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The River From The Temple

The Boundaries Of The Land

Ezekiel 47:1-23

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The River From the Temple

The Boundaries of the Land

Text:

Ezekiel 47:1-23,

1. The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and

I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple

toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was

coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of

the altar.

2. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me

around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water

was flowing from the south side.

3. As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand,

he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through

water that was ankle-deep.

4. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me

through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another

thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist.

5. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river

that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was

deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross.

6. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”Then he led me

back to the bank of the river.

7. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each

side of the river.

8. He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region

and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Sea. When

it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh.

9. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows.

There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows



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there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows

everything will live.

10. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En

Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be

of many kinds—like the fish of the Great Sea.

11. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they

will be left for salt.

12. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river.

Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every

month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary

flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves

for healing.”

13. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “These are the

boundaries by which you are to divide the land for an

inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel, with two portions

for Joseph.

14. You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore

with uplifted hand to give it to your forefathers, this land will

become your inheritance.

15. “This is to be the boundary of the land: “On the north side

it will run from the Great Sea by the Hethlon road past Lebo

Hamath to Zedad,

16. Berothah and Sibraim (which lies on the border between

Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazer Hatticon, which is on

the border of Hauran.

17. The boundary will extend from the sea to Hazar Enan,

along the northern border of Damascus, with the border of

Hamath to the north. This will be the north boundary.

18. “On the east side the boundary will run between Hauran

and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land

of Israel, to the eastern sea and as far as Tamar. This will be

the east boundary.

19. “On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the

waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to

the Great Sea. This will be the south boundary.



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20. “On the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary to a

point opposite Lebo Hamath. This will be the west boundary.

21. “You are to distribute this land among yourselves

according to the tribes of Israel.

22. You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for

the aliens who have settled among you and who have children.

You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with

you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of

Israel.

23. In whatever tribe the alien settles, there you are to give him

his inheritance,” declares the Sovereign Lord. (NIV 1984)

Introduction:

I. Ancient near eastern people, Hamilton well wrote, placed great

importance on a harmonious relationship of deity-people-land.

A. God has returned to his temple and has given instruction

as to how Israel was to maintain a harmonious relationship

with the LORD. (See Hamilton.)

B. The LORD’s sanctification of the land comes by means of

a river that inexplicably deepens without tributaries, flows

over and through hills, makes fresh the most salty water on

earth, and causes trees perpetually to produce fruit. (See

Hamilton.)

C. Life on their land, Yahweh and the temple in its midst,

would be indescribably and unimaginably wonderful,

Hamilton observed, when they returned from exile.

II. Fredenburg wrote that: . . .

A. the temple would have a restorative effect in the land

(Ezekiel 47:1-12).



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1. Zechariah 13:1, “On that day a fountain will be

opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of

Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

(NIV 1984)

2. Zechariah 14:8, On that day living water will flow

out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half

to the western sea, in summer and in winter. (NIV

1984)

3. Revelation 22:1-2, Then the angel showed me the

river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing

from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the

middle of the great street of the city. On each side of

the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops

of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the

leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

(NIV 1984)

B. ideal boundaries of the Israelite territory were established

(Ezekiel 47:13-23).

C. the land would be reapportioned to the tribes (Ezekiel

48:1-29).

Commentary:

The River From the Temple

Ezekiel 47:1, The man brought me back to the entrance of the

temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold

of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The

water was coming down from under the south side of the

temple, south of the altar. (NIV 1984)



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I. The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and . . .

A. The angelic guide brought Ezekiel back from the

sacrificial kitchen areas to the entrance of the temple.

1. Ezekiel 46:21-24, He then brought me to the

outer court and led me around to its four corners,

and I saw in each corner another court. In the four

corners of the outer court were enclosed courts,

forty cubits long and thirty cubits wide; each of the

courts in the four corners was the same size.

Around the inside of each of the four courts was a

ledge of stone, with places for fire built all around

under the ledge. He said to me, “These are the

kitchens where those who minister at the temple will

cook the sacrifices of the people.” (NIV 1984)

B. Ezekiel, having seen the entire court of the people, is

escorted back by the north gate into the courts of the priests.

(Clarke)

II. I saw water coming out from under the threshold (porch) of the

temple toward the east (for the temple faced east).

A. Water came out from under the threshold of the temple

door which faced east.

B. From the gate of the temple, Ezekiel saw water which

flowed under the threshold of the east gate. (Clarke)

1. Ezekiel 40:48-49, He brought me to the portico of

the temple and measured the jambs of the portico;

they were five cubits wide on either side. The width

of the entrance was fourteen cubits and its

projecting walls were three cubits wide on either



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side. The portico was twenty cubits wide, and

twelve cubits from front to back. It was reached by a

flight of stairs, and there were pillars on each side of

the jambs. (NIV 1984)

2. Ezekiel 9:3, Now the glory of the God of Israel

went up from above the cherubim, where it had

been, and moved to the threshold of the temple.

Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen

who had the writing kit at his side (NIV 1984)

C. The flowing of this river of water from the temple reminds

us of the waters of Shiloah. (See The Pulpit Commentary.)

1. Isaiah 8:6, “Because this people has rejected the

gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoices over

Rezin and the son of Remaliah, (NIV 1984)

2. Psalm 46:4, There is a river whose streams make

glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most

High dwells (NIV 1984)

3. Joel 3:18, “In that day the mountains will drip

new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the

ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will

flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the

valley of acacias. (NIV 1984)

4. The Valley of Shittim or the Acacia Valley was

located on the borders of Moab east of the Jordan

River. It was here the Israelites on their journey from

Egypt grievously sinned. (See The Pulpit

Commentary.)



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a. Numbers 25:1, While Israel was staying in

Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual

immorality with Moabite women, (NIV 1984)

b. Numbers 33:49, There on the plains of Moab

they camped along the Jordan from Beth

Jeshimoth to Abel Shittim. (NIV 1984)

III. The water was coming down from under the south side of the

temple, south of the altar.

A. The water ran on the south side of the temple, south of the

altar in the inner court, through the outer court, and out of the

temple on the south side of the outer gate facing east. (See

Fredenburg.)

B. “The water was flowing down from under the right side of

the temple, from south of the altar.” (NET Bible)

C. “The water passed to the south of the altar of burnt-

offerings on the right of the temple, ran from the west to the

east, that they might fall into the brook Kidron, and thence be

carried into the Dead Sea.” (Clarke)

1. Joel 3:18, “In that day the mountains will drip

new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the

ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will

flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the

valley of acacias. (NIV 1984)

2. Zechariah 14:8, On that day living water will flow

out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half

to the western sea, in summer and in winter. (NIV

1984)



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D. The water went down, descended, because the temple was

built on higher ground than the inner court. (The Pulpit

Commentary)

E. Water, according to The Pulpit Commentary, issued:

1. from under the threshold of the house, or . . .

