Ezekiel 47:13 kjv
Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions.
Ezekiel 47:13 nkjv
Thus says the Lord GOD: "These are the borders by which you shall divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions.
Ezekiel 47:13 niv
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "These are the boundaries of the land that you will divide among the twelve tribes of Israel as their inheritance, with two portions for Joseph.
Ezekiel 47:13 esv
Thus says the Lord GOD: "This is the boundary by which you shall divide the land for inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions.
Ezekiel 47:13 nlt
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "Divide the land in this way for the twelve tribes of Israel: The descendants of Joseph will be given two shares of land.
Ezekiel 47 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 47:13-14 | "Thus says the Lord God: This shall be the border... this is what you shall assign for the inheritance of the land." | Direct Statement of Inheritance |
| Num 34:1-12 | "The Lord said to Moses, 'Command the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land of Canaan... this shall be your land with its boundaries.'" | Israel's Promised Land Boundaries |
| Josh 14:1-5 | "These are the inheritance which the people of Israel received in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel gave them." | Inheritance Distribution in Canaan |
| Gal 3:28-29 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." | Spiritual Inheritance in Christ |
| Rev 7:4-8 | "And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of the sons of Israel... The tribe of Judah... Reuben... Gad..." | Sealing of the Tribes (New Covenant Echo) |
| Deut 18:1-2 | "The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the Lord's food offerings and his inheritance." | Levites' Inheritance in God |
| Josh 13:14 | "To the tribe of Levi alone, Joshua gave no inheritance, for the offerings of the Lord God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to them." | Levites' Inheritance Source |
| Heb 10:19-22 | "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he has opened for us through the tear... let us draw near with a true heart." | Access to the Holy Place (Spiritual Inheritance) |
| Gen 49:1-28 | Jacob's prophetic blessings on his twelve sons, alluding to their future inheritance. | Patriarchal Blessings and Inheritance |
| Rev 21:10-14 | Description of the New Jerusalem, with foundations named after the twelve apostles and gates named after the twelve tribes of Israel. | New Jerusalem Tribes and Apostles |
| Isa 54:2-3 | "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left..." | Expansion of God's People's Inheritance |
| Zech 8:13 | "And as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong." | Restoration and Blessing |
| Ps 147:19-20 | "He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and his rules to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules. Praise the Lord!" | God's Covenant with Israel |
| Ezek 37:21-23 | "Then say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph... and the sticks of the people of Israel who are with him... and make them one stick, so that they are one in my hand." | Unification of Israel |
| Amos 9:11-12 | "After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen... that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name, declares the Lord who does this." | Restoration of David's Kingdom and Gentile Inclusion |
| Eph 2:19-22 | "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built together... in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord." | Unity in the Body of Christ |
| Luke 12:32 | "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." | God's Gift of the Kingdom |
| Matt 5:5 | "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." | Inheritance for the Meek |
| Acts 26:18 | "...to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me." | Inheritance in Christ |
| John 17:22 | "The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one." | Unity of Believers |
Ezekiel 47 verses
Ezekiel 47 13 Meaning
This verse describes the land inheritance for the twelve tribes of Israel, along with a special portion for the Levites and the priests. It emphasizes a division of the land based on tribal lineage, establishing an orderly and just distribution according to God's command.
Ezekiel 47 13 Context
Ezekiel chapter 47 describes a vision of a restored Temple with a life-giving river flowing from beneath it. This chapter continues the theme of divine restoration and God's detailed plan for His people and His land. Verse 13 specifically shifts focus to the administrative and territorial aspects of this renewed covenant. It follows descriptions of the river's expansion and its miraculous properties. Historically, this vision provided hope to the exiled Israelites, painting a picture of a future, perfect restoration far beyond their current state. The specific land divisions recall the original inheritance promised and distributed in the land of Canaan under Joshua, but here they are presented within a renewed, sacred geography centered on the new Temple.
Ezekiel 47 13 Word Analysis
וְאַתֶּם (və’attem): "And you." A direct address, establishing the subject and the subsequent directives.
תִּתְּנוּ (titt’nu): "you shall give." Future tense, indicating a command or prophecy regarding future action. This implies a divine mandate.
נַחֲלָה (năḥălâ): "an inheritance," "a portion," "heritage." This word signifies land or property inherited by a family, reflecting God’s covenant promises to Israel. It’s central to God's historical dealings with them.
לְךָ (ləḵâ): "to you." Refers back to the recipients of the vision, Israel.
וּלְאָחִיךָ (ūlə’āḥîḵâ): "and to your brother." This likely refers to the Levites, who were not given a distinct tribal inheritance in the same way as the other sons of Israel but were designated for priestly service and supported by God’s provision through the other tribes. In this context, it broadens the scope of recipients.
