And this shall be the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;

EZEKIEL 47:15KJV
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Ezekiel 47:15 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 47:15 mean?

Ezekiel 47:15 marks out the northern border of the land being described, starting from the Mediterranean Sea and following a route past Hethlon toward Zedad. The verse is part of a detailed description of boundaries for the land that God is assigning to Israel in Ezekiel’s vision.

In this section, the prophet Ezekiel is relaying God’s instructions to the people of Israel about the future division of their land. The setting is a vision where God shows Ezekiel a restored land and temple after the exile. This verse gives specific geographic markers, showing that God’s promise involves real, physical territory with clear borders.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 47:15

  • "border" (גְּבוּל, gevul): This word means a boundary or limit. Its use here emphasizes that the land has definite, set borders, not vague or symbolic ones.
  • "land" (אֶרֶץ, erets): This term often means "land" or "earth," but in this context, it refers specifically to the territory promised to Israel.
  • "north" (צָפוֹן, tsafon): This word means "north" and sets the orientation for the boundary being described.
  • "great" (גָּדוֹל, gadol) and "sea" (יָם, yam): Together, "great sea" refers to the Mediterranean Sea, the well-known western boundary of ancient Israel.

Why Ezekiel 47:15 matters

  • Ezekiel 47:15 shows that God’s promises to Israel are concrete and specific, not just spiritual or symbolic, by giving exact boundaries.
  • The verse helps clarify the geography of the restored land in Ezekiel’s vision, which is important for understanding the rest of the chapter’s boundary descriptions.
  • By naming real places and routes, the verse connects Ezekiel’s vision to actual locations, grounding the prophecy in the real world rather than in abstract ideas.

Where else these words appear

“Hethlon” Hebrew H2855 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezekiel 48:1 Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.

“Zedad” Hebrew H6657 · used in 2 verses

  • Numbers 34:8 From mount Hor ye shall point out your border unto the entrance of Hamath; and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad:

“side” Hebrew H6285 · used in 59 verses

  • Exodus 25:26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
  • Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
  • Ezekiel 48:1 Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.

“north” Hebrew H6828 · used in 141 verses

  • Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
  • Ezekiel 20:47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.