2. from the right side or shoulder of the house; that is,

from the corner where the south wall of the porch and

the east wall of the temple joined, or . . .

a. Ezekiel 41:1, Then the man brought me to

the outer sanctuary and measured the jambs;

the width of the jambs was six cubits on each

side. (NIV 1984)

3. from the south side of the altar which stood exactly

in front of the temple porch.

a. Ezekiel 40:47, Then he measured the court:

It was square—a hundred cubits long and a

hundred cubits wide. And the altar was in

front of the temple. (NIV 1984)

2 Kings 47:2, He then brought me out through the north gate

and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east,

and the water was flowing from the south side. (NIV 1984)

I. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me

around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and . . .

A. The man led Ezekiel out the north gate of the temple,

around the outside of the temple compound to the outer gate

facing east. (Fredenburg)



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B. Ezekiel could not leave through the inner east gate

because it was shut on the six working days of each week nor

through the outer east gate because it was always closed.

(See The Pulpit Commentary.)

1. Ezekiel 46:1, “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord

says: The gate of the inner court facing east is to be

shut on the six working days, but on the Sabbath

day and on the day of the New Moon it is to be

opened. (NIV 1984)

2. Ezekiel 44:1, Then the man brought me back to

the outer gate of the sanctuary, the one facing east,

and it was shut. (NIV 1984)

C. From outside the outer east gate Ezekiel observed the flow

(trickle) of water from the temple.

D. The “right side” in this verse referred to the right side or

shoulder, the corner where the east wall of the temple and the

south wall of the gate joined. (The Pulpit Commentary)

II. the water was flowing from the south side.

A. From his location, Ezekiel could see the water flowing

from the south side of the temple compound.

B. The NET Bible reads “trickling out” in place of “flowing

from” as in the NIV and Clarke suggested “oozed,” “dropped

out” or “drop by drop” would convey the small amount of

water that began this wondrous river.

C. Compare the phraseology of Ezekiel 47:1-12 with

Revelation 22:1-6, Clarke advised.



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1. Revelation 22:1-6, Then the angel showed me the

river of the water of life, as clear as

crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the

Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city.

On each side of the river stood the tree of

life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit

every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the

healing of the nations. No longer will there be any

curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in

the city, and his servants will serve him. They will

see his face, and his name will be on their

foreheads. There will be no more night. They will

not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun,

for the Lord God will give them light. And they will

reign for ever and ever. The angel said to

me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The

Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his

angel to show his servants the things that must soon

take place.” (NIV 1984)

Ezekiel 47:3, As the man went eastward with a measuring line

in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me

through water that was ankle-deep. (NIV 1984)

I. As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he

measured off a thousand cubits and . . .

A. “When the man went out toward the east with a measuring

line in his hand, he measured 1,750 feet, and . . .” (NET

Bible)

1. A thousand (1,000) cubits was approximately 1/3

mile.

II. then led me through water that was ankle-deep.



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A. To this point the stream does not appear to be significant.

(See Fredenburg.)

B. Water at the temple was only deep enough to wet the soles

of Ezekiel’s feet. Now the water had increased to ankle-

depth. (The Pulpit Commentary)

Ezekiel 47:4, He measured off another thousand cubits and led

me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off

another thousand and led me through water that was up to the

waist. (NIV 1984)

I. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through

water that was knee-deep.

A. The depth of the water had now increased markedly. In

1,750 feet or a thousand (1,000) cubits the water’s depth had

increased by ankle deep to knee deep.

1. Remember, the temple was built on “a very high

mountain.”

II. He measured off another thousand and led me through water

that was up to the waist.

A. Another one thousand (1,000) cubits (1,750 feet, NET

Bible) brought Ezekiel to water that was waist deep.

B. The water increased in depth as Ezekiel made his way

downstream.

Ezekiel 47:5, He measured off another thousand, but now it

was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen



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and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could

cross. (NIV 1984)

I. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I

could not cross, . . .

A. Another one thousand cubits (1,750 feet, NET Bible), four

thousand cubits (7,000 feet) from the temple, the water had

become a river that Ezekiel could not cross.

II. because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—

a river that no one could cross.

A. The river was deep enough to swim in, but so wide no one

could swim across it.

B. Ezekiel must have been totally bewildered by all he saw!

(See Fredenburg.)

C. The Pulpit Commentary states, “That Ezekiel’s river

broadened and deepened suddenly and apparently without

receiving into it any tributaries.”

Ezekiel 47:6, He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”

Then he led me back to the bank of the river. (NIV 1984)

I. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”

A. God centered Ezekiel’s attention on the bank of the river.

1. By asking Ezekiel, “. . . do you see this?”, focused

his attention on the river bank.

II. Then he led me back to the bank of the river.



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A. Ezekiel’s angelic guide took him “back” to the bank of the

river after Ezekiel had evidently tested the depth of the river.

(The Pulpit Commentary)

Ezekiel 47:7, When I arrived there, I saw a great number of

trees on each side of the river. (NIV 1984)

I. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side

of the river.

A. Amazingly, on each side of the river was a great number

of trees.

Ezekiel 47:8, He said to me, “This water flows toward the

eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters

the Sea. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes

fresh. (NIV 1984)

I. He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and

goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Sea.

A. The Arabah was a major region of the land of Israel

referring usually to the entire valley region between Mount

Hermon in the north through the Dead Sea and on to the Red

Sea, a distance of 240 miles long and varying in width from 6

to 25 miles. (Youngblood, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible

Dictionary)

B. The river flowed east into the Arabah where it entered the

Dead Sea, Salt Sea, “where the sea is stagnant.” (NET Bible)

1. The Pulpit Commentary suggested this point of

entrance into the Arabah may have been in the area of

Jericho.



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a. Joshua 22:10-11, When they came to

Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of

Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the

half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar

there by the Jordan. 11 And when the Israelites

heard that they had built the altar on the

border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan

on the Israelite side, (NIV 1984)

b. Genesis 13:10, When they came to Geliloth

near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the

Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of

Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the

Jordan. 11 And when the Israelites heard that

they had built the altar on the border of

Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the

Israelite side, (NIV 1984)

II. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh.

A. The Sea here is the Dead Sea also known as the Salt Sea

or the river or Sea of the Arabah.

1. Deuteronomy 3:17, Its western border was the

Jordan in the Arabah, from Kinnereth to the Sea of

the Arabah (the Salt Sea), below the slopes of

Pisgah. (NIV 1984)

2. Deuteronomy 4:49, and included all the Arabah

east of the Jordan, as far as the Sea of the Arabah,

below the slopes of Pisgah. (NIV 1984)

3. Amos 6:14, For the Lord God Almighty declares,

“I will stir up a nation against you, O house of

Israel, that will oppress you all the way from Lebo

Hamath to the valley of the Arabah.” (NIV 1984)



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B. The river entered the Dead Sea and made the Salt Sea’s

brine (dead waters) fresh water (the waters are “healed.”

(See Fredenburg.)

1. Exodus 15:23, 25, When they came to Marah, they

could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That

is why the place is called Marah.) Then Moses cried

out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of

wood. He threw it into the water, and the water

became sweet. There the Lord made a decree and a

law for them, and there he tested them. (NIV 1984)

2. 2 Kings 2:22, And the water has remained

wholesome to this day, according to the word Elisha

had spoken. (NIV 1984)

C. “The sea is called Dead, because there is in it no green

plant, no waterfowl, no fish, no shell. If the Jordan carry fish

into it, they die.” There exists within the waters of the Dead

Sea no living thing, not even a trace of animal or vegetable

life. (The Pulpit Commentary)

Ezekiel 47:9, Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the

river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this

water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the

river flows everything will live. (NIV 1984)

I. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows.

