Ezekiel Chapter 47 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
פְּאַ֥ת
side
H6285
פְּאַ֥ת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
קָדִֽימָה׃
And the east
H6921
קָדִֽימָה׃
And the east
Strong's:
H6921
Word #:
2 of 20
the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)
וּמִבֵּ֨ין
and from
H996
וּמִבֵּ֨ין
and from
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
3 of 20
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
וּמִבֵּ֨ין
and from
H996
וּמִבֵּ֨ין
and from
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
5 of 20
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
וּמִבֵּ֨ין
and from
H996
וּמִבֵּ֨ין
and from
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
7 of 20
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
הַגִּלְעָ֜ד
Gilead
H1568
הַגִּלְעָ֜ד
Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
8 of 20
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
וּמִבֵּ֨ין
and from
H996
וּמִבֵּ֨ין
and from
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
9 of 20
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִגְּב֛וּל
from the border
H1366
מִגְּב֛וּל
from the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַיָּ֥ם
sea
H3220
הַיָּ֥ם
sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
15 of 20
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
הַקַּדְמוֹנִ֖י
unto the east
H6931
הַקַּדְמוֹנִ֖י
unto the east
Strong's:
H6931
Word #:
16 of 20
(of time) anterior or (of place) oriental
תָּמֹ֑דּוּ
ye shall measure
H4058
תָּמֹ֑דּוּ
ye shall measure
Strong's:
H4058
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
וְאֵ֖ת
H853
וְאֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
Jordan River and Dead Sea historically marked Israel's eastern extent. Gilead (east of Jordan) was contested territory—Ammon, Moab, and Israel fought over it (Judges 11, 2 Kings 10:32-33). Ezekiel's vision secures Gilead for Israel permanently, fulfilling promises to Transjordanian tribes. Natural boundaries prevented disputes and provided defense. God's wisdom in using topographical features for borders demonstrates His sovereignty over creation itself.
Questions for Reflection
- What is significant about natural features (rivers, seas) as boundaries?
- How does Gilead's inclusion confirm promises to Transjordanian tribes?
- What does creation itself (geography) testifying to covenant teach about God's sovereignty?
Analysis & Commentary
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—Eastern boundary: from חַוְרָן (Ḥawrān, Hauran), דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeśeq, Damascus), גִּלְעָד (Gilʿād, Gilead), and אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל (ʾereṣ Yiśrāʾēl, 'land of Israel') by הַיַּרְדֵּן (hayyardēn, 'the Jordan'), to הַיָּם הַקַּדְמוֹנִי (hayyām haqqadmônî, 'the eastern sea'—Dead Sea).
The Jordan River and Dead Sea form natural eastern boundary. Gilead (Transjordan) is included—confirming Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh's inheritances (Numbers 32, Joshua 13:8-33). Natural boundaries (rivers, seas) demonstrate God's use of creation to define territories. The land itself becomes covenant witness—geographical features testify to divine promises.