Ezekiel 47:14

KJV

And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: [concerning] the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall inherit {H5157} it, one {H376} as well as another {H251}: concerning the which I lifted up {H5375} mine hand {H3027} to give {H5414} it unto your fathers {H1}: and this land {H776} shall fall {H5307} unto you for inheritance {H5159}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For inheritance you will each have equal shares. I swore to your ancestors that I would give them this land, and now it falls to you to inherit it.

Berean Standard Bible

You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with an uplifted hand to give it to your forefathers, this land will fall to you as an inheritance.

American Standard Version

And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another; for I sware to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 47:14 concludes a profound vision of Israel's restoration, emphasizing the certain and equitable distribution of the Promised Land among all the tribes. It reiterates God's unwavering faithfulness to His ancient covenant oath made to the patriarchs, assuring the exiles that the land, transformed and revitalized by the life-giving river from the temple, would indeed become their secure and permanent inheritance, shared without partiality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 47:14 is situated within the extensive final section of the book, chapters 40-48, which details Ezekiel's vision of a new temple, a renewed priesthood, and the re-division of the land of Israel. Specifically, chapter 47 describes a miraculous river flowing from the temple, bringing life and healing to the Dead Sea and making the desolate land fertile and productive ([Ezekiel 47:1-12](/ezekiel/47-1 "Ezekiel 47:1-12 - The River from the Temple")). Following this depiction of supernatural renewal, verses 13-23 outline the precise boundaries and the method of distributing this revitalized land. Verse 14 serves as a foundational declaration, underscoring the divine guarantee behind this future inheritance, setting the stage for the detailed tribal allotments that follow, including provisions for resident aliens ([Ezekiel 47:22-23](/ezekiel/47-22 "Ezekiel 47:22-23 - Inheritance for Resident Aliens")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Ezekiel was delivered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, a people who had lost their land, their temple, and their national identity. The concept of "land" (Hebrew: *ʼerets*) was central to Israelite identity, tied directly to God's covenant promises to Abraham ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")) and fulfilled under Joshua. The exile represented a profound disruption of this foundational promise. Therefore, the detailed vision of the land's restoration and its equitable division would have offered immense hope and reassurance to a dispossessed people. The phrase "lifted up mine hand" refers to a solemn, binding oath, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern treaties and covenants, here signifying God's unchangeable commitment to His word, a concept deeply significant to a people questioning God's faithfulness amidst their suffering.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout Ezekiel and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Promise and Faithfulness**, emphasizing God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with the patriarchs, despite Israel's unfaithfulness and subsequent exile. The re-establishment of the land as an inheritance underscores God's ultimate fidelity to His word. Secondly, the declaration "one as well as another" introduces the theme of **Equitable Inheritance and Divine Justice**. Unlike previous divisions or historical inequalities, this future distribution ensures fairness and inclusion for all, reflecting God's perfect justice and provision. Lastly, the verse reinforces the theme of **Restoration and Possession**, affirming the certainty of Israel's return to and secure possession of their divinely appointed territory, signifying a complete national restoration—not merely spiritual, but also territorial and communal. This promise of a renewed land, fertile and abundant, is a testament to God's power to restore what was lost and even improve upon it, as seen in the vision of the life-giving river in [Ezekiel 47](/ezekiel/47 "Ezekiel 47 - The River from the Temple")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **inherit (Hebrew, _nâchal'_):** (H5157) This primitive root signifies receiving something by descent, occupying, or possessing. In this context, it emphasizes the legal and permanent transfer of ownership of the land to the Israelites. It's not a temporary lease but a divinely granted, lasting possession, underscoring the security and certainty of the future restoration.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** (H3027) While "hand" has many applications, in the idiom "lifted up mine hand," it represents power, authority, and most importantly, a solemn oath or sworn promise. When God lifts up His hand, it signifies an unshakeable, binding commitment, an unchangeable guarantee of His word, making the promise of the land's inheritance absolutely certain.
* **fathers (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** (H1) This term refers to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to whom God first made the covenant promise of the land. Its inclusion here explicitly links the future inheritance of the land to the ancient, foundational covenant, demonstrating God's long-term faithfulness across generations and His continuity in fulfilling His divine plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another:"** This clause emphasizes the equitable and universal nature of the land's distribution among the people. There will be no favoritism, no exclusion, and no disproportionate shares. Each tribe, and by extension, each family unit within the tribes, will receive an equal and just portion of the land, signifying a perfect divine order and provision that contrasts with past historical injustices or inequalities in land distribution.
* **"[concerning] the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers:"** This powerful declaration serves as the divine guarantee for the inheritance. "I lifted up mine hand" is an ancient idiom signifying a solemn oath. God is reminding the exiles that the promise of this land is not new but rooted in His unchangeable covenant made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It underscores His unwavering faithfulness and the certainty that His word, once given, will be fulfilled, regardless of the intervening period of exile or the people's past unfaithfulness.
* **"and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance."** This final clause reiterates and reinforces the certainty of the promise. The phrase "shall fall unto you" (Hebrew: *nâphal*) implies a divinely ordained allotment, as if by lot, ensuring its rightful and inevitable possession. It serves as a strong concluding affirmation that the land, which was lost due to sin, will indeed be restored and permanently become the inheritance of God's people, a tangible manifestation of His restorative power and covenant faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 47:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine certainty and restoration. The most prominent is **Repetition**, with the terms "inherit" and "inheritance" appearing multiple times within the short verse. This repetition serves to underscore the central theme of secure possession and the absolute certainty of the land's transfer to Israel. Another key device is **Idiom**, specifically "I lifted up mine hand." This ancient Hebrew idiom functions as a powerful declaration of a **Divine Oath**, emphasizing the unbreakable and unchangeable nature of God's promise. It transforms a simple statement into a solemn, covenantal guarantee, assuring the exiles of the absolute reliability of God's word. Furthermore, the phrase "shall fall unto you" uses **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the act of "falling" (as in lots falling to determine portions) represents the entire process of divine allotment and secure possession, making the future inheritance seem as inevitable as a lot falling into place.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 47:14 is a profound testament to God's covenant faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His promises, even across generations and through periods of judgment. It highlights the divine nature of inheritance, not as something earned, but as a gift secured by God's solemn oath. The equitable distribution "one as well as another" speaks to God's justice and His desire for a harmonious community where all are provided for. This physical inheritance of the land foreshadows a deeper spiritual reality, pointing to the ultimate inheritance believers receive in Christ, which is also a gift of grace, secured by God's unchangeable word and distributed without partiality. It assures us that God's plans for His people, both corporately and individually, will come to fruition, demonstrating His power to restore and establish His kingdom.

