Ezekiel 46:17 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 46:17 mean?

Ezekiel 46:17 explains that if a prince gives part of his inheritance to a servant, the servant may keep it only until the "year of liberty," after which the property returns to the prince. However, if the prince gives an inheritance to his own sons, it remains theirs permanently. This sets a clear difference between gifts to servants and gifts to sons regarding property rights.

In this section of Ezekiel, God is giving instructions to the prophet Ezekiel about how the future prince of Israel should handle his land and inheritance. The "year of liberty" refers to a special time, often understood as the Jubilee year, when property returns to its original owner. The verse emphasizes fairness and prevents the permanent loss of family inheritance, ensuring that the prince’s land stays within his family line.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 46:17

• "give" (נָתַן, natan): This word means to give or grant. Here, it highlights the act of the prince transferring property, but with conditions attached.
• "gift" (מַתָּנָה, mattanah): This word means a present or gift. The use of this term shows that the transfer to a servant is not a permanent legal inheritance but a temporary grant.
• "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This word refers to a hereditary possession, usually land. Its use underlines the importance of keeping family property within the family.
• "year" (שָׁנָה, shanah) and "liberty" (דְּרוֹר, deror): "Year of liberty" refers to a set time when debts are forgiven and property is restored, often linked to the Jubilee year described elsewhere in the Old Testament.
• "return" (שׁוּב, shuv): This means to go back or return. It clarifies that the property given to a servant is not lost but comes back to the prince after the set period.

Why Ezekiel 46:17 matters

• Ezekiel 46:17 prevents the permanent transfer of royal land to non-family members, protecting the inheritance of the prince’s descendants and maintaining the structure God set for Israel’s leaders.
• The verse clarifies that gifts to servants are temporary, which would prevent the abuse of royal power or favoritism that could weaken the family’s inheritance over generations.
• This instruction fits into the wider passage’s concern for justice, order, and the proper stewardship of land, echoing laws from earlier in the Old Testament about the Jubilee and the protection of family inheritance.