A. In the lifeless waters of the Dead Sea, now fresh water,

swarms of living creatures lived!

1. Genesis 1:20-21, And God said, “Let the water

teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above



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the earth across the expanse of the sky.” So God

created the great creatures of the sea and every

living and moving thing with which the water teems,

according to their kinds, and every winged bird

according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

(NIV 1984)

2. Genesis 7:21, Every living thing that moved on the

earth perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all

the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all

mankind. (NIV 1984)

II. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows

there and makes the salt water fresh; . . .

A. This infusion of abundant life into the sea that once was

dead, but was now healed was the result of this river of life

which flowed from the temple of God.

III. so where the river flows everything will live.

A. Because where the river flows, everything will live, it

behooves us to stay where the river of God’s blessings flows.

Ezekiel 47:10, Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En

Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The

fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Great Sea.

(NIV 1984)

I. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En

Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets.

A. En Gedi (spring or fountain of a kid) was an oasis on the

barren western shore of the Dead Sea about 35 miles

southeast of Jerusalem in the rugged wilderness of Judah.



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En Gedi was watered with a hot spring yielding an

abundance of fresh water. (Youngblood, Nelson’s New

Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

B. En Eglaim (spring or fountain of two calves) was a place

on the southeastern coast of the Dead Sea near Zoar.

(Youngblood, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

The Pulpit Commentary places En Eglaim at the northern

extremity of the Dead Sea.

1. Isaiah 15:8, Their outcry echoes along the border

of Moab; their wailing reaches as far as Eglaim,

their lamentation as far as Beer Elim. (NIV 1984)

C. On the shore of the Dead Sea fishermen stood at En Gedi

on the central western shore of the Dead Sea and at En

Eglaim perhaps located on the central eastern shore. (See

Fredenburg.)

II. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Great Sea.

A. The Great Sea is the Mediterranean Sea.

B. In the Dead Sea now made fresh huge numbers and great

varieties of fish would live such as would be found in the

Mediterranean Sea and such as would be native to many

lands, countries of the world.

Ezekiel 47:11, But the swamps and marshes will not become

fresh; they will be left for salt. (NIV 1984)

I. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will

be left for salt.



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A. “Wherever the Temple river flowed there was abundant

life. Only the swamps and marshes around the sea would

remain too salty for living organisms,” Hamilton wrote.

1. Job 8:16, He is like a well-watered plant in the

sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden;

(NIV 1984)

2. Job 40:21, Under the lotus plants he lies, hidden

among the reeds in the marsh. (NIV 1984)

3. Isaiah 30:14, It will break in pieces like pottery,

shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a

fragment will be found for taking coals from a

hearth or scooping water out of a cistern.” (NIV

1984)

B. Fredenburg noted that salt was a valuable commodity and

a supply was left.

1. The Pulpit Commentary, however, reads, “. . . the

manifest intention of the prophet was to indicate a

limitation to the life-giving influence of the river, and to

signify that places and persons unvisited by its healing

stream would be abandoned to incurable destruction.

2. Salt, in Scripture, rarely expressed the idea of

blessings, but frequently of judgment.

a. Deuteronomy 29:23, The whole land will be a

burning waste of salt and sulfur—nothing

planted, nothing sprouting, no vegetation

growing on it. It will be like the destruction of

Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim,



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which the Lord overthrew in fierce anger.

(NIV 1984)

b. Psalm 107:33-34, He turned rivers into a

desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground, and

fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the

wickedness of those who lived there. (NIV

1984)

c. Jeremiah 17:6, He will be like a bush in the

wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it

comes. He will dwell in the parched places of

the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.

(NIV 1984)

d. Zephaniah 2:9, Therefore, as surely as I

live,” declares the Lord Almighty, the God of

Israel, “surely Moab will become like Sodom,

the Ammonites like Gomorrah—a place of

weeds and salt pits, a wasteland forever. The

remnant of my people will plunder them; the

survivors of my nation will inherit their land.”

(NIV 1984)

3. However, please note the following references:

a. Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth.

But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be

made salty again? It is no longer good for

anything, except to be thrown out and

trampled by men.” (NIV 1984)

b. Mark 9:49-50, Everyone will be salted with

fire. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness,

how can you make it salty again? Have salt in



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yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

(NIV 1984)

c. Luke 14:34, “Salt is good, but if it loses its

saltiness, how can it be made salty again? NIV

1984)

d. Colossians 4:6, Let your conversation be

always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that

you may know how to answer everyone. (NIV

1984)

Ezekiel 47:12, Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks

of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit

fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the

sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and

their leaves for healing.” (NIV 1984)

I. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river.

A. The abundant fruit trees would provide healthy nourish-

ment for the people.

B. Many different kinds of fruit trees bearing a great variety

of edible fruit would grow on both banks of the river.

1. Leviticus 19:23, “‘When you enter the land and

plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as

forbidden.[a] For three years you are to consider it

forbidden[b]; it must not be eaten. (NIV 1984)

II. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail.

A. These were evergreen trees which bore fruit every month.



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III. Every month they will bear, because the water from the

sanctuary flows to them.

A. These fruit trees will produce fruit, not once a year, but

every month, because the water flows to the trees from the

sanctuary.

IV. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

A. The fruit would provide food and the leaves would be

medicinal and would be effective for healing illnesses.

1. Genesis 2:9, And the Lord God made all kinds of

trees grow out of the ground—trees that were

pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle

of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the

knowledge of good and evil. (NIV 1984)

2. Revelation 22:2, down the middle of the great

street of the city. On each side of the river stood the

tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its

fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for

the healing of the nations. (NIV 1984)

Note: This portrayal of the wondrous life awaiting the

returning exiles is figurative, but teaches concrete lessons. (See

Fredenburg.)

The Boundaries of the Land

Ezekiel 47:13, This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “These

are the boundaries by which you are to divide the land for an

inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel, with two portions

for Joseph. (NIV 1984)



23

I. This is what the Sovereign LORD says: . . .

A. From the time of Abraham God had promised his

descendants through Isaac a land of their own. (See

Fredenburg.)

1. Genesis 12:1-3, The Lord had said to Abram,

“Leave your country, your people and your father’s

household and go to the land I will show you. “I will

make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I

will make your name great, and you will be a

blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and

whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on

earth will be blessed through you.” (NIV 1984)

2. Joshua was instrumental in conquering the land of

Canaan and dividing it among the tribes.

3. Having lost the promised land because of their sins,

the Sovereign LORD spoke of the day the exiles would

be returned to their homeland. (See Fredenburg.)

a. Joshua 21:43, 45, So the Lord gave Israel all

the land he had sworn to give their forefathers,

and they took possession of it and settled there.

Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the

house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

(NIV 1984)

B. In the book of Ezekiel, new important topics are

introduced with the phrase, “This is what the Sovereign

LORD says: . . .

