Ezekiel 48:4
Ezekiel 48:4 in Multiple Translations
Manasseh will have one portion bordering the territory of Naphtali from east to west.
And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh.
And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, Manasseh, one portion.
And on the limit of Naphtali, from the east side to the west side: Manasseh, one part.
Manasseh's allocation borders that of Naphtali from east to west.
And by the border of Naphtali from the East quarter vnto the West side, a portion for Manasseh.
and by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, Manasseh one,
“By the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west side, Manasseh, one portion.
And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west side, a portion for Manasseh.
And by the border of Nephthali, from the east side even to the side of the sea, one portion for Manasses.
South of their land will be the territory for the tribe of Manasseh.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 48:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 48:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/עַ֣ל
גְּב֣וּל
נַפְתָּלִ֗י
מִ/פְּאַ֥ת
קָדִ֛מָ/ה
עַד
פְּאַת
יָ֖מָּ/ה
מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה
אֶחָֽד
וְ/עַ֣ל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Conj | Prep
גְּב֣וּל
gᵉbûwl
H1366
border
N-ms
נַפְתָּלִ֗י
Naphtâlîy
H5321
Naphtali
N-proper
מִ/פְּאַ֥ת
pêʼâh
H6285
side
Prep | N-fs
קָדִ֛מָ/ה
qâdîym
H6921
east
N-ms | Suff
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
פְּאַת
pêʼâh
H6285
side
N-fs
יָ֖מָּ/ה
yâm
H3220
West
N-ms | Suff
מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה
Mᵉnashsheh
H4519
Moses
N-proper
אֶחָֽד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 48:4
וְ/עַ֣ל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
גְּב֣וּל
gᵉbûwl
H1366
"border"
N-ms
This word refers to a boundary or border, like the borders of the Promised Land in Numbers 34:1-12. It can also mean a region or territory, as in the borders of Israel in 1 Kings 8:65.
Definition: : boundary 1) border, territory 1a) border 1b) territory (enclosed within boundary) 1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.) Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. See also: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 19:33; Psalms 78:54.
נַפְתָּלִ֗י
Naphtâlîy
H5321
"Naphtali"
N-proper
Naphtali was a son of Jacob and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was born to Bilhah, Rachel's servant, and is first mentioned in Genesis 30:8. Naphtali's descendants lived in the region of Galilee.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Naphtali living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.8; son of: Israel (H3478) and Bilhah (H1090A); brother of: Dan (H1835H); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Jahzeel (H3183), Guni (H1476), Jezer (H3337) and Shillem (H8006) Also named: Nephthaleim (Νεφθαλείμ "Naphtali" G3508) § Naphtali = "wrestling" 1) the 5th son of Jacob and the 2nd by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel 2) the tribe descended from Naphtali the son of Jacob 3) the territory assigned to the tribe of Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: Naphtali. See also: Genesis 30:8; Judges 1:33; Psalms 68:28.
מִ/פְּאַ֥ת
pêʼâh
H6285
"side"
Prep | N-fs
This word refers to the side or corner of something, like the edge of a room or a region. It is used in the Bible to describe geography or location. In the KJV, it is translated as 'corner' or 'side'.
Definition: 1) corner, edge, side, quarter, extremity 1a) corner 1b) side
Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: corner, end, quarter, side. See also: Exodus 25:26; Jeremiah 25:23; Jeremiah 9:25.
קָדִ֛מָ/ה
qâdîym
H6921
"east"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means the direction east or the east wind, often used to describe geographical locations or the direction of the wind.
Definition: 1) east, east wind 1a) east (of direction) 1b) east wind
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: east(-ward, wind). See also: Genesis 41:6; Ezekiel 43:17; Psalms 48:8.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
פְּאַת
pêʼâh
H6285
"side"
N-fs
This word refers to the side or corner of something, like the edge of a room or a region. It is used in the Bible to describe geography or location. In the KJV, it is translated as 'corner' or 'side'.
Definition: 1) corner, edge, side, quarter, extremity 1a) corner 1b) side
Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: corner, end, quarter, side. See also: Exodus 25:26; Jeremiah 25:23; Jeremiah 9:25.
יָ֖מָּ/ה
yâm
H3220
"West"
N-ms | Suff
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה
Mᵉnashsheh
H4519
"Moses"
N-proper
Manasseh was a grandson of Jacob and the ancestor of a large tribe in the Bible, mentioned in Genesis 41:51 and throughout the book of Numbers.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) Another name of mo.sheh (מֹשֶׁה "Moses" H4872) § Manasseh = "causing to forget" 1) the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh 1a) the tribe descended from Manasseh 1b) the territory occupied by the tribe of Manasseh 2) son of king Hezekiah of Judah and himself king of Judah; he was the immediate and direct cause for the exile 3) a descendant of Pahath-moab who put away a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 4) a descendant of Hashum who put away a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: Manasseh. See also: Genesis 41:51; Joshua 22:21; Psalms 60:9.
אֶחָֽד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 48:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Portions for the Tribes
2Asher will have one portion bordering the territory of Dan from east to west.
3Naphtali will have one portion bordering the territory of Asher from east to west.
4Manasseh will have one portion bordering the territory of Naphtali from east to west.
5Ephraim will have one portion bordering the territory of Manasseh from east to west. 6Reuben will have one portion bordering the territory of Ephraim from east to west.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 17:1–11 | Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn son, namely for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh and father of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because Machir was a man of war. So this allotment was for the rest of the descendants of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD. Thus ten shares fell to Manasseh, in addition to the land of Gilead and Bashan beyond the Jordan, because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance among his sons. And the land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the sons of Manasseh. Now the border of Manasseh went from Asher to Michmethath near Shechem, then southward to include the inhabitants of En-tappuah. The region of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but Tappuah itself, on the border of Manasseh, belonged to Ephraim. From there the border continued southward to the Brook of Kanah. There were cities belonging to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh, but the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook and ended at the Sea. Ephraim’s territory was to the south, and Manasseh’s was to the north, having the Sea as its border and adjoining Asher on the north and Issachar on the east. Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh was assigned Beth-shean, Ibleam, Dor (that is, Naphath), Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo, each with their surrounding settlements. |
| 2 | Joshua 13:29–31 | This is what Moses had given to the clans of the half-tribe of Manasseh, that is, to half the tribe of the descendants of Manasseh: The territory from Mahanaim through all Bashan—all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, including all the towns of Jair that are in Bashan, sixty cities; half of Gilead; and Ashtaroth and Edrei, the royal cities of Og in Bashan. All this was for the clans of the descendants of Machir son of Manasseh, that is, half of the descendants of Machir. |
| 3 | Genesis 48:14–20 | But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn. Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.” When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was displeased and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s. “Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” So that day Jacob blessed them and said: “By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim before Manasseh. |
| 4 | Genesis 41:51 | Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” |
| 5 | Genesis 48:5 | And now your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here shall be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. |
| 6 | Genesis 30:22–24 | Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. “God has taken away my shame,” she said. She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.” |
Ezekiel 48:4 Summary
This verse is talking about how the tribe of Manasseh will have a special portion of land next to the tribe of Naphtali, from east to west. This is part of God's plan to divide the land among the tribes of Israel, as seen in Ezekiel 48:1-7. It shows us that God is a God of order and balance, and He wants His people to live in harmony with each other (Psalm 133:1). By studying this verse, we can learn more about God's heart for His people and His desire to dwell among them (Revelation 21:3).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Manasseh's portion bordering the territory of Naphtali from east to west?
This arrangement is part of God's plan to divide the land among the tribes of Israel, as seen in Ezekiel 48:1-7, and it reflects the importance of Manasseh as a tribe, as mentioned in Genesis 41:51 and Genesis 48:13-20.
How does this verse relate to the overall plan of God for the nation of Israel?
This verse is part of a larger plan to restore and redeem Israel, as prophesied in Ezekiel 36:24 and Ezekiel 37:21-22, and it highlights God's attention to detail in His plan for His people.
What can we learn from the way the tribes are arranged in this chapter?
The arrangement of the tribes in Ezekiel 48:1-7 teaches us about God's order and balance, as well as His desire for unity and cooperation among His people, as seen in Psalm 133:1 and Acts 2:44-47.
Is this verse relevant to us today, or is it just a historical description?
