Ezekiel 47 22

Ezekiel 47:22 kjv

And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.

Ezekiel 47:22 nkjv

It shall be that you will divide it by lot as an inheritance for yourselves, and for the strangers who dwell among you and who bear children among you. They shall be to you as native-born among the children of Israel; they shall have an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.

Ezekiel 47:22 niv

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

Ezekiel 47:22 esv

You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the sojourners who reside among you and have had children among you. They shall be to you as native-born children of Israel. With you they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

Ezekiel 47:22 nlt

Distribute the land as an allotment for yourselves and for the foreigners who have joined you and are raising their families among you. They will be like native-born Israelites to you and will receive an allotment among the tribes.

Ezekiel 47 verses

Ezekiel 47 22 meaning

Ezekiel 47:22 commands the allocation of land inheritance to the "sojourners" (resident foreigners) living among the Israelites in the restored land. This inheritance is to be given equally with the native-born Israelites, distributing it by lot, ensuring their full integration into the land's possession alongside the tribes of Israel. This revolutionary decree emphasizes an inclusive vision of God's people in the eschatological era, transcending previous distinctions between Israelite and resident foreigner regarding land ownership.

Ezekiel 47 22 Context

Ezekiel 47 is part of the final vision in the book of Ezekiel (chapters 40-48), describing a divinely reordered temple, worship, priesthood, and land distribution for a restored Israel in the eschatological age. Prior to this verse, Ezekiel sees a river flowing from the temple, bringing life and healing to the Dead Sea (Ez 47:1-12), symbolizing abundant blessing. The preceding verses (Ez 47:13-21) meticulously detail the new boundaries and geographical extent of the promised land. This sets the stage for the division of the land among the twelve tribes, where Judah and Joseph's descendants each receive a double portion. Amidst these administrative and territorial details, verse 22 introduces a remarkable deviation from traditional practice by specifically including "sojourners" in the land inheritance, challenging historical exclusivity and reinforcing a deeply inclusive aspect of God's future plan. Culturally, land inheritance in ancient Israel was strictly tribal and family-based, often tied to birthright and ethnic identity, making this command for the sojourner truly groundbreaking. It stands as a polemic against the natural human inclination towards xenophobia and nationalistic possession, pointing to a future divine order founded on universal justice and grace.

Ezekiel 47 22 Word analysis

• divide (חֶבֶל - chêbel): Literally "line" or "cord," referring to a measuring line or a portion measured out by such a line. It implies a definite, allotted portion of land. The verb form here, "you shall divide by lot" (תַּפִּילוּ אֹתָהּ – tappîlû ’ôtāh), confirms distribution by lot, signifying divine decree and impartiality, not human choice.
• inheritance (נַחֲלָה – nachalah): Denotes a possession, an allotment, or a heritage. It specifically refers to the ancestral land promised by God. In ancient Israel, this was primarily tied to lineage. Granting this to sojourners elevates their status dramatically.
• them (אֶתְהֶם – 'ethem): Refers to the collective land portions previously described, intended for the tribes of Israel.
• sojourners (גֵּרִים – gērîm): Plural of ger. This Hebrew term refers to a resident alien, a non-Israelite who has come to live in the land. They had specific legal protections (Lev 19:33-34) but historically did not own ancestral land like native Israelites.
• sojourn (גָּרִים – gārîm): The act of dwelling temporarily or residing as a foreigner. Emphasizes their status as non-natives who have chosen to live among Israel.
• among (בְּתוֹךְ – bᵉthôkh): Means "in the midst of" or "amongst." This highlights their current residential status within the community.
• children of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל – bᵉnê Yisra'el): The native, ethnic Israelites, those considered "sons of Israel."
• you shall cast lots (תַּפִּילוּ אֹתָהּ – tappîlû 'ôtāh): The method for dividing the land. Lot casting was understood as a way of discerning God's will and ensuring an impartial, divinely ordained distribution (Num 26:55-56, Act 1:26).
• as the native-born (כְּאֶזְרָח – kᵉ'ezrach): Ezrach is a native-born Israelite. The prefix "כְּ" (kᵉ-) means "as" or "like." This is the pivotal phrase, equating the ger (sojourner) to the ezrach (native) in terms of land inheritance rights.
• with you (אִתְּכֶם – 'itkhem): Emphasizes their co-possession alongside the native Israelites.
• they shall have an inheritance (וְהָיָה לָהֶם נַחֲלָה – vᵉhāyāh lāhem nachalah): This verb phrase makes it an active, undeniable right for the sojourners to receive an inheritance.
• among the tribes of Israel (בְּתוֹךְ שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל – bᵉthôkh shivṭê Yisra'el): This specifies the location and nature of their integration. Their land portions will be indistinguishably interspersed among those of the twelve tribes.

