Ezekiel 48:29

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

This is the land {H776} which ye shall divide {H5307} by lot unto the tribes {H7626} of Israel {H3478} for inheritance {H5159}, and these are their portions {H4256}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is the land you are to distribute by lot to the tribes of Isra'el for inheritance, and these are their portions,' says Adonai ELOHIM.

Berean Standard Bible

This is the land you are to allot as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel, and these will be their portions,” declares the Lord GOD.

American Standard Version

This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their several portions, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 48:29 serves as the divine capstone to the elaborate vision of Israel's future land distribution, emphatically declaring that the meticulous allocation of territory among the twelve tribes is not a human arrangement but a direct, authoritative, and immutable decree from the Lord GOD Himself. This verse powerfully underscores God's absolute sovereignty, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, and the certainty of His comprehensive plan for His people's ultimate inheritance and secure dwelling in the restored land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 48:29 functions as the concluding affirmation of the book's final major section, which spans [Ezekiel 40-48](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40-48 - The Vision of the New Temple and Land"). This extensive prophetic vision meticulously details the blueprint for a restored temple, its intricate worship system, and the precise division of the land among the tribes of Israel. Following the detailed descriptions of the temple complex in [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Vision of the New Temple") through [Ezekiel 47](/ezekiel/47 "Ezekiel 47 - The River Flowing from the Temple"), chapter 48 meticulously outlines the geographical boundaries and specific portions of land for each of the twelve tribes, culminating in the establishment of a holy district and the city named "The Lord Is There" ([Ezekiel 48:35](/ezekiel/48-35 "Ezekiel 48:35 - The Name of the City")). Verse 29, therefore, acts as a powerful summary and divine validation, certifying the entire preceding vision of land distribution as God's own immutable word and plan, thereby sealing its authority and certainty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies of Ezekiel were delivered during the traumatic period of the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC). The Jewish people had witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred temple, and they were forcibly removed from their promised land. In this context of profound national despair and loss, the detailed vision of a meticulously restored temple and a divinely re-divided land offered immense hope and reassurance. It served as a powerful reminder of God's enduring covenant faithfulness, even in the midst of judgment and apparent abandonment. The practice of "dividing by lot" was a well-established ancient Near Eastern method for land distribution, widely believed to reflect divine will and ensure impartiality. This method was famously employed in the allocation of Canaan among the tribes under Joshua's leadership (cf. [Joshua 14:2](/joshua/14-2 "Joshua 14:2 - Division of Land by Lot")). By declaring that this future land division would occur "by lot" and was sanctioned by His own word, God further solidified the absolute divine authority and certainty behind this future inheritance, providing comfort and a tangible future for a dispossessed people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several overarching themes central to Ezekiel's prophecy and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Faithfulness**, emphasizing that God's promises regarding the land—first given to Abraham in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham") and reiterated throughout the Pentateuch—are immutable and will be fulfilled despite Israel's disobedience and subsequent exile. Secondly, the concept of **Inheritance and Possession** is paramount; the land is presented not merely as a temporary dwelling but as a perpetual, divinely granted gift, signifying both physical dwelling and profound spiritual blessing for His covenant people. Thirdly, the meticulous division "by lot" underscores **Divine Order and Justice**, portraying God as one who establishes perfect order, equity, and a just allocation for each of His people. Finally, the entire vision, validated by this verse, speaks profoundly to **Restoration and Future Hope**, painting a comprehensive picture of renewal—not just spiritual, but also physical, communal, and geographical—for a people who had seemingly lost everything, culminating in the promise of God's enduring presence among them ([Ezekiel 48:35](/ezekiel/48-35 "Ezekiel 48:35 - The Lord Is There")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **land (Hebrew, _ʼerets'_):** (H776) This term, derived from a root meaning "to be firm," refers broadly to the earth, but specifically here denotes a particular territory or country. In the context of Ezekiel's prophecy, it signifies the promised land of Israel, which is central to God's covenant with His people. Its use emphasizes the tangible, geographical reality of the inheritance being described, assuring the exiles of a physical return and a secure dwelling.
