Ezekiel 47:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →At the fourth thousand cubits, the waters become a swimming river—too deep to walk, too powerful to cross.
The Context of Ezekiel 47:5
The river reaches its full, impassable depth, symbolizing complete reliance on God's power rather than human effort.
What Does Ezekiel 47:5 Mean?
The fourth measurement marks transformation. The waters transition from something waded through to something that overwhelms walking, requiring swimming or surrender to the current's movement. The repetition—'waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over'—emphasizes that the blessing has become absolute and unavoidable, transcending human capability to resist or redirect it.
This depth symbolizes the completeness of divine transformation. When the river of God's presence and restoration reaches full strength, human agency yields entirely. The swimmer no longer controls direction or pace but must yield entirely to the water's flow, mirroring how receiving God's fullest blessing requires relinquishing control.
Ezekiel 47:5 in the Original Language
nachal (נַחַל), 'river' — more than flowing water; in Hebrew thought, a permanent, divinely ordained watercourse that reshapes landscape and sustains life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 47:5
What does Ezekiel 47:5 mean?
At the fourth thousand cubits, the waters become a swimming river—too deep to walk, too powerful to cross.
What is the context of Ezekiel 47:5?
The river reaches its full, impassable depth, symbolizing complete reliance on God's power rather than human effort.