* [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding the Land")
* [Exodus 6:8](/exodus/6-8 "God's Oath to Give the Land")
* [Psalm 105:8-11](/psalm/105-8 "God's Everlasting Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 47:14 offers a powerful message of hope and assurance for all who trust in God's promises. For the exiles, it was a tangible promise of return and restoration, a reminder that God had not forgotten His covenant. For us today, it serves as a foundational truth about God's character: He is faithful to His word, His promises are sure, and His provision is just and abundant. We are reminded that even in times of desolation, loss, or uncertainty, God's ultimate plan for restoration and blessing remains intact. Just as the physical land was secured for Israel, so too are the spiritual blessings and eternal life secured for those who are in Christ. This verse encourages us to rest in God's unfailing faithfulness, trusting that He will fulfill every promise He has made, both individually and corporately, leading us into a glorious inheritance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's faithfulness to His ancient promises in Ezekiel 47:14 encourage you in areas where you are waiting for His promises to be fulfilled in your own life?**
* **What does the equitable distribution ("one as well as another") of the land reveal about God's character and His desire for justice within His community? How might this principle apply to our interactions with others today?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, experience the "inheritance" of God's promises and blessings in our lives, even before the ultimate fulfillment in eternity?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of God "lifting up His hand" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "I lifted up mine hand" (Hebrew: *nasa'ti yadi*) is a powerful idiomatic expression in the Old Testament, signifying a solemn, binding oath or a sworn promise. When God uses this phrase, it conveys His absolute commitment and the unchangeable nature of His word. It's an unshakeable guarantee, as seen in other passages like [Exodus 6:8](/exodus/6-8 "Exodus 6:8 - God's Oath to Give the Land") where God swears to bring Israel into the Promised Land. In Ezekiel 47:14, it underscores the divine certainty that the land, despite the exile, would indeed be restored and given as an inheritance to His people, fulfilling His ancient covenant with their fathers.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of "inheritance" in the Bible?**

Answer: The concept of "inheritance" (Hebrew: *nachălâh*) in the Bible often refers to a divinely granted possession, particularly the land of Canaan given to Israel. It signifies a secure, permanent, and often unearned gift from God. In Ezekiel 47:14, it emphasizes the certainty of Israel's re-possession of their physical territory. Theologically, this physical inheritance foreshadows the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ, which is also a gift of grace, secured by God's promise, and eternal in nature. Just as the land was a tangible sign of God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, our spiritual inheritance in Christ is a tangible sign of God's New Covenant faithfulness to all who believe.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 47:14, with its promise of a secure and equitable inheritance of the land, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the immediate context speaks to a physical land for Israel, the New Testament reveals that the true and eternal "inheritance" is not a geographical location but a spiritual reality in Christ. Through His atoning work, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), has secured for His people an inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). The promise made to the "fathers" (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) was always ultimately about a spiritual seed and a heavenly city, as recognized by the author of Hebrews who speaks of Abraham looking forward to "the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God" ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - Abraham's Hope for a Heavenly City")). The equitable distribution "one as well as another" prefigures the reality in Christ where there is "neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")), all equally heirs according to the promise ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). Thus, the land in Ezekiel points to the new creation and the heavenly Jerusalem, where believers inherit eternal life and co-reign with Christ, a promise secured not by God's "lifted hand" in an oath to an earthly territory, but by the very blood of God's Son, establishing an everlasting covenant ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, the Mediator of a New Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 20:5

¶ And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I [am] the LORD your God;

Ezekiel 20:6

In the day [that] I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands:

Genesis 12:7

And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Ezekiel 48:29

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.

Proverbs 16:33

¶ The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.

Genesis 26:3

Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

Numbers 14:16

Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.