You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners who dwell among you and who have children. You are to treat them as native-born Israelites; along with you, they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. You are to allot it as an inheritanceThe Hebrew word for "allot" is "נָחַל" (nachal), which means to distribute or assign. In the context of ancient Israel, land inheritance was a significant aspect of God's covenant with His people. The land was not merely property but a divine gift, a tangible sign of God's promise and faithfulness. This command to allot land underscores the importance of equitable distribution and the recognition of God's sovereignty over the land. for yourselves and for the foreigners who dwell among you
The term "foreigners" is translated from the Hebrew "גֵּרִים" (gerim), referring to non-Israelites living among the Israelites. Historically, foreigners in Israel were often marginalized, but this verse highlights a radical inclusion. It reflects God's heart for justice and compassion, extending the blessings of the covenant community to all who dwell within its borders, regardless of their ethnic origin. and who have children
The mention of "children" emphasizes the generational aspect of the inheritance. It is not just a temporary provision but a lasting legacy. This inclusion of foreigners and their descendants in the inheritance signifies a breaking down of barriers and a foreshadowing of the New Testament revelation that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Galatians 3:28). You are to treat them as native-born Israelites
The phrase "native-born Israelites" translates the Hebrew "כְּאֶזְרָח" (ke'ezrach), meaning a citizen or one born in the land. This command to treat foreigners as native-born Israelites is profound, as it calls for equality and full integration into the community. It reflects God's inclusive nature and His desire for His people to embody His justice and love. along with you, they shall be allotted an inheritance
The repetition of the word "inheritance" reinforces the idea of shared blessings and communal responsibility. It is a call to recognize the dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their background. This principle of shared inheritance is a precursor to the New Testament teaching of the Church as one body in Christ, where all believers are co-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17). among the tribes of Israel
The "tribes of Israel" were the foundational social and political units of ancient Israel. By including foreigners in the inheritance among the tribes, God is expanding the boundaries of His covenant community. This inclusion is a prophetic glimpse of the ultimate gathering of all nations into God's kingdom, as seen in Revelation 7:9, where people from every tribe and language stand before the throne of God. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel's visions and prophecies often focus on the restoration of Israel and the coming of God's kingdom. 2. ForeignersNon-Israelites living among the Israelites, who are to be treated as native-born and given an inheritance in the land. 3. IsraelThe nation chosen by God, which is being promised restoration and inclusion of foreigners in its inheritance. 4. InheritanceThe division of the land among the tribes of Israel, which is extended to include foreigners, symbolizing God's inclusive promise. 5. Tribes of IsraelThe twelve tribes descended from the sons of Jacob, each receiving a portion of the Promised Land. Teaching Points God's Inclusive PromiseGod's plan has always included the nations, not just Israel. This passage highlights His desire for all people to be part of His covenant community. Equality in God's KingdomThe command to treat foreigners as native-born Israelites underscores the equality and unity that should characterize God's people. Inheritance Beyond BloodlinesSpiritual inheritance in God's kingdom is not limited by ethnicity or nationality but is available to all who align themselves with God's people. Welcoming the StrangerAs believers, we are called to welcome and integrate those who are different from us, reflecting God's heart for inclusion and community. Living as a Unified CommunityThe church today should strive to be a place where all are welcomed and valued, regardless of their background, reflecting the unity and diversity of God's kingdom. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Ezekiel 47:22 challenge our understanding of community and inclusion within the church today? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of treating foreigners as native-born in our local church or community? 3. How does the inclusion of foreigners in the inheritance of Israel reflect God's character and His plan for humanity? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that our church is a welcoming place for people from diverse backgrounds? 5. How does the concept of spiritual inheritance in Ezekiel 47:22 connect with Paul's teaching in Romans 11 about the inclusion of Gentiles? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 19:34This verse commands the Israelites to love the foreigner living among them as themselves, reflecting God's inclusive nature. Isaiah 56:6-8These verses speak of foreigners who join themselves to the Lord being accepted and given a place in His house, emphasizing God's welcoming of all who seek Him. Romans 11:17-24Paul discusses the inclusion of Gentiles into the family of God, using the metaphor of grafting branches into an olive tree, which parallels the inclusion of foreigners in Ezekiel. 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 Aliens, Allot, Allotted, Along, Beget, Begotten, Birth, Born, Bring, Consider, Decision, Distribution, Divide, Draw, Forth, Heritage, Home-born, Inheritance, Israelites, Lands, Lot, Midst, Native, Native-born, Pass, Reside, Separate, Separated, Settled, Sojourn, Sojourners, Sojourning, Sons, Stay, Strangers, Tribes, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 47:22-23 6604 acceptance, human
7530 foreigners 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 47:22 NIVEzekiel 47:22 NLTEzekiel 47:22 ESVEzekiel 47:22 NASBEzekiel 47:22 KJV
Ezekiel 47:22 Commentaries
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