אָחִֽיךָ (āḥîḵâ): "your brother." Contextually refers to the Levites.
נַחֲלָה (năḥălâ): "inheritance." Repeated, emphasizing the allotment.
בְּתוֹךְ (bəṯôḵ): "in the midst of," "among." Indicates the integration of this inheritance within the larger territories.
שֵׁבֶט (šêḇeṭ): "tribe." A fundamental unit of Israelite society and land distribution.
שֶׁבֶט (šêḇeṭ): "tribe." Used twice for clarity in dividing land.
הַנַּחֲלָה (han-năḥălâ): "the inheritance." Specifying that the division is among the tribes themselves.
אֲשֶׁר (’ăšer): "which," "that." Introduces the relative clause describing the tribes.
תִּתְּנוּ (titt’nu): "you shall give." Again, emphasizing the directive.
לְבִשְׁבְעַת (ləviš‘âṯ): "to the twelve." Indicating the total number of tribal portions.
שָֽׁבֶט (šāḇeṭ): "tribe." Reinforces the count.
לְשֵׁבֶט (ləšêḇeṭ): "to a tribe." Singular form again emphasizing individual portions.
אֶחָד (’eḥâḏ): "one." Concludes the statement about the distribution to each of the twelve tribes.
וְכֵן (wəḵên): "And so," "likewise." Indicates a parallel action or distribution.
נַחֲלָתוֹ (naḥălâṯô): "his inheritance." Refers to the inheritance of those not counted among the twelve sons in the usual sense.
אֲשֶׁר (’ăšer): "which." Introducing the category of people receiving a separate portion.
בְּתוֹךְ (bəṯôḵ): "in the midst of." Position relative to the rest of Israel.
הַמַּחֲלקֹת (ham-maḥăleqôṯ): "the divisions," "allotments." The structured portions of the land.
Group: Tribal Inheritance and Distribution
- תִּתְּנוּ נַחֲלָה לְךָ וּלְאָחִיךָ נַחֲלָה (titt’nu năḥălâ ləḵâ ūlə’āḥîḵâ naḥălâ): "you shall give an inheritance to you and to your brother an inheritance." This highlights the inclusive nature of the land distribution, ensuring not just the primary line but also allied groups (like the Levites, seen as spiritual "brothers" or dependents) receive their portions.
- בְּתוֹךְ שֵׁבֶט שֵׁבֶט (bəṯôḵ šêḇeṭ šêḇeṭ): "in the midst of a tribe, a tribe." This construction indicates that within the territory assigned to a particular tribe, a portion would also be set aside.
- לְשֵׁבֶט שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר (ləšêḇeṭ šnêy ‘āśār): "to a tribe, twelve." This signifies that there would be twelve such principal divisions, corresponding to the tribes.
- וְכֵן נַחֲלָתוֹ אֲשֶׁר בְּתוֹךְ הַמַּחֲלקֹת (wəḵên naḥălâṯô ’ăšer bəṯôḵ ham-maḥăleqôṯ): "and so his inheritance, which is in the midst of the divisions." This establishes a parallel for separate portions, likely for the Levites or priests, integrated within the broader tribal territories.
Ezekiel 47 13 Bonus Section
The structure of land distribution is crucial in the Old Testament, symbolizing the fulfillment of God’s promises and His direct involvement in governing His people. The "inheritance" was not merely land but a manifestation of covenant blessing and security. The distinction between the portions of the other tribes and the provision for the Levites reflects a division of labor and sacred duty within Israel. While this vision pertains to a future terrestrial kingdom, its principles resonate with the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ: a place in God's presence, provision for ministry, and participation in the new Jerusalem. The orderliness here contrasts with the chaos of exile and signifies a return to divine purpose and established divine order.
Ezekiel 47 13 Commentary
This verse outlines the practical implementation of God's inheritance for Israel in the restored land. It's not just a spiritual promise but a tangible allocation of territory. The inclusion of "your brother" alongside "you" is significant; it likely refers to the Levites, who, according to earlier commands (Deut 18:1-2), were not to receive a territorial inheritance among the tribes but were provided for by tithes and the Lord's portion. Here, it suggests they too will have defined areas or provisions within the tribal lands, possibly around their cities, integrated yet distinct. The verse confirms a precise division, mirroring the original conquest and allocation under Joshua but situated within the new covenant context of Ezekiel’s vision. The orderly, predetermined nature of this distribution underscores God's faithfulness, His comprehensive plan, and His commitment to ensuring His people are provided for. It paints a picture of a settled, prosperous, and well-organized nation under God’s direct, restored favor.