King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 48:4 Mean?

Ezekiel 48:4 in the King James Version says “And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh.” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh.”

Ezekiel 48:4 · KJV

Context

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.

4

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

5

And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Ephraim.

6

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

Read Ezekiel 48 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh. Manasseh, Joseph's firstborn, receives the fourth portion. In Joshua's distribution, Manasseh received territory on both sides of the Jordan—half-tribe east, half-tribe west (Joshua 17:1-13). Here, Manasseh receives unified, undivided inheritance, symbolizing wholeness and restoration from previous division.

Historically, the half-tribe of Manasseh east of Jordan was among the first exiled by Assyria (1 Chronicles 5:25-26) due to idolatry and unfaithfulness. The eastern tribes' separation from the sanctuary made them vulnerable to apostasy. Ezekiel's vision places Manasseh entirely within the land proper, closer to the central sanctuary (v. 8-10), correcting the spiritual danger of geographic separation from God's presence.

The Hebrew name Mĕnašše (מְנַשֶּׁה) means "causing to forget"—Joseph named him thus because "God has made me forget all my hardship" (Genesis 41:51). In Ezekiel's restoration, God causes Israel to forget their exile and hardship, not through denial but through overwhelming grace. The tribe that symbolized forgetting past sorrows now experiences God's forgetting their past sins (Jeremiah 31:34).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Manasseh's divided inheritance reflected historical realities: the Transjordan tribes requested territory east of Jordan for their livestock (Numbers 32). Moses granted the request but warned of danger in not crossing over with their brothers. The eastern tribes built an altar that nearly caused civil war (Joshua 22), illustrating tensions created by geographic separation.

King Manasseh (687-642 BC) was Judah's most wicked king, promoting child sacrifice and filling Jerusalem with innocent blood (2 Kings 21:1-18). Yet he repented in Babylonian captivity and sought God (2 Chronicles 33:10-13). The tribal allotment for Manasseh thus carries double significance: restoration of the divided tribe and forgiveness for the wicked king who bore its name.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Manasseh's unified inheritance speak to believers about God healing our internal divisions?
  2. What does geographic proximity to the sanctuary teach about the importance of nearness to God's presence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְעַ֣ל׀1 of 10
H5921

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

גְּב֣וּל2 of 10

“And by the border”

H1366

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

נַפְתָּלִ֗י3 of 10

“of Naphtali”

H5321

naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory

פְּאַת4 of 10

“side”

H6285

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

קָדִ֛מָה5 of 10

“from the east”

H6921

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

עַד6 of 10
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

פְּאַת7 of 10

“side”

H6285

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

יָ֖מָּה8 of 10

“unto the 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

מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה9 of 10

“portion for Manasseh”

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

אֶחָֽד׃10 of 10

“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 48:4 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 48:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 17:1-11Joshua 13:29-31Genesis 48:14-20Genesis 48:5Genesis 30:22-24Genesis 41:51

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 48 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 48 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes