King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 48:28 Mean?

Ezekiel 48:28 in the King James Version says “And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea. strife: or, Meribahkadesh

Ezekiel 48:28 · King James Version


Context

26

And by the border of Issachar, from the east side unto the west side, Zebulun a portion.

27

And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side unto the west side, Gad a portion.

28

And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea. strife: or, Meribahkadesh

29

This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their portions, saith the Lord GOD.

30

And these are the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures.


Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea. This verse defines the southern boundary of the restored land. Tamar (תָּמָר, "palm tree") likely refers to Hazazon-tamar near the Dead Sea (2 Chronicles 20:2), the southeastern anchor point. Mei Merivat Qadesh (מֵי מְרִיבַת קָדֵשׁ, "waters of strife [at] Kadesh") recalls Israel's rebellion in the wilderness where Moses struck the rock (Numbers 20:13, 27:14)—a place of judgment now redeemed as a boundary marker of blessing.

The river toward the great sea refers to the nachal (נַחַל, "brook/wadi") of Egypt, likely Wadi el-Arish, flowing to the Mediterranean (ha-yam ha-gadol, הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל). This southern boundary fulfills the Abrahamic land promise's extent (Genesis 15:18). Remarkably, Kadesh—where Israel's unbelief delayed entrance into Canaan for forty years—now marks the border of the inheritance. God's faithfulness supersedes human failure; the children enter what the parents forfeited through unbelief.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This boundary description echoes God's original promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18) and the boundaries given in Numbers 34:3-5. Kadesh-barnea was the pivotal location where Israel's unbelief led to the forty-year wilderness wandering (Numbers 13-14). The generation that died in the wilderness never entered the land, yet their children did. Ezekiel's audience—exiles who had lost the land through covenant unfaithfulness—would understand that God's promises transcend human failure. The southern border from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean encompasses territory rarely fully controlled even in Solomon's era.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Kadesh's transformation from a place of judgment to a border of blessing illustrate God's redemptive purposes?
  2. What encouragement does this offer to those who feel their failures have disqualified them from God's promises?

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְעַל֙1 of 17
H5921

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

גְב֜וּל2 of 17

And by the border

H1366

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

גָּ֔ד3 of 17

of Gad

H1410

gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet

אֶל4 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פְּאַ֖ת5 of 17

side

H6285

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

נֶ֣גֶב6 of 17

at the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

תֵּימָ֑נָה7 of 17

southward

H8486

the south (as being on the right hand of a person facing the east)

וְהָיָ֨ה8 of 17
H1961

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

גְב֜וּל9 of 17

And by the border

H1366

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

מִתָּמָ֗ר10 of 17

shall be even from Tamar

H8559

tamar, the name of three women and a place

מֵ֚י11 of 17

unto the waters

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

מְרִיבַ֣ת12 of 17

of strife

H4808

quarrel

קָדֵ֔שׁ13 of 17

in Kadesh

H6946

kadesh, a place in the desert

נַחֲלָ֖ה14 of 17

and to the river

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

עַל15 of 17
H5921

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

הַיָּ֥ם16 of 17

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

הַגָּדֽוֹל׃17 of 17

toward the great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent


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 48:28 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 48:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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