Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. New Living Translation Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through. English Standard Version Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. Berean Standard Bible Once again he measured off a thousand cubits, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough for swimming—a river that could not be crossed on foot. Berean Literal Bible And he measured a thousand—a river that I was not able to cross; for the waters had risen—waters for swimming, a river that could not be crossed. King James Bible Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. New King James Version Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. New American Standard Bible Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not wade across, because the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be crossed by wading. NASB 1995 Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded. NASB 1977 Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded. Legacy Standard Bible Again he measured one thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had become high—enough water to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. Amplified Bible Again he measured a thousand [cubits]; and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be crossed [by wading]. Berean Annotated Bible Once again he measured off a thousand cubits, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough for swimming—a river that could not be crossed on foot. Christian Standard Bible Again he measured off a third of a mile, and it was a river that I could not cross on foot. For the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed on foot. Holman Christian Standard Bible Again he measured off a third of a mile, and it was a river that I could not cross on foot. For the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed on foot. American Standard Version Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through; for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. Contemporary English Version Another 500 meters downstream, the stream had become a river that could be crossed only by swimming. English Revised Version Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then he measured another 1,500 feet. But the water had risen so much that it became a river which I couldn't cross. The river was too deep to cross except by swimming. Good News Translation He measured 560 yards more, and there the stream was so deep I could not wade through it. It was too deep to cross except by swimming. International Standard Version When he had measured out another 1,000 cubits, the water had become deep enough that I wasn't able to ford it. Instead, I would have had to swim through it. NET Bible Again he measured 1,750 feet and it was a river I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. New Heart English Bible Afterward he measured one thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through; for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. Webster's Bible Translation Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters had risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOnce again he measured off a thousand cubits, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough for swimming—a river that could not be crossed on foot. World English Bible Afterward he measured one thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the waters had risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be walked through. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he measures one thousand—a stream that I am not able to pass over; for the waters have risen—waters to swim in—a stream that is not passed over. Berean Literal Bible And he measured a thousand—a river that I was not able to cross; for the waters had risen—waters for swimming, a river that could not be crossed. Young's Literal Translation And he measureth a thousand -- a stream that I am not able to pass over; for risen have the waters -- waters to swim in -- a stream that is not passed over. Smith's Literal Translation And he will measure a thousand, a torrent which I shall not be able to pass through: for the waters rose, waters of swimming, a torrent which shall not be passed through. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he measured a thousand. and he brought me through the water up to the loins. And he measured a thousand, and it was a torrent, which I could not pass over: for the waters were risen so as to make a deep torrent, which could not be passed over. Catholic Public Domain Version And he measured one thousand, and he led me forward, through the water, up to the waist. And he measured one thousand, into a torrent, through which I was not able to pass. For the waters had risen to become a profound torrent, which was not able to be crossed. New American Bible Once more he measured off a thousand cubits. Now it was a river I could not wade across. The water had risen so high, I would have to swim—a river that was impassable. New Revised Standard Version Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAfterward he measured a thousand cubits; and it was a torrent that no man could cross; for the waters were risen so high and the stream had become so turbulent that no one could cross it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he measured one thousand cubits, a stream that no man can cross, because the waters had increased, and the stream had become powerful, and no man was able to cross it OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through; for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. Brenton Septuagint Translation and again he measured a thousand; and he could not pass through: for the water rose as of a torrent which men cannot pass over. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Waters from Under the Temple…4Then he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through knee-deep water. Again he measured a thousand cubits and led me through waist-deep water. 5Once again he measured off a thousand cubits, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough for swimming— a river that could not be crossed on foot. 6“Son of man, do you see this?” he asked. Then he led me back to the bank of the river.