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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Ezekiel 48:29 concludes the detailed vision of the restored temple, priesthood, and land distribution for the twelve tribes of Israel, as revealed to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. This verse emphatically declares the divine authority behind the territorial assignments, emphasizing that the division of the land is not a human undertaking but a direct decree from God Himself.

Context of Ezekiel 48:29

This verse is the culmination of Ezekiel's final major prophecy, spanning chapters 40-48. After describing the intricate details of a new, ideal temple and its worship, the prophet transitions to the layout of a holy district and the precise boundaries and portions of land allocated to each of the twelve tribes. This grand vision served as a profound message of hope and restoration for a people in despair, reminding them of God's enduring covenant and future plans for their nation. The preceding verses in chapter 48 detail the specific allotments for each tribe, making verse 29 a summary and divine seal on the entire arrangement.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Faithfulness: The declaration "saith the Lord GOD" underscores God's absolute authority and His commitment to fulfilling His ancient promises to Israel regarding their land, originally given to figures like Abraham and his descendants. It speaks to God's unwavering faithfulness even through periods of judgment and exile.
  • Inheritance and Possession: The land is presented as an "inheritance," a gift from God to His people. This concept of divine inheritance is central to Israel's identity and future hope, signifying both physical possession and spiritual blessing.
  • Order and Justice: The phrase "divide by lot" (Hebrew: bagoral) signifies a method of distribution believed to be guided by divine providence, ensuring impartiality and God's perfect order in the allocation of territory. This echoes the division of the land of Canaan under Joshua.
  • Restoration and Future Hope: This vision provides a powerful picture of complete restoration for Israel, not just spiritually but also physically, with a renewed land and a re-established order. It points to a future where God's people dwell securely in His presence.

Linguistic Insights

The title "the Lord GOD" (Hebrew: Adonai Yahweh) is significant. Adonai signifies "my Lord" or "my Master," emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and ownership. Yahweh (often rendered LORD in KJV, but here combined with GOD) is God's covenant name, highlighting His personal relationship and faithfulness to His promises. The combination powerfully conveys God's authority and His commitment to His covenant people, assuring them that His word concerning the land is unchangeable.

Practical Application and Significance

For believers today, Ezekiel 48:29 offers several profound insights:

  • God's Promises Are Sure: Just as God was faithful to His promises to Israel regarding their land, we can trust in His faithfulness to His spiritual promises to us. He is the same God who provides an imperishable inheritance in Christ.
  • Divine Order and Justice: The careful and divinely ordained division of the land reminds us that God is a God of order and justice. His plans are precise, and His distribution of blessings and responsibilities is always equitable, even if we don't always understand it.
  • Hope Beyond Despair: Ezekiel's vision came during a time of immense national despair. This verse, and the entire vision, offers a timeless message that even in our darkest moments, God has a plan for restoration and a glorious future for His people, culminating in the new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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:

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