Ezekiel 47:13-22 · Bible study
Ezekiel 47:13-22 Commentary: Why Joseph Gets Two Portions
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Joseph receives two tribal portions. Ezekiel 47:13-22 maps a restored land where even strangers share the inheritance. A vision of inclusive hope.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The restored land is divided equally among twelve tribes, with Joseph receiving two portions, and strangers included.
- Key words: Portions, inheritance, strangers, boundaries, lot.
- Main debate: Literal future restoration vs. symbolic vision of the church.
- Theological theme: God’s inclusive restoration and faithfulness to promises.
- Best use: Teaching on hope, inclusion, and the fulfillment of God’s covenant in Christ.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
13This is what the Lord GOD says: “These are the boundaries by which you are to divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph shall receive two portions.
14You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with an uplifted hand to give it to your forefathers, this land will fall to you as an inheritance.
15This shall be the boundary of the land:
16On the north side it will extend from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon through Lebo-hamath to Zedad, Berothah, and Sibraim (which is on the border between Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazer-hatticon, which is on the border of Hauran.
17So the border will run from the Sea to Hazar-enan, along the northern border of Damascus, with the territory of Hamath to the north. This will be the northern boundary.
18On the east side the border will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the Eastern Sea and as far as Tamar. This will be the eastern boundary.
19On the south side it will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, and along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea. This will be the southern boundary.
20And on the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This will be the western boundary.
21You are to divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.
22You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners who dwell among you and who have children. You are to treat them as native-born Israelites; along with you, they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
WEB World English Bible 2000
13The Lord Yahweh says: “This shall be the border by which you shall divide the land for inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions.
14You shall inherit it, one as well as another; for I swore to give it to your fathers. This land will fall to you for inheritance.
15“This shall be the border of the land: “On the north side, from the great sea, by the way of Hethlon, to the entrance of Zedad;
16Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim (which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath), to Hazer Hatticon, which is by the border of Hauran.
17The border from the sea shall be Hazar Enon at the border of Damascus; and on the north northward is the border of Hamath. This is the north side.
18“The east side, between Hauran, Damascus, Gilead, and the land of Israel, shall be the Jordan; from the north border to the east sea you shall measure. This is the east side.
19“The south side southward shall be from Tamar as far as the waters of Meriboth Kadesh, to the brook, to the great sea. This is the south side southward.
20“The west side shall be the great sea, from the south border as far as opposite the entrance of Hamath. This is the west side.
21“So you shall divide this land to yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.
22You shall divide it by lot for an inheritance to you and to the aliens who live among you, who will father children among you. Then they shall be to you as the native-born among the children of Israel. They shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
KJV King James Version 1769
13Thus saith the Lord God; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions.
14And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.
15And 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;
16Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazar–hatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran.
17And the border from the sea shall be Hazar–enan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And this is the north side.
18And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is the east side.
19And the south side southward, from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is the south side southward.
20The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side.
21So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.
22And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
13Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: This shall be the border, whereby ye shall divide the land for inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions.
14And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another; for I sware to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.
15And this shall be the border of the land: On the north side, from the great sea, by the way of Hethlon, unto the entrance of Zedad;
16Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazer-hatticon, which is by the border of Hauran.
17And the border from the sea, shall be Hazar-enon at the border of Damascus; and on the north northward is the border of Hamath. This is the north side.
18And the east side, between Hauran and Damascus and Gilead, and the land of Israel, shall be the Jordan; from the north border, unto the east sea shall ye measure. This is the east side.
19And the south side southward shall be from Tamar as far as the waters of Meriboth-kadesh, to the brook of Egypt, unto the great sea. This is the south side southward.
20And the west side shall be the great sea, from the south border as far as over against the entrance of Hamath. This is the west side.
21So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.
22And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you and to the strangers that sojourn among you, who shall beget children among you; and they shall be unto you as the home-born among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
13`Thus said the Lord Jehovah: This is the border whereby ye inherit the land, according to the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph hath portions.
14And ye have inherited it, one as well as another, in that I have lifted up My hand to give it to your fathers; and this land hath fallen to you in inheritance.
