Ezekiel 47 — The river of life and the land's boundaries — Hebrew and Greek compared
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Ezekiel 47 — The river of life and the land's boundaries
47:1–47:7 — Water flowing from the sanctuary
Verse 47:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:1] He brought me back to the house's entrance, and look—water was flowing out from beneath the house's threshold toward the east, for the house faced east. The water was descending from below the house's right side, south of the altar.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:1] He brought me to the house's vestibules, and look—water was flowing out beneath the open court toward the east, for the house's front faced east. The water was descending from the right side, from the south toward the altar.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew threshold contrasts with Greek open court; Hebrew south of the altar with Greek from the south toward the altar.
Verse 47:2 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:2] He brought me out by the north gate and led me around outside to the outer gate facing east. Look—water was trickling from the right side.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:2] He brought me out by the north gate and led me around outside to the court's gate facing east. Look—the water was flowing down from the right side.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both describe the outside route and the water on the right.
Verse 47:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:3] As the man went east with a line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits and led me through the water—ankle-deep water.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:3] As the man went out opposite, with a measure in his hand, he measured a thousand with the measure and went through the water—water of release.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew east, line, cubits, leading me, and ankle depth contrast with Greek opposite, measure, the man's crossing, and hydōr apheseōs, water of release. No baptismal interpretation is inserted into the Greek phrase.
Verse 47:4 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:4] He measured a thousand and led me through knee-deep water. He measured a thousand and led me through waist-deep water.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:4] He measured a thousand and went through water up to the thighs. He measured a thousand and went through water up to the waist.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew knees contrasts with Greek thighs; Hebrew continues to lead the prophet, while Greek says the man went through.
Verse 47:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:5] He measured a thousand—a river I could not cross, for the water had risen, water for swimming, a river that could not be crossed.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:5] He measured a thousand and could not go through, for the water surged violently like the rush of a torrent that they shall not cross.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew first-person inability and swimming water contrast with Greek third-person inability and violent torrent imagery. Both retain the final inability to cross.
Verse 47:6 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:6] He said to me, “Have you seen, son of man?” Then he led me back to the riverbank.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:6] He said to me, “Have you seen, son of man?” Then he led me to the river's edge.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both question the prophet and lead him to the riverbank; Hebrew expressly returns him.
Verse 47:7 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:7] When I returned, look—very many trees were on the riverbank, on both sides.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:7] As I returned, look—very many trees were on the river's edge, on both sides.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both describe abundant trees on each bank.
47:8–47:12 — Healing waters and fruitful trees
Verse 47:8 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:8] He said to me, “These waters flow out to the eastern district, descend to the Arabah, and enter the sea—the waters being brought out into the sea—and the waters shall be healed.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:8] He said to me, “This water flows out into eastern Galilee, descends into Arabia, and comes as far as the sea, to the water of the outlet; it shall heal the waters.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew district/Arabah contrasts with Greek Galilee/Arabia. Hebrew's repeated sea phrase is compressed and retained provisionally; Greek explicitly has an outlet and an active healing verb.
Verse 47:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:9] Every living creature that swarms wherever the streams come shall live. There shall be very many fish, because these waters have come there, and the waters shall be healed. Everything shall live wherever the river comes.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:9] Every life among the swarming living creatures shall live wherever the river comes. There shall be very many fish there, because this water has arrived there, and it will become healthy and live. Everything over which the river comes shall live.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew first uses a dual form, naḥalayim, rendered streams, then singular river. Greek has singular river throughout. Greek's compact become-healthy-and-live sequence has an unexpressed, uncertain subject; the English it preserves this difficulty without supplying a new actor.
Verse 47:10 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:10] Fishers shall stand along it from En-gedi to En-eglaim; there shall be places for spreading nets. Their fish shall be of their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:10] Fishers shall stand there from Aingadin to Ainagalim; there shall be a drying place for nets. It shall be by itself, and its fish shall be like the fish of the Great Sea, an exceedingly great multitude.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek's 'it shall be by itself' replaces Hebrew's kinds clause and has an uncertain antecedent. The Greek forms Aingadin/Ainagalim are retained beside Hebrew En-gedi/En-eglaim, without a new geographical identification.
Verse 47:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:11] Its swamps and marshes shall not be healed; they are given over to salt.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:11] At its outlet, at its turning, and at its overflow, they shall certainly not be healed; they are given over to salt.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew swamps/marshes contrasts with Greek outlet/turning/overflow, with the final plural subjects left implicit in Greek.
Verse 47:12 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:12] Along the river, on its bank on both sides, every kind of food-bearing tree shall grow. Its leaf shall not wither and its fruit shall not fail; month by month it shall bear fresh fruit, because its waters come out from the sanctuary. Its fruit shall be for food and its leaf for healing.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:12] Along the river, on its edge on both sides, every edible tree shall grow. Nothing upon it shall grow old, nor shall its fruit fail. In its newness it shall bear its first crop, because these waters flow from the holy places. Their fruit shall be for food and their growth for health.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew explicitly names leaves and monthly fruiting; Greek speaks of not growing old, newness, and growth for health. Greek supplies no monthly interval.
47:13–47:20 — The land's boundaries
Verse 47:13 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:13] Thus says Lord YHWH: This is the boundary by which you shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph shall have portions.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:13] Thus says the Lord God: These are the boundaries of the land you shall allot as an inheritance to the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel—an addition of a measured portion.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew explicitly names Joseph with portions plural; Greek has an addition of a measured portion and no Joseph. Hebrew's unusual opening geh is interpreted as introducing the boundary, provisionally.
Verse 47:14 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:14] You shall inherit it, each like his brother, the land I lifted My hand to give to your fathers. This land shall fall to you as an inheritance.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:14] You shall inherit it, each like his brother, the land for which I raised My hand to give it to their fathers. This land shall fall to you as an inheritance.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Hebrew your fathers contrasts with Greek their fathers; both express equal inheritance and the sworn grant.
Verse 47:15 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:15] This is the boundary of the land on the north side: from the Great Sea by the way of Hethlon to the entrance of Zedad,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:15] These are the boundaries of the land toward the north: from the Great Sea, descending and dividing at the entrance of Hamath—Seddada,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew names Hethlon and Zedad; Greek has descending/dividing language, names Hamath already here, and gives Seddada. The geographical syntax is uncertain and is not converted into a reconstructed map.
Verse 47:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:16] Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which lies between the territory of Damascus and the territory of Hamath, and Hazer-hatticon, which is on the boundary of Hauran.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:16] Berotha, Sebraim, Heliam, between the boundaries of Damascus and the boundaries of Hamath, the court of Saunan, which are above the boundaries of Auranitis.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek includes Heliam and the court of Saunan where Hebrew has Hazer-hatticon. Greek Auranitis is retained rather than silently replaced with Hebrew Hauran. Hamath, present in Hebrew here, begins the Greek list in verse 15.
Verse 47:17 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:17] The boundary shall run from the sea to Hazar-enon, the boundary of Damascus, and northward to the north, with the boundary of Hamath. This is the north side.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:17] These are the boundaries from the sea, from the court of Ainan, the boundaries of Damascus, and the parts toward the north.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek lacks Hebrew's explicit Hamath boundary and closing north-side statement. The source's court of Ainan is retained beside Hazar-enon.
Verse 47:18 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:18] The east side runs between Hauran and Damascus, and between Gilead and the land of Israel, along the Jordan. You shall measure from the boundary to the eastern sea. This is the east side.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:18] The eastern parts lie between Auranitis and Damascus, and between Galaaditis and the land of Israel; the Jordan marks the boundary as far as the sea east of Palm Grove. These are the eastern parts.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew commands measuring; Greek makes the Jordan the boundary marker and adds Palm Grove, Phoinikōn. Greek regional names are preserved.
Verse 47:19 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:19] The south side toward the south runs from Tamar to the waters of Meriboth-kadesh, along the wadi to the Great Sea. This is the southern side toward the south.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:19] The parts toward the south and southwest run from Thaiman and Palm Grove to the water of Marimoth Kades, extending to the Great Sea. This is the south and southwest side.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek names Thaiman and Palm Grove and has no explicit wadi; Hebrew Tamar and a wadi are retained independently. No modern boundary identification is imposed.
Verse 47:20 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:20] The west side is the Great Sea, from the boundary to opposite the entrance of Hamath. This is the west side.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:20] This is the side of the Great Sea: it forms the boundary as far as opposite the entrance of Hamath, as far as its entrance. These are the sea-facing parts of Hamath.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek retains a repeated entrance phrase and ends with Hamath; Hebrew ends simply with the west side.
47:21–47:23 — Inheritance for Israel and resident sojourners
Verse 47:21 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:21] You shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:21] You shall divide this land for them, for the tribes of Israel.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Hebrew yourselves contrasts with Greek them; both allot it by tribes.
Verse 47:22 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:22] You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the sojourners dwelling among you who have fathered children among you. They shall be to you as native-born among the sons of Israel; with you they shall receive an inheritance among Israel's tribes.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:22] You shall cast lots for it for yourselves and for the sojourners dwelling among you who have fathered sons among you. They shall be to you as native-born among the sons of Israel; with you they shall eat from an inheritance among Israel's tribes.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek prosēlytoi is rendered sojourners in this resident-and-inheritance context, without imposing a later conversion requirement. Greek explicitly says eat from an inheritance; Hebrew receive an allotted inheritance.
Verse 47:23 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[47:23] In whatever tribe the sojourner dwells, there you shall give him his inheritance—declares Lord YHWH.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[47:23] They shall be in a tribe of sojourners, among the sojourners who are with them; there you shall give them an inheritance, says the Lord God.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek's unusual tribe-of-sojourners construction and plural recipients are retained. They are not silently changed to Hebrew's assignment within the tribe where an individual resides.