1. Ezekiel 43:18, Then he said to me, “Son of man,

this is what the Sovereign Lord says: These will be

the regulations for sacrificing burnt offerings and



24

sprinkling blood upon the altar when it is built:

(NIV 1984)

2. Ezekiel 44:9, This is what the Sovereign Lord

says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh

is to enter my sanctuary, not even the foreigners

who live among the Israelites. (NIV 1984)

3. Ezekiel 45:9, “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord

says: You have gone far enough, O princes of Israel!

Give up your violence and oppression and do what is

just and right. Stop dispossessing my people,

declares the Sovereign Lord. (NIV 1984)

4. Ezekiel 46:1, 16, “‘This is what the Sovereign

Lord says: The gate of the inner court facing east is

to be shut on the six working days, but on the

Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it is to

be opened. “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

If the prince makes a gift from his inheritance to one

of his sons, it will also belong to his descendants; it is

to be their property by inheritance. (NIV 1984)

5. Ezekiel 47:13, This is what the Sovereign Lord

says: “These are the boundaries by which you are to

divide the land for an inheritance among the twelve

tribes of Israel, with two portions for Joseph. NIV

1984)

II. “These are the boundaries by which you are to divide the land

for an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel, . . .

A. Ezekiel 47:13-48:29 instructs Israel as to how to parcel

their property properly which reminds the reader of Joshua

13-19. (See Hamilton.)



25

1. Ezekiel 48:1-29, “These are the tribes, listed by

name: At the northern frontier, Dan will have one

portion; it will follow the Hethlon road to Lebo

Hamath; Hazar Enan and the northern border of

Damascus next to Hamath will be part of its border

from the east side to the west side. “Asher will have

one portion; it will border the territory of Dan from

east to west. “Naphtali will have one portion; it will

border the territory of Asher from east to west.

“Manasseh will have one portion; it will border the

territory of Naphtali from east to west. “Ephraim

will have one portion; it will border the territory of

Manasseh from east to west. “Reuben will have one

portion; it will border the territory of Ephraim from

east to west. “Judah will have one portion; it will

border the territory of Reuben from east to west.

“Bordering the territory of Judah from east to west

will be the portion you are to present as a special

gift. It will be 25,000 cubits wide, and its length from

east to west will equal one of the tribal portions; the

sanctuary will be in the center of it. “The special

portion you are to offer to the Lord will be 25,000

cubits long and 10,000 cubits[c] wide. This will be

the sacred portion for the priests. It will be 25,000

cubits long on the north side, 10,000 cubits wide on

the west side, 10,000 cubits wide on the east side and

25,000 cubits long on the south side. In the center of

it will be the sanctuary of the Lord. This will be for

the consecrated priests, the Zadokites, who were

faithful in serving me and did not go astray as the

Levites did when the Israelites went astray. It will

be a special gift to them from the sacred portion of

the land, a most holy portion, bordering the

territory of the Levites. “Alongside the territory of



26

the priests, the Levites will have an allotment 25,000

cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. Its total length

will be 25,000 cubits and its width 10,000 cubits.

They must not sell or exchange any of it. This is the

best of the land and must not pass into other hands,

because it is holy to the Lord. “The remaining area,

5,000 cubits wide and 25,000 cubits long, will be for

the common use of the city, for houses and for

pastureland. The city will be in the center of it and

will have these measurements: the north side 4,500

cubits, the south side 4,500 cubits, the east side 4,500

cubits, and the west side 4,500 cubits. The

pastureland for the city will be 250 cubits on the

north, 250 cubits on the south, 250 cubits on the

east, and 250 cubits on the west. What remains of

the area, bordering on the sacred portion and

running the length of it, will be 10,000 cubits on the

east side and 10,000 cubits on the west side. Its

produce will supply food for the workers of the city.

19 The workers from the city who farm it will come

from all the tribes of Israel. The entire portion will

be a square, 25,000 cubits on each side. As a special

gift you will set aside the sacred portion, along with

the property of the city. “What remains on both

sides of the area formed by the sacred portion and

the city property will belong to the prince. It will

extend eastward from the 25,000 cubits of the sacred

portion to the eastern border, and westward from

the 25,000 cubits to the western border. Both these

areas running the length of the tribal portions will

belong to the prince, and the sacred portion with the

temple sanctuary will be in the center of them. So

the property of the Levites and the property of the

city will lie in the center of the area that belongs to

the prince. The area belonging to the prince will lie



27

between the border of Judah and the border of

Benjamin. “As for the rest of the tribes: Benjamin

will have one portion; it will extend from the east

side to the west side. “Simeon will have one portion;

it will border the territory of Benjamin from east to

west. “Issachar will have one portion; it will border

the territory of Simeon from east to west. “Zebulun

will have one portion; it will border the territory of

Issachar from east to west. “Gad will have one

portion; it will border the territory of Zebulun from

east to west. “The southern boundary of Gad will

run south from Tamar to the waters of Meribah

Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Great

Sea. “This is the land you are to allot as an

inheritance to the tribes of Israel, and these will be

their portions,” declares the Sovereign Lord. (NIV

1984)

2. Genesis 48:8-22, When Israel saw the sons of

Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?” “They are the

sons God has given me here,” Joseph said to his

father. Then Israel said, “Bring them to me so I may

bless them.” Now Israel’s eyes were failing because

of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph

brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed

them and embraced them. Israel said to Joseph, “I

never expected to see your face again, and now God

has allowed me to see your children too.” Then

Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and

bowed down with his face to the ground. And

Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right

toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left

toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close

to him. But Israel reached out his right hand and

put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the



28

younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand

on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the

firstborn. Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May

the God before whom my fathers Abraham and

Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd

all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered

me from all harm—may he bless these boys. May

they be called by my name and the names of my

fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase

greatly upon the earth.” When Joseph saw his father

placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was

displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to

move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the

firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” But his

father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know.

He too will become a people, and he too will become

great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be

greater than he, and his descendants will become a

group of nations.” He blessed them that day and

said, In your name will Israel pronounce this

blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and

Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but

God will be with you and take you back to the land

of your fathers. And to you, as one who is over your

brothers, I give the ridge of land I took from the

Amorites with my sword and my bow.” (NIV 1984)

3. Ezekiel 37:16-23, “Son of man, take a stick of

wood and write on it, ‘Belonging to Judah and the

Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another

stick of wood, and write on it, ‘Ephraim’s stick,

belonging to Joseph and all the house of Israel

associated with him.’ Join them together into one



29

stick so that they will become one in your hand.

“When your countrymen ask you, ‘Won’t you tell us

what you mean by this?’ say to them, ‘This is what

the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to take the stick

of Joseph—which is in Ephraim’s hand—and of the

Israelite tribes associated with him, and join it to

Judah’s stick, making them a single stick of wood,

and they will become one in my hand.’ Hold before

their eyes the sticks you have written on and say to

them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will

take the Israelites out of the nations where they have

gone. I will gather them from all around and bring

them back into their own land. I will make them one

nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There

will be one king over all of them and they will never

again be two nations or be divided into two

kingdoms. They will no longer defile themselves

with their idols and vile images or with any of their

offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful

backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my

people, and I will be their God. (NIV 1984)

4. Numbers 34:1-15, The Lord said to Moses,

“Command the Israelites and say to them: ‘When

you enter Canaan, the land that will be allotted to

you as an inheritance will have these boundaries:

“‘Your southern side will include some of the Desert

of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your

southern boundary will start from the end of the

Salt Sea, cross south of Scorpion Pass, continue on

to Zin and go south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it will

go to Hazar Addar and over to Azmon, where it will

turn, join the Wadi of Egypt and end at the Sea.

