Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 47

1 AFterward 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.

After that the Temple was measured▪ and the ordinances of it were setled, and what pertained to Prince and people assign'd, &c.

The Angel, or the Spirit of God, chap. 1.3. and 3.22.

The Temple it self.

Some do observe, that there were Aquaeducts laid under ground, which from some Fountain were convey'd to cleanse and purge away the blood of Sacrifices poured forth, and the excrements of the slain beasts, of which some would remain after greatest care, however they would need much water about their Temple services, and this was conveyed in pipes from the Fountain Et[illegible: 1 letter]m as Dr. Lightfoot observes from their Rabbins, and from Arist us an eyewitness; these gave occasion or ground of this vision.

The Fountain lay to the West, the Conduit pipes were laid to bring the water to the Temple, and so must run Eastward, and perhaps, one main pipe might be laid under the East Gate of the Temple.

On the South side of the Temple, for so the South is to a man, whose face looketh toward the East.

Towards the South side of the Altar, for so it seems they were convey'd to run, till they came to the Altar, and were convey'd by the right side of it, into a room they called the well room. The spiritual meaning I refer to the private meditations of Christians; thus far of the Aquaeducts.

2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate north-ward , 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 .

Of the inmost Court, where he saw the waters running under the threshold, and by the South side of the Altar.

The East gate being shut, the Prophet in this vision is led to the North gate, out of which he goeth into the next Court, and so through them all, till he comes to the North gate of the outmost Court.

Caused him to go about from that gate to the East gate of the same Court.

Not on the inside of the Wall, but round on the outside of the Wall, which will appear presently, and the reason why.

The outmost North gate in the Wall, that compassed the whole Mountain of the Lords House.

When the Prophet was come quite out of all the Courts, and is on the outside of the last Wall, he is turned from the North gate towards the East gate, and walks up to that gate.

There he found the water course.

That is on the South side. Vid. verse 1. let. f.

3 And when the man that had the line in his hand, went forth east-ward, he measured a thousand cubits , and he brought me through the waters : the waters were to the ankles .

This is he, who accompanied the Prophet, as his Guide all along, and of whom already hath been spoken in several notes.

Mentioned in chap. 40. ver. 3. but hitherto not used, for the Reed and Cubit hitherto were used only, at least only mentioned.

From the gate directly East, with whom the Prophet goeth.

By the Line in his hand.

Almost the third part of an English Mile, it wanted about 80 yards of a third part.

Went before him, as his Guide, and the Prophet followed, all this in vision.

Some five or six inches deep.

Marginal references: Heb. waters of the ankles.

5 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 .

This was all done in vision, and these waters thus encreased were visional waters, there was no such natural course of waters in the place, nor is it imaginable, that in three Miles, or thereabouts, which was the most of the current, the waters should so rise; but it is Emblematical, and hath a deep mysterious meaning, and includes spiritual things, and their wonderful growth from small beginnings, and these from the Temple also: But I refer this still to private meditations.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] of [illegible: 1 word]

6 And 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.

The man with measuring line in hand.

Observed and considered this, hast thou well seen this?

'Tis not said whether he was gone from the bank, though it be said, he returned to the brink, or, perhaps 'tis, he caused me to return along by the brink of the River.

7 Now when I had returned , behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other .

In his first coming he observed none, and no mention is made of any Trees, but it seems he found them on his return, though they do not really so soon grow, they might be visionally there.

Where usually for delight and ornament, for profit too men plant Trees.

The kinds are not mentioned, though the excellency of them is commended, verse 12. but the multitude of them is mentioned, and the growth intimated, in the Hebrew, and perhaps the uniformity of them, which seemed as of one Tree, for so 'tis the single number in the Hebrew.

On the North and South sides, for the River ran from East to West.

Marginal references: Rev. [illegible: 1 word]; Heb. [illegible: 1 word]

8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east-country, and go down into the desert , and go into the sea : which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

Verse 6. let. a.

Some read it as a proper name, and so render it, they did run toward Galilee in the East, and the Hebrew bears it indeed, as to the sound of the word; but it cannot be the meaning of the place, for Galilee, neither the upper or lower were East, but North-West from Ierusalem toward Tyre: our Translation doth therefore better render it the East Country, or border, as the Hebrew properly.