15`And this is the border of the land at the north quarter; from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, at the coming in to Zedad:
16Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, that is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazar-Hatticon, that is at the coast of Havran.
17And the border from the sea hath been Hazar-Enan, the border of Damascus, and Zaphon at the north, and the border of Hamath: and this is the north quarter.
18`And the east quarter is from between Havran, and Damascus, and Gilead, and the land of Israel, to the Jordan; from the border over-against the eastern sea ye measure: and this is the east quarter.
19`And the south quarter southward is from Tamar unto the waters of Meriboth-Kadesh, the stream unto the great sea: and this is the south quarter southward.
20`And the west quarter is the great sea, from the border till over-against the coming in to Hamath: this is the west quarter.
21`And ye have divided this land to you, according to the tribes of Israel;
22and it hath come to pass, ye separate it for an inheritance to yourselves, and to the sojourners who are sojourning in your midst, who have begotten sons in your midst, and they have been to you as native, with the sons of Israel, with you they are separated for an inheritance in the midst of the tribes of Israel.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
13Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: This shall be the border whereby ye shall allot the land as inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph [shall have two] portions.
14And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another, [the land] concerning which I lifted up my hand to give it unto your fathers; and this land shall fall to you for inheritance.
15And this shall be the border of the land: toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Zedad,
16Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazer-hatticon, which is by the border of Hauran.
17And the border from the sea shall be Hazar-enan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath: this is the north side.
18— And on the east side ye shall measure between Hauran and Damascus, and Gilead and the land of Israel [by] the Jordan, from the border unto the east sea: this is the east side.
19— And the south side southward, from Tamar to the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, by the torrent, unto the great sea: this is the south side southward.
20— And the west side shall be the great sea from the border, as far as over against the entering into Hamath: this is the west side.
21And ye shall divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.
22And it shall come to pass that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, who shall beget children among you; and they shall be unto you as the home-born among the children of Israel: with you shall they draw by lot inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
13Thus saith the Lord God: This is the border, by which you shall possess the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: for Joseph hath a double portion.
14And you shall possess it, every man in like manner as his brother: concerning which I lifted up my hand to give it to your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for a possession.
15And this is the border of the land: toward the north side, from the great sea by the way of Hethalon, as men go to Sedada,
16Emath, Berotha, Sabarim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Emath the house of Tichon, which is by the border of Auran.
17And the border from the sea even to the court of Enan, shall be the border of Damascus, and from the north to the north: the border of Emath, this is the north side.
18And the east side is from the midst of Auran, and from the midst of Damascus, and from the midst of Galaad, and from the midst of the land of Israel, Jordan making the bound to the east sea, and thus you shall measure the east side.
19And the south side southward is, from Thamar even to the waters of contradiction of Cades: and, the torrent even to the great sea: and this is the south side southward.
20And the side toward the sea, is the great sea from the borders straight on, till thou come to Emath: this is the side of the sea.
21And you shall divide this land unto you by the tribes of Israel:
22And you shall divide it by lot for an inheritance to you, and to the strangers that shall come over to you, that shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as men of the same country born among the children of Israel: they shall divide the possession with you in the midst of the tribes of Israel.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree that the boundaries described here are an ideal vision of the restored land, not a precise duplicate of the historical divisions under Joshua. Barnes calls it an “ideal reallotment.” The inclusion of Joseph’s two portions (through Ephraim and Manasseh) derives from the birthright transfer from Reuben to Joseph (1 Chronicles 5:1), as Gill and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown note. This keeps the number of tribal allotments at twelve, since Levi receives no territorial portion. The equal distribution, “one as well as another”, is a new feature: earlier allotments varied by tribe size, but here each tribe receives equal territory, emphasizing God’s equal provision for all. The most striking innovation is the inclusion of “strangers” (resident aliens) in the inheritance (v.22). Clarke, Matthew Henry, and Keil & Delitzsch all highlight that this goes beyond previous Mosaic law, where aliens could not own land permanently. The commentators are united in seeing this as a prophetic opening to the Gentiles and a sign of the new covenant’s radical welcome.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Future literal restoration view: Emphasizes the detailed geographical names and the connection to Numbers 34, suggesting a real land is described for ethnic Israel in the messianic age.
