Ezekiel 47:15

KJV

And this [shall be] the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;

KJV (with Strong's)

And this shall be the border {H1366} of the land {H776} toward the north {H6828} side {H6285}, from the great {H1419} sea {H3220}, the way {H1870} of Hethlon {H2855}, as men go {H935} to Zedad {H6657};

Complete Jewish Bible

"'The borders of the land will be as follows: on the north, from the Great Sea through Hetlon to the entrance of Tz'dad,

Berean Standard Bible

This shall be the boundary of the land:

American Standard Version

And this shall be the border of the land: On the north side, from the great sea, by the way of Hethlon, unto the entrance of Zedad;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 47:15 meticulously outlines a segment of the northern boundary of the land promised to Israel in the prophet's sweeping vision of restoration. This verse, embedded within a detailed geographical description, specifies the starting point from the Mediterranean Sea and identifies key landmarks, Hethlon and Zedad, along this crucial border, underscoring the divine precision and comprehensive nature of God's future inheritance for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 47:15 is situated within the climactic section of Ezekiel's prophecy, specifically chapters 40-48, which detail a visionary blueprint for a restored Israel. Following the elaborate description of the new temple and its divine services in [Ezekiel 40-46](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40-46 - The Vision of the New Temple"), chapter 47 introduces the miraculous, life-giving river flowing from the temple, transforming the desolate land into a fertile paradise, as seen in [Ezekiel 47:1-12](/ezekiel/47-1-12 "Ezekiel 47:1-12 - The River from the Temple"). Immediately after this depiction of spiritual and physical renewal, the prophet transitions to the precise allocation of the land among the tribes of Israel, detailed from [Ezekiel 47:13 through 48:35](/ezekiel/47-13-48-35 "Ezekiel 47:13-48:35 - Division of the Land"). Verse 15, therefore, is an integral part of God's meticulous mapping of the promised inheritance, demonstrating the tangible reality and divine order of the restoration vision.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile (c. 597-538 BC), a period of profound national despair for Israel. The loss of their land, temple, and sovereignty was seen as a direct consequence of their disobedience to God's covenant. In this context, a detailed vision of a restored temple and a precisely delineated land offered immense hope and reassurance. Ancient Near Eastern treaties and land grants often included meticulous boundary descriptions, reflecting the importance of defined territories for national identity, security, and agricultural prosperity. For the exiled Israelites, this level of detail in God's prophecy would have affirmed the certainty of His promise and the future re-establishment of their nation, not as a vague ideal, but as a concrete, divinely ordained reality that would definitively secure their place.

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Order and Precision**, demonstrating God's meticulous attention to detail in His redemptive plans. The exact naming of geographical markers, even those whose modern locations are debated, underscores that God's promises are not abstract but concrete and precisely defined. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Fulfillment**, echoing earlier divine promises of land to Abraham, such as in [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding Land"), and subsequent descriptions of Israel's ideal borders, as found in [Numbers 34:7-9](/numbers/34-7-9 "Numbers 34:7-9 - Borders of the Promised Land"). This vision assures the exiles that God remains faithful to His ancient covenants, even in judgment. Finally, it powerfully conveys **Hope for Restoration**, providing a tangible vision of a secure, defined homeland for a people who had lost theirs, signifying God's unwavering faithfulness and His ultimate purpose to dwell among His people in a renewed creation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **border (Hebrew, _gᵉbûwl'_):** Properly, this term refers to a cord, as twisted, which by implication denotes a boundary. It can also extend to mean the territory enclosed by such a boundary. In Ezekiel 47:15, it signifies the precise, divinely ordained limit of the northern extent of the restored land, emphasizing its defined and secure nature as a landmark.
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be great," this adjective signifies magnitude in any sense. Here, it modifies "sea," referring to the vastness of the Mediterranean Sea, which serves as a prominent and unmistakable natural landmark for the western and northern boundaries of the land.
* **way (Hebrew, _derek'_):** This word denotes a road or path, as trodden. Figuratively, it can refer to a course of life or mode of action. In this geographical context, it indicates a specific route or direction, "the way of Hethlon," implying a known passage or alignment that defines the border's trajectory towards Zedad.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And this [shall be] the border of the land toward the north side":** This opening clause immediately establishes the subject of the verse: the northern boundary of the promised land. The demonstrative "this" points to the subsequent description as the definitive delineation. It highlights that the land's boundaries are not arbitrary but divinely ordained and precisely defined, signifying God's meticulous planning for His people's inheritance.
* **"from the great sea":** This phrase specifies the starting point of the northern border. "The great sea" unequivocally refers to the Mediterranean Sea, which historically formed the western boundary of the land of Israel. Its inclusion here anchors the prophetic vision in a recognizable geographical reality, indicating that the northern border originates from the coast and extends eastward. This detail grounds the vision in a tangible, identifiable landscape.
* **"the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;":** This final segment provides specific geographical markers along the northern trajectory. "The way of Hethlon" suggests a route or region associated with Hethlon, a place whose exact location is debated but understood to be in the northern reaches of Syria or Lebanon. "As men go to Zedad" further specifies the direction and destination along this route, with Zedad also being a location generally placed north of Israel, indicating the precise eastward extension of the border. This level of detail underscores the concreteness and certainty of the promised inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezekiel 47:15 is **Topographical Detail**, which is a form of highly specific geographical description. The prophet meticulously names landmarks and directions ("north side," "great sea," "Hethlon," "Zedad") to paint a precise mental map of the future inheritance. This detailed mapping serves to ground the visionary prophecy in a tangible reality, making the promise of restoration concrete and believable for the exiled Israelites. Furthermore, there is an element of **Precision** in the language, emphasizing God's meticulous planning and unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. The lack of ambiguity in the boundary description reflects divine order and sovereignty, contrasting sharply with the chaos and displacement experienced by the exiles, offering them a vision of ultimate security and stability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 47:15, with its detailed description of land boundaries, powerfully underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly those concerning the land given to Abraham and his descendants. This meticulous mapping serves as a tangible assurance that God's plans for His people are precise, ordered, and certain, even when they appear to be utterly lost or forgotten. It speaks to a God who remembers His word and meticulously fulfills it, providing a secure place for His people. This physical inheritance in the Old Testament foreshadows the spiritual inheritance and secure dwelling place God provides for His people in the New Covenant, where believers find their ultimate rest and security in Him.

