The River from the Temple
Ezekiel 47
A man leads the prophet along a river flowing out from under the threshold of the temple, growing deeper with each measured thousand cubits until it becomes water too deep to cross, and he is shown that it heals the waters it reaches, bringing abundant fish and fruit-bearing trees along its banks. The Lord then declares the borders of the land that Israel is to inherit by lot, including provision for the strangers dwelling among them.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonTHEN he brought me to the vestibule of the house, and lo! water gushed out from under the porch eastward; for the front of the house faced the east; and the water ran down from the right corner, from the south, by the altar.
BrentonAnd he brought me to the entrance of the house; and, behold, water issued from under the porch eastward, for the front of the house looked eastward; and the water came down from the right side, from the south to the altar.
GreekΚαὶ εἰσήγαγέ με ἐπὶ τὰ πρόθυρα τοῦ οἴκου· καὶ ἰδοὺ ὕδωρ ἐξεπορεύετο ὑποκάτωθεν τοῦ αἰθρίου κατὰ ἀνατολὰς, ὅτι τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ οἴκου ἔβλεπε κατὰ ἀνατολὰς, καὶ τὸ ὕδωρ κατέβαινεν ἀπὸ τοῦ κλίτους τοῦ δεξιοῦ, ἀπὸ Νότου ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον.
KJVAfterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
JPSAnd he brought me back unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward, for the forefront of the house looked toward the east; and the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house, on the south of the altar.
2
ThomsonAnd he led me out by the way of the north gate, and conducted me round on the outside to the gate facing the east; and lo! the water flowed down from the right corner;
BrentonAnd he brought me out by the way of the northern gate, and he led me round by the way outside to the gate of the court that looks eastward; and, behold, water came down from the right side,
GreekΚαὶ ἐξήγαγέ με κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν τῆς πύλης τῆς πρὸς Βοῤῥᾶν, καὶ περιήγαγέ με τὴν ὁδὸν ἔξωθεν πρὸς τὴν πύλην τῆς αὐλῆς τῆς βλεπούσης κατὰ ἀνατολάς· καὶ ἰδοὺ τὸ ὕδωρ κατεφέρετο ἀπὸ τοῦ κλίτους τοῦ δεξιοῦ,
KJVThen brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
JPSThen brought he me out by the way of the gate northward, and led me round by the way without unto the outer gate, by the way of the gate that looketh toward the east; and, behold, there trickled forth waters on the right side.
3
Thomsonas a man cometh out. And having a measure in his hand, he measured a thousand with the measure, and waded across a purling stream.
Brentonin the direction in which a man went forth opposite; and there was a measuring line in his hand, and he measured a thousand cubits with the measure;
Greekκαθὼς ἔξοδος ἀνδρὸς ἐξεναντίας· καὶ μέτρον ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ· καὶ διεμέτρησε χιλίους ἐν τῷ μετρῳ, καὶ διῆλθεν ἐν τῷ ὕδατι ὕδωρ ἀφέσεως·
KJVAnd when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
JPSWhen the man went forth eastward with the line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles.
4
ThomsonThen he measured a thousand with the measure, and waded through water up to the thighs. Then he measured a thousand and waded through water up to the loins.
Brentonand he passed through the water; it was water of a fountain: and again he measured a thousand, and passed through the water; and the water was up to the thighs: and again he measured a thousand; and he passed through water up to the loins.
Greekκαὶ διεμέτρησε χιλίους, καὶ διῆλθεν ἐν τῷ ὕδατι ὕδωρ ἕως τῶν μηρῶν· καὶ διεμέτρησε χιλίους, καὶ διῆλθεν ὕδωρ ἕως ὀσφύος.
KJVAgain he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
JPSAgain he measured a thousand, and caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and caused me to pass through waters that were to the loins.
5
ThomsonThen he measured a thousand and could not cross it; for it was swelled to an impassable torrent.
BrentonAnd again he measured a thousand; and he could not pass through: for the water rose as of a torrent which men cannot pass over.
GreekΚαὶ διεμέτρησε χιλίους, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο διελθεῖν, ὅτι ἐξύβριζεν ὡς χειμάῤῥου ὃν οὐ διαβήσονται.
KJVAfterward 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.
JPSAfterward 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.
6
ThomsonAnd he said to me, Hast thou seen, son of man? Then he led and brought me back along the border of the river.
BrentonAnd he said to me, Hast thou seen this, son of man? Then he brought me, and led me back to the brink of the river
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς μὲ, ἑὼρακας υἱὲ ἀνθρώπου; καὶ ἤγαγέ με, καὶ ἐπέστρεψέ με ἐπι τὸ χεῖλος τοῦ ποταμοῦ,
KJVAnd he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
JPSAnd he said unto me: ‘Hast thou seen this, O son of man?’ Then he led me, and caused me to return to the bank of the river.