- Symbolic or typological view: Points to the idealised equality among tribes, the inclusion of strangers, and the context of a temple-centred vision as signals that the land is a figure of the new creation and the church's inheritance.
What is clear: God promises a restored inheritance for His people, includes outsiders as full members, and distributes the gift equally — themes that anchor hope for all generations.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph's two portions | Joseph receives two tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh) to keep the number at twelve, reflecting the birthright transfer from Reuben. | Some see this as literal future geography for ethnic Israel; others see it as symbolic of the church's inheritance across all peoples. |
| Boundaries of the land | The boundaries follow Numbers 34 generally but are idealised and start from the north rather than the south. | Whether these boundaries describe a literal future political entity or a theological statement about God's provision for His people. |
| Inclusion of strangers | Strangers who father children among Israel receive a full inheritance, a departure from earlier land laws. | Interpreters debate whether this refers to a specific historical situation (post-exilic community including non-Israelites) or is a prophecy of Gentile inclusion in the church. |
| Nature of the land promise | The passage affirms God's faithfulness to the patriarchal promise of the land. | Christians disagree whether this awaits a future literal fulfillment for Israel or is typologically fulfilled in Christ and the church. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Ezekiel writes from the Babylonian exile. The temple vision in chapters 40, 48 offers hope of restoration: a new temple, a renewed priesthood, and a reshaped land. These chapters are not a mere copy of earlier institutions but a transformed version of them, suited for God’s restored people. The boundaries in 47:13-22 follow the general outline of Numbers 34:1-12 but with significant changes. In Numbers, the southern border begins the description; Ezekiel starts with the north. The land described is “Canaan proper”, the area west of the Jordan, excluding the territories of the two and a half tribes east of the river. This is consistent with the vision: the land is the original promised land, but its distribution will be new.
Joseph’s double portion has deep roots in the patriarchal story. Jacob adopted Joseph’s two sons Ephraim and Manasseh as his own (Genesis 48:5), effectively giving Joseph a double share of the inheritance. Later, the birthright of the firstborn Reuben was transferred to Joseph (1 Chronicles 5:1). By giving Joseph two tribes, Ezekiel preserves twelve tribes while honoring that transfer. This also fulfills Jacob’s blessing that Joseph would be “separated from his brothers” (Genesis 49:26).
The inclusion of “strangers” (גֵּרִים) represents a departure from earlier land law. Under the Mosaic covenant, resident aliens could be treated kindly (Leviticus 19:34) but could not inherit land; property reverted to its Israelite owner at Jubilee (Leviticus 25). Here, strangers who have children among Israel receive an inheritance “as native-born.” This is not merely an extension of hospitality, it is full incorporation into the people of God. The passage reflects the situation of the post-exilic community, where many non-Israelites lived among the returning exiles, and anticipates the fuller inclusion of Gentiles in the age to come.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Ezekiel 47:13-22. The reading found in the manuscripts is stable across the major traditions. A minor issue appears in the Hebrew of verse 13 (the word geh is considered by Keil and Delitzsch a copyist’s error for zeh “this”), but this does not affect the meaning of the passage in any translation.
Reception History
Early Christian writers, such as those in the Antiochene tradition, read Ezekiel’s land vision as a type of the church’s inheritance. The inclusion of strangers was seen as a clear prophecy of Gentile incorporation into the people of God. Augustine, in the City of God, used the equal distribution to illustrate the equality of saints in the heavenly kingdom. Medieval interpreters often applied the boundaries to the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. During the Reformation, Protestant commentators like Calvin and the Geneva annotators emphasized that the vision reinforced the hope of restoration for the exiled people, while also pointing to a spiritual inheritance available to all believers through Christ. In some Jewish exegetical traditions, this passage continues to be read as a literal promise for the eschatological restoration of the land to the twelve tribes. Modern interpreters continue to debate whether the vision has a concrete future fulfillment or is primarily a symbolic expression of God’s covenant renewal.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God keeps His promises with precision. The detailed boundaries (v.13-20) show that God’s covenant