* [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding Land")
* [Numbers 34:7-9](/numbers/34-7-9 "The Northern Border of Canaan")
* [Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Abraham's Hope for a Heavenly City")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous detail in Ezekiel 47:15, describing the precise borders of the promised land, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as God had a clear, defined plan for the physical inheritance of Israel, He has a precise and purposeful plan for our lives and our spiritual inheritance in Christ. This verse reminds us that God is a God of order, not chaos; His promises are not vague hopes but certain realities, meticulously designed and faithfully executed. For those feeling lost, displaced, or uncertain about their future, this passage offers a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and His commitment to secure a place for His people. It invites us to trust in His detailed providence, knowing that He has prepared an eternal inheritance that is far more glorious and secure than any earthly territory, an inheritance that transcends geographical boundaries and temporal limitations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precision of God's plan for the land in Ezekiel 47:15 encourage your trust in His plans for your own life?**
* **In what ways might the concept of a "defined border" or "secure inheritance" speak to areas of your life where you seek stability or clarity?**
* **How does this Old Testament promise of a physical land foreshadow the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "the great sea" in this verse?**

Answer: "The great sea" unequivocally refers to the Mediterranean Sea, which served as the natural western boundary of the land of Israel throughout its history. Its mention here signifies that the northern border begins from this prominent and universally recognized geographical feature, extending eastward. It anchors the prophetic vision in a real, identifiable geographical context, making the described boundaries concrete and understandable to Ezekiel's audience and emphasizing the tangible nature of the promised restoration.

**Are Hethlon and Zedad identifiable today, and why are they mentioned?**

Answer: The exact modern locations of Hethlon and Zedad are debated among scholars, but they are generally placed in what is now southern Syria or Lebanon, north of modern Israel. Their inclusion highlights the extraordinary detail and specificity of God's plan for Israel's inheritance. Rather than giving a general direction, God names specific, known (or prophesied) landmarks, underscoring His meticulous attention to detail and the tangible reality of the promised land. This precision would have offered immense reassurance and hope to the exiled Israelites, demonstrating that God's covenant promises were not abstract but concrete and geographically defined. This level of detail is characteristic of ancient land grants and covenant descriptions, emphasizing the prophetic accuracy and certainty of the future restoration, much like the detailed instructions for the tabernacle in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 47:15 describes a physical land inheritance for Israel, its ultimate fulfillment is found in Christ and the spiritual inheritance He secures for His people. The meticulously defined borders of the promised land foreshadow the secure and eternal dwelling place prepared for believers in God's kingdom, a "better country—a heavenly one" ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - Longing for a Heavenly Country")). Jesus himself declares, "In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?" ([John 14:2](/john/14-2 "John 14:2 - Jesus Prepares a Place")). This "place" is not a physical territory bounded by seas and ancient towns, but the spiritual reality of salvation, eternal life, and co-heirship with Christ in the New Jerusalem, described in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth"). The precise boundaries in Ezekiel symbolize the absolute certainty and security of the believer's inheritance in Christ, which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us, as promised in [1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance"). Thus, the physical land vision points to the spiritual reality of God's people dwelling securely in His presence, fully redeemed and eternally provided for through the finished work of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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

Numbers 34:8

From mount Hor ye shall point out [your border] unto the entrance of Hamath; and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad:

Ezekiel 48:1

¶ Now these [are] the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east [and] west; a [portion for] Dan.