Ezekiel 45 9

Ezekiel 45:9 kjv

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 45:9 nkjv

'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Enough, O princes of Israel! Remove violence and plundering, execute justice and righteousness, and stop dispossessing My people," says the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 45:9 niv

"?'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: You have gone far enough, princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Ezekiel 45:9 esv

"Thus says the Lord GOD: Enough, O princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression, and execute justice and righteousness. Cease your evictions of my people, declares the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 45:9 nlt

"For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Enough, you princes of Israel! Stop your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Quit robbing and cheating my people out of their land. Stop expelling them from their homes, says the Sovereign LORD.

Ezekiel 45 verses

Ezekiel 45 9 Meaning

This verse, part of a visionary account of a future temple and land division, sets forth a specific requirement for the princes. They are to take land, but this allocation comes with responsibilities for the holy offerings for all Israel. This demonstrates a continued, though transformed, role for leadership in Israel's worship, highlighting a covenantal partnership between leaders and people.

Ezekiel 45 9 Context

Ezekiel 45 is part of the visionary blueprint for a future temple and a renewed land distribution presented by Ezekiel the prophet. This vision, revealed during the Babylonian exile, signifies a restoration of God's presence and a reconstituted Israel. This particular verse appears within the section detailing land ownership and responsibilities for sanctuary provisions. The princes are assigned specific portions of land adjacent to the sanctuary, marking their continuing, albeit spiritualized, role in governance and worship.

Ezekiel 45 9 Word Analysis

• "And the prince":
  • Hebrew: וְהַנָּשִׂיא (ve'hanasI') - "ve" (and) connects to the previous statements. "hanasI'" (the prince/leader).
  • Significance: Refers to a divinely appointed ruler or leader in this future Israel, distinct from the people of Israel as a whole. This term signifies leadership.
• "shall have a portion":
  • Hebrew: יִֽהְיֶה־ל֤וֹ יְבּוּלִים֙ (yihyeh-lo yebulim) - "yihyeh" (will be, shall be), "lo" (to him, for him), "yebulim" (produce, harvest, gain, appointed portion).
  • Meaning: A designated inheritance or gain will be allocated to him. This is his entitlement.
• "on this side and on that side":
  • Hebrew: מִצָּֽד־וָצָֽד (mitzadis tzadis) - "mi" (from), "tzad" (side), "va" (and).
  • Meaning: Encompassing both sides, indicating a full or complete allotment or position relative to something. This emphasizes comprehensiveness.
• "of the donation":
  • Hebrew: מִתְּרוּמַ֣ת הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ (mitrumat hakodesh) - "mi" (from), "trumah" (heave offering, sacred contribution), "hakodesh" (the holy).
  • Meaning: From the sacred offering. This points to wealth or produce dedicated to God.
• "of the inheritance of Israel":
  • Hebrew: נַחֲלַ֥ת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (nachalat Yisra'el) - "nachalah" (inheritance, portion), "Yisra'el" (Israel).
  • Meaning: From the land inheritance designated for Israel. The princes' portion comes from what is allotted to the nation.
• "for the prince":
  • Hebrew: לַנָּשִׂ֑יא (lanasi) - "la" (to, for), "hanasI'" (the prince).
  • Meaning: Designated for the prince.
• "shall be on this side and on that side":
  • Hebrew: יִֽהְיֶה־ל֤וֹ מִצָּֽד־וָצָֽד (yihyeh-lomitzadis tzadis) - Repeats the phrase for emphasis, meaning "will be for him on this side and on that side."
  • Significance: Reinforces the prince's possession bordering the communal and holy areas.
• "of the donation of the sanctuary":
  • Hebrew: לִתְרוּמַ֣ת הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ (litrumat hakodesh) - "li" (for, to), "trumah" (heave offering), "hakodesh" (the holy).
  • Meaning: For the sacred heave offering of the sanctuary.
• "and of the property of the house":
  • Hebrew: וּמִקְּנֵ֤ה הַבַּ֙יִת֙ (umikkeneh habayit) - "u" (and), "mi" (from), "keneh" (possession, property, purchased thing), "habayit" (the house).
  • Meaning: And from the property or possessions of the house (referring to the temple). This indicates resources belonging to the sanctuary.
• "in the midst of the land":
  • Hebrew: מִתּוֹךְ־הָאָ֔רֶץ (mitok ha'arets) - "mi" (from), "tokh" (middle, midst), "ha'arets" (the land).
  • Meaning: From the central part of the land. This emphasizes the central sacredness of the temple's location.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the donation and of the property of the house": This phrase juxtaposes two categories of resources. "Donation" (trumah) implies voluntary or obligatory sacred offerings from the people, while "property of the house" refers to resources formally belonging to the temple itself, perhaps designated land or assets. The princes' role is to oversee and benefit from provisions connected to both the people's offerings and the temple's estate.
• "on this side and on that side of the donation... and of the property...": This structure suggests the prince's allocated land serves as a buffer or intermediary between the holy sanctuary and the secular tribal lands, encompassing offerings and possessions related to the temple's ministry. It positions the prince as a guardian and facilitator of these sacred resources.

Ezekiel 45 9 Bonus Section

The division of land in Ezekiel's vision reflects the historical land division among the tribes of Israel in Joshua's time, but with specific adjustments for the sanctuary and the roles of priests, Levites, and princes. The emphasis on princes being allotted land connected to sacred contributions is a development from Old Testament kings, who were sometimes responsible for provision of sacrifices but often overstepped their bounds. This vision presents a more structured and God-ordained role for leadership in supporting the holiness of the sanctuary. The "house" referred to is the Temple. The concept of princes having their own lands and also being responsible for supporting sacred functions echoes through Christian understanding of believers, particularly leaders, being blessed and also tasked with supporting God's work.

Ezekiel 45 9 Commentary

This verse underscores the responsible leadership expected in a restored Israel, especially concerning sacred matters. The prince is not merely a secular ruler but is intrinsically linked to the worship system. His allotted inheritance borders both the sacred offerings and the temple's property, indicating a duty to manage and provide for these spiritual resources. This foreshadows a future where leadership is intimately connected to service in God's dwelling place. The prince's portion, derived from the people’s inheritance and the temple's assets, implies that leadership resources are divinely sanctioned and provided through the communal structure, reinforcing a theme of stewardship and shared responsibility for worship.