Ezekiel Chapter 46 · Verse 18

Authorized King James Version

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Moreover the prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession; but he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not scattered every man from his possession.

Original Language Analysis

וְלֹא H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִקַּ֨ח shall not take H3947
יִקַּ֨ח shall not take
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 2 of 18
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
הַנָּשִׂ֜יא Moreover the prince H5387
הַנָּשִׂ֜יא Moreover the prince
Strong's: H5387
Word #: 3 of 18
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
מִנַּחֲלַ֣ת inheritance H5159
מִנַּחֲלַ֣ת inheritance
Strong's: H5159
Word #: 4 of 18
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
עַמִּ֔י of the people's H5971
עַמִּ֔י of the people's
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 5 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לְהֽוֹנֹתָם֙ by oppression H3238
לְהֽוֹנֹתָם֙ by oppression
Strong's: H3238
Word #: 6 of 18
to rage or be violent; by implication, to suppress, to maltreat
מֵאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃ from his possession H272
מֵאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃ from his possession
Strong's: H272
Word #: 7 of 18
something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)
מֵאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃ from his possession H272
מֵאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃ from his possession
Strong's: H272
Word #: 8 of 18
something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)
יַנְחִ֣ל inheritance H5157
יַנְחִ֣ל inheritance
Strong's: H5157
Word #: 9 of 18
to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּנָ֑יו but he shall give his sons H1121
בָּנָ֑יו but he shall give his sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 11 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לְמַ֙עַן֙ H4616
לְמַ֙עַן֙
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 12 of 18
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 13 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 14 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָפֻ֣צוּ be not scattered H6327
יָפֻ֣צוּ be not scattered
Strong's: H6327
Word #: 15 of 18
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
עַמִּ֔י of the people's H5971
עַמִּ֔י of the people's
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 16 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אִ֖ישׁ every man H376
אִ֖ישׁ every man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 17 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מֵאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃ from his possession H272
מֵאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ׃ from his possession
Strong's: H272
Word #: 18 of 18
something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)

Analysis & Commentary

Moreover the prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession—The נָשִׂיא (nāśîʾ, 'prince') must not הוֹנָה (hônāh, 'oppress/defraud') people's נַחֲלָה (naḥălāh, 'inheritance'), לְהוֹצִיאָם מֵאֲחֻזָּתָם (lĕhôṣîʾām mēʾăḥuzzātām, 'to thrust them from their possession').

This prohibits royal land-grabbing—like Ahab seizing Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21). But he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not scattered every man from his possession—The prince provides for sons from his own land, preventing displacement of עַמִּי (ʿammî, 'my people') from their אֲחֻזָּה (ăḥuzzāh, 'possessions'). This protects against royal tyranny. Millennial kingdom includes righteous governance where leaders don't exploit subjects—fulfilled in Christ's just reign (Isaiah 11:3-5, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Revelation 19:11).

Historical Context

Israelite kings often seized subjects' property: Ahab/Naboth (1 Kings 21), later kings' oppression (Ezekiel 22:27, 45:8-9). This violated Torah principles of property rights and tribal inheritances. Ezekiel's vision corrects this, establishing just governance where rulers protect rather than plunder. Jesus, the righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5), governs perfectly—never oppressing, always protecting His people's inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Questions for Reflection