TRV
Translation
King James Version
And by the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side, Issachar a portion.
Complete Jewish Bible
"'Yissakhar's territory will run alongside the territory of Shim'on from east to west.
Berean Standard Bible
Issachar will have one portion bordering the territory of Simeon from east to west.
American Standard Version
And by the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side, Issachar, one portion.
World English Bible Messianic
By the border of Simeon, from the east side to the west side, Issachar, one portion.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And by the border of Simeon from the East part vnto the West part, Isshachar a portion.
Young's Literal Translation
and by the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side, Issachar one,
Study This Verse
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Ezekiel
(Vers. 23 seqq.) And the rest of the tribes, from the eastern boundary to the western boundary, belong to Benjamin. And against the boundary of Benjamin, from the eastern boundary to the western boundary, belong to Simeon. And along the boundary of Simeon, from the eastern boundary to the western boundary, belong to Issachar. And along the boundary of Issachar, from the eastern boundary to the western boundary, belong to Zebulun. And along the boundary of Zebulun, from the eastern boundary to the sea, belong to Gad. And the border shall go to Gad towards the south side, and the end shall be at Thamar unto the waters of contradiction of Cades: the inheritance shall be against the great sea. This is the land which you shall divide by lot to the tribes of Israel, and these are their portions, says the Lord God. The portion which is always placed at the end in the numbering of the five and seven tribes is understood either as a part, a possession, or an inheritance: although Aquila and Symmachus interpret it as a neutral gender τὸ ὅριον, which means boundary. And it must be noted briefly that in the last five tribes, the tribe of Gad, which was mentioned earlier as being beyond the Jordan, is placed in the same area that Judas previously held, namely the southern region, and its boundary stretches from Thamar to the waters of contradiction at Kadesh, opposite the Great Sea: Thamar itself, which we have already mentioned, is now called Palmyra, and was built long ago by Solomon; for 'palm' in Hebrew is called Thamar, and some believe that it received this name because there are many palm trees there. And what follows: Even to the waters of contradiction of Cades, the inheritance against the great sea; for which seventy transferred from Theman, and the water of Mariboth, ((also Marimoth)) Cades, the inheritance even to the great sea, it is to be observed in the Hebrew language that the same word, Nehela (), is ambiguous, signifying both inheritance and torrent, and here it should be understood more as a torrent than as an inheritance. For this is the torrent that enters the great sea of Rhinocorura, as we have already mentioned. The place called Kadesh, which is also called Kadesh-Barnea in the book of Joshua, is in the desert, extending to the city of Petra. However, Mariboth, which means contradiction, is not a place name as many think, but a name for the waters in which the people contradicted the Lord and Moses offended God, as the Psalm says: They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that Moses suffered for their sins (Psalm 106:32). The entire inheritance of the Holy Land is bordered to the south by the boundaries of Egypt, Rhinocorura, and the River of Egypt. And because Gad is interpreted as temptation, in his possession we pass from the palm groves to the waters of contradiction, even to Kadesh, which is interpreted as holy, so that we may understand that even after the victory of the world we must be solicitous, and always in fear, and remember that verse: The life of man upon earth is a temptation (Job 7:1); and to attain holiness, resisting adversaries, and thus achieve victory, so that we may contemplate the nearby stream full of rain showers.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Ezekiel 48:25 provides a precise detail within the climactic vision of Israel's eschatological restoration, meticulously outlining the specific land allotment for the tribe of Issachar. This verse, embedded within a comprehensive prophetic blueprint for a future, idealized Israel, describes Issachar's portion as a strip of land extending from the eastern to the western boundary, positioned immediately adjacent to the territory designated for Simeon. It powerfully underscores the divine order, meticulous planning, and unwavering faithfulness of God in fulfilling His covenant promises within a future, perfected reality, ensuring each tribe receives its designated and secure inheritance.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Ezekiel 48:25 is situated within the final, climactic section of the book of Ezekiel (chapters 40-48), which dramatically transitions from prophecies of judgment, exile, and desolation to elaborate visions of restoration, renewal, and divine presence. Chapters 40-47 meticulously detail a new, idealized temple, its precise dimensions, and its sacred ordinances, emphasizing the re-establishment of God's unblemished presence among His people. Chapter 48 then provides a meticulous and symmetrical re-division of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel, a visionary allotment that significantly diverges from the historical divisions recorded in Joshua 13-19. This precise re-allotment, including Issachar's designated portion, signifies a divinely ordered, perfect state of communion, provision, and security. The entire vision culminates in the profound declaration of the city's new and ultimate name, "The LORD Is There," found in Ezekiel 48:35. Thus, Ezekiel 48:25 contributes to the overarching theme of ultimate restoration, the establishment of God's perfect kingdom, and the enduring presence of His glory among His people.
