Thus saith the Lord GOD; If the prince give a gift unto any of his sons, the inheritance thereof shall be his sons'; it shall be their possession by inheritance.

EZEKIEL 46:16KJV
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Ezekiel 46:16 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 46:16 mean?

Ezekiel 46:16 states that if the prince gives a gift of land to one of his sons, that land will become the permanent inheritance of that son and his descendants. This rule ensures that gifts from the prince to his sons are lasting and not temporary.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, specifically addressing the future leadership structure in the restored temple. The "prince" refers to a leader or ruler in this envisioned future, and the verse sets out a legal principle about inheritance and property rights within his family. The focus is on making sure that gifts to sons are treated as true inheritances, not just temporary grants.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 46:16

  • "Prince" (נָשִׂיא, nasi): This word refers to a leader or ruler, not necessarily a king, but someone with authority. In Ezekiel, the "prince" often symbolizes a just leader in the future temple order.
  • "Gift" (מַתָּנָה, mattanah): This word means a present or something given freely. Here, it highlights that the land is given as a personal act, not as a duty or tax.
  • "Inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This term means property passed down by family line. Its use here stresses the lasting, generational nature of the gift.
  • "Possession" (אֲחֻזָּה, achuzzah): This word means a holding or property, emphasizing that the land becomes the son's permanent property, not just a temporary arrangement.

Why Ezekiel 46:16 matters

  • Ezekiel 46:16 clarifies that gifts of land from the prince to his sons are not to be reclaimed or redistributed later; they become permanent family property.
  • This rule helps prevent the prince from using his authority to manipulate land ownership or favor certain people unfairly, supporting stability and fairness in the community.
  • The verse fits into a larger section where Ezekiel describes just and orderly practices for leaders, contrasting with the abuses of power that had happened in Israel's past.

Where else these words appear

“gift” Hebrew H4979 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 25:6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.
  • Numbers 18:29 Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.
  • Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

“possession” Hebrew H272 · used in 58 verses

  • Genesis 17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
  • Leviticus 25:41 And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.
  • Joshua 21:41 All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.

“prince” Hebrew H5387 · used in 120 verses

  • Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
  • Numbers 7:54 On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:
  • 2 Chronicles 1:2 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.