“‘Your western boundary will be the coast of the

Great Sea. This will be your boundary on the west.



30

“‘For your northern boundary, run a line from the

Great Sea to Mount Hor and from Mount Hor to

Lebo Hamath. Then the boundary will go to Zedad,

continue to Ziphron and end at Hazar Enan. This

will be your boundary on the north. “‘For your

eastern boundary, run a line from Hazar Enan to

Shepham. The boundary will go down from

Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain and

continue along the slopes east of the Sea of

Kinnereth. Then the boundary will go down along

the Jordan and end at the Salt Sea. “‘This will be

your land, with its boundaries on every side.’”

Moses commanded the Israelites: “Assign this land

by lot as an inheritance. The Lord has ordered that

it be given to the nine and a half tribes, because the

families of the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad and

the half-tribe of Manasseh have received their

inheritance. These two and a half tribes have

received their inheritance on the east side of the

Jordan of Jericho, toward the sunrise.” NIV 1984)

5. Numbers 26:52-56, The Lord said to Moses, “The

land is to be allotted to them as an inheritance based

on the number of names. To a larger group give a

larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller

one; each is to receive its inheritance according to

the number of those listed. Be sure that the land is

distributed by lot. What each group inherits will be

according to the names for its ancestral tribe. Each

inheritance is to be distributed by lot among the

larger and smaller groups.” (NIV 1984)

B. The exiles, Fredenburg noted, were a dispirited, “landless

people” who thought they would never again see their



31

beloved homeland and who deeply resented the fact that non-

Israelites possessed the Promised Land.

1. Ezekiel 12:13-14, I will spread my net for him,

and he will be caught in my snare; I will bring him

to Babylonia, the land of the Chaldeans, but he will

not see it, and there he will die. I will scatter to the

winds all those around him—his staff and all his

troops—and I will pursue them with drawn sword.

(NIV 1984)

2. Jeremiah and Ezekiel offered the exiles hope of

returning home.

a. Jeremiah 32:42-44, “This is what the Lord

says: As I have brought all this great calamity

on this people, so I will give them all the

prosperity I have promised them. Once more

fields will be bought in this land of which you

say, ‘It is a desolate waste, without men or

animals, for it has been handed over to the

Babylonians.’ Fields will be bought for silver,

and deeds will be signed, sealed and witnessed

in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages

around Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and

in the towns of the hill country, of the western

foothills and of the Negev, because I will

restore their fortunes, declares the Lord.”

(NIV 1984)

b. Ezekiel 28:25, “‘This is what the Sovereign

Lord says: When I gather the people of Israel

from the nations where they have been

scattered, I will show myself holy among them

in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in



32

their own land, which I gave to my servant

Jacob. (NIV 1984)

c. Ezekiel 34:26-27, I will bless them and the

places surrounding my hill. I will send down

showers in season; there will be showers of

blessing. The trees of the field will yield their

fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the

people will be secure in their land. They will

know that I am the Lord, when I break the

bars of their yoke and rescue them from the

hands of those who enslaved them. (NIV 1984)

C. Since each of Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were

considered the heads of tribes, there were actually thirteen

tribes.

1. Genesis 48:22, And to you, as one who is over

your brothers, I give the ridge of land I took from

the Amorites with my sword and my bow.” (NIV

1984)

2. Joshua 17:14, 17, The people of Joseph said to

Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment

and one portion for an inheritance? We are a

numerous people and the Lord has blessed us

abundantly.” But Joshua said to the house of

Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are

numerous and very powerful. You will have not only

one allotment (NIV 1984)

3. The tribes of Israel were, therefore, Reuben, Simeon,

Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher,

Naphtali, Joseph (Ephraim, Manasseh) and Benjamin.



33

III. with two (2) portions for Joseph.

A. One portion was given to each of Joseph’s two sons, one

for Ephraim and one fro Manasseh.

1. Joseph appears still to be favored among the sons of

Jacob as the only one who has two tribes among

Jacob’s sons and a major amount of land as divided by

Moses and Joshua.

2. When the Northern Tribes declared their intention to

secede from the union, Ephraim and Manasseh were

influential tribes who joined with the tribes following

Jeroboam.

Ezekiel 47:14, You are to divide it equally among them.

Because I swore with uplifted hand to give it to your

forefathers, this land will become your inheritance. (NIV

1984)

I. You are to divide it equally among them.

A. “The portions assigned to each tribe apparently were

equal. These portions of approximately twenty miles in

width stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan

River,” Hamilton wrote.

1. This is an idealistic distribution of land as some

tribes were larger than others.

2. The division was fair and equitable for each tribe and

individual.



34

B. However, with two tribes allotted to Joseph’s two sons,

they would have twice as much land as any other of Jacob’s

sons’ descendants.

II. Because I swore with uplifted hand to give it to your

forefathers, this land will become your inheritance.

A. Upon the repentance of wicked Israel, God promised to

renew his land grant to the exiles.

B. The phrase, “I swore with uplifted hand,” was frequently

used in the book of Ezekiel. (See The Pulpit Commentary.)

1. Ezekiel 20:5-6, 15, 23, 28, 42, and say to them:

‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I

chose Israel, I swore with uplifted hand to the

descendants of the house of Jacob and revealed

myself to them in Egypt. With uplifted hand I said

to them, “I am the Lord your God.” On that day I

swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt

into a land I had searched out for them, a land

flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of

all lands. Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in

the desert that I would not bring them into the land

I had given them—a land flowing with milk and

honey, most beautiful of all lands—Also with

uplifted hand I swore to them in the desert that I

would disperse them among the nations and scatter

them through the countries, When I brought them

into the land I had sworn to give them and they saw

any high hill or any leafy tree, there they offered

their sacrifices, made offerings that provoked me to

anger, presented their fragrant incense and poured

out their drink offerings. Then you will know that I

am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of



35

Israel, the land I had sworn with uplifted hand to

give to your fathers. (NIV 1984)

2. This phrase or one similar was used in God’s

promises to give the promised land to Israel, the

descendants of Abraham.

a. Genesis 12:7, The Lord appeared to Abram

and said, “To your offspring I will give this

land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord,

who had appeared to him. (NIV 1984)

b. Genesis 26:3, Stay in this land for a while,

and I will be with you and will bless you. For to

you and your descendants I will give all these

lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your

father Abraham. (NIV 1984)

c. Genesis 28:13, There above it stood the Lord,

and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your

father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will

give you and your descendants the land on

which you are lying. (NIV 1984)

Ezekiel 47:15, “This is to be the boundary of the land: “On the

north side it will run from the Great Sea by the Hethlon road

past Lebo Hamath to Zedad, (NIV 1984)

I. “This is to be the boundary of the land: . . .

A. This land was smaller than the land divided among the

Israelites by Moses and Joshua because all this land was west

of the Jordan River while previously the land appropriated

was both east and west of the Jordan River. (See Hamilton.)