7
ThomsonAnd on my return, behold there were on the bank of the river, trees in great abundance on both sides.
Brentonas I returned; and, behold, on the brink of the river there were very many trees on this side and on that side.
Greekἐν τῇ ἐπιστροφῇ μου· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐπὶ τοῦ χείλους τοῦ ποταμοῦ δένδρα πολλὰ σφόδρα ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν.
KJVNow when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
JPSNow when I had been brought back, behold, upon the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
8
ThomsonAnd he said to me, This water which is flowing out to the eastern part of Galilee, hath indeed gone down to Arabia, and hath come to the sea to the water of the outlet, and it will heal the waters;
BrentonAnd he said to me, This is the water that goes forth to Galilee that lies eastward, and it is gone down to Arabia, and has reached as far as to the sea to the outlet of the water: and it shall heal the waters.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸν μὲ, τὸ ὕδωρ τοῦτο τὸ ἐκπορευόμενον εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν τὴν πρὸς ἀνατολὰς, καὶ κατέβαινεν ἐπὶ τὴν Ἀραβίαν, καὶ ἤρχετο ἕως ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν ἐπὶ τὸ ὕδωρ τῆς διεκβολῆς, καὶ ὑγιάσει τὰ ὕδατα·
KJV—
JPS—
9
Thomsonso that every of the animals which breed in all the places whithersoever the stream cometh, shall live, and there shall be fish there in great abundance. Because this water is come there and healeth, therefore they shall live. Everything to which the stream cometh shall live.
BrentonAnd it shall come to pass, that every animal of living and moving creatures, all on which the river shall come, shall live: and there shall be there very many fish; for this water shall go thither, and it shall heal them, and they shall live: everything on which the river shall come shall live.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται πᾶσα ψυχὴ τῶν ζώων τῶν ἐκζεόντων, ἐπὶ πάντα ἐφʼ ἃ ἂν ἐπέλθῃ ἐκεῖ ὁ ποταμὸς, ζήσεται· καὶ ἔσται ἐκεῖ ἰχθὺς πολὺς σφόδρα, ὅτι ἥκει ἐκεῖ τὸ ὕδωρ τοῦτο, καὶ ὑγιάσει, καὶ ζήσεται, πᾶν ἐφʼ ὃ ἂν ἔλθῃ ὁ ποταμὸς ἐκεῖ, ζήσεται.
KJVAnd it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
JPSAnd it shall come to pass, that every living creature wherewith it swarmeth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live; and there shall be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters are come thither, that all things be healed and may live whithersoever the river cometh.
10
ThomsonAnd fishermen shall there take a stand, from Engadin to Enagallim. There shall be a place for drying nets. The nets shall be of a peculiar kind; and the fishes thereof shall be like the fishes of the great sea; a very great multitude.
BrentonAnd fishers shall stand there from Ingadin to Enagallim; it shall be a place to spread out nets upon; it shall be distinct; and the fishes thereof shall be as the fishes of the great sea, a very great multitude.
GreekΚαὶ στήσονται ἐκεῖ ἁλιεῖς ἀπὸ Ἰνγαδεὶν ἕως Ἐναγαλλείμ· ψυγμὸς σαγηνῶν ἔσται, καθʼ ἑαυτὴν ἔσται· καὶ οἱ ἰχθύες αὐτῆς, ὡς οἱ ἰχθύες τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς μεγάλης, πλῆθος πολὺ σφόδρα.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd it shall come to pass, that fishers shall stand by it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; there shall be a place for the spreading of nets; their fish shall be after their kinds, as the fish of the Great Sea, exceeding many.
11
ThomsonBut when it is forced from its channel and when it is turned from its course, and when it is caused to swell immoderately, the waters will not heal. They are turned into salt.
BrentonBut at the outlet of the water, and the turn of it, and where it overflows its banks, they shall not heal at all; they are given to salt.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν τῇ διεκβολῇ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν τῇ ἐπιστροφῇ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν τῇ ὑπεράρσει αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ ὑγιάσωσιν, εἰς ἅλας δέδονται.