… Cross References Once again he measured off a thousand cubits, Ezekiel 40:3 So He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze. He was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. Zechariah 2:1-2 Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. / “Where are you going?” I asked. “To measure Jerusalem,” he replied, “and to determine its width and length.” Revelation 21:15 The angel who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city and its gates and walls. but now it was a river that I could not cross, Joshua 3:15-17 Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, / the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. / The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over the dry ground, until the entire nation had crossed the Jordan. Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze. Psalm 77:19 Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, but Your footprints were not to be found. because the water had risen and was deep enough for swimming— Isaiah 8:7-8 the Lord will surely bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. / It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel! Psalm 69:1-2 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck. / I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have drifted into deep waters, where the flood engulfs me. Jonah 2:3-5 For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me; all Your breakers and waves swept over me. / At this, I said, ‘I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple.’ / The waters engulfed me to take my life; the watery depths closed around me; the seaweed wrapped around my head. a river that could not be crossed on foot. 2 Kings 2:7-8 Then a company of fifty of the sons of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing Elijah and Elisha as the two of them stood by the Jordan. / And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. Psalm 66:6 He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot; there we rejoiced in Him. Exodus 14:21-22 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. Revelation 22:1-2 Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb / down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Zechariah 14:8 And on that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it toward the Eastern Sea and the other half toward the Western Sea, in summer and winter alike. John 7:38 Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” Isaiah 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! Treasury of Scripture Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Daniel 2:34,35 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces… Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Jump to Previous Able Afterward Cross Deep Enough Ford Forded Measured Measureth Measuring Passed Possible Risen River Stream Swim Thousand Water WatersJump to Next Able Afterward Cross Deep Enough Ford Forded Measured Measureth Measuring Passed Possible Risen River Stream Swim Thousand Water WatersEzekiel 47 1. The vision of the holy waters6. The virtue of them 13. The borders of the land 22. The division of it by lot Once again he measured off a thousand cubits The act of measuring in Ezekiel often signifies divine order and purpose. A cubit, approximately 18 inches, was a standard unit of measurement in ancient Israel. The repeated measurement of a thousand cubits suggests a progression in the vision, symbolizing the increasing depth and influence of God's presence and blessings. This measurement reflects the meticulous nature of God's plans, as seen in other parts of Ezekiel and the detailed instructions for the temple. but now it was a river that I could not cross because the water had risen and was deep enough for swimming a river that could not be crossed on foot Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God who received visions and messages to deliver to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He is the primary figure receiving the vision in this passage. 2. The Man with the Measuring Line A heavenly being or angelic figure guiding Ezekiel through the vision, measuring the depth of the river. 3. The River Symbolic of God's life-giving presence and blessings, flowing from the temple, representing spiritual abundance and restoration. 4. The Temple The source of the river, symbolizing God's dwelling place and the origin of spiritual life and renewal. 5. The Vision A prophetic vision given to Ezekiel, illustrating the transformative power of God's presence and the future restoration of Israel. Teaching Points The Abundance of God's BlessingThe increasing depth of the river signifies the overflowing abundance of God's blessings and spiritual life available to His people. The Inexhaustible Nature of God's Presence The river that cannot be crossed on foot illustrates the boundless and immeasurable nature of God's presence and power. Spiritual Growth and Depth Just as the river deepens, believers are called to grow deeper in their relationship with God, moving from ankle-deep faith to a fully immersed life in Christ. Restoration and Renewal The vision points to God's promise of restoration and renewal, not only for Israel but for all who are in Christ, offering hope and healing. Dependence on God The inability to cross the river on foot reminds us of our need to rely on God's strength and guidance rather than our own efforts. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 47:5?2. How does Ezekiel 47:5 illustrate God's abundant provision in our lives today? 3. What does the river's depth in Ezekiel 47:5 symbolize about spiritual growth? 4. How can we apply the imagery of "a river that could not be crossed"? 5. How does Ezekiel 47:5 connect with Jesus' promise of "living water" in John 7:38? 6. In what ways can we immerse ourselves in God's presence as depicted in Ezekiel 47:5? 7. How does Ezekiel 47:5 symbolize spiritual growth and deepening faith? 8. What is the significance of the river in Ezekiel 47:5? 9. How does Ezekiel 47:5 relate to the concept of God's abundance? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 47? 11. What explains inconsistencies between the Temple vision in Ezekiel 40 and other biblical Temple descriptions, such as in 1 Kings 6-7? 12. If Ezekiel's vision in Ezekiel 40 was meant as a literal blueprint, why hasn't this Temple been constructed in the centuries that followed? 13. Ezekiel 47:8-9: Can the Dead Sea really be made fresh by this river, considering its high salinity and the lack of any historical or scientific precedent? 14. Ezekiel 47:1-12: Why do no external historical records mention these miraculous changes to the land, casting doubt on a literal fulfillment of this prophecy? What Does Ezekiel 47:5 Mean Once again he measured off a thousand cubits– Ezekiel’s guide marks off another 1,500-foot stretch just as he did three previous times (Ezekiel 47:3-4). – Each measurement shows orderly progress; the river’s growth isn’t random but divinely planned, echoing God’s precise building instructions in Exodus 25:9 and 1 Chronicles 28:11-12. – The repeated phrase “measured off” reminds us that God alone sets the boundaries of blessing (Job 38:4-5). But now it was a river – What began as a trickle (47:2) has become a full-fledged river, paralleling the way the gospel moves from a single promise in Genesis 3:15 to a global proclamation in Matthew 28:19. – Psalm 46:4 speaks of “a river whose streams delight the city of God,” foreshadowing this scene. – The transformation highlights God’s power to turn small beginnings into overwhelming provision (Zechariah 4:10). I could not cross – Ezekiel’s inability underscores human limitation. On our own terms we cannot traverse or control God’s life-giving flow (Isaiah 55:8-9). – Like the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21-29, this river sets a boundary that only divine enablement can overcome. Because the water had risen and was deep enough for swimming – The depth invites full immersion rather than tentative wading; God desires wholehearted participation, not mere observation (Romans 6:3-4). – Jesus promises, “Whoever believes in Me… rivers of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:38), showing that the risen water points to abundant spiritual life. A river that could not be crossed on foot – No human strategy or effort suffices. We must trust God’s provision, illustrated when Israel crossed the Jordan only after the priests stepped in by faith (Joshua 3:13-17). – Revelation 22:1 pictures this same river flowing from God’s throne, irresistibly advancing His purposes until the earth is filled with His glory (Habakkuk 2:14). summary Ezekiel 47:5 portrays the unstoppable, ever-deepening flow of God’s life and blessing. Each measured segment shows intentional growth; the river’s breadth and depth eclipse human capacity, inviting surrender and full participation. From a trickle to an unfordable torrent, God reveals that His grace cannot be managed or crossed by self-effort—it can only be entered by faith and enjoyed in its fullness. (5) A river that could not be passed over.--The whole distance measured is 4,000 cubits, or less than a mile and a half, during which the waters, without external addition, have swollen from a mere streamlet to an impassable river, in direct opposition to the ordinary fact in nature. A large part (1,500 cubits, or half of 3,000 cubits) of this distance must have been within the precincts described in Ezekiel 42:16-20, but the prophet takes no notice of this, as the whole is ideal, and the precincts were to set forth one truth, the river another. The point thus far brought out is plainly the increase of the kingdom of God--the same truth illustrated by our Lord in the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), and often declared by the prophets (see Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:27; &c.). All history, since the Christian era, has been occupied with the fulfilment of the prophecy. . . . Verse 5. - After a fourth distance of a thousand cubits, the waters had risen, or, lifted themselves up (comp. Job 8:11, in which the verb is used of a plant growing up), and become waters to swim in - literally, waters of swimming (שָׂחוּ occurs only here; the noun צְפָה only in Ezekiel 32:6) - a river that could not be passed over, on account of its depth. The word נָחַל was applied either to a river that constantly flowed from a fountain, as the Amen, or to a winter torrent that springs up from rain or snow upon the mountains, and disappears in summer like the Kedron, which had seldom any water in it (see Robinson's 'Bibl. Res.,' 1:402). That Ezekiel's river broadened and deepened so suddenly, and apparently without receiving into it any tributaries, clearly pointed to miraculous action.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Once again he measured offוַיָּ֣מָד (way·yā·māḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4058: To stretch, to measure, to be extended a thousand [cubits], אֶ֔לֶף (’e·lep̄) Number - masculine singular Strong's 505: A thousand but now it was a river נַ֕חַל (na·ḥal) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft that אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that I could אוּכַ֖ל (’ū·ḵal) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 3201: To be able, have power not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no cross, לַעֲבֹ֑ר (la·‘ă·ḇōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on because כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the water הַמַּ֙יִם֙ (ham·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen had risen גָא֤וּ (ḡā·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1342: To mount up, to rise, be majestic [and] מֵ֣י (mê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen was deep enough for swimming— שָׂ֔חוּ (śā·ḥū) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7813: Swimming a river נַ֖חַל (na·ḥal) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft that אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that could not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no be crossed on foot. יֵעָבֵֽר׃ (yê·‘ā·ḇêr) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on Links Ezekiel 47:5 NIVEzekiel 47:5 NLT Ezekiel 47:5 ESV Ezekiel 47:5 NASB Ezekiel 47:5 KJV Ezekiel 47:5 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 47:5 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 47:5 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 47:5 French Bible Ezekiel 47:5 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 47:5 Afterward he measured one thousand (Ezek. 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