36

Note: The location and identity of many of these places are not

known with certainty.

II. “On the north side it will run from the Great Sea by the Hethlon

road past Lebo Hamath to Zedad, . . .

A. The Hethlon road was a mountain pass on the northern

boundary of Palestine, connecting the plain of Hamath with

the Mediterranean coast. (Youngblood, Nelson’s New

Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

1. The Great Sea is the Mediterranean Sea.

B. Lebo Hamath was an important royal city of the Hittites,

perched on a gigantic mount beside the Orontes River.

(Bromiley) Lebo Hamath was considered to be the northern

most point in Israel and was located in Syria.

1. Numbers 13:21, So they went up and explored the

land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward

Lebo Hamath. (NIV 1984)

2. Numbers 34:7-12, “‘For your northern boundary,

run a line from the Great Sea to Mount Hor and

from Mount Hor to Lebo Hamath. Then the

boundary will go to Zedad, continue to Ziphron and

end at Hazar Enan. This will be your boundary on

the north. “‘For your eastern boundary, run a line

from Hazar Enan to Shepham. The boundary will

go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of

Ain and continue along the slopes east of the Sea of

Kinnereth. Then the boundary will go down along

the Jordan and end at the Salt Sea. “‘This will be

your land, with its boundaries on every side.’” (NIV

1984)



37

3. Joshua 13:5, the area of the Gebalites; and all

Lebanon to the east, from Baal Gad below Mount

Hermon to Lebo Hamath. (NIV 1984)

4. 1 Kings 8:65, So Solomon observed the festival at

that time, and all Israel with him—a vast assembly,

people from Lebo Hamath to the Wadi of Egypt.

They celebrated it before the Lord our God for

seven days and seven days more, fourteen days in

all. (NIV 1984)

5. 2 Kings 14:25, He was the one who restored the

boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Sea

of the Arabah, in accordance with the word of the

Lord, the God of Israel, spoken through his servant

Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath

Hepher. (NIV 1984)

6. Amos 6:2, 14, Go to Calneh and look at it; go

from there to great Hamath, and then go down to

Gath in Philistia. Are they better off than your two

kingdoms? Is their land larger than yours? For the

Lord God Almighty declares, “I will stir up a nation

against you, O house of Israel, that will oppress you

all the way from Lebo Hamath to the valley of the

Arabah.” (NIV 1984)

7. Judges 3:3, the five rulers of the Philistines, all the

Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in

the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon

to Lebo Hamath. (NIV 1984)

C. Zedad was a place, probably a tower, on the northern

boundary of Palestine located about 65 miles northeast of



38

Damascus. (Youngblood, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible

Dictionary)

1. Ezekiel 48:1, “These are the tribes, listed by

name: At the northern frontier, Dan will have one

portion; it will follow the Hethlon road to Lebo

Hamath; Hazar Enan and the northern border of

Damascus next to Hamath will be part of its border

from the east side to the west side. (NIV 1984)

Ezekiel 47:16, Berothah and Sibraim (which lies on the border

between Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazer Hatticon,

which is on the border of Hauran. (NIV 1984)

I. Berothah and Sibraim (which lies on the border between

Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazer Hatticon, which is on the

border of Hauran.

A. Berothah was a town on the northern boundary between

Zedad and Sibraim, just south of the kingdom of Hamath,

south of Baalbek in the western foothills of the Anti-Lebanon

mountains. (Bromiley)

1. 2 Samuel 8:8, From Tebah and Berothai, towns

that belonged to Hadadezer, King David took a

great quantity of bronze. (NIV 1984)

2. 1 Chronicles 18:8, From Tebah and Cun, towns

that belonged to Hadadezer, David took a great

quantity of bronze, which Solomon used to make the

bronze Sea, the pillars and various bronze articles.

(NIV 1984)



39

B. Sibraim was located between Damascus and Hamath. It

was a Syrian city on the northern border of Israel.


1. Sibraim is mentioned only here in the Bible.

C. Hazor Hatticon. Hazor (enclosure) was an ancient

Canaanite fortress city in northern Palestine, situated about

10 miles northwest of the Sea of Galilee. (Youngblood,

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

1. Exodus 26:28, The center crossbar is to extend

from end to end at the middle of the frames. (NIV

1984)

2. 2 Kings 20:4, Before Isaiah had left the middle

court, the word of the Lord came to him: (NIV

1984)

D. Hauran was a region in Transjordan east of the Sea of

Galilee, north of the Yarmuk River, and south of Damascus

and Mount Hermon. Hauron in Ezekiel’s vision marked the

northeastern limits of the land of Israel. (Youngblood,

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary) Clarke observed

that Hauran was located in the northeast limit of the Holy

Land.

1. Damascus was the well known capital of Syria and

an important commercial center.

a. Isaiah 7:8, for the head of Aram is

Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only

Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be

too shattered to be a people (NIV 1984)



40

b. Ezekiel 27:18, “‘Damascus, because of your

many products and great wealth of goods, did

business with you in wine from Helbon and

wool from Zahar. (NIV 1984)

c. Genesis 14:15, During the night Abram

divided his men to attack them and he routed

them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of

Damascus. (NIV 1984)

d. Genesis 15:2, But Abram said, “O Sovereign

Lord, what can you give me since I remain

childless and the one who will inherit my estate

is Eliezer of Damascus?” (NIV 1984)

Ezekiel 47:17, The boundary will extend from the sea to Hazar

Enan, along the northern border of Damascus, with the border

of Hamath to the north. This will be the north boundary. (NIV

1984)

I. The boundary will extend from the sea to Hazar Enan, along the

northern border of Damascus, with the border of Hamath to the

north.

A. Hazar Enan. Hazar (village of fountains) is a term

meaning “unwalled village” and is used often as a prefix for

geographical names in the Bible. (Youngblood, Nelson’s

New Illustrated Bible Dictionary) Hazar-Enan was a place at

the easternmost point of the ideal northern boundary of the

Promised Land, midway between Damascus and the land of

Hamath. Hazar Enan was located about 70 miles NE of

Damascus in the direction of Palmyra. (Bromiley)



41

1. Numbers 34:9, continue to Ziphron and end at

Hazar Enan. This will be your boundary on the

north. (NIV 1984)

B. For Hamath see verse 15 above.

C. Damascus is the oldest continually inhabited city in the

world and capital of Syria located northeast of the Sea of

Galilee.

II. This will be the north boundary.

A. This was a definitely identifiable border, but Israel’s

exiles evidently never gained control of this ideal land grant.

Ezekiel 47:18, “On the east side the boundary will run between

Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and

the land of Israel, to the eastern sea and as far as Tamar. This

will be the east boundary. (NIV 1984)

I. “On the east side, the boundary will run between Hauran and

Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel,

to the eastern sea and as far as Tamar.

A. For Hauran see verse 16.

B. For Damascus see verse 17.

C. Gilead was a city in the region of Gilead east of the Jordan

River.

D. The “eastern sea” is the Dead Sea, also known as the Salt

Sea.



