On the east side the border will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the Eastern Sea and as far as Tamar. This will be the eastern boundary. On the east sideThe phrase "on the east side" refers to the geographical orientation of the land being described. In biblical times, directions were often given in relation to the rising sun, which is in the east. The east side of the land of Israel holds significant historical and spiritual importance, as it was often seen as a place of new beginnings and divine encounters. The east is also where the Garden of Eden was located, symbolizing a return to paradise and God's original plan for humanity. the boundary
The term "boundary" in this context refers to the divinely appointed limits of the land given to the tribes of Israel. In Hebrew, the word for boundary is "gebul," which signifies a border or limit. Boundaries were crucial in ancient times for defining territories and ensuring peace among neighboring tribes and nations. Spiritually, boundaries can also represent the limits set by God for His people, within which they are to live and thrive according to His commandments. will run between Hauran and Damascus
"Hauran" and "Damascus" are regions located to the northeast of Israel. Hauran is a fertile area known for its agriculture, while Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The mention of these locations highlights the extent of the land promised to Israel, reaching into areas that were historically significant and often contested. This boundary signifies God's promise of a vast and prosperous land for His people. along the Jordan
The Jordan River is a central geographical feature in the biblical narrative, symbolizing transition and transformation. It was the river that the Israelites crossed to enter the Promised Land, and it is also where Jesus was baptized, marking the beginning of His public ministry. The Jordan represents a boundary between the old and the new, a place of crossing over into God's promises and purposes. between Gilead and the land of Israel
Gilead is a region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm, a healing ointment. The phrase "between Gilead and the land of Israel" indicates the specific area of the boundary. Gilead's mention evokes themes of healing and restoration, suggesting that the land within these boundaries is a place of divine provision and blessing. The land of Israel, as defined by God, is a place where His people can experience His presence and favor. you will measure
The act of measuring signifies careful planning and divine order. In Hebrew, the word for measure is "madad," which implies stretching out or extending. This measurement is not just a physical act but a spiritual one, as it involves understanding and accepting the limits and blessings God has set for His people. It is a call to recognize God's sovereignty and to live within His ordained boundaries. from the northern border to the eastern sea
The "northern border" and the "eastern sea" (likely referring to the Dead Sea) define the extent of the land from north to east. This description emphasizes the completeness and sufficiency of God's provision. The northern border often represented the edge of known civilization, while the eastern sea was a place of mystery and depth. Together, they symbolize the vastness of God's promise and the security found within His designated territory. This boundary assures the Israelites of their inheritance and God's faithfulness to His covenant. Persons / Places / Events 1. HauranA region in ancient Syria, known for its fertile land. It is mentioned as part of the boundary of the land described in Ezekiel's vision. 2. DamascusThe capital of modern-day Syria, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It serves as a geographical marker in the boundary description. 3. JordanReferring to the Jordan River, a significant geographical and spiritual landmark in the Bible, symbolizing boundaries and transitions. 4. GileadA region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and rugged terrain. It is part of the boundary description in Ezekiel's vision. 5. TamarLikely a location in the southern part of the land, marking the extent of the eastern boundary. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over Land and NationsThe detailed description of boundaries emphasizes God's control and authority over the earth and its divisions. Fulfillment of PromisesThe boundaries reflect God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel, reminding believers of His reliability. Spiritual Boundaries and IdentityJust as physical boundaries define nations, spiritual boundaries define our identity in Christ. Believers are called to live within the spiritual boundaries set by God's Word. The Importance of Place in God's PlanThe specific mention of places highlights that God values the physical world and has a plan for it, encouraging stewardship of creation. Unity and Diversity in God's KingdomThe diverse regions mentioned symbolize the unity and diversity within God's people, calling for harmony among believers. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the description of boundaries in Ezekiel 47:18 reflect God's promises to Abraham in Genesis 15:18? 2. In what ways do the geographical markers in Ezekiel 47:18 help us understand the historical context of Israel's land? 3. How can the concept of spiritual boundaries apply to our personal lives and walk with Christ? 4. What lessons can we learn about God's sovereignty and faithfulness from the detailed territorial descriptions in Ezekiel? 5. How do the themes of unity and diversity in the land of Israel relate to the Church today, and how can we apply this understanding in our local congregations? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 15:18God's covenant with Abraham, promising land to his descendants, which sets the stage for the territorial descriptions in Ezekiel. Numbers 34:1-12The boundaries of the Promised Land as described to Moses, providing a parallel to Ezekiel's vision. Joshua 13-19The division of the land among the tribes of Israel, offering historical context to the territorial boundaries. Revelation 22:1-2The vision of the river of life, drawing a parallel to the life-giving waters described earlier in Ezekiel 47. People Amos, Enan, Ezekiel, Israelites, Joseph, TamarPlaces Arabah, Berothah, Brook of Egypt, Damascus, Eneglaim, Engedi, Gilead, Great Sea, Hamath, Hauran, Hazar-enan, Hazer-hatticon, Hethlon, Jordan River, Lebo-hamath, Meribah-kadesh, Most Holy Place, Sibraim, Tamar, ZedadTopics Along, Border, Boundary, Damascus, East, Eastern, Gilead, Hauran, Havran, Hazar-enon, Hazar-e'non, Jordan, Limit, Measure, North, Over-against, Quarter, Run, TamarDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 47:15-20 5235 boundary Library The River of Life
Waters issued out from under the threshold of the house ... EZEKIEL xlvii. 1. Unlike most great cities, Jerusalem was not situated on a great river. True, the inconsiderable waters of Siloam--'which flow softly' because they were so inconsiderable--rose from a crevice in the Temple rock, and beneath that rock stretched the valley of the Kedron, dry and bleached in the summer, and a rainy torrent during the rainy seasons; but that was all. So, many of the prophets, who looked forward to the better …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture"And the Redeemer Shall Come unto Zion, and unto them that Turn,"
Isaiah lix. 20.--"And the Redeemer shall come unto Zion, and unto them that turn," &c. Doctrines, as things, have their seasons and times. Every thing is beautiful in its season. So there is no word of truth, but it hath a season and time in which it is beautiful. And indeed that is a great part of wisdom, to bring forth everything in its season, to discern when and where, and to whom it is pertinent and edifying, to speak such and such truths. But there is one doctrine that is never out of season, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Fresh Supplies of Power.
"As the Dew." There is another very important bit needed to complete the circle of truth we are going over together in these quiet talks. Namely, the daily life after the act of surrender and all that comes with that act. The steady pull day by day. After the eagle-flight up into highest air, and the hundred yards dash, or even the mile run, comes the steady, steady walking mile after mile. The real test of life is here. And the highest victories are here, too. I recall the remark made by a friend …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezekiel 47:18 NIVEzekiel 47:18 NLTEzekiel 47:18 ESVEzekiel 47:18 NASBEzekiel 47:18 KJV
Ezekiel 47:18 Commentaries
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