KJV—
JPS—
12
Thomson—
BrentonAnd every fruit tree shall grow by the river, even on the bank of it on this side and on that side: they shall not decay upon it, neither shall their fruit fail: they shall bring forth the first-fruit of their early crop, for these their waters come forth of the sanctuary: and their fruit shall be for meat, and their foliage for health.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ ποταμοῦ ἀναβήσεται, ἐπὶ τοῦ χείλους αὐτοῦ ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν, πᾶν ξύλον βρώσιμον, οὐ μὴ παλαιωθῇ ἐπʼ αὐτοῦ, οὐδὲ μὴ ἐκλείπῃ ὁ καρπὸς αὐτοῦ, τῆς καινότητος αὐτοῦ πρωτοβολήσει, ὅτι τὰ ὕδατα αὐτῶν ἐκ τῶν ἁγίων ταῦτα ἐκπορεύεται, καὶ ἔσται ὁ καρπὸς αὐτῶν εἰς βρῶσιν, καὶ ἀνάβασις αὐτῶν εἰς ὑγίειαν.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow every tree for food, whose leaf shall not wither, neither shall the fruit thereof fail; it shall bring forth new fruit every month, because the waters thereof issue out of the sanctuary; and the fruit thereof shall be for food, and the leaf thereof for healing.’ .
13
ThomsonThus saith the Lord God: These are the boundaries of the land, which you shall inherit. It is an allotted portion for the twelve tribes of Israel.
BrentonThus saith the Lord God; Ye shall inherit these borders of the land; they are given by lot to the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
GreekΤάδε λέγει Κύριος Θεὸς, ταῦτα τὰ ὅρια κατακληρονομήσετε τῆς γῆς, ταῖς δώδεκα φυλαῖς τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ πρόσθεσις σχοινίσματος.
KJVThus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions.
JPSThus saith the Lord GOD: ‘This shall be the border, whereby ye shall divide the land for inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel, Joseph receiving two portions.
14
ThomsonAnd you shall inherit it, one as well as another. It is that for which I lifted up My hand that I would give it to their fathers; therefore this land shall fall to you for an inheritance,
BrentonAnd ye shall inherit it, each according to his brother's portion, even the land concerning which I lifted up my hand to give it to your fathers: and this land shall fall to you by lot.
GreekΚαὶ κατακληρονομήσετε αὐτὴν ἕκαστος καθὼς ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ, εἰς ἣν ᾖρα τὴν χεῖρά μου, τοῦ δοῦναι τοῖς πατράσιν αὐτῶν, καὶ πεσεῖται ἡ γῆ αὕτη ὑμῖν ἐν κληρονομίᾳ.
KJVAnd ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.
JPSAnd ye shall inherit it, one as well as another, concerning which I lifted up My hand to give it unto your fathers; and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.
15
Thomsonand these are the boundaries of the land—on the north from the great sea which cometh down and the bay of Emaseldam, Maabtheras,
BrentonAnd these are the borders of the land that lies northward, from the great sea that comes down, and divides the entrance of Emaseldam;
GreekΚαὶ ταῦτα τὰ ὅρια τῆς γῆς τῆς πρὸς Βοῤῥᾶν, ἀπὸ θαλάσσης τῆς μεγάλης τῆς καταβαινούσης, καὶ περισχιζούσης τῆς εἰσόδου, Ἠμασελδὰμ,
KJVAnd this shall be the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;
JPSAnd this shall be the border of the land: on the north side, from the Great Sea, by the way of Hethlon, unto the entrance of Zedad;
16
ThomsonEbrameliam between the borders of Damascus and the borders of Emathei, the court of Saunan, which are above the borders of Auranitis,
BrentonMaabthera, Ebrameliam, between the coasts of Damascus and the coasts of Emathi, the habitation of Saunan, which places are above the coasts of Auranitis.
GreekΜααβθηρὰς Ἑβραμηλιὰμ ἀναμέσον ὁρίων Δαμασκοῦ καὶ ἀναμέσον ὁρίων Ἠμαθεὶ, αὐλὴ τοῦ Σαυνὰν, αἵ εἰσιν ἐπάνω τῶν ὁρίων Αὐρανίτιδος.
KJV—
JPS—
17
Thomsonthese are the borders from the sea; from the court of Ainan the borders of Damascus. These are the northern boundaries.
BrentonThese are the borders from the sea, from the habitations of Ænan, the coasts of Damascus, and the northern coasts.
GreekΤαῦτα τὰ ὅρια ἀπὸ τῆς θαλάσσης, ἀπὸ τῆς αὐλῆς τοῦ Αἰνὰν, ὅρια Δαμασκοῦ, καὶ τὰ πρὸς βοῤῥᾶν,
KJVAnd the border from the sea shall be Hazarenan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And this is the north side.
JPSAnd the border from the sea shall be Hazar-enon at the border of Damascus, and on the north northward is the border of Hamath. This is the north side.