While this verse is part of a historical description, it also has spiritual significance for us today, as it reminds us of God's faithfulness to His people and His desire to dwell among them, as seen in Revelation 21:3 and Ezekiel 48:35.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse teach us about God's attention to detail in His plan for our lives?
- How can we apply the principle of balance and order seen in this verse to our own lives and communities?
- What does the arrangement of the tribes in this chapter reveal about God's heart for unity and cooperation among His people?
- How does this verse relate to the broader theme of God's redemption and restoration of His people, and what comfort can we draw from this?
- What does this verse say about the importance of Manasseh as a tribe, and what can we learn from their story in the Bible?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 48:4
And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 48:4
And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh. A portion for Manasseh.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 48:4
Ezekiel 48:4 And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Manasseh.Ver. 4. A portion for Manasseh.] Which they do not, of their own accord, and as they see good, seize upon, but take their share set them out of the divine sentence.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 48:4
XLVIII. The closing chapter of Ezekiel is mainly occupied with the distribution of the land in detail. Beginning at the north, a portion is assigned to each of seven tribes (Ezekiel 48:1-7); then the “oblation” is described, with its parts for the Levites, the priests and Temple, the city and those that serve it, and for the prince (Ezekiel 48:8-22), and lastly portions for the remaining five tribes. The chapter and the book close with an account of the size and the twelve gates of the city, the whole ending with its name, “The Lord is there.” The distribution of the land is entirely different from that made under Joshua, nor is it easy to trace any historical reasons for it, except that the central portion, containing the Temple, the land of the priests and the prince, is flanked by the two tribes of the southern kingdom, Judah and Benjamin. The chapter can best be understood by the aid of a small map, the outline of which is traced from Dr. Wm. Smith’s ancient atlas. This might be drawn with the lines between the tribes perpendicular either to the general course of the Jordan, or to the general coast-line of the Mediterranean. The latter would give a little more width for the oblation, but still not enough, and would leave no space at all on the west for the prince. The former arrangement is on the whole preferred.
It will be seen that the tribes are not arranged either according to their seniority or their maternity. The territory falling to each tribe was much smaller than of old, partly because of the large space occupied by the “oblation” (fully one-fifth of the whole), and partly because the remainder was to be divided among the whole twelve tribes, instead of among only nine and a half. The portion thus given to each tribe was rather less than two-thirds that assigned, on the average, by Joshua. (1) These are his sides east and west.—Lit., The east side, the west side, shall be to him, meaning that the portion of Dan stretches across the country from the eastern to the western boundary. So of them all. The original portion of Dan was at the west of Benjamin, but a part of the tribe having conquered Laish, and settled at the extreme north, Dan is now made the most northern of the tribes. Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, and Ephraim are so far approximated to their old places as to be north of the sanctuary. (8) In length as one of the other parts.—The oblation, which has been already spoken of in Ezekiel 45:1-7 in a different connection, is here (Ezekiel 48:8-22) more exactly described. Its whole width is again stated as 25,000 reeds, and its length from the eastern to the western boundaries of the laud “as one of the other parts,” no account being taken in this of the varying distance between the Jordan and the Mediterranean. It cannot, however, be so placed as not to exceed that distance.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 48:4
1–7. The tribes to the north of the sacred oblation.
Sermons on Ezekiel 48:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) Genesis 48:14 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the new birth and how God does not choose individuals based on their natural abilities or birth order. The preacher uses t |
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Laying on of Hands by Anton Bosch | Anton Bosch discusses the principle of the laying on of hands, tracing its origins from the Old Testament where Jacob blessed Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, by crossing his h |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 495 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker tells the story of a family with four wicked sons and one tender-hearted youngest son. The father had trained the sons to be rascals, but the youngest s |
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(Genesis) Genesis 48:4-6 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the promises made by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God promised to make them fruitful and multiply them, and to give them the land as an |
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(Genesis) Genesis 30:1-24 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the disapproval of God towards the strife that existed within the families of Abraham, Isaac, and now Jacob. The preacher mentions the birth |
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(Genesis) Genesis 29:15-22 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob and his love for Rachel. Jacob serves his uncle Laban for seven years in order to marry Rachel, as his love for her is so |
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Barrenness by David Smithers | In this sermon, Frank Bartleman discusses the need for revival in the church in America, which he refers to as a state of barrenness. He emphasizes that the church has been sanctif |