Ezekiel 47:22
And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֗ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יִפְּל֣וּ
And it shall come to pass that ye shall divide
H5307
יִפְּל֣וּ
And it shall come to pass that ye shall divide
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
2 of 23
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
אוֹתָהּ֮
H853
אוֹתָהּ֮
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְנַחֲלָ֔ה
inheritance
H5159
בְנַחֲלָ֔ה
inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
וּלְהַגֵּרִים֙
unto you and to the strangers
H1616
וּלְהַגֵּרִים֙
unto you and to the strangers
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
הַגָּרִ֣ים
that sojourn
H1481
הַגָּרִ֣ים
that sojourn
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הוֹלִ֥דוּ
you which shall beget
H3205
הוֹלִ֥דוּ
you which shall beget
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
10 of 23
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
בִּבְנֵ֣י
among the children
H1121
בִּבְנֵ֣י
among the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְהָי֣וּ
H1961
וְהָי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּאֶזְרָח֙
in the country
H249
כְּאֶזְרָח֙
in the country
Strong's:
H249
Word #:
15 of 23
a spontaneous growth, i.e., native (tree or persons)
בִּבְנֵ֣י
among the children
H1121
בִּבְנֵ֣י
among the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
17 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אִתְּכֶם֙
H854
אִתְּכֶם֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
יִפְּל֣וּ
And it shall come to pass that ye shall divide
H5307
יִפְּל֣וּ
And it shall come to pass that ye shall divide
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
19 of 23
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
בְנַחֲלָ֔ה
inheritance
H5159
בְנַחֲלָ֔ה
inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
Cross References
Colossians 3:11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.Ephesians 3:6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:Romans 10:12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.Acts 11:18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.Acts 15:9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.Isaiah 14:1For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.
Historical Context
Old Testament distinguished between temporary sojourners and permanent residents. Some laws applied equally (Numbers 15:15-16), others didn't. Land inheritance remained tribal (Leviticus 25:23-28). Ezekiel's innovation—granting resident aliens land—points to new covenant's radical inclusion. Jesus broke dividing wall (Ephesians 2:14), making all believers Abraham's seed (Galatians 3:29). Millennial kingdom consummates this: Israel restored, Gentiles included, all united in Messiah.
Questions for Reflection
- How does granting foreigners land inheritance demonstrate millennial inclusiveness?
- What is the relationship between Ezekiel's foreign inclusion and Gentiles in new covenant?
- How do you reconcile Israel's distinctiveness with Gentile inclusion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you—Land distribution: הִפִּילוּ אוֹתָהּ בְּנַחֲלָה (hippîlû ʾôtāh bĕnaḥălāh, 'cast it by lot for inheritance') to לָכֶם וּלְהַגֵּרִים (lākhem ûlĕhaggērîm, 'to you and to the sojourners/foreigners') who הַגָּרִים בְּתוֹכְכֶם (haggārîm bĕtôkhĕkhem, 'sojourn in your midst'), אֲשֶׁר־הוֹלִדוּ בָנִים בְּתוֹכְכֶם (ăsher-hôlidû bānîm bĕtôkhĕkhem, 'who have begotten children among you').
This revolutionary provision grants גֵּרִים (gērîm, 'sojourners/foreigners') land inheritance—unprecedented. Mosaic law protected strangers (Exodus 22:21, Leviticus 19:33-34, Deuteronomy 10:18-19) but didn't grant tribal land. Ezekiel's vision extends inheritance to resident aliens who bear children in Israel, demonstrating millennial kingdom's inclusiveness while maintaining covenant structure. This foreshadows Gospel: Gentiles grafted into Israel (Romans 11:17-24), becoming fellow heirs (Ephesians 3:6).