Ezekiel 48 29

Ezekiel 48:29 kjv

This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their portions, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 48:29 nkjv

This is the land which you shall divide by lot as an inheritance among the tribes of Israel, and these are their portions," says the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 48:29 niv

"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.

Ezekiel 48:29 esv

This is the land that you shall allot as an inheritance among the tribes of Israel, and these are their portions, declares the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 48:29 nlt

"These are the allotments that will be set aside for each tribe's exclusive possession. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!

Ezekiel 48 verses

Ezekiel 48 29 meaning

Ezekiel 48:29 serves as the solemn divine declaration concluding the detailed description of the re-divided land among the twelve tribes of Israel, including the special portion for the sanctuary and the city. It emphatically affirms that this allocation is not by human design but by divine decree, given as an enduring inheritance through an impartial lottery system, underscoring God's faithfulness to His covenant promises of a future, perfectly ordered restoration for His people.

Ezekiel 48 29 Context

Ezekiel chapter 48 concludes a lengthy visionary section (chapters 40-48) detailing a new Temple, its rituals, and the re-division of the land of Israel following the Babylonian exile. The vision provides immense hope to a people who have lost their Temple, their land, and their sovereignty.

Chapter 48 specifically outlines the tribal inheritances, allocating strips of land from north to south, and concludes with a detailed description of the holy district, the new city, and its gates. Verse 29, therefore, functions as a definitive summation, confirming the legitimacy and divine origin of this meticulous plan. It assures the exiles that, despite their current disarray and scattering, God has a precise and just restoration awaiting them, re-establishing their identity and relationship with Him, centered around His dwelling place among them. This promise encompasses all twelve tribes, emphasizing unity and the fulfillment of ancient covenants.

Ezekiel 48 29 Word analysis

• This is the land:
  • This: Refers specifically to the detailed land boundaries and tribal allocations just described in Ezek 47:13-48:28. It emphasizes the tangible reality and specificity of God's promise.
  • is the land: Declares the designated territory as a singular, unified entity despite its division.
• that you shall divide:
  • you: Refers collectively to the people, or more specifically, the appointed authorities who would carry out this divine directive.
  • shall divide: Emphasizes divine instruction and future execution.
• by lot:
  • Hebrew: גּוֹרָל (goral) - means 'lot', a means of making decisions or apportioning land, seen as guided by divine intervention (Prov 16:33).
  • Significance: Assures fairness and impartiality. It removes human favoritism or power struggles from the process, reinforcing that the distribution is purely according to God's sovereign will, reflecting the earlier distribution in Joshua's time.
• for inheritance:
  • Hebrew: נַחֲלָה (naḥalah) - means 'inheritance, possession, patrimony'. It implies a permanent, rightful possession passed down through generations.
  • Significance: Connects back to God's original covenant with Abraham for the land as an everlasting possession. This is not a temporary grant but a foundational, permanent return to their God-given patrimony.
• among the tribes of Israel:
  • among the tribes: Stresses that every tribal group, including those who were historically dispersed (e.g., the northern tribes), will receive their designated share. It symbolizes complete restoration and unity of all Israel.
• This is their portion:
  • their portion: Hebrew: חֶלְקָם (ḥelqam) - 'their share, allotment'.
  • Significance: Re-emphasizes the finality and divine sanction of the allocation. It is a definite, unchangeable share given by God Himself.
• declares the Lord GOD:
  • Hebrew: נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה (ne'um Adonai Yahweh) - 'declaration of the Lord Yahweh'. Ne'um signifies a solemn, authoritative, and irrevocable pronouncement. Adonai Yahweh combines the sovereign master title with the personal, covenantal name of God, emphasizing His power and faithfulness.
  • Significance: This authoritative signature frequently concludes prophetic sections. It guarantees the absolute truth and certain fulfillment of everything previously stated in the vision, especially concerning the land division. It leaves no room for doubt about the divine origin and reliability of these promises.

Ezekiel 48 29 Bonus section

The profound detail of the land division in Ezekiel, leading up to verse 29, signifies not just a physical resettlement but a complete reordering of Israelite society and worship. Unlike previous divisions in history, Ezekiel's plan emphasizes equal portions for all tribes, even Manasseh and Ephraim, descendants of Joseph, and reverses the geographical order often seen, moving from North to South, possibly highlighting a new, unified beginning. The specific attention given to the "holy allotment" (Ezek 48:8-20) as the heart of the land, containing both the Temple and the city, reveals a theological restructuring where God's presence is unequivocally central to the nation's existence. This holistic vision addresses both their physical dispersion and their spiritual alienation, assuring them that God intends for them to dwell in perfect order with Him perpetually among them. The declaration in verse 29, therefore, is not merely about real estate but about God's comprehensive plan for an eschatological dwelling place for His restored covenant people.

Ezekiel 48 29 Commentary

Ezekiel 48:29 acts as a concluding theological summary for the visionary instructions regarding the new land distribution. It affirms that the meticulously described division of the land is not a speculative dream but a concrete divine promise, to be realized perfectly and justly through God's appointed means of lot. This method underscores divine sovereignty over human desires, ensuring impartial distribution for a fully restored, unified Israel. The promise of "inheritance" links this future restoration directly to God's eternal covenant with Abraham, emphasizing permanent possession and a renewed identity rooted in the land. The powerful phrase "declares the Lord GOD" authenticates the entire vision as God's inviolable word, providing ultimate certainty and hope to a disillusioned people, promising not merely a return to land, but a perfected communal life under His direct governance and presence. This verse embodies God's faithfulness and His sovereign ordering of His people's future.