Ezekiel 46:17 kjv
But if he give a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants, then it shall be his to the year of liberty; after it shall return to the prince: but his inheritance shall be his sons' for them.
Ezekiel 46:17 nkjv
But if he gives a gift of some of his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his until the year of liberty, after which it shall return to the prince. But his inheritance shall belong to his sons; it shall become theirs.
Ezekiel 46:17 niv
If, however, he makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, the servant may keep it until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs to his sons only; it is theirs.
Ezekiel 46:17 esv
But if he makes a gift out of his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty. Then it shall revert to the prince; surely it is his inheritance ? it shall belong to his sons.
Ezekiel 46:17 nlt
But if the prince gives a gift of land from his inheritance to one of his servants, the servant may keep it only until the Year of Jubilee, which comes every fiftieth year. At that time the land will return to the prince. But when the prince gives gifts to his sons, those gifts will be permanent.
Ezekiel 46 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 44:28 | "And they shall have no inheritance: I am their inheritance; and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession." | Reinforces the concept of God's possession of priests/Levites. |
| Leviticus 27:21 | "But the field, when it is redeemed from the vendor, shall return unto him that bought it according to the property of the inheritance." | Clarifies inheritance rights for land. |
| Numbers 18:14 | "Every devoted thing in Israel shall be theirs." | Supports the idea of sacred things belonging to ministers. |
| Deuteronomy 18:3 | "And this shall be the priest’s due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw." | Details priestly portions. |
| Numbers 3:8 | "And they shall keep all the furniture of the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the service thereof, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle." | Highlights the service and responsibility of Levites. |
| Joshua 14:4 | "For the children of Joseph did not drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanites dwell among the Canaanites unto this day." | Shows the importance of full possession and inheritance. |
| Nehemiah 12:44 | "And on that day were some appointed over the storehouses for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them according to the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited." | Demonstrates the administrative aspects of offerings. |
| Matthew 10:9-10 | "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat." | Jesus' instructions to the disciples about provision. |
| 1 Corinthians 9:13 | "Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?" | Paul emphasizes the right to support for ministers. |
| 1 Corinthians 9:14 | "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." | Connects the principle to gospel ministers. |
| Galatians 6:6 | "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things." | Exhorts sharing with those who teach. |
| Hebrews 7:2-3 | "To whom also Abraham gave tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." | Melchizedek as a priestly model. |
| Hebrews 7:8 | "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth." | Contrast of earthly and heavenly priesthood. |
| Acts 4:32, 34-35 | "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common... neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." | Early church community and shared resources. |
| Luke 12:32 | "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." | God's provision for His people. |
| John 10:29 | "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." | Christ's assurance of believers' security. |
| Psalm 16:5 | "The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot." | David's declaration of God as his inheritance. |
| Psalm 37:18 | "The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever." | Assurance of lasting inheritance for the righteous. |
| Jeremiah 10:16 | "He is not like unto these: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name." | Israel as God's inheritance. |
| Deuteronomy 14:22 | "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year." | Command for tithing. |
Ezekiel 46 verses
Ezekiel 46 17 Meaning
This verse speaks about the prince's inheritance rights concerning the people's sacred gifts and the prohibition against giving it away. It emphasizes that the prince's possession of these holy offerings is an assurance for the people.
Ezekiel 46 17 Context
Ezekiel chapter 46 describes detailed regulations for worship in the restored Temple. This particular verse is part of a section (46:16-24) concerning the prince's role and privileges regarding land ownership, particularly in relation to ancestral portions and family arrangements. The preceding verses deal with the prince providing offerings for Sabbath and New Moon, and this verse shifts to how the prince’s inheritance and the people’s sacred lands are handled. The overarching context is the restoration of Israel after exile, with a focus on a future, purified worship and governmental system centered around God's presence in the Temple.
Ezekiel 46 17 Word Analysis
- And it shall be: Connects this regulation to previous ones.