Historical & Cultural Context: The book of Ezekiel was penned during the profound despair and displacement of the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC). For the Jewish people, who had lost their temple, their land, and their national sovereignty, the visions of a new temple and a re-divided land offered immense, life-sustaining hope. Culturally, land inheritance was of paramount importance, signifying not only economic security and sustenance but also tribal identity, covenant fidelity, and a tangible, enduring connection to God's foundational promises made to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 12:7) and to the nation at Sinai. The meticulous detail of the land division in Ezekiel 48, though symbolic and idealized, would have resonated deeply with the exiles' fervent longing for a return to their homeland and a renewed, pure relationship with God, free from the impurities, idolatry, and injustices that had led to their calamitous exile. The description "from the east side unto the west side" reflects the traditional understanding of land strips in ancient Israel, which typically extended across the full width of the territory, ensuring equitable and complete portions.
Key Themes: Ezekiel 48:25, within its broader visionary context, contributes to several profound theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it strikingly highlights Divine Order and Precision, demonstrating God's meticulous planning, absolute sovereignty, and unwavering control over every detail of His creation and His people's destiny. The exact boundaries, specific tribal allotments, and symmetrical arrangement underscore a divine blueprint for perfect harmony and justice, a stark contrast to the historical realities of Israel's past. Secondly, the verse emphasizes Tribal Inheritance and Divine Provision, assuring each tribe, including Issachar, of a distinct, secure, and divinely designated portion. This speaks powerfully to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises, ensuring that every part of Israel has its rightful place and abundant provision, a concept deeply rooted in the promises of Deuteronomy 1:8. Thirdly, the entire vision, including this specific verse, points unequivocally to Future Hope and Ultimate Restoration for Israel. It portrays a time of complete spiritual and national renewal, where God's glorious presence, symbolized by the centrally located temple, brings ultimate blessing, security, and a perfectly restored relationship with His people, transcending the failures, suffering, and brokenness of the past.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Ezekiel 48:25, viewed within the grand tapestry of the chapter and the book, employs several significant literary devices. The most pervasive is Symbolism, where the physical land division transcends a mere literal re-allotment to represent a deeper spiritual reality of perfect divine order, God's abiding presence, and complete restoration for His people. The meticulous Precision in detailing each tribe's boundary and orientation (east to west) serves to powerfully emphasize God's absolute sovereignty, His infallible planning, and the certainty of His promises. This detailed enumeration also functions as a profound form of Prophetic Vision, painting an idealized picture of a future state that transcends historical realities and failures, offering immense hope and unwavering assurance of God's ultimate faithfulness to His covenant people. The naming of specific historical tribes like Issachar and Simeon grounds this grand, eschatological vision in the tangible lineage of Israel, connecting the future hope to the foundational promises of the past.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 48:25, though seemingly a minor detail within a sprawling prophetic vision, powerfully articulates God's unwavering faithfulness, His meticulous care for His people, and His commitment to covenant promises. It speaks profoundly to the divine principle of inheritance, where God sovereignly designates a specific place, purpose, and abundant provision for each of His own. This vision of a perfectly ordered land, with each tribe receiving its secure and distinct portion, serves as a profound theological statement about God's ability to bring ultimate order out of chaos, to fulfill His promises despite human failure and disobedience, and to establish a perfect dwelling place for Himself among His people. It points unequivocally to a future where divine justice, peace, and abundant provision are fully and eternally realized, culminating in the complete restoration of God's relationship with His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 48:25 invites us to pause and deeply reflect on the meticulous nature of God's providential care and the absolute certainty of His promises. In a world frequently characterized by disorder, injustice, and profound uncertainty, this verse, as part of a larger vision of divine order and restoration, offers immense spiritual comfort and unwavering hope. It serves as a powerful reminder that God operates according to a specific, perfect plan; He has a designated place, a unique purpose, and a secure inheritance for each of His children. While the physical land division is specifically for ancient Israel, the underlying spiritual principle applies universally to all believers: God provides, God orders, and God perfectly fulfills His purposes. We are therefore called to trust implicitly in His sovereign blueprint for our lives, to find our ultimate identity, security, and profound purpose in the "portion" He has graciously allotted to us, and to live in joyful, hopeful anticipation of the ultimate restoration and perfect order He will bring through Christ. Our true security is not found in fleeting earthly possessions, human arrangements, or societal structures, but in the faithful, omniscient God who meticulously plans and perfectly executes His divine will for His beloved people.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of Issachar's portion being "from the east side unto the west side"?