42

E. Tamar was located southwest of the Dead Sea.


Clarke identified Tamar as Hazozon Tamar or Engedi.

However, The Pulpit Commentary states this Tamar is not

the same as Hazozon Tamar or Engedi, but was a village near

the southern end of the Dead Sea.

II. This will be the east boundary.

A. This eastern boundary did not include areas once occupied

by half the tribe of Manasseh, Reuben and Gad.

1. Numbers 34:14-15, because the families of the

tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad and the half-tribe

of Manasseh have received their inheritance. These

two and a half tribes have received their inheritance

on the east side of the Jordan of Jericho, toward the

sunrise.”

(NIV 1984)

2. The Pulpit Commentary stated this lack of inclusion

of land east of Jordan does not mean that Israel could

not occupy it if they became able to do so.

a. Psalm 60:7, Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is

mine;Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter.

(NIV 1984)

b. Micah 7:14, Shepherd your people with your

staff, the flock of your inheritance, which lives

by itself in a forest, in fertile pasturelands. Let

them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in days long

ago. (NIV 1984)

c. Jeremiah 50:19, But I will bring Israel back

to his own pasture and he will graze on Carmel



43

and Bashan; his appetite will be satisfied on the

hills of Ephraim and Gilead. (NIV 1984)

d. Zechariah 10:10, I will bring them back

from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I

will bring them to Gilead and Lebanon, and

there will not be room enough for them. (NIV

1984)

Ezekiel 47:19, “On the south side it will run from Tamar as far

as the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of

Egypt to the Great Sea. This will be the south boundary. (NIV

1984)

I. “On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the waters of

Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Great Sea.

A. For Tamar (palm tree) see verse 18.

B. Meribah Kadesh (near Kadesh Barnea) was located in the

wilderness of Zin (Sin), a second place where Moses struck a

rock. Israel encamped here near the end of their wilderness

wandering. (Youngblood, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible

Dictionary)

1. Numbers 20:1-13, In the first month the whole

Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin,

and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and

was buried. Now there was no water for the

community, and the people gathered in opposition to

Moses and Aaron. They quarreled with Moses and

said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell

dead before the Lord! Why did you bring the

Lord’s community into this desert, that we and our

livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up



44

out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or

figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no

water to drink!” Moses and Aaron went from the

assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and

fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to

them. The Lord said to Moses, “Take the staff, and

you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly

together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it

will pour out its water. You will bring water out of

the rock for the community so they and their

livestock can drink.” So Moses took the staff from

the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. He

and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front

of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you

rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?”

Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock

twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the

community and their livestock drank. But the Lord

said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust

in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the

Israelites, you will not bring this community into the

land I give them.” These were the waters of

Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the

Lord and where he showed himself holy among

them. (NIV 1984)

2. Genesis 16:14, That is why the well was called

Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and

Bered. (NIV 1984)

C. Wadi of Egypt (Wady-el-Arish). A wadi is a valley,

ravine, or riverbed that usually remains dry except during the

rainy season. The Wadi or brook of Egypt served as the

dividing line between Canaan and Egypt. (Youngblood,

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary) Clarke observed



45

this Wadi, river is also called Besor, which runs into The

Great Sea near Gaza.

D. The Great Sea is the Mediterranean Sea.

1. Numbers 34:5, where it will turn, join the Wadi

of Egypt and end at the Sea. (NIV 1984)

II. This will be the south boundary.

A. Again, the exact border was specified, but the exiles may

never have possessed everything God promised.

Ezekiel 47:20, “On the west side, the Great Sea will be the

boundary to a point opposite Lebo Hamath. This will be the

west boundary. (NIV 1984)

I. “On the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary to a point

opposite Lebo Hamath.

A. For Lebo Hamath see verse 15.

1. Judges 19:10, But, unwilling to stay another night,

the man left and went toward Jebus (that is,

Jerusalem), with his two saddled donkeys and his

concubine. (NIV 1984)

2. Judges 20:43, They surrounded the Benjamites,

chased them and easily overran them in the vicinity

of Gibeah on the east. (NIV 1984)

B. The west boundary is clear. It is the Mediterranean Sea.

II. This will be the west boundary.



46

A. Only under the leadership of David, Solomon and

Jeroboam II did Israel/Judah reach these geographical limits

governmentally. (See Fredenburg.)

1. Fredenburg further wrote, “Ezekiel’s boundary thus

conforms to both the ancient Mosaic and Davidic

ideals. A return to this envisioned land would be a

return to the distantly past “golden age” of David.”

Ezekiel 47:21, “You are to distribute this land among

yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. (NIV 1984)

I. “You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to

the tribes of Israel.

A. The Pulpit Commentary states the land was to be

partitioned among the tribes as tribes rather than among the

families of Israel.

1. See verse 13.

Ezekiel 47:22, You are to allot it as an inheritance for

yourselves and for the aliens who have settled among you and

who have children. You are to consider them as native-born

Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance

among the tribes of Israel. (NIV 1984)

I. You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the

aliens who have settled among you and who have children.

A. “Strangers (foreigners) who permanently dwelt among the

tribes of Israel were to receive permanent portions according

to the tribe where they lived. Thus Gentiles as well as Jews

would be welcome in the new land.” (Hamilton)



47

1. Leviticus 19:33-34, “‘When an alien lives with you

in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living

with you must be treated as one of your native-born.

Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I

am the Lord your God. (NIV 1984)

2. Clarke wrote, “In former divisions of the land, no

place was given to strangers (non-Israelites), but in this

division, aliens remarkably are treated as equals with

Israelites.

a. Clarke reminded his readers that in the church

all races and nations are equal and that God is no

respecter of persons.

II. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with

you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of

Israel.

A. Fredenburg wrote, “This move is startling because it lays

the groundwork for a complete redefinition of the people of

Israel. Individual ownership and inheritance rights are now

extended to permanent resident aliens according to the tribe

among which they chose to live and rear their children. They

were permitted access to the temple and its worship to the

same degree, and with the same privileges and

responsibilities, as any other Israelite worshipers.”

1. Isaiah 56:3-8, Let no foreigner who has bound

himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely

exclude me from his people.” And let not any

eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.” For this is

what the Lord says: “To the eunuchs who keep my

Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast

to my covenant—to them I will give within my



48

temple and its walls a memorial and a name better

than sons and daughters;I will give them an

everlasting name that will not be cut off. And

foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve

him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship

him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it

and who hold fast to my covenant—these I will

bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my

house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices

will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be

called a house of prayer for all nations.” The

Sovereign Lord declares—he who gathers the exiles

of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides

those already gathered.” (NIV 1984)

B. This was a marked advance as to how strangers in the land

were to be treated. (See The Pulpit Commentary.)

1. Exodus 22:21, “Do not mistreat an alien or

oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt. (NIV

1984)

2. Exodus 23:9, “Do not oppress an alien; you

yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because

you were aliens in Egypt. (NIV 1984)

3. Leviticus 19:34, The alien living with you must be

treated as one of your native-born. Love him as

yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord

your God. (NIV 1984)

Ezekiel 47:23, In whatever tribe the alien settles, there you are

to give him his inheritance,” declares the Sovereign Lord.

