Ezekiel 48:26
And by the border of Issachar, from the east side unto the west side, Zebulun a portion.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַ֣ל׀
H5921
וְעַ֣ל׀
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
גְּב֣וּל
And by the border
H1366
גְּב֣וּל
And by the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
פְּאַת
side
H6285
פְּאַת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
קָדִ֛ימָה
from the east
H6921
קָדִ֛ימָה
from the east
Strong's:
H6921
Word #:
5 of 10
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 #:
6 of 10
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 #:
7 of 10
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
יָ֖מָּה
unto the west
H3220
יָ֖מָּה
unto the west
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
8 of 10
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
Zebulun's actual territory (Joshua 19:10-16) extended from the Mediterranean coast inland toward the Sea of Galilee, giving access to both maritime and overland trade routes. During the judges period, Zebulun answered Deborah's call against Sisera, producing warriors who "jeoparded their lives unto the death" (Judges 5:18). Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel ten years (Judges 12:11-12). The tribe's strategic location made it prosperous in peacetime and vulnerable in war. Nazareth, Jesus's hometown, stood in Zebulun's territory.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Zebulun's calling to 'go out' complement the church's dual mandate of gathered worship and scattered witness?
- What does Jesus's ministry in Zebulun's territory reveal about God's heart for those in 'Galilee of the Gentiles'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And by the border of Issachar, from the east side unto the west side, Zebulun a portion. Zebulun, another of Leah's sons and Issachar's full brother, receives the fifth southern position. The name Zevulun (זְבוּלֻן) relates to zaval ("to dwell/honor"), as Leah declared "now will my husband dwell with me" at his birth (Genesis 30:20). Jacob's blessing prophesied: "Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships" (Genesis 49:13).
Though Zebulun's historical territory was inland, this prophetic blessing points to commercial prosperity and international connections. Moses blessed Zebulun to "rejoice in thy going out" alongside Issachar's "rejoice in thy tents" (Deuteronomy 33:18-19), suggesting complementary callings—Zebulun the merchant-traveler, Issachar the settled agriculturalist. Their adjacent positions in Ezekiel's restoration reflect their fraternal bond and complementary economic roles. Notably, much of Jesus's Galilean ministry occurred in Zebulun's territory (Matthew 4:13-15, citing Isaiah 9:1-2), making this tribe's portion prophetically significant.