Ezekiel 48:14

Verse

They must not sell or exchange any of it, and they must not transfer this best part of the land, for it is holy to the LORD.

American Standard Version (1901)

And they shall sell none of it, nor exchange it, nor shall the first-fruits of the land be alienated; for it is holy unto Jehovah.

Bible in Basic English

And they are not to let any of it go for a price, or give it in exchange; and the part of the land given to the Lord is not to go into other hands: for it is holy to the Lord.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And they shall not sell thereof, nor exchange, neither shall the firstfruits of the land be alienated, because they are sanctified to the Lord.

Free Bible Version

They are not permitted to sell exchange or transfer any of it, for it is the best part of the land and is holy to the Lord.

King James (Authorized) Version

And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land: for it is holy unto the LORD.

Translation for Translators

None of this special land will ever be permitted to be sold or traded or used by other people, because it belongs to me, Yahweh. It is set apart for me.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They must not sell it or exchange it; none of this firstfruits of the land of Israel must ever be separated from these tracts, for it all is holy to Yahweh.

Noah Webster Bible

And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the first-fruits of the land: for it is holy to the LORD.

World English Bible

They shall sell none of it, nor exchange it, nor shall the first fruits of the land be alienated, for it is holy to Yahweh.

Young's Literal Translation

And they do not sell of it, nor exchange, nor cause to pass away the first-fruit of the land: for [it is] holy to Jehovah.

Context

The Portions for the Priests and Levites

¹³Bordering the territory of the priests, the Levites shall have an area 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. The whole length will be 25,000 cubits, and the width 10,000 cubits.¹⁴They must not sell or exchange any of it, and they must not transfer this best part of the land, for it is holy to the LORD.

Summary

In Ezekiel 48:14, the prophet describes the portion of land allotted to the tribe of Gad in the future division of the land of Israel. This verse is part of Ezekiel's vision of the restored and divided land, showcasing God's faithfulness to His promises to the twelve tribes of Israel. The detailed allocation of land to each tribe reflects God's orderly and just nature in fulfilling His covenant with His people. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and provision, ensuring that each tribe receives its rightful inheritance in the promised land.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion shall be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward,.... What remained in length, which ran parallel with the holy portion of the land, after five thousand reeds were taken out for the city and suburbs, were twenty thousand; ten thousand to the east, and ten thousand to the west: and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy portion; that is, that space as yet undisposed of, the twenty thousand reeds, ten on the east, and ten on the west of the city, were close to, and ran even with, the oblation of the holy portion assigned to the priests and Levites: and the increase thereof; or what these twenty thousand reeds of land should produce, or could be made of them: shall be for food for them that serve the city; not the Gibeonites given to be hewers of wood and drawers of water, as Jarchi interprets it; which sense is justly rejected by Kimchi; since, as he observes, the Gibeonites shall not dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, nor minister in time to come: but either civil magistrates, who serve the church of Christ, when they secure the peace of it, protect and defend it; as they will, especially in the latter day, when these officers will be peace, and these exactors righteousness do all things justly and equitably; and when kings shall be nursing fathers and queens nursing mothers to the church; and it is but right they shall be provided for suitably to their rank, dignity, and office, and tribute be given to whom tribute is due: or ministers of the word, who are the church's servants, and serve it in preaching the Gospel, and administering the ordinances of it; and go by various names, as husbandmen concerned in ploughing, sowing, reaping, and gathering in the harvest; as labourers in the vineyard, and employed in planting, watering, pruning, and propping the vines; and as stewards of the mysteries and manifold grace of God, to give to everyone in the city and family his portion of meat in due season; and as guides and governors, engaged in taking care of the good order and discipline of it; as watchmen, that go about it, or are set on the walls of it: and it is the will of God they should be comfortably provided for, and eat of the fruit of the field and vineyard they labour in; and of the milk of the flock they take care of; and reap carnal things where they have sowed spiritual, things: or else private believers, who serve the interest of Christ and one another by love; praying with and for one another; bearing one another's burdens, and building up each other on their most holy faith: and for whom "food", or "bread" (u), as in the original, both temporal and spiritual, is provided; both being to be had of the Lord, with whom there is enough, and to spare; Christ is the bread of life, and his word and ordinances are the provisions of Zion; which all that serve the city or church of God may partake of. (u) "in panem", Pagninus, Montanus, Piscator.