(NIV 1984)



49

I. In whatever tribe the alien settles, there you are to give him his

inheritance,” declares the Sovereign LORD.

A. The alien strangers were to have their inheritance within

the territory of the tribe among which they settled, chose to

reside.

Conclusion:

I. The bewildered and despondent exiles were greatly encouraged

by these words from Ezekiel.

A. The temple has been rebuilt.

B. Yahweh has established regulations for orderly worship.

C. The exiles would return home and be restored to full

fellowship with God.

D. Strangers would be welcome in the new Israel.

II. In the gospel era, Jews and Gentiles are accorded the same

rights and privileges.

A. John 10:16, I have other sheep that are not of this

sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to

my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

(NIV 1984)

B. Romans 2:10-11, but glory, honor and peace for

everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the

Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. NIV 1984)

C. Romans 9:24, even us, whom he also called, not only

from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? NIV 1984)



50

D. Galatians 3:8-14, 28, The Scripture foresaw that God

would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the

gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be

blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed

along with Abraham, the man of faith. All who rely on

observing the law are under a curse, for it is written:

“Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do

everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no

one is justified before God by the law, because, “The

righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith;

on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live

by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law

by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is

everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order

that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the

Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might

receive the promise of the Spirit. There is neither Jew nor

Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one

in Christ Jesus. (NIV 1984)

E. Ephesians 2:14-16, For he himself is our peace, who

has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the

dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the

law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose

was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus

making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of

them to God through the cross, by which he put to death

their hostility. (NIV 1984)

III. God’s grace is everywhere to be bestowed on those who seek

the Sovereign LORD.



51

Questions

On

Ezekiel 47:1-23

1. How, in the thinking of ancient near eastern people, were diety-

people-land related? _____________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

2. What does the river flowing from the temple represent? ______

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

3. What effect did the contents of Ezekiel 47 have on the exiles?

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

4. Who was “the man” who brought Ezekiel back to the entrance

of the temple? Where have we encountered this “man” previously

in the book of Ezekiel? __________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________



52

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

5. Trace Ezekiel’s steps before and after being brought back to the

entrance of the temple? (See Ezekiel 46:1-47:23.) _____________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

6. What did Ezekiel see? From where did it come? Where did it

go? __________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

7. Trace this stream from beginning to end? _________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8. Give an example showing how the phraseology of Ezekiel is

similar to that of Revelation. ______________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________



53

9. A thousand cubits measured ________________ feet. How

long in miles, beginning to end, was this river? _______________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

10. Compare the depth of the water stop by stop beginning to end.

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

11. What was the elevation on “the very high mountain” at the

point the water first appeared and the point at which it ended? In

view of this fact, how do you account for the variance in water

depth? ________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

12. The river Ezekiel saw apparently _____________________

and ________________________ ________________________

and ______________________ without ____________________

into it any _______________________.

13. What was growing on the banks of the river? What was

unusual about this vegetation? _____________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________



54

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

14. Define “Arabah” and identify “Sea” as referenced in verse 8.

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

15. What happened when the river entered the Dead Sea? Why is

this body of water called the “Dead” Sea? ____________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

16. This ____________________ of _______________________

________________________ into the ____________________

that once was _______________________________, but was now

______________________ was the ________________________

of the _______________________ of _______________________

which ______________________ from the __________________

of ________________________.

17. Because where the ___________________, _______________

_____________________ will _____________________, it

behooves us to stay where the ___________________________ of

_______________________’s _____________________________

__________________________.

18. Where will fishermen stand? Locate these places. With what

did they fish? For what did they fish? _______________________

______________________________________________________



55

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

19. Why were the swamps and marshes not made fresh? ________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

20. What does “salt” represent in Scripture? __________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

21. List the characteristics of the trees that grew on the river’s

banks. What was usual and unusual about these trees? _________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

22. This __________________of the _______________________

___________________ __________________ the _____________



56

_______________________ is _________________________, but

_________________ __________________ _________________.

23. What important topic was introduced by the phase, “This is

what the Sovereign LORD says . . .,” in each of the following

references? Ezekiel 43:18: _______________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Ezekiel 44:9: __________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Ezekiel 45:9: __________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Ezekiel 46:1, 16: _______________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Ezekiel 47:13: _________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

24. The ________________________, Fredenburg noted, were a

_________________, “_________________, ________________”

who thought they would never again see their _______________

___________________ and who deeply ____________________

the fact that __________________-_________________________

________________ the ________________ _________________.

_____________________ and __________________ offered the

_________________ _______________ of __________________

___________________.



57

25. How many tribes of Israel were there? Name them and explain

your answer. ___________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

26. Exactly how was the land to be divided? Give a detailed

answer. _______________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

27. What influence did the descendants of Joseph have on the

history of Israel? What influence did the relationship between

Joseph and his brothers have on their descendants? ____________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

28. On what occasions in the Book of Ezekiel did God say, “I

swore with uplifted hand?” _______________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________



58

29. God had sworn numerous times that he would give the land of

Canaan to Israel, the descendants of Abraham. What did God say

on this subject? _________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

30. Compare the size of the Promised Land as described in Ezekiel

47 with the size of the Promised Land during Solomon’s reign. ___

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

31. Give the location and information regarding each of the

following places that marked the northern boundary of Ezekiel’s

envisioned Promised Land: The Great Sea. __________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Hethlon road ___________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Lebo Hamath __________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________



59

Zedad ________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Berothah ______________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Sibraim _______________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Damascus _____________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Hazar Hatticon _________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Hauran _______________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________



60

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Hazar Enan ____________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________


following places that marked the eastern boundary of Ezekiel’s

envisioned Promised Land: Gilead__________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Eastern Sea: ___________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Tamar: _______________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

33. Why was the land east of the Jordan River formerly allotted to

Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh not included in

Ezekiel’s vision of the Promised Land? Does this mean the

Israelites were forbidden from occupying land east of the Jordan

River? _______________________________________________



61

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________


following places that marked the southern boundary of Ezekiel’s

envisioned Promised Land. Meribah Kadesh: ________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Wadi of Egypt: ________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

35. The western border of Ezekiel’s envisioned Promised Land

began at ______________________, continued along the Great

Sea and ended at _______________________.

36. _____________________ (_________________________)

who ___________________ ____________________ among the

______________________ of _____________________ were to

_________________ __________________ _________________

according to the ___________________ where they lived. Thus

_____________________ as well as __________________ would

be _________________________ in the ____________________

________________________.

37. The Israelites were to consider such strangers as ___________



62

_________________-______________ ____________________;

they were to be ___________________ an ___________________

among the _________________ of ____________________.

38. Compare and contrast the way Moses commanded strangers to

be treated with the way Ezekiel envisioned that strangers living in

Israel be treated. _______________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

39. What did Ezekiel say that greatly encouraged the bewildered

and despondent exiles? __________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

40. In the _____________________ era, __________________

and __________________ are accorded the same _____________

and ________________________. _______________________ ‘s

_____________________ to be ___________________________

on those who _____________________ the __________________

________________________.

the river from the temple the boundaries of the...

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