Ezekiel 48:23
As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin shall have a portion.
Original Language Analysis
וְיֶ֖תֶר
As for the rest
H3499
וְיֶ֖תֶר
As for the rest
Strong's:
H3499
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
הַשְּׁבָטִ֑ים
of the tribes
H7626
הַשְּׁבָטִ֑ים
of the tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
2 of 9
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
פְּאַת
side
H6285
פְּאַת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
קָדִ֛ימָה
from the east
H6921
קָדִ֛ימָה
from the east
Strong's:
H6921
Word #:
4 of 9
the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
5 of 9
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
פְּאַת
side
H6285
פְּאַת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
יָ֖מָּה
unto the west
H3220
יָ֖מָּה
unto the west
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
7 of 9
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
Historical Context
Benjamin's historical significance includes being Jacob's youngest son (born to Rachel, Genesis 35:18), producing Israel's first monarch (Saul), and housing much of Jerusalem within its territory. During the divided monarchy (930-722 BCE), Benjamin remained loyal to the Davidic house when the ten northern tribes rebelled. Post-exilically, many who returned were Benjamites (Ezra 4:1, Nehemiah 11:7-9), maintaining continuity with the pre-exilic community.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Benjamin's proximity to the holy district suggest about the blessing of faithfulness through trials?
- How does the equal apportionment of land reflect kingdom values that differ from worldly merit-based systems?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin shall have a portion. The allocation now shifts to the southern tribal territories. Benjamin's placement immediately south of the prince's land (and thus adjacent to the holy district) reflects this tribe's historical loyalty to the Davidic throne and the temple. The Hebrew yeter ha-shevatim (יֶתֶר הַשְּׁבָטִים, "the rest of the tribes") marks the transition from the seven northern tribes (48:1-7) to the five southern ones.
Benjamin's prominence is theologically significant: this tribe remained with Judah through the kingdom's division (1 Kings 12:21), Jerusalem sat on the Benjamin-Judah border, and Saul (Israel's first king) and Paul (the apostle to the Gentiles) both came from Benjamin. The horizontal strips mi-pe'at qedimah 'ad-pe'at yammah (מִפְּאַת קֵדִמָה עַד־פְּאַת־יָמָּה, "from the east side unto the west side") emphasize equality—each tribe receives the same dimensions regardless of population or past prominence.