Words-group analysis

• "divide it by lot for an inheritance": This phrase combines the divine method of allocation (lot) with the concept of permanent, inherited land possession. It signals an unchallengeable, God-ordained entitlement.
• "the sojourners who sojourn among you": Clearly defines the beneficiaries: not casual visitors, but resident foreigners who have integrated into the community. Their enduring presence merits permanent provision.
• "you shall apportion to them with you as the native-born": This is the core revolutionary command. It directly negates any prior ethnic or birthright-based distinctions regarding the fundamental right to own and inherit land, granting sojourners the highest level of integration.
• "they shall have an inheritance among the tribes of Israel": Confirms the full extent of their integration. Their portions are not segregated; they become part of the tribal landscape, erasing the land ownership distinction between native and non-native.

Ezekiel 47 22 Bonus section

The vision of Ezekiel, particularly in its conclusion, is profoundly significant for understanding God's long-term purposes for Israel and, through Israel, for all humanity. This verse directly challenges the idea of exclusive privilege based solely on ethnic origin, pointing to a community where fidelity and presence among God's people become paramount. This egalitarian approach to land inheritance—the most valuable and identity-forming possession in ancient culture—lays groundwork for the expanded vision of the Kingdom of God that transcends national borders and genetic lines. The future depicted here, where sojourners receive land among the tribes, highlights not just mere acceptance, but full assimilation and an equitable share in God's material blessings for His redeemed community. It implies that true Israel, in its ideal state, would be a welcoming nation reflecting God's impartial justice.

Ezekiel 47 22 Commentary

Ezekiel 47:22 stands as a profound theological statement within the detailed vision of the restored Israel. While earlier laws commanded protection and kindness towards sojourners (e.g., Exod 22:21, Lev 19:33-34), and even allowed for religious participation (Exod 12:48-49), none granted them ancestral land inheritance on par with native-born Israelites. Land ownership was central to Israelite identity, spiritual covenant, and social standing, inherited exclusively through tribal lineage.

This verse therefore represents a radical, eschatological inclusivity—a characteristic feature of God's ultimate kingdom. In the messianic age, God's concern for justice and his redemptive plan extends to all who genuinely affiliate themselves with His people. The divine decree through Ezekiel suggests a breaking down of old ethnic and social barriers that typically dictated property rights. The inclusion of sojourners in land inheritance, given by lot (emphasizing divine impartiality), implies their full citizenship and equal status in the restored community, sharing equally in the tangible blessings of God's covenant with Israel. It reflects a purified vision of Israel, where belonging is less about exclusive birthright and more about participation in the community gathered around the new temple and river of life.

This command prefigures the New Testament concept of a spiritual "Israel" (Rom 9:6), where all believers—Jew or Gentile—become co-heirs with Christ and share in the spiritual inheritance of God's promises (Gal 3:29, Eph 3:6). It’s a powerful testament to the universal scope of God’s grace and the ultimate obliteration of all divisive lines among those who genuinely cleave to Him. It encourages a generous and welcoming posture toward "outsiders" who seek to align themselves with God's people.