Ezekiel 47:20
The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side.
Original Language Analysis
פְּאַת
side
H6285
פְּאַת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
יָֽם׃
The west
H3220
יָֽם׃
The west
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
2 of 12
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
יָֽם׃
The west
H3220
יָֽם׃
The west
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
3 of 12
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
הַגָּד֔וֹל
also shall be the great
H1419
הַגָּד֔וֹל
also shall be the great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
4 of 12
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
מִגְּב֕וּל
from the border
H1366
מִגְּב֕וּל
from the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
6 of 12
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
נֹ֖כַח
over against
H5227
נֹ֖כַח
over against
Strong's:
H5227
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of
לְב֣וֹא
till a man come
H935
לְב֣וֹא
till a man come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
8 of 12
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Historical Context
Mediterranean coast was Israel's traditional western boundary, though Philistines often controlled coastal plains. Full coastal control came only briefly under David/Solomon (2 Samuel 8, 1 Kings 4:21). Ezekiel's vision promises complete coastal possession—no Philistine harassment. Millennial kingdom gives Israel secure, complete boundaries in all directions, fulfilling promises only partially realized historically.
Questions for Reflection
- What does completing all four boundaries (north, east, south, west) symbolize?
- How does sea as western border demonstrate God's use of creation for protection?
- Why were some boundaries (like coast) contested historically but secure in Ezekiel's vision?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side—Western boundary: פְּאַת־יָם (pĕʾat-yām, 'the west side') הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל (hayyām haggādôl, 'the great sea'—Mediterranean) from מִגְּבוּל (miggĕbûl, 'from the border') עַד־נֹכַח לְבוֹא חֲמָת (ʿad-nōkaḥ lĕbôʾ Ḥămāt, 'until opposite the entrance of Hamath'). זֹאת פְּאַת יָם (zōʾt pĕʾat yām, 'this is the west side').
The Mediterranean provides natural western boundary—sea as border offers defense and defines limits. 'Opposite Hamath' (northern marker) to southern limit creates western coastal extent. This completes the four-sided boundary description: north (v. 15-17), east (v. 18), south (v. 19), west (v. 20). The complete perimeter demonstrates God's comprehensive sovereignty: every direction secured, every border defined. Israel's inheritance is surrounded by divine protection and promise.