Ezekiel 47:21
New International Version
“You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

New Living Translation
“Divide the land within these boundaries among the tribes of Israel.

English Standard Version
“So you shall divide this land among you according to the tribes of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
You are to divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

King James Bible
So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.

New King James Version
“Thus you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
“So you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

NASB 1995
“So you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

NASB 1977
“So you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
“So you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

Amplified Bible
“So you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
“You are to divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You are to divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

American Standard Version
So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
That is the land to be divided among the tribes of Israel.

English Revised Version
So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Divide this land among yourselves for each of the tribes of Israel.

Good News Translation
"Divide this land among your tribes;

International Standard Version
"You are to apportion this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel,

NET Bible
"This is how you will divide this land for yourselves among the tribes of Israel.

New Heart English Bible
"'So you shall divide this land to you according to the tribes of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
So shall ye divide this land to you according to the tribes of Israel.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
You are to divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

World English Bible
“So you shall divide this land to yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you have divided this land to yourselves, according to the tribes of Israel;

Young's Literal Translation
'And ye have divided this land to you, according to the tribes of Israel;

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye divided that land to you for the tribes of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you shall divide this land unto you by the tribes of Israel:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

New American Bible
You shall divide this land according to the tribes of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
So you shall divide this land among you according to the tribes of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So you shall divide this land among you according to the tribes of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall divide this land for the tribes of Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So ye shall divide this land to them, even to the tribes of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Borders of the Land
20And on the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This will be the western boundary. 21You are to divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. 22You 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.…

Cross References
Numbers 34:13
So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes.

Joshua 13:7
Now therefore divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”

Joshua 14:1-2
Now these are the portions that the Israelites inherited in the land of Canaan, as distributed by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families of the tribes of Israel. / Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

Joshua 18:4-10
Appoint three men from each tribe, and I will send them out to survey the land and map it out, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me / and divide the land into seven portions. Judah shall remain in their territory in the south, and the house of Joseph shall remain in their territory in the north. / When you have mapped out the seven portions of land and brought it to me, I will cast lots for you here in the presence of the LORD our God. ...

Numbers 26:52-56
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “The land is to be divided among the tribes as an inheritance, according to the number of names. / Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered. ...

Numbers 33:54
And you are to divide the land by lot according to your clans. Give a larger inheritance to a larger clan and a smaller inheritance to a smaller one. Whatever falls to each one by lot will be his. You will receive an inheritance according to the tribes of your fathers.

Deuteronomy 1:38
Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, will enter it. Encourage him, for he will enable Israel to inherit the land.

Deuteronomy 3:28
But commission Joshua, encourage him, and strengthen him, for he will cross over ahead of the people and enable them to inherit the land that you will see.”

Deuteronomy 31:7
Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance.

Acts 13:19
And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

Acts 7:5
He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.

Hebrews 11:8-10
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. / By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Hebrews 4:8
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.

Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

Galatians 3:18
For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.


Treasury of Scripture

So shall you divide this land to you according to the tribes of Israel.

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Ezekiel 47
1. The vision of the holy waters
6. The virtue of them
13. The borders of the land
22. The division of it by lot














You are to divide this land
This phrase refers to the allocation of the Promised Land, a recurring theme in the Old Testament. The division of land is reminiscent of the initial distribution under Joshua (Joshua 13-19). It signifies God's promise and faithfulness to Israel, ensuring each tribe receives its inheritance. The land division also symbolizes order and justice, reflecting God's sovereign plan for His people.

among yourselves
This indicates a communal responsibility and participation in the inheritance. It emphasizes unity and shared identity among the Israelites. The division is not just a physical allocation but a spiritual and covenantal act, reinforcing the collective identity of the tribes as God's chosen people.

according to the tribes of Israel
The mention of the tribes underscores the continuity of God's covenant with the descendants of Jacob. Each tribe's inheritance is a fulfillment of the promises made to the patriarchs (Genesis 12:7, 15:18-21). This division also foreshadows the eschatological hope of restoration and unity among God's people, as seen in prophecies of a future gathering and restoration (Ezekiel 37:15-28). The tribes' allocation reflects God's faithfulness and the enduring nature of His promises.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel receives visions from God, including the vision of the restored land of Israel.

2. The Tribes of Israel
The descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, representing the nation of Israel, who are to inherit the land.

3. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, symbolizing God's covenant and faithfulness.

4. The Division of the Land
A prophetic vision of the future allocation of the land among the tribes, signifying restoration and fulfillment of God's promises.

5. The Exile
The historical context of the Babylonian captivity, during which Ezekiel prophesied, highlighting themes of judgment and hope.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness
God's promises are sure and steadfast. Just as He promised the land to Israel, He fulfills His promises to us today.

Restoration and Hope
Even in times of exile or difficulty, God has a plan for restoration. We can trust in His timing and purpose.

