becomes a... read more
The river of salvation. The prophet has advanced from step to step in his outline sketch of Israel's destined glory. The temple is now complete. The throne is to be erected on a foundation of righteousness. The better order for sacrificial worship is instituted. The climax of blessing is almost reached. One great defect had been manifest in Israel's past history. They lived for themselves. They were the exclusive favorites of Jehovah. This defect shall be remedied. Israel shall henceforth... read more
The river of life. In this noble vision we have a prophecy of that great redeeming power which Jesus Christ should introduce to the world, and we have some insight given us of its triumphs in the far future. Of this wonderful river we have to inquire into I. ITS DIVINE SOURCE . The river flowed "from under the threshold of the house"—from the very dwelling-place of Jehovah. The river of life has its source in the Divine, in God himself, in his fatherly yearning, in his boundless... read more
As the prophet could not follow the stream's course by passing through the east inner gate, which was shut on the six working days ( Ezekiel 46:1 ), or through the east outer gate, which was always shut ( Ezekiel 44:1 ), his conductor led him outside of the inner and outer courts by the north gates (literally, to the north (outer) gate ), and brought him round by the way without unto the outer gate by the way that looketh eastward . This can only import that, on reaching the north... read more
Having emerged from the corner of the east outer gate in drops, the stream, which had not swollen in its passage across the outer court and under the temple wall, speedily exhibited a miraculous increase in depth, and therefore in volume. Having advanced eastward along the course of the stream an accurately measured distance of a thousand cubits (about one-third of a mile), the prophet's guide brought , or caused him to pass, through the waters , when he found that they were to the ankles... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 47:2
There ran out waters - מפכים מים mayim mephaccim , the waters seem to have been at first in small quantity; for the words imply that they oozed or dropped out. They were at first so small that they came guttatim , drop by drop; but they increased so, that they became a river in which one could swim. read more