To Arabia say the 72. in their Gr. Version, if this were the course of the waters, they did run a course quite [illegible: 1 letter]ontrary to that of Galilee, which lay North and by West from Ierusalem, whereas Arabia lay South and by East from Ierusalem. 'Tis then the Champagne, plain country, or the desert, as we read it, and may literally be understood of t[illegible: 2 letters] desert of Maon, or Kadesh, or Ziph, which lay on the dead Sea, [illegible: 1 letter]nd this suits well enough with E[illegible: 1 letter] gedi, and En-Eglaim, mentioned as bordering on these waters, verse 10.

The Sea of Tiberias say some, others, the Sea called the dead Sea, or Lake of Sodom, which needed healing.

When they run into this Sea, or fall into it, which is our usual phrase.

The waters of the Sea shall be healed, made wholsome, where the Grace of God from his Temple and Altar flowes, as this water, it heals the corrupt vitious nature of man, and renders barren, horrid and terrible deserts, as a land of waters, and Gardens so represented here, and so promised by the Lord, Isa. 35.1, 2. and 41.19. and 43.19, 20. and 51.3. Once more to this verse let me add, that as the Hebrew Doctors do, so we may take it here, that these flowing waters do divide themselves, and that some flow toward one Sea, i. e. the Sea of Tiberias, this toward Galilee, other parts flow toward Arabia the Desert, and so in their way take their course by Engedi the desert of Ziph, and into the dead Sea.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 span].

9 And 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.

As fish, so this universal is to be limited.

In the waters▪ so Gen. 1.20. this kind of living Creatures are described.

These Rivers (by this it appears, the Hebrew Doctors have some ground for their interpreting the running of these waters in two Channels) flow.

Be preserved alive, or nourished, and thrive, whereas no fish can live in the dead Sea, as all reports assure us, and to which this of the Prophet alludeth.

Before none, now innumerable fish there.

These Temple waters, which have in them a healing vertue.

The poisonous waters of the dead Sea shall be made wholesome for fish.

Thrive, and multiply in the vertue of the healing streams of this Temple water. Thus Aenigmatically is the fruitfulness of the Grace of God in the Church set forth.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] vers.

10 And it shall come to pass that the fishers shall stand upon it , from En-gedi , even unto En-Eglaim ; they d 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 .

Men whose trade is to fish for livelyhood and profit.

Shall dispose of themselves about these waters; either on the shore along the River side, or in boats on the Sea, to take the fish.

The Sea, whose waters healed become fruitful.

Which lay on the South-West of the Lake of Sodom, so near, that 'tis reported, that there are the Trees, which bring forth fruit beautiful to the eye, but toucht with the hand fall into ashes; yet on those parts, more remote from this Sea, Engedi affords excellent Vines, Canticles 1.14. or Gardens of Balsam Trees.

A City on the North-East of the dead Sea, near which place Iordan runs into it, and they say 'tis a boundary Town of Moab, others will have it no proper, but common name, and signifying the confluence of waters in any place, if so, 'twill be likeliest to be understood of that part of the Red Sea, where Iordan, and two more lesser Rivers run into it, at North, and North-East end of this Sea.

All along on the West side of this Sea to dry them, and fit them again.

Of all sorts.

[illegible: 1 letter]umb. 34.6.

For number, growth, and goodness for use.

Or great, of exceeding great bigness in their several kinds. All this is mystical, and fulfilled since Christ hath made his Ministers, as he made his Apostles, fishers of men.

11 But the miry places thereof, and the marishes thereof shall not be healed , they shall be given to salt .

Unsound, rotten parts, that are neither Sea, nor yet sound ground, a proper emblem of Hypocrites.

Low Land, sob'd with the overflowings of unhealthful waters, neither fit to breed fish as the Sea, nor bear trees as the Land.

These waters find them, and leave them corrupt and noxious.

Left to their barrenness, or used as salt to season, by being made examples to others.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] and that [illegible: 1 word] shall not [illegible: 1 word].

12 And 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 .

All along this River, which way ever it runs, it shall make its banks so fruitful, that on both sides thereof it shall be abundantly planted with best Trees.

