Ezekiel 48:6 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Ezekiel 48:6 kjv
And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Reuben.
Ezekiel 48:6 nkjv
by the border of Ephraim, from the east side to the west, one section for Reuben;
Ezekiel 48:6 niv
"Reuben will have one portion; it will border the territory of Ephraim from east to west.
Ezekiel 48:6 esv
Adjoining the territory of Ephraim, from the east side to the west, Reuben, one portion.
Ezekiel 48:6 nlt
and then Reuben,
Ezekiel 48 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 48:1-7 | "...These are the names of the tribes..." | General outline of northern tribal portions |
| Ezek 48:23-28 | "...Benjamin, one portion... Simeon, one portion..." | General outline of southern tribal portions |
| Josh 19:1-9 | "...their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of Judah." | Historical allocation of Simeon's scattered land |
| Gen 49:5-7 | "Simeon and Levi are brothers... I will scatter them in Israel." | Jacob's prophecy about Simeon's scattering |
| Num 26:55 | "The land shall be divided by lot; they shall inherit according to the names of the tribes of their fathers." | Divine principle for land division |
| Isa 11:11-12 | "He will raise a signal... gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." | Gathering of scattered Israel in restoration |
| Jer 31:31-34 | "Behold, days are coming... I will make a new covenant..." | Promises of new covenant and restoration |
| Ezek 36:24 | "I will take you from the nations... and bring you into your own land." | Restoration to the land from exile |
| Ezek 37:19-22 | "I will take the stick of Ephraim... and make them one nation..." | Reunification of all tribes under one king |
| Ezek 45:1-8 | "When you divide the land for inheritance... set apart a holy portion for the Lord..." | Description of the central holy and princely portions |
| Ezek 47:13-21 | "This is the boundary by which you shall divide the land for inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel..." | Overview of the land division boundaries |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Gentile... for you are all one in Christ Jesus." | Spiritual unity in Christ beyond ethnic lines |
| Rev 7:7 | "...Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed..." | Simeon's inclusion among sealed tribes in Revelation |
| Rev 21:12 | "...on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed." | Tribal names on the gates of New Jerusalem |
| Zech 2:12 | "For thus said the Lord... whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye." | God's protection of His restored people |
| Psa 16:5 | "The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot." | God as personal inheritance and portion |
| Lam 3:24 | "The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him." | God as the ultimate source of one's portion |
| Col 1:12 | "...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." | Believer's spiritual inheritance |
| Eph 1:11 | "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things..." | Inheritance in Christ for believers |
| Num 18:20 | "I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel." | The Levites' portion in God Himself |
| Heb 11:9 | "By faith he went to live in the land of promise... heirs with him of the same promise." | Abrahamic promise of land as an inheritance |
| Hos 3:5 | "Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God..." | Future return and restoration to God's rule |
Ezekiel 48 verses
Ezekiel 48 6 meaning
Ezekiel 48:6 describes the land allocation for the tribe of Simeon in the visionary geography of the restored Israel. Simeon receives one equal portion, situated immediately south of the portion belonging to the tribe of Zebulun. Consistent with all tribal inheritances in this vision, Simeon's territory stretches completely from the eastern border of the envisioned land to its western border, signifying a complete, distinct, and secure inheritance granted by divine decree.
Ezekiel 48 6 Context
Ezekiel chapter 48 culminates the prophet's comprehensive vision of a divinely restored Israel following the exile. This chapter specifically outlines the idealized and orderly distribution of the renewed promised land among the twelve tribes. Each tribe receives a rectangular strip of land extending uniformly from the eastern to the western boundary. This methodical arrangement contrasts sharply with the historical, often irregular, land divisions in Joshua. This vision of equal portions for every tribe, even those historically disadvantaged, signifies divine justice, total restoration, and a perfectly ordered community centered on God's presence. The chapter also details the location of the central holy portion, including the temple and priestly lands, and concludes with a description of the gates of the new city. Ezekiel 48:6, in particular, showcases God's commitment to include and provide for Simeon, a tribe with a historically challenging past and a scattered inheritance, demonstrating complete and comprehensive divine restoration for all of Israel.
Ezekiel 48 6 Word analysis
Beside the border of (וְעַל־גְּבוּל - ve'al-gevul): This phrase emphasizes geographical proximity and defined demarcation.