- the prince’s: Refers to the ruling leader in this restored Davidic kingdom model.
- inheritance: Hebrew: nachalah (נַחֲלָה). Refers to a granted or inherited possession, typically land, which was tribal and ancestral in ancient Israel. It signified an inalienable right tied to the people of Israel.
- shall be: Future tense, indicating a divine ordinance.
- the people’s: Hebrew: la‘am (לָעָם). Refers to the common people of Israel.
- inheritance: Again, nachalah. This time it refers to the sacred portions belonging to the people, perhaps set aside for their support or inheritance.
- but my inheritance: Hebrew: uv'nachalati. This indicates a contrast. The prince's "inheritance" (the ancestral lands allotted to him) is distinct from the "inheritance" of the people, which refers to sacred portions.
- shall be: Will be.
- the prince’s: Again, referring to the prince.
- that he shall: Indicating his responsibility and privilege.
- give it from: To alienate, cede, or transfer it away from.
- my prince: Hebrew: la'adoni (לַאֲדֹנִי) - translated here as "my prince," but some scholars suggest ladi (לי) meaning "to me." If the latter, it might refer to God speaking from the Temple. The use of "my prince" emphasizes the prince's subordinate position to a higher authority (God).
- for the people: The intended beneficiaries or possessors.
- from his inheritance: Meaning the prince's own allotted ancestral land.
- shall it be: The verb "to be."
- given: Hebrew: yitenu (יִתֵּנוּ). Third-person plural, or singular passive form. To give, grant, or alienate.
Words-group analysis
- "the prince’s inheritance shall be the people’s inheritance": This phrasing suggests a communal aspect to the prince's landed estate, perhaps allowing for people's access or benefit from certain portions of it, or implying a shared connection and responsibility.
- "but my inheritance shall be the prince’s, that he shall give it from my inheritance to my prince": This complex phrase seems to imply that what belongs to God ("my inheritance," referring to the sacred lands, offerings, and possibly the Levitical portions within the prince's ancestral domain) is ultimately given to the prince ("my prince"). The emphasis is on the prince's stewardship over these holy things.
Ezekiel 46 17 Bonus Section
This verse highlights a unique aspect of the restored kingdom: a specific allocation of land for the prince, which intertwines with the broader land system. It speaks to a future economic and governmental order where sacred principles govern the stewardship of God's provision. The language of "my inheritance" being given to "my prince" underscores God’s ultimate sovereignty and the subordinate role of earthly rulers as His appointed stewards over divine provisions for His people and His ministers. It provides a contrast to the unconditional alienation of land in certain pagan practices. This careful regulation aims to maintain the sanctity of consecrated areas and ensure the sustenance of those dedicated to worship, a principle also seen in the New Testament’s emphasis on the church's support for its spiritual leaders (1 Cor 9:13-14).
Ezekiel 46 17 Commentary
Ezekiel 46:17 illustrates the specific responsibilities of the prince in the millennial Temple economy. It delineates the flow of property and ownership, emphasizing the prince's hereditary right to land while crucially setting boundaries. His own inherited estate must not be used to dispossess the people of their sacred portions, likely referencing areas designated for priestly portions, levitical cities, or other consecrated ground that formed part of the national inheritance.
The critical distinction lies between the prince’s personal patrimony and the “inheritance” that belongs to the people by divine ordinance, which are holy gifts. The verse states that God’s own inheritance—that is, the sacred allocations within the land that God Himself claims—is what is granted to the prince for stewardship. This highlights that even the prince’s rights are derived from and subordinate to God’s ownership. He holds these sacred trusts from God and must administer them properly, ensuring they benefit the rightful recipients (likely Levites and priests, as historically) and are not wrongfully alienated. This order protects the sacred trusts from secularization or unjust private appropriation, reinforcing the holiness of God’s land and covenant provisions for His ministers. It echoes the principle that earthly leadership is a sacred trust from God.