King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 47:18 Mean?

Ezekiel 47:18 in the King James Version says “And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jorda... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is the east side. from (Hauran, Damascus, Gilead, the land): Heb. from between

Ezekiel 47:18 · KJV


Context

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

17

And the border from the sea shall be Hazarenan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And this is the north side.

18

And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is the east side. from (Hauran, Damascus, Gilead, the land): Heb. from between

19

And the south side southward, from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is the south side southward. strife: or, Meribah river: or, valley is the south side southward: or, is the south side toward Teman

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is the east side—Eastern boundary: from חַוְרָן (Ḥawrān, Hauran), דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeśeq, Damascus), גִּלְעָד (Gilʿād, Gilead), and אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל (ʾereṣ Yiśrāʾēl, 'land of Israel') by הַיַּרְדֵּן (hayyardēn, 'the Jordan'), to הַיָּם הַקַּדְמוֹנִי (hayyām haqqadmônî, 'the eastern sea'—Dead Sea).

The Jordan River and Dead Sea form natural eastern boundary. Gilead (Transjordan) is included—confirming Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh's inheritances (Numbers 32, Joshua 13:8-33). Natural boundaries (rivers, seas) demonstrate God's use of creation to define territories. The land itself becomes covenant witness—geographical features testify to divine promises.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jordan River and Dead Sea historically marked Israel's eastern extent. Gilead (east of Jordan) was contested territory—Ammon, Moab, and Israel fought over it (Judges 11, 2 Kings 10:32-33). Ezekiel's vision secures Gilead for Israel permanently, fulfilling promises to Transjordanian tribes. Natural boundaries prevented disputes and provided defense. God's wisdom in using topographical features for borders demonstrates His sovereignty over creation itself.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is significant about natural features (rivers, seas) as boundaries?
  2. How does Gilead's inclusion confirm promises to Transjordanian tribes?
  3. What does creation itself (geography) testifying to covenant teach about God's sovereignty?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
פְּאַ֥ת1 of 20

side

H6285

properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity

קָדִֽימָה׃2 of 20

And the east

H6921

the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)

וּמִבֵּ֨ין3 of 20

and from

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

חַוְרָ֣ן4 of 20

Hauran

H2362

chavran, a region east of the jordan

וּמִבֵּ֨ין5 of 20

and from

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

דַּמֶּשֶׂק֩6 of 20

Damascus

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

וּמִבֵּ֨ין7 of 20

and from

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַגִּלְעָ֜ד8 of 20

Gilead

H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

וּמִבֵּ֨ין9 of 20

and from

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

אֶ֤רֶץ10 of 20

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙11 of 20

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן12 of 20

by Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

מִגְּב֛וּל13 of 20

from the border

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

עַל14 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַיָּ֥ם15 of 20

sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

הַקַּדְמוֹנִ֖י16 of 20

unto the east

H6931

(of time) anterior or (of place) oriental

תָּמֹ֑דּוּ17 of 20

ye shall measure

H4058

properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended

וְאֵ֖ת18 of 20
H853

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

פְּאַ֥ת19 of 20

side

H6285

properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity

קָדִֽימָה׃20 of 20

And the east

H6921

the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)


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 47:18 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 47:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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