* **divide (Hebrew, _nâphal'_):** (H5307) A primitive root meaning "to fall," this word is used in a wide variety of applications, including "to divide by lot." The active sense here, "ye shall divide," implies human action, but the underlying method of "lot" (implied by the context of land distribution and the root's broader meaning of "to fall") indicates that this division is orchestrated or allowed to "fall" into place by divine providence. It signifies God's direct involvement and ultimate determination in the allocation process, ensuring it is not left to human caprice.
* **inheritance (Hebrew, _nachălâh'_):** (H5159) This term denotes something inherited, an heirloom, or an estate, derived from a root meaning "to inherit." It signifies a patrimony or portion passed down, emphasizing that the land is a divinely granted possession, a perpetual gift from God to His people. This concept connects directly to God's original covenant promises to Abraham, highlighting the enduring nature of God's commitment to provide for His people, not as a temporary dwelling, but as an eternal legacy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This [is] the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel":** This opening clause directly refers to the preceding detailed descriptions in [Ezekiel 48](/ezekiel/48 "Ezekiel 48 - The Division of the Land"), affirming that the land described is indeed the one designated for distribution. The phrase "divide by lot" highlights the method of allocation, which, in ancient Israelite understanding, was a process guided by divine providence, ensuring fairness and God's ultimate determination of each tribe's territory. It underscores that this is not a human political maneuver or negotiation, but a sacred, divinely sanctioned act, assuring the exiles of a just and certain future.
* **"for inheritance":** This crucial phrase clarifies the purpose and enduring nature of the land division. The land is not merely a temporary dwelling place or a leased property, but a permanent, generational inheritance, a patrimony granted by God Himself. This concept connects back to God's original promises to Abraham and his descendants, emphasizing the enduring nature of God's covenant and His unwavering commitment to providing a secure and perpetual dwelling for His people, signifying both physical security and spiritual blessing.
* **"and these [are] their portions":** This reiterates and confirms the outcome of the division, emphasizing the meticulous and equitable nature of God's plan. The "portions" are the specific, divinely allocated shares of land for each tribe, demonstrating God's precise care for each segment of His people. It reinforces the idea that every tribe will receive its designated share according to His perfect will, ensuring order and justice in the restored community.
* **"saith the Lord GOD.":** This concluding phrase serves as the ultimate stamp of divine authority and authenticity for the entire preceding vision. It is a common prophetic formula (Hebrew: _nᵉʼum Yᵉhôvih_ _ʼĂdônây_), emphasizing that the entire vision and its intricate details originate directly from God Himself. This declaration removes any doubt about the certainty and immutability of the prophecy, assuring the audience that this future restoration is not merely a hopeful dream or human aspiration, but a guaranteed reality decreed by the sovereign, faithful, and covenant-keeping God.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 48:29 employs several significant literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is the **Divine Oracle Formula**, signaled by the concluding phrase "saith the Lord GOD." This formula is a hallmark of prophetic literature, serving to authenticate the message as a direct word from God, thereby imbuing it with absolute authority, certainty, and immutability. The **Repetition** of key concepts like "land," "divide," "inheritance," and "portions" throughout chapters [Ezekiel 40-48](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40-48 - The Vision of the New Temple and Land"), culminating in this verse, creates a powerful sense of meticulous divine planning and emphasizes the tangible reality and precision of the promised restoration. There is also a strong element of **Emphasis** placed on the divine origin of the plan, which stands in stark contrast to human despair and inability, highlighting God's sovereign power to restore what was lost. Finally, the entire vision, summarized and sealed by this verse, functions as profound **Symbolism**, representing not just a literal future land division but also the ultimate, comprehensive restoration of God's people to a place of secure dwelling in His presence, under His perfect order, and in fulfillment of His abundant provision.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 48:29 powerfully encapsulates the profound theological truth of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, even in the face of human failure and severe judgment. It demonstrates God's meticulous care for His people, providing not only spiritual restoration but also a tangible, ordered inheritance. The emphasis on the land being "divided by lot" and the concluding "saith the Lord GOD" underscores divine sovereignty over all circumstances, assuring that God's plans for His people's future are certain and will be perfectly executed according to His will. This verse speaks to the ultimate hope of a secure dwelling in God's presence, where His perfect order and justice prevail, and His people receive their divinely appointed portion, a testament to His enduring love and provision.

