King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 48:1 Mean?

Ezekiel 48:1 in the King James Version says “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, Ha... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. a portion: Heb. one portion

Ezekiel 48:1 · KJV


Context

1

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. a portion: Heb. one portion

2

And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Asher.

3

And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Naphtali.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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, Hazar-enan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan. This verse begins Ezekiel's description of the tribal land allotments in the restored Israel. The precision of boundaries—"from the north end" with specific markers like Ḥetlōn (חֶתְלוֹן, Hethlon), Ḥămāt (חֲמָת, Hamath), Ḥaṣar 'Ênān (חֲצַר עֵינָן, Hazar-enan), and Dammeśeq (דַּמֶּשֶׂק, Damascus)—demonstrates God's sovereign allocation of inheritance.

The significance of Dan receiving the first and northernmost portion is profound. Historically, Dan was associated with idolatry (Judges 18:30-31, 1 Kings 12:28-30) and is omitted from Revelation's 144,000 sealed servants (Revelation 7:4-8). Yet in Ezekiel's restoration vision, Dan receives full inheritance—a powerful picture of redemptive grace. No tribe is beyond restoration when God acts in sovereign mercy. The phrase "for these are his sides east and west" indicates Dan's territory stretches the entire width of the land, from the Mediterranean to the Jordan, establishing the pattern for all subsequent tribal allotments.

The tribal arrangement in Ezekiel 48 differs dramatically from Joshua's original distribution (Joshua 13-19). Here, all tribes receive equal portions in parallel horizontal strips running east-west, with the sacred district (containing temple, priestly land, and Levitical cities) at the center (vv. 8-22). This signals new creation order—not based on historical conquest or tribal strength but on divine grace distributing inheritance equally. It anticipates the New Jerusalem where the twelve tribes are memorialized in equal honor (Revelation 21:12) and believers share equally in Christ's inheritance (Ephesians 1:11, Colossians 1:12).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The boundaries described use geographical markers from Israel's ideal northern border. Hethlon is likely modern Heitela near the Phoenician coast; Hamath was a Syrian city-state on the Orontes River (modern Hama); Hazar-enan was on the northeastern border; Damascus, the ancient Syrian capital, marked the eastern limit. These boundaries approximate God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18) and reflect Solomon's kingdom at its zenith (1 Kings 4:21, 24). The vision, received by Ezekiel around 573 BC during Babylonian exile, offered hope that despite judgment and dispersion, God's covenant promises remain certain. The restoration would exceed even Solomon's glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Dan's restoration despite historical apostasy encourage hope for individuals and communities that have wandered from God?
  2. What does the equal distribution of land (contrasted with Joshua's varied allotments based on tribal size and conquest) teach about grace versus merit in God's kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וְאֵ֖לֶּה1 of 26
H428

these or those

שְׁמ֣וֹת2 of 26

Now these are the names

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הַשְּׁבָטִ֑ים3 of 26

of the tribes

H7626

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

מִקְצֵ֣ה4 of 26

end

H7097

an extremity

צָפ֙וֹנָה֙5 of 26

From the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

אֶל6 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יַ֣ד7 of 26

to the coast

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

דֶּֽרֶךְ8 of 26

of the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

חֶתְלֹ֣ן׀9 of 26

of Hethlon

H2855

chethlon, a place in palestine

לְֽבוֹא10 of 26

as one goeth

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

חֲמָ֔ת11 of 26

of Hamath

H2574

chamath, a place in syria

חֲצַ֣ר12 of 26
H0
עֵינָן֩13 of 26

Hazarenan

H2704

chatsar-enan, a place in palestine

גְּב֨וּל14 of 26

the border

H1366

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

דַּמֶּ֤שֶׂק15 of 26

of Damascus

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

צָפ֙וֹנָה֙16 of 26

From the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

אֶל17 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יַ֣ד18 of 26

to the coast

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

חֲמָ֔ת19 of 26

of Hamath

H2574

chamath, a place in syria

וְהָיוּ20 of 26
H1961

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

ל֧וֹ21 of 26
H0
פְאַת22 of 26

for these are his sides

H6285

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

קָדִ֛ים23 of 26

east

H6921

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

הַיָּ֖ם24 of 26

and west

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

דָּ֥ן25 of 26

portion for Dan

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

אֶחָֽד׃26 of 26

a

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first


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 48:1 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 48:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study