Ezekiel Chapter 47 · Verse 13

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

כֹּ֤ה H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 1 of 16
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַר֙ Thus saith H559
אָמַר֙ Thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 16
to say (used with great latitude)
אֲדֹנָ֣י the Lord H136
אֲדֹנָ֣י the Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 3 of 16
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
יְהוִ֔ה GOD H3069
יְהוִ֔ה GOD
Strong's: H3069
Word #: 4 of 16
god
גֵּ֤ה This H1454
גֵּ֤ה This
Strong's: H1454
Word #: 5 of 16
this
גְבוּל֙ shall be the border H1366
גְבוּל֙ shall be the border
Strong's: H1366
Word #: 6 of 16
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּתְנַחֲל֣וּ whereby ye shall inherit H5157
תִּתְנַחֲל֣וּ whereby ye shall inherit
Strong's: H5157
Word #: 8 of 16
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 #: 9 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאָ֔רֶץ the land H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 10 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
לִשְׁנֵ֥י according to the twelve H8147
לִשְׁנֵ֥י according to the twelve
Strong's: H8147
Word #: 11 of 16
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
עָשָׂ֖ר H6240
עָשָׂ֖ר
Strong's: H6240
Word #: 12 of 16
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
שִׁבְטֵ֣י tribes H7626
שִׁבְטֵ֣י tribes
Strong's: H7626
Word #: 13 of 16
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 14 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יוֹסֵ֖ף Joseph H3130
יוֹסֵ֖ף Joseph
Strong's: H3130
Word #: 15 of 16
joseph, the name of seven israelites
חֲבָלִֽים׃ shall have two portions H2256
חֲבָלִֽים׃ shall have two portions
Strong's: H2256
Word #: 16 of 16
ruin

Analysis & Commentary

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—Land division: גְּבוּל (gĕbûl, 'border/boundary') for שְׁנֵי עָשָׂר שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (shĕnê ʿāśār shivṭê yiśrāʾēl, 'twelve tribes of Israel'). יוֹסֵף חֲבָלִים (yôsēph ḥăbālîm, 'Joseph [receives] two portions').

Joseph's double portion (through Ephraim and Manasseh—Genesis 48:5) maintains twelve tribal divisions despite Levi receiving no land (Numbers 18:20, 23-24). This fulfills Jacob's blessing (Genesis 48:22) and rewards Joseph's faithfulness. The vision's detailed boundaries (47:13-48:29) demonstrate God's sovereignty over land distribution and covenant faithfulness to patriarchal promises (Genesis 12:7, 15:18-21). Israel's restoration includes territorial restoration—fulfilled partially in post-exilic return, completely in millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

Original tribal allotments (Joshua 13-21) gave Joseph's sons (Ephraim, Manasseh) territories, while Levi received cities. Ezekiel's vision prescribes different boundaries—more symmetrical than historical allotments—suggesting idealized future distribution. Whether literal millennium or symbolic, the vision demonstrates God's faithfulness to land promises. Modern Israel's existence (since 1948) reflects ongoing fulfillment, though complete realization awaits Messiah's return.

Questions for Reflection