Answer: This phrase, "from the east side unto the west side," carries significant meaning within the context of Ezekiel's vision. It signifies that Issachar's allotted territory was a full, complete strip of land stretching across the entire width of the restored land, from its eastern boundary to its western boundary. This detail emphasizes the completeness, generosity, and unhindered nature of the divine provision. Unlike some historical land divisions that might have been irregular, partial, or contested, this visionary allotment ensures that Issachar's inheritance is a full, uncompromised, and secure possession. It underscores the perfection and comprehensiveness of God's future plan for His people, ensuring that each tribe receives a substantial, clearly defined, and undisputed portion, reflecting divine justice and abundance. This full breadth also suggests a unified and harmonious territory, free from internal divisions or external encroachments.
How does this land division in Ezekiel 48 relate to the historical land divisions in the book of Joshua?
Answer: The land division described in Ezekiel 48, including Ezekiel 48:25, differs significantly and intentionally from the historical land allotments detailed in the book of Joshua (e.g., Joshua 13). In Joshua, the divisions were often irregular, influenced by tribal strength, the realities of conquest, and geographical features, and tragically, some tribes did not fully possess their inheritance due to disobedience or lack of faith. In stark contrast, Ezekiel's vision presents an idealized, perfectly symmetrical, and fully possessed land division, with precise, parallel strips extending from east to west. This profound difference suggests that Ezekiel's account is not merely a historical prediction of a future re-conquest but a symbolic and prophetic blueprint for a future, perfected state of Israel. This vision is widely interpreted as pointing to the millennial reign of Christ or an ultimate spiritual reality where God's presence is fully manifested, His order perfectly established, and His promises completely fulfilled, transcending the historical failures and limitations of Israel's past.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 48:25 describes a literal, physical land inheritance for the tribe of Issachar in a future, restored Israel, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the spiritual inheritance and secure dwelling place provided for all believers in the New Covenant. Just as Issachar received a divinely designated and secure portion, believers in Christ are promised an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4). The meticulous order and perfect symmetry of the land division in Ezekiel powerfully foreshadow the perfect order, peace, and divine presence found in the Kingdom of God, which is established and inaugurated through Christ. Jesus, as the true "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29), brings about a spiritual restoration far grander and more enduring than any physical land re-allotment. He Himself is our ultimate "portion" and "inheritance," as declared in Psalm 16:5, granting us not merely a piece of land but full access to the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22) and an eternal place in God's glorious dwelling. The vision of God's abiding presence in the very midst of His people, culminating in the city's profound name "The LORD Is There" (Ezekiel 48:35), finds its ultimate and eternal reality in Christ, through whom God dwells among us by His Spirit (Ephesians 2:22), and in the New Heavens and New Earth where "the dwelling place of God is with man, and he will dwell with them" (Revelation 21:3). Thus, the secure and perfect inheritance for Issachar points forward to the complete, eternal, and spiritual security and abundant provision found for all who are united to Christ by faith.