וְעַל(ve'al - "and upon/by/beside") highlights immediate adjacency, indicating Simeon's portion is directly next to Zebulun's.גְּבוּל(gevul - "border, boundary, territory") points to a precisely drawn line, ensuring clear, distinct, yet contiguous land divisions, underscoring the meticulousness of God's design.Zebulun (זְבֻלוּן - Zevulun): The name of one of Jacob's sons and a tribe of Israel. In this sequence, Zebulun's mention provides the north-to-south orientation for Simeon's subsequent allocation. Historically located in northern Canaan, its placement here follows the new systematic order, demonstrating the vision's restructuring of Israel's tribal geography.
from the east side to the west side (מִקֵּדֶם לָיָם - miqqedem la-yam): This is a pivotal descriptor for the shape of each tribal inheritance.
מִקֵּדֶם(miqqedem - "from the east," literally "from the front") refers to the sunrise direction.לָיָם(la-yam - "to the sea," meaning to the Mediterranean Sea in the west) specifies the western limit. The uniform "east-to-west" span signifies an equal, complete, and unencumbered portion for every tribe, embodying comprehensive divine provision and secure tenure.Simeon (שִׁמְעוֹן - Shim'on): The name of another tribe. Historically, Simeon received its inheritance within Judah's territory and was predicted to be scattered (Gen 49:7). In this vision, granting Simeon a full, distinct, east-to-west portion represents a powerful act of divine restoration and mercy, elevating its status from historical diminution to full, honored reintegration within the redeemed community.
one portion (אֶחָד - echad):
אֶחָד(echad - "one") here signifies singularity, unity, and equality. It emphasizes that Simeon, like all other tribes, receives a complete, undivided, and equally measured share of the land. This stresses divine impartiality and the harmonious standing of every tribe in the restored Israel, regardless of historical challenges.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Beside the border of Zebulun": This establishes a systematic, ordered geography where tribes are adjacent in an organized sequence. It illustrates a clear departure from the historical, often irregular land allotments, symbolizing divine precision and fairness in the new Israel.
- "from the east side to the west side": This phrase details the uniform dimension of the land grant for each tribe. By stretching across the entire width of the envisioned land, it ensures that every tribe receives an equally expansive, unobstructed, and complete inheritance, signifying an end to partiality and the establishment of divine equity.
- "Simeon, one portion": This climactic phrase declares Simeon's full restoration. Its historical condition of being scattered within Judah is completely reversed. Receiving "one portion" affirms its reinstated tribal identity, dignity, and secure place within the twelve tribes, emphasizing God's thorough and inclusive salvation.
Ezekiel 48 6 Bonus section
- The symmetrical "east-to-west" land division across all twelve tribes, with each receiving an equal "portion," presents a highly idealized vision that is logistically challenging to reconcile with the actual geography of the land of Israel. This points to its primary symbolic purpose, emphasizing spiritual concepts of order, equity, and completeness rather than a literal topographical map.
- The meticulous cataloging of each tribe's land, regardless of its past prominence or issues, underscores the biblical concept of corporate identity and God's faithfulness to His covenant with all descendants of Jacob, foreshadowing a universal inclusion in God's broader redemptive plan.
- The emphasis on "one portion" (אֶחָד - echad) throughout Ezekiel 48 signifies unity and non-fragmentation among the tribes, highlighting the theme of reunification that is prominent in Ezekiel's prophecy (e.g., Ezek 37:19-22).
Ezekiel 48 6 Commentary
Ezekiel 48:6 succinctly reveals a profound aspect of God's future plan for Israel: meticulous, equitable, and complete restoration. The particular mention of Simeon, a tribe historically cursed and dispersed within Judah, receiving its own distinct and undivided portion spanning the entire land, is a potent symbol of divine mercy and comprehensive justice. This is not merely a geographic arrangement but a theological statement about God's commitment to include every covenant member and rectify all past brokenness. It depicts an ideal community where perfect order, unity, and fairness prevail under God's sovereign hand, signifying that in God's renewed kingdom, no tribe or individual belonging to Him will be forgotten or disadvantaged, and all will enjoy a secure and bountiful inheritance.