Moreover the prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession; but he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not scattered every man from his possession.

EZEKIEL 46:18KJV
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Ezekiel 46:18 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 46:18 mean?

Ezekiel 46:18 commands that the prince must not take land from the people by force or unfair means to give to his own sons; instead, he must provide for his sons from his own property, so that every person keeps their rightful land. This law is meant to protect the people from losing their inheritance and being scattered.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel about future leadership and justice. The context is a vision of an ideal future temple and society, where rulers act justly and respect the rights of the people. The verse sets a clear boundary for the prince’s authority, emphasizing fairness and the protection of each family’s inheritance.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 46:18

  • "Take" (לָקַח, laqach): This word means to seize, take, or acquire. Here, it highlights that the prince is forbidden from seizing land that belongs to someone else.
  • "Oppression" / "Thrust" (הָנַשׁ, hanash): This word carries the sense of driving out or forcing someone out by pressure or injustice. The verse uses it to stress that the prince must not force people off their land.
  • "Inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This word refers to a family’s allotted land, passed down through generations. The focus is on protecting these inheritances as a God-given right.
  • "Possession" (אֲחֻזָּה, achuzzah): This word means a holding or property, specifically land. The repetition in the verse underscores the importance of each person’s right to their own land.

Why Ezekiel 46:18 matters

  • Ezekiel 46:18 corrects the abuse of power seen in Israel’s history, where leaders sometimes took land from ordinary people, as in the story of Naboth’s vineyard.
  • The verse emphasizes that leaders are not above the law and must respect the property and rights of every person, reinforcing justice and stability in society.
  • This law fits into Ezekiel’s vision of a restored, righteous community, where everyone’s inheritance is secure and leadership is accountable.

Where else these words appear

“oppression” Hebrew H3238 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 22:21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
  • Psalms 123:4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.
  • Ezekiel 18:7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;

“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.

“inheritance” Hebrew H5157 · used in 59 verses

  • Exodus 23:30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.
  • Deuteronomy 19:3 Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.
  • Psalms 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

“scattered” Hebrew H6327 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 10:18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
  • Job 18:11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.
  • Ezekiel 11:17 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.