Ezekiel 47:4 - Exposition

At a second and a third distance of a thousand cubits the same process was repeated when the waters were found to be first waters to the knees , and secondly waters to (or, of) the loins. The unusual expression, מַיִם בִּרְכָּים , instead מֵי , as in the similar expressions before and after, may have been chosen, Keil suggests, in order to avoid resemblance to the phrase, מֵימֵי רַגְלַיִם in Isaiah 36:12 (Keri)—not a likely explanation. Havernick describes it simply as an instance of bold emphasis. Schroder breaks it up into two clauses, thus: "waters, to the knees they reach." Smend changes מַיִם into מֵי .