King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 47:22 Mean?

Ezekiel 47:22 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 47:22 · KJV


Context

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.

21

So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.

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.

23

And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—Land distribution: הִפִּילוּ אוֹתָהּ בְּנַחֲלָה (hippîlû ʾôtāh bĕnaḥălāh, 'cast it by lot for inheritance') to לָכֶם וּלְהַגֵּרִים (lākhem ûlĕhaggērîm, 'to you and to the sojourners/foreigners') who הַגָּרִים בְּתוֹכְכֶם (haggārîm bĕtôkhĕkhem, 'sojourn in your midst'), אֲשֶׁר־הוֹלִדוּ בָנִים בְּתוֹכְכֶם (ăsher-hôlidû bānîm bĕtôkhĕkhem, 'who have begotten children among you').

This revolutionary provision grants גֵּרִים (gērîm, 'sojourners/foreigners') land inheritance—unprecedented. Mosaic law protected strangers (Exodus 22:21, Leviticus 19:33-34, Deuteronomy 10:18-19) but didn't grant tribal land. Ezekiel's vision extends inheritance to resident aliens who bear children in Israel, demonstrating millennial kingdom's inclusiveness while maintaining covenant structure. This foreshadows Gospel: Gentiles grafted into Israel (Romans 11:17-24), becoming fellow heirs (Ephesians 3:6).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Old Testament distinguished between temporary sojourners and permanent residents. Some laws applied equally (Numbers 15:15-16), others didn't. Land inheritance remained tribal (Leviticus 25:23-28). Ezekiel's innovation—granting resident aliens land—points to new covenant's radical inclusion. Jesus broke dividing wall (Ephesians 2:14), making all believers Abraham's seed (Galatians 3:29). Millennial kingdom consummates this: Israel restored, Gentiles included, all united in Messiah.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does granting foreigners land inheritance demonstrate millennial inclusiveness?
  2. What is the relationship between Ezekiel's foreign inclusion and Gentiles in new covenant?
  3. How do you reconcile Israel's distinctiveness with Gentile inclusion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

יִפְּל֣וּ2 of 23

And it shall come to pass that ye shall divide

H5307

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

אוֹתָהּ֮3 of 23
H853

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

בְנַחֲלָ֔ה4 of 23

inheritance

H5159

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

לָכֶ֗ם5 of 23
H0
וּלְהַגֵּרִים֙6 of 23

unto you and to the strangers

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

הַגָּרִ֣ים7 of 23

that sojourn

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

בְּת֖וֹךְ8 of 23

among

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

אֲשֶׁר9 of 23
H834

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

הוֹלִ֥דוּ10 of 23

you which shall beget

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

בִּבְנֵ֣י11 of 23

among the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בְּת֖וֹךְ12 of 23

among

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

וְהָי֣וּ13 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָכֶ֗ם14 of 23
H0
כְּאֶזְרָח֙15 of 23

in the country

H249

a spontaneous growth, i.e., native (tree or persons)

בִּבְנֵ֣י16 of 23

among the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃17 of 23

of Israel

H3478

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

אִתְּכֶם֙18 of 23
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

יִפְּל֣וּ19 of 23

And it shall come to pass that ye shall divide

H5307

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

בְנַחֲלָ֔ה20 of 23

inheritance

H5159

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

בְּת֖וֹךְ21 of 23

among

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

שִׁבְטֵ֥י22 of 23

the tribes

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃23 of 23

of Israel

H3478

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


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 47:22 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 47:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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