Ezekiel 48:14
And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land: for it is holy unto the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִמְכְּר֣וּ
And they shall not sell
H4376
יִמְכְּר֣וּ
And they shall not sell
Strong's:
H4376
Word #:
2 of 12
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
מִמֶּ֗נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֗נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָמֵ֛ר
of it neither exchange
H4171
יָמֵ֛ר
of it neither exchange
Strong's:
H4171
Word #:
5 of 12
to alter; by implication, to barter, to dispose of
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַעֲבִ֖ור
nor alienate
H5674
יַעֲבִ֖ור
nor alienate
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
7 of 12
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
רֵאשִׁ֣ית
the firstfruits
H7225
רֵאשִׁ֣ית
the firstfruits
Strong's:
H7225
Word #:
8 of 12
the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical Context
The Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) included land redemption provisions, but sacred portions consecrated to the Lord could not be redeemed (Leviticus 27:28). This "devotion unto the Lord" (herem) created permanent holy status. Pre-exilic Jerusalem saw temple lands sold or appropriated by corrupt officials (Jeremiah 32:6-15), but Ezekiel's vision establishes unbreakable consecration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the prohibition against selling holy things challenge contemporary "marketplace Christianity" that commercializes spiritual ministry?
- What does permanent consecration teach about irrevocable commitments to God's service?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land—three prohibitions (לֹא־יִמְכְּרוּ, lo-yimkeru; לֹא־יָמִיר, lo-yamir; לֹא־יַעֲבֹר, lo-ya'avor) establish inalienable sanctity. The term alienate literally means "cause to pass over" (to another owner), preventing the economic commodification of sacred space.
For it is holy unto the LORD (קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה, qodesh la-YHWH)—the land belongs to Yahweh in perpetuity, not to human owners. This reverses the pre-exilic crisis where wealthy landowners accumulated property (Isaiah 5:8, Micah 2:2), ultimately forfeiting the entire land through exile. Here God establishes irrevocable consecration, protecting sacred space from greed and ensuring permanent provision for temple service.