Take root, flourish, and be fruitful, as Trees that like their Soil.

They shall not be as Trees that are set only for pleasur[illegible: 1 letter], their Fruit shall be for food.

Ever green, and flourishing, as Trees in the Spring, and in their prime.

Never be so little as to be consumed, and spent, never rot and decay, there shall alwayes be fruit, and enough.

These Trees have, as the Tree of Life, their fruit every Month, Rev. 22.2.

Called their waters, because watered by this stream.

And so carried a blessing with them, these waters came from the Temple, and were indeed a spell against barrenness.

See let. p.

There are many Herbs of a healing property, none like the Leaves of these Trees.

Healing the Nations, as Rev. 22.2. These Trees most likely were Palmeto Trees, whence the Balm that healeth, the Fruit that feedeth, and Juice that refresheth, and allays our thirst. Thus the letter, the mystery I do not insist on, 'tis no hard matter for private Christians to accommodate it to themselves.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter]eb. come up.; [illegible: 1 letter]ob 8.16. [illegible: 1 word] 1.3. [illegible: 1 word] 17.8.; [illegible: 1 word], principal.; [illegible: 1 word], for bruises [illegible: 1 word] sores.

13 Thus 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.

The utmost bounds of the whole Land.

That is, shall divide for inheritance to the Tribes of Israel.

As 'twas at first divided into twelve portions, so now again.

That is the two sons of Ioseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, and this pursuant of their Adoption by Iacob, as well as in [illegible: 1 letter]ulfilling the will of Iacob, who gave Ioseph a double share.

14 And 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 lan[illegible: 1 letter] [illegible: 1 letter]hall fall unto you for inheritance.

By equal right each Tribe, and each Family shall inherit their assign'd Portion, by right of children descendant from a Father, whose 'twas by Letters Patents from Heaven.

Which by oath I bound my self, saith God, to give to you, see this form of oath: Chap. 20. ver. 5. let. r. and chap. 36. ver. 7. let. g.

First to Abraham, Gen. 13.15. and 15.18. next to Isaac, Gen. 26.3. next to Iacob, Gen. 28.13. and all three are frequently mentioned, as those, to whom the Lord sware in this thing, Exod. 33.1. Deut. 1.8. and 6.10. &c.

So we speak of the inheritance which is sure, and firm by indefeisable right, and comes into actual possession, beside it may refer to the dividing by lot, which God will guide, that each may have their own.

Returned Captives, who were carried away, and used as if nothing were your own, and as if you never should have any thing, but in their sight you shall inherit.

Marginal references: Or, swore.; Gen. 17.7, 8.

15 And 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 :

In bounding the Land, the Prophet is informed what is the North border first.

This called so, not that 'tis the greatest, for 'tis the Mediterrane here spoken of, but with respect to the Iews; this to them was the greatest they knew, or Traded on, from this Sea doth the measuring of the Land begin, from the West point along to Hethlon.

Which is called Hethalon by Adrichmius, in the Tribe of Asher, at the foot, or near the Mount Hermon or Senir, as chap. 27.5. calls that Mount: This City was in the North-East of Asher's lot, and on the North-West of Nephthali's lot, in the old division of the Land.

Which is Sedada a small Town under the same Hill, and near the head of the River Eleutherus, antiently Gebat.

16 Hamath , Berothah , Sibraim , which is between the border of Damascus, and the border of Hamath; Hazar-hatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran.

Very near to the head of Eleutherus, or Gebat, and to Sedada: It is like to be that mentioned, Isa. 10.9. scituate about the middle of the North boundary of the Land, called sometime Epiphania, from Antiochus Epiphanes, who repair'd it, and some say, now called Enimas.

Berotha a small and inconsiderable Town or Village, lying East of Sedada.

Or Sabarim, a place of no farther note then the former, known thus by being a boundary.

It lay between these two, Hamath to the West of it▪ and Damascus to the East by North, somewhat nearer to Hamath then to Damascus.

Though we render it as a proper name, some render it otherwise. The small Villages between them two, (so the Fr.) i. e. between Hamath and Hauran.

Or Auran, some miles beyond Iordan, Eastward from Hamath, which also gives name to the Country called Auranitis.

