Ezekiel 48:27
And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side unto the west side, Gad 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
זְבוּלֻ֗ן
of Zebulun
H2074
זְבוּלֻ֗ן
of Zebulun
Strong's:
H2074
Word #:
3 of 10
zebulon, a son of jacob; also his territory and tribe
פְּאַת
side
H6285
פְּאַת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
קָדִ֛מָה
from the east
H6921
קָדִ֛מָה
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
Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh requested to settle east of the Jordan (Numbers 32), which Moses granted on condition they help conquer Canaan proper. Gad's territory (Joshua 13:24-28) faced constant pressure from Moab and Ammon. The Gadites were renowned warriors—David's mighty men included valiant Gadites "whose faces were like the faces of lions" (1 Chronicles 12:8). When Assyria conquered the northern kingdom (722 BCE), the Transjordanian tribes were among the first exiled (1 Chronicles 5:26). Ezekiel's vision restores them fully to the land.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Gad's relocation from the vulnerable frontier to the secure inheritance teach about God's ultimate rest for His warriors?
- How does this vision of former 'margin-dwellers' receiving full inheritance speak to those who feel on the periphery of God's people?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side unto the west side, Gad a portion. Gad's placement as the sixth and southernmost tribe before the final southern border is significant. Gad was Zilpah's son (Leah's handmaid), and his name means "troop" or "fortune" (Genesis 30:11). Jacob's blessing declared: "Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last" (Genesis 49:19)—a prophecy of military struggle ending in victory. Moses blessed Gad as one who "dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head" (Deuteronomy 33:20).
Historically, Gad settled east of the Jordan (Transjordan), making them frontier defenders against Ammonite and Moabite incursions. Yet in Ezekiel's vision, Gad receives territory west of the Jordan in the main promised land—no longer on the margins but fully incorporated. This relocation symbolizes that in the restoration, all God's people dwell securely in the inheritance without the vulnerability of frontier exposure. The warrior tribe receives rest from warfare.