Ezekiel 47:23
And it shall come to pass, [that] in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give [him] his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.
And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe {H7626} the stranger {H1616} sojourneth {H1481}, there shall ye give {H5414} him his inheritance {H5159}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.
You are to give the foreigner an inheritance in the territory of the tribe with whom he is living,' says Adonai ELOHIM.
In whatever tribe a foreigner dwells, you are to assign his inheritance there,” declares the Lord GOD.
And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord Jehovah.
Cross-References
No cross-references found.
Commentary
Ezekiel 47:23 (KJV) delivers a profound and revolutionary decree concerning the inclusion of foreigners in the promised land. This verse concludes a detailed prophecy about the redistribution of the land among the tribes of Israel in a future, idealized state.
Context
This verse is part of Ezekiel's extensive vision (chapters 40-48) describing a new temple, a purified worship system, and a restored land for Israel. Following the miraculous river flowing from the temple that brings life and healing, the vision outlines the precise boundaries and division of the land among the twelve tribes (Ezekiel 47:13-22). The remarkable aspect of this divine allocation is the explicit instruction to include not only the native-born Israelites but also the "strangers that sojourn among you" (Ezekiel 47:22), with verse 23 reiterating and emphasizing this radical inclusivity.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "stranger" here is ger (גֵּר), which refers to a resident alien or sojourner—a non-Israelite who has settled permanently or semi-permanently within Israelite territory. While the Mosaic Law often commanded kindness and protection for the ger (e.g., Deuteronomy 10:19, Leviticus 19:34), granting them a full tribal "inheritance" (Hebrew: nachalah, נַחֲלָה)—a permanent, allotted portion of the land—was unprecedented and demonstrates a profound shift in divine policy for this future era.
Practical Application
Ezekiel 47:23 serves as a powerful reminder of God's expansive love and desire for all people to be part of His kingdom. For believers today, this verse challenges us to:
This prophetic vision underscores that God's ultimate plan is one of restoration and unity, where all who genuinely seek Him find a place and a heritage within His divine economy.
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