Marginal references: Or, the middle Village.

17 And the border from the sea shall be Hazar-Enan the border of Damascus, and the North northward , and the border of Hamath: and this is the North side.

The utmost Northern bounds.

Vid. ver. 15: let. l.

The Village Enan, or Enon near Sebada.

A line drawn from West to East, that shall distinguish the most Northern boundaries of Israel from the most Southern of Syria Damascena.

Marginal references: Chap. 48.1.

18 And 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.

That was the North-East bound, where we must begin to measure the East side, and

This was more Northward than the City Hauran, but the countrey Auranitis, for ought I know might reach to Damascus, or near it, and so this more particularly direct the measuring: begin at Damascus, draw the line through Auranitis, and so on Southerly to Gilead.

A famous mountain about fifty miles in length from South to North where joins Mount Libanus at the East end of it, and hath many particular names in particular places, and seems to end his Souththern progress at the Rock Arnon.

From the out-side of the land of Israel, which lay beyond Iordan.

Thence to the East Sea, or Dead Sea, which lay on the East of Ierusalem. Thus a line drawn from Damascus through Auranitis, Gilead, the land of Israel beyond Iordan, to the East Sea, made the Eastern Frontier.

Marginal references: Heb. from between.

19 And the South side southward from Tamar, even to the waters of strife in Kadesh; the river , to the great sea . And this is the southside southward.

Shall begin at that point, which first vergeth Southward from the East sea toward Tamar, which is near Engedi, and known by the addition Hazezon Tamar, and so some place the lake of Sodom, that the greatest part will be this Southern Frontier.

From Tamar a line drawn to Meriba[illegible: 1 letter] in Kad[illegible: 1 letter]sh, of which Num. 20.13. and 27.14.

Called the river of Egypt and was on the South of Iudah, lay directly in the way to Egypt from Ierusalem.

To the South-west part of the Mediterranean Sea near Gaza. This the Southern Frontier.

Marginal references: Or, Meriba[illegible: 1 letter].; Or, Valley.; Or, toward Tamar.

20 The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath : This is the west side.

This boundary begins where the River falls into the Mediterrane, a little South of Gaz[illegible: 1 letter], this the South point of the Western boundary, and the line runs all along the Sea shore Northward, till you come in a strait line to Hamath, and this is the Northern point of the West Frontier, over right Sidon, or little differing.

21 So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.

Now bounded.

Into twelve parts or Tribes, to which all but what is allotted to Prince, Priests, Levites, and the City. This, as Holy, must be reserved; and when reserved, a very fair portion is left to the 12 Tribes, if you measure the Holy Portion by Cubits, and not by Reeds.

22 And 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 countrey among the children of Israel: they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.

This directs what they should do, as well as foretels the event that shall be.

So 'twas divided before, so it must again, for thus all controversies shall be prevented, thus he will choose their inheritance for them, for the disposition of the Lot is of the Lord.

That are the Natural seed of Abraham.

Forreigners never had such priviledge before, tho' they might dwell, and trade among the Iews yet they were excluded all Hereditary right, could not purchase, nor possess inheritances, but now the constitution is altered, and by this temporal external incorporating them, a Spiritual and Heavenly is signified no doubt, They are put into capacity of Inheriting with Israel in both Canaans, in this below, in that above.

Who from their Birth should be invested with this right of inheriting.

Equally with the children of Israel in point of Right, and with that very Tribe, in which they sojourn.

Possess, and enjoy, as well as you.

This speaks the equal Title or Priviledge.

This directs where the inheritance of these strangers born among them, or that first came with them, when they came out of Babylon, should be assign'd them, viz. in that very tribe, where they sojourn'd which is fully exprest in the next Verse.

23 And it shall come to pass , that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD .

See ver. 22. let. m.

Whether by choice, or chance the stranger fix'd in that Tribe, No stranger shall be excluded out of the Tribes inheritance, among whom he hath sojourn'd, and begotten children.

Every Proselyte or Gentile, that joyns himself to the people of God,

Neither the Iew might thrust a stranger out into another Tribe, nor might the stranger by choice go to another.

'Tis called his, for so much as he had a right preceding the Assignation.

All this confirmed by Divine Authority.