18
ThomsonAnd with regard to the borders on the east between Loranitis and between Damascus and between Galaditis and the land of Israel, the Jordan is the boundary to the sea which is eastward in front of Phœnicon. These are the eastern boundaries. And on the south the boundaries are from Thaiman and Phœnicon to the water of Marimoth Kadem, thence to the great sea.
BrentonAnd the eastern coasts between Loranitis, and Damascus, and the land of Galaad, and the land of Israel, the Jordan divides to the sea that is east of the city of palm-trees. These are the eastern coasts.
GreekΚαὶ τὰ πρὸς ἀνατολὰς ἀναμέσον τῆς Λωρανίτιδος, καὶ ἀναμέσον Δαμασκοῦ, καὶ ἀναμέσον τῆς Γαλααδίτιδος, καὶ ἀναμέσον τῆς γῆς τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, ὁ Ἰορδάνης διορίζει ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν, τὴν πρὸς ἀνατολὰς φοινικῶνος· ταῦτα τὰ πρὸς ἀνατολάς.
KJVAnd the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is the east side.
JPSAnd the east side, between Hauran and Damascus and Gilead, and the land of Israel, by the Jordan, from the border unto the east sea shall ye measure. This is the east side.
19
ThomsonThis is the southern boundary.
BrentonAnd the southern and south-western coasts are from Thæman and the city of palm-trees, to the water of Marimoth Cadem, reaching forth to the great sea. This part is the south and south-west.
GreekΚαὶ τὰ πρὸς Νότον καὶ Λίβα ἀπὸ Θαιμὰν καὶ φοινικῶνος, ἕως ὕδατος Μαριμὼθ Καδὴμ, παρεκτεῖνον ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν τὴν μεγάλην·
KJVAnd the south side southward, from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is the south side southward.
JPSAnd the south side southward shall be from Tamar as far as the waters of Meriboth-kadesh, to the Brook, unto the Great Sea. This is the south side southward.
20
ThomsonThence a part of the great sea is the boundary over to the bay of Emath even to the entrance thereof. These are the boundaries to the sea of Emath.
BrentonThis part of the great sea forms a border, till one comes opposite the entrance of Emath, even as far as the entrance thereof. These are the parts west of Emath.
Greekτοῦτο τὸ μέρος Νότος καὶ λίψ. Τοῦτο τὸ μέρος τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς μεγάλης ὁρίζει, ἕως κατέναντι τῆς εἰσόδου Ἠμὰθ, ἕως εἰσόδου αὐτοῦ· ταῦτά ἐστι τὰ πρὸς θάλασσαν Ἠμάθ.
KJVThe west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side.
JPSAnd the west side shall be the Great Sea, from the border as far as over against the entrance of Hamath. This is the west side.
21
ThomsonAnd you shall measure out this land for them to the tribes of Israel.
BrentonSo ye shall divide this land to them, even to the tribes of Israel.
GreekΚαὶ διαμερίσετε τὴν γῆν ταύτην αὐτοῖς, ταῖς φυλαῖς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVSo shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.
JPSSo shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.
22
ThomsonYou shall parcel it out by lot among you and the proselytes who dwell among you. Whoever have begotten sons among you shall be yours as natives among the children of Israel. With you they shall enjoy an inheritance among the tribes of Israel,
BrentonYe shall cast the lot upon it, for yourselves and the strangers that sojourn in the midst of you, who have begotten children in the midst of you: and they shall be to you as natives among the children of Israel; they shall eat with you in their inheritance in the midst of the tribes of Israel.
GreekΒαλεῖτε αὐτὴν ἐν κλήρῳ, ὑμῖν καὶ τοῖς προσηλύτοις τοῖς παροικοῦσιν ἐν μέσῳ ὑμῶν, οἵτινες ἐγέννησαν υἱοὺς ἐν μέσῳ ὑμῶν, καὶ ἔσονται ὑμῶν ὡς αὐτόχθονες ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ· μεθʼ ὑμῶν φάγονται ἐν κληρονομίᾳ ἐν μέσῳ τῶν φυλῶν τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ,
KJVAnd it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
JPSAnd it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you and to the strangers that sojourn among you, who shall beget children among you; and they shall be unto you as the home-born among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
23
Thomsonbut they shall be classed in the tribe of proselytes among the proselytes who are with you. There you shall give them an inheritance, saith the Lord God.
BrentonAnd they shall be in the tribe of proselytes among the proselytes that are with them: there shall ye give them an inheritance, saith the Lord God.
Greekκαὶ ἔσονται ἐν φυλῇ προσηλύτων ἐν τοῖς προσηλύτοις τοῖς μετʼ αὐτῶν· ἐκεῖ δώσετε κληρονομίαν αὐτοῖς, λέγει Κύριος Θεός.
KJVAnd it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.
JPSAnd it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.