* [Numbers 26:55](/numbers/26-55 "Numbers 26:55 - Land Divided by Lot")
* [Psalm 16:5](/psalms/16-5 "Psalm 16:5 - The Lord is My Chosen Portion")
* [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 48:29, though rooted in the specific historical context of Israel's restoration from exile, offers timeless and profound truths for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of meticulous detail, unwavering faithfulness, and sovereign control over all things. Just as He had a precise and guaranteed plan for the physical inheritance of Israel, He has a perfect, sovereign plan for our lives, our spiritual inheritance, and the ultimate consummation of His kingdom. This verse calls us to trust implicitly in God's provision and divine order, even when our personal circumstances or the world around us seem chaotic, hopeless, or beyond human repair. It encourages us to find our ultimate security not in earthly possessions, human arrangements, or fleeting circumstances, but in the divine decrees of the Lord GOD, who promises an imperishable inheritance and a secure dwelling in His presence. We are invited to rest in the profound assurance that God's word is true, His promises are sure, and His ultimate plan for His people is one of complete restoration, perfect order, and eternal security.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine declaration "saith the Lord GOD" strengthen your trust in God's promises for your own life, particularly when facing uncertainty?**
* **In what specific areas of your life can you discern God's meticulous order and provision at work, even amidst what seems to be chaos?**
* **How does the concept of "inheritance" in this verse deepen your understanding and appreciation of your spiritual inheritance in Christ?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the land being divided "by lot"?**

Answer: The division of the land "by lot" (Hebrew: *goral*) was a common ancient practice, but in the biblical context, it carried profound theological weight. It was understood not as a random chance but as a method by which God's divine will and providence were revealed and confirmed (cf. [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lot is Cast into the Lap")). By stating that the land "ye shall divide by lot," Ezekiel 48:29 emphasizes that the allocation of territory to each tribe was not based on human negotiation, power, or preference, but was precisely ordained and determined by God Himself. This ensured impartiality, divine order, and the absolute authority behind the distribution, reinforcing that the land was a direct gift and perpetual inheritance from the Lord, secured by His sovereign decree.

**Is the land division described in Ezekiel 40-48 a literal prophecy or symbolic?**

Answer: The interpretation of Ezekiel 40-48, including the detailed land division, has been a subject of ongoing debate among biblical scholars. Some interpret it as a literal prophecy of a future, physical restoration of Israel, including a rebuilt temple and a re-divided land, which they believe will occur during a future millennial kingdom. Others view it primarily as symbolic, representing the spiritual restoration, order, and blessings of God's people under the new covenant, fulfilled in the church or ultimately in the new heavens and new earth. A mediating view suggests that while the details are highly symbolic of divine order, presence, and blessing, they also point to a future, tangible fulfillment that transcends the historical return from Babylonian exile. Regardless of the precise interpretive framework, the passage powerfully conveys God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, His meticulous order, and His ultimate plan for secure dwelling and full restoration in His presence, sealed by the authoritative declaration "saith the Lord GOD" in [Ezekiel 48:29](/ezekiel/48-29 "Ezekiel 48:29 - The Land Division Confirmed").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 48:29 speaks directly to a future, physical inheritance for the tribes of Israel, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment transcends geographical boundaries and points to the spiritual inheritance and secure dwelling that believers receive in Christ. The meticulously divided land and the promise of a secure "portion" for each tribe foreshadow the "better country" (cf. [Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - A Better Country")) and the "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance" (cf. [1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")) that is reserved in heaven for those united with Christ. Jesus himself promised, "In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you" (cf. [John 14:2](/john/14-2 "John 14:2 - Many Rooms in My Father's House")), signifying a spiritual dwelling and secure portion for His followers. The "Lord GOD" who declares this inheritance in Ezekiel is the same God who, through Christ, "has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light" (cf. [Colossians 1:12](/colossians/1-12 "Colossians 1:12 - Sharing in the Inheritance of the Saints")). Ultimately, the vision of a land where God dwells among His people finds its glorious and eternal consummation in the new heaven and new earth, where the "dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them" (cf. [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People")), and believers inherit eternal life and co-reign with Christ in a perfectly ordered, secure, and divinely provided reality.

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

Joshua 13:1

¶ Now Joshua was old [and] stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old [and] stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

Joshua 13:21

And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, [which were] dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.

Numbers 34:2

Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan; (this [is] the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, [even] the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof:)

Ezekiel 47:13

¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; This [shall be] the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph [shall have two] portions.

Ezekiel 47:22

And it shall come to pass, [that] ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.

Numbers 34:13

And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This [is] the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe: