Ezekiel 47:20

The west side also [shall be] the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This [is] the west side.

The west {H3220} side {H6285} also shall be the great {H1419} sea {H3220} from the border {H1366}, till a man come {H935} over against {H5227} Hamath {H2574}. This is the west {H3220} side {H6285}.

"'The west side will be the Great Sea, as far as across from the entrance to Hamat. This is the west side.

And on the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This will be the western boundary.

And the west side shall be the great sea, from the south border as far as over against the entrance of Hamath. This is the west side.

Commentary

Ezekiel 47:20 KJV is part of a detailed prophetic vision given to the prophet Ezekiel concerning the future restoration of Israel, the new temple, and the redistribution of the land among the twelve tribes. This specific verse defines a segment of the western boundary of this divinely appointed territory.

Context

Chapters 40-48 of Ezekiel describe a magnificent vision of a new temple, its ordinances, and the re-allotment of the land to the tribes of Israel. This vision follows a period of exile and speaks to God's faithfulness in restoring His people and their dwelling place. Ezekiel 47 focuses on the life-giving river flowing from the temple and the precise boundaries of the land. Verse 20 specifically delineates the western border, extending from the Great Sea (the Mediterranean) northward towards Hamath, a city often mentioned in ancient Near Eastern texts as a northern marker for the ideal extent of Israel's territory. This detailed geographical description emphasizes the tangible nature of God's future promises regarding the inheritance of the land.

Key Themes

  • Divine Allocation: The meticulous detailing of the land's boundaries, including the western border described here, highlights that the land is a divine inheritance, precisely measured and given by God.
  • Restoration of Israel: This vision underscores the theme of a complete and thorough restoration for the nation of Israel after its exile, not just spiritually but physically, with a defined homeland. This echoes earlier covenant promises about the land God promised Abraham.
  • Ideal Boundaries: The description of the western border reaching "the great sea" and extending towards Hamath reflects the ideal or maximal extent of the Promised Land, often referenced in other biblical texts as the full scope of Israel's inheritance (e.g., Numbers 34:6).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the great sea" (Hebrew: hayyam haggadol) is a common biblical term referring to the Mediterranean Sea, west of the land of Israel. Its inclusion here firmly anchors the prophetic vision in recognizable geography, emphasizing the tangible nature of the future restoration and God's precise plan for His people.

Practical Application & Reflection

While the immediate context of Ezekiel 47:20 is a literal, topographical description for a future Israel, it carries broader spiritual implications for believers today. It speaks to God's meticulous nature and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Just as God has a precise plan for the physical restoration of Israel, He also has a detailed plan for the spiritual restoration and inheritance of His people in Christ. This verse reminds us that God's promises are not vague but are rooted in His unchanging character, providing hope and assurance for our own future in Him. It encourages us to trust in God's sovereign design, knowing that His ultimate plan for His church and the world will be perfectly realized, just as a new heaven and a new earth are promised.

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Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 48:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Numbers 34:6 (2 votes)

    And [as for] the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border: this shall be your west border.