Read & explore together
The Borders of the Land
Ezekiel 47:13–23 gives a careful description of how the land is to be divided. It reads as prophecy and teaching, showing both the borders of the land and who is to receive an inheritance within it.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, the Lord Yahweh speaks directly about the land’s inheritance. He names the twelve tribes of Israel, explains that Joseph will receive two portions, traces the boundaries on each side, and then gives instructions for dividing the land, including provision for aliens living among Israel.
Ezekiel 47:13–23Main takeaway
This passage presents the land as the Lord Yahweh’s gift to be divided fairly among Israel’s tribes, with inheritance also given to resident aliens within the tribes where they live.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The land is assigned as an inheritanceThe passage opens with the Lord Yahweh declaring the border by which the land is to be divided for inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel.
Explanation
The passage opens with the Lord Yahweh declaring the border by which the land is to be divided for inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph is singled out to receive two portions, and the land is described as something the Lord swore to give to their fathers.
02The northern and eastern bordersThe north side is marked out from the great sea by named places including Hethlon, Zedad, Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, Hazer Hatticon, and Hazar Enon.
Explanation
The north side is marked out from the great sea by named places including Hethlon, Zedad, Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, Hazer Hatticon, and Hazar Enon. The east side is then measured between Hauran, Damascus, Gilead, and the land of Israel, with the Jordan forming a key boundary to the east sea.
03The southern and western bordersThe south side runs from Tamar to the waters of Meriboth Kadesh, to the brook, and to the great sea.
Explanation
The south side runs from Tamar to the waters of Meriboth Kadesh, to the brook, and to the great sea. The west side is simply the great sea, stretching from the south border to a point opposite the entrance of Hamath. The repeated wording shows an ordered, deliberate boundary description.
04Inheritance for tribes and for aliensAfter naming the borders, the Lord commands the land to be divided according to the tribes of Israel.
Explanation
After naming the borders, the Lord commands the land to be divided according to the tribes of Israel. He also says it is to be divided by lot for both Israel and the aliens living among them who have children there. These aliens are to be treated as native-born and given inheritance in the tribe where they live.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What two features appear together in this passage: fixed borders and shared inheritance?
Look at how the text first lists the land’s boundaries and then explains who is to receive portions within those borders.
02What does the passage say about Joseph’s place among the tribes?
Notice the specific statement at the start before the borders are listed.
03How are the aliens living among Israel to be treated in the division of the land?
Read the final two verses carefully and note both their status and where their inheritance is to be given.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 47:13–23
13The Lord Yahweh says: “This shall be the border by which you shall divide the land for inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions.
14You shall inherit it, one as well as another; for I swore to give it to your fathers. This land will fall to you for inheritance.
15“This shall be the border of the land: “On the north side, from the great sea, by the way of Hethlon, to the entrance of Zedad;
16Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim (which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath), to Hazer Hatticon, which is by the border of Hauran.
17The 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“The east side, between Hauran, Damascus, Gilead, and the land of Israel, shall be the Jordan; from the north border to the east sea you shall measure. This is the east side.
19“The south side southward shall be from Tamar as far as the waters of Meriboth Kadesh, to the brook, to the great sea. This is the south side southward.
20“The west side shall be the great sea, from the south border as far as opposite the entrance of Hamath. This is the west side.
21“So you shall divide this land to yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.
22You shall divide it by lot for an inheritance to you and to the aliens who live among you, who will father children among you. Then they shall be to you as the native-born among the children of Israel. They shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
23In whatever tribe the stranger lives, there you shall give him his inheritance,” says the Lord Yahweh.