This shall be the boundary of the land: On the north side it will extend from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon through Lebo-hamath to Zedad, This shall be the boundary of the landThis phrase introduces a divine decree regarding the territorial limits of the land promised to Israel. The Hebrew word for "boundary" is "גְּבוּל" (gevul), which signifies a defined limit or border. In the biblical context, boundaries were not just physical demarcations but also spiritual and covenantal markers. They represented God's promise and provision for His people, delineating the space where His covenant community would dwell and thrive. On the north side
The specification of the "north side" indicates a precise geographical orientation. In ancient Israel, directions were often given in relation to the cardinal points, with the north being associated with the unknown or foreign lands. This northern boundary signifies the extent of God's promise reaching into areas that were often seen as distant or hostile, emphasizing His sovereignty over all creation. it will extend from the Great Sea
The "Great Sea" refers to the Mediterranean Sea, known in Hebrew as "הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל" (hayam hagadol). This body of water was a significant geographical feature for Israel, serving as a natural boundary and a source of trade and interaction with other cultures. The mention of the Great Sea underscores the vastness of the land promised to Israel, highlighting God's abundant provision. by way of Hethlon
Hethlon is a location mentioned in the context of the northern boundary. While its exact location is uncertain, it is believed to be in the region of modern-day Lebanon or Syria. The mention of Hethlon indicates a specific route or path, suggesting that God's boundaries are not arbitrary but carefully planned and purposeful. through Lebo-hamath
Lebo-hamath, often identified with the entrance to Hamath, was a significant city-state in ancient times, located in what is now modern-day Syria. The inclusion of Lebo-hamath in the boundary description highlights the historical and political realities of the region during Ezekiel's time. It also reflects the extent of the land that God intended for His people, reaching into territories that were once foreign or hostile. to Zedad
Zedad is another location marking the northern boundary of the land. Its precise location is not definitively known, but it is thought to be in the vicinity of modern-day Syria. The mention of Zedad, along with other specific locations, serves to provide a clear and detailed description of the land's boundaries, reinforcing the idea that God's promises are concrete and specific. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel receives visions from God, including the vision of the restored land and temple. 2. The Great SeaRefers to the Mediterranean Sea, which forms the western boundary of the land described. 3. HethlonA location mentioned as part of the northern boundary of the land. Its exact historical location is uncertain. 4. Lebo-hamathA region or city marking the northern boundary of Israel, often associated with the entrance to Hamath. 5. ZedadAnother location marking the northern boundary, though its precise location is not definitively known today. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThe detailed description of boundaries in Ezekiel 47:15 reflects God's commitment to His covenant promises regarding the land of Israel. The Importance of BoundariesBoundaries are significant in the Bible, symbolizing order, protection, and identity. In our lives, setting spiritual and moral boundaries is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with God. Restoration and HopeThe vision of restored boundaries in Ezekiel points to God's plan for restoration and hope for His people, encouraging us to trust in His future promises. Understanding Prophetic VisionsStudying prophetic texts like Ezekiel requires us to seek understanding of historical and future contexts, reminding us of the depth and complexity of God's Word. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the description of the land's boundaries in Ezekiel 47:15 reflect God's promises to Israel, and what does this teach us about His faithfulness? 2. In what ways can we apply the concept of boundaries in our spiritual lives today? 3. How do the locations mentioned in Ezekiel 47:15 connect to other biblical accounts, and what significance do they hold? 4. What can we learn from the prophetic visions of restoration in Ezekiel about God's plans for His people? 5. How does understanding the historical and geographical context of Ezekiel 47:15 enhance our interpretation of the passage? Connections to Other Scriptures Numbers 34:7-9This passage outlines the northern boundary of the land of Israel during the time of Moses, which parallels the description in Ezekiel 47:15. Amos 6:14Amos speaks of the boundaries of Israel, mentioning Lebo-hamath, which connects to the territorial promises and judgments. Genesis 15:18God's covenant with Abraham includes a promise of land, which is echoed in the territorial descriptions 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 Border, Boundary, Direction, Entrance, Hamath, Hethlon, Lebo, Limit, North, Past, Quarter, Road, Run, Towards, ZedadDictionary 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 47:15 NIVEzekiel 47:15 NLTEzekiel 47:15 ESVEzekiel 47:15 NASBEzekiel 47:15 KJV
Ezekiel 47:15 Commentaries
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