Inheritance in Christ
As believers, we have a spiritual inheritance through Christ, which is secure and eternal.

Unity Among Believers
The division of the land among the tribes symbolizes unity and shared inheritance. In Christ, we are one body, called to live in harmony.

Obedience to God's Commands
The allocation of the land required obedience to God's instructions. We are called to follow God's Word in our lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 47:21?

2. How does Ezekiel 47:21 emphasize the importance of dividing the land fairly?

3. What role does obedience play in implementing God's commands in Ezekiel 47:21?

4. How does Ezekiel 47:21 connect with God's covenant promises to Israel?

5. How can we apply the principles of justice from Ezekiel 47:21 today?

6. What does Ezekiel 47:21 teach about God's plan for His people?

7. What does Ezekiel 47:21 reveal about God's plan for the land distribution among the tribes?

8. How does Ezekiel 47:21 relate to the concept of divine justice and fairness?

9. What historical evidence supports the land division described in Ezekiel 47:21?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 47?

11. Do the cities assigned in Joshua 21 conflict with the earlier tribal boundaries in Joshua 14-20?

12. Ezekiel 44:28 indicates priests have no inheritance apart from the Lord--how does this align with land allotment practices known from other biblical or historical sources?

13. How does Deuteronomy 10:8's statement that Levi had no land inheritance align with inherited lands described in other biblical texts?

14. If the land division was divinely ordained, why do other biblical accounts (e.g., Judges 1) describe tribes failing to fully possess these assigned territories?
What Does Ezekiel 47:21 Mean
You are to divide

- God speaks in the imperative, not offering a suggestion but issuing a direct command, just as He did when He told Moses, “‘This is the land you are to allot as an inheritance’ ” (Numbers 34:13).

- The verb underscores stewardship. Israel must actively participate in God’s plan rather than wait passively. Compare Joshua 13:7, where Joshua is told, “Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance.”

- The same divine authority reverberates through Ezekiel’s vision of the coming age (Ezekiel 45:1), reminding readers that God’s covenant purposes remain on schedule.


this land

- Ezekiel has just traced detailed boundaries (Ezekiel 47:15-20), marking out real geography from the Mediterranean to the Jordan. As in Genesis 15:18-21, the promise is concrete, not symbolic.

- The phrase links to earlier prophecies: “I will restore them to the land I gave their fathers” (Jeremiah 30:3). Restoration is literal—Amos 9:15 predicts Israel will “never again be uprooted.”

- Because the land is God’s (Leviticus 25:23), He alone decides its borders and future use.


among yourselves

- The inheritance is internal to Israel: the nation shares the blessing, reflecting family responsibility (cf. Deuteronomy 19:8-10).

- Yet God’s generosity spills over. Immediately after our verse, He says, “You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners who reside among you” (Ezekiel 47:22).

- Inclusion of resident aliens mirrors Isaiah 56:6-7, where foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD are welcomed. Paul later notes that Israel possessed “the adoption, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the worship, and the promises” (Romans 9:4), but Gentiles are grafted in (Romans 11:17-18).


according to the tribes of Israel.

- God honors the patriarchal structure He established in Numbers 26:52-56, where land was divided “by lot, according to the names of the tribes of their fathers.”

- In Ezekiel’s future allotment each tribe receives a parallel strip across the land (Ezekiel 48:1-29), emphasizing equality—no tribe is left out, just as Revelation 7:4-8 lists twelve tribes sealed for protection.

- The phrase reaffirms the permanence of Israel’s tribal identity; God vows He will “never reject the descendants of Jacob…for I will restore their fortunes” (Jeremiah 33:23-26).


summary

Ezekiel 47:21 is God’s unmistakable instruction for Israel’s future: He commands the nation to apportion a literal, promised territory, actively sharing it among themselves while maintaining tribal distinctions. The verse confirms that God’s ancient covenants stand firm and will be fulfilled in detail during the coming kingdom.

Verses 21-23. - The geographical boundaries of the land having been indicated, general directions are furnished as to the manner of its distribution.

(1) It should be partitioned among the tribes as tribes rather than among the families of Israel (see on ver. 13).

(2) The division of the territory should be made by lot. This is pointed to by the use of חָלַק (from חֵלֶק, "a smooth stone"), which signifies "to divide by lot."

(3) The strangers who should sojourn amongst the tribes and beget children amongst them should inherit equally with Israelites who should be born in the country. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You are to divide
וְחִלַּקְתֶּ֞ם (wə·ḥil·laq·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2505: To be smooth, to apportion, separate

this
הַזֹּ֛את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

land
הָאָ֧רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

among yourselves
לָכֶ֖ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

according to the tribes
לְשִׁבְטֵ֥י (lə·šiḇ·ṭê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 47:21 So you shall divide this land (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 47:20
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