King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 47:14 Mean?

Ezekiel 47:14 in the King James Version says “And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance. lifted: or, swore

Ezekiel 47:14 · KJV


Context

12

And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. shall grow: Heb. shall come up new: or, principal for medicine: or, for bruises and sores

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.

14

And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance. lifted: or, swore

15

And this shall be the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;

16

Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazarhatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran. Hazarhatticon: or, the middle village


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance—אִישׁ כְּאָחִיו (ʾîsh kĕʾāḥîw, 'each like his brother')—equal inheritance. God נָשָׂאתִי אֶת־יָדִי (nāśāʾtî ʾet-yādî, 'lifted my hand'—swore an oath) to אֲבֹתֵיכֶם (ʾăbōtêkhem, 'your fathers')—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.

And this land shall fall unto you for inheritance—וְנָפְלָה הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת לָכֶם נַחֲלָה (wĕnāphĕlāh hāʾāreṣ hazzōʾt lākhem naḥălāh, 'and this land shall fall to you for inheritance'). The verb נָפַל (nāphal, 'to fall') suggests distribution by lot (Joshua 18:6, 10), but also divine gift—it 'falls' to them by God's sovereign grace. Land inheritance rests on divine oath, not human merit. This demonstrates covenant faithfulness: God keeps promises to subsequent generations. New Testament parallel: spiritual inheritance comes through promise, not works (Galatians 3:18, Ephesians 1:11).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3, 7; 15:7-21; 17:1-8) promised land to Abraham's descendants. Despite exile and dispersion, God's oath remained valid. Ezekiel's vision (573 BC, during exile) assured exiles that land promise endures. Partial fulfillment came in 538 BC return; complete fulfillment awaits millennial kingdom. God's covenant faithfulness across millennia demonstrates His unchanging character (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'I lifted up my hand' (oath) teach about covenant promises' certainty?
  2. How does land falling by divine gift (not conquest) demonstrate grace?
  3. How is physical land inheritance a type of spiritual inheritance in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וּנְחַלְתֶּ֤ם1 of 15

And ye shall inherit

H5157

to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate

אוֹתָהּ֙2 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אִ֣ישׁ3 of 15

it one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כְּאָחִ֔יו4 of 15

as well as another

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אֲשֶׁ֤ר5 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָשָׂ֙אתִי֙6 of 15

concerning the which I lifted up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת7 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יָדִ֔י8 of 15

mine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לְתִתָּ֖הּ9 of 15

to give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם10 of 15

it unto your fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְנָ֨פְלָ֜ה11 of 15

shall fall

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

הָאָ֧רֶץ12 of 15

and this land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּ֛את13 of 15
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לָכֶ֖ם14 of 15
H0
בְּנַחֲלָֽה׃15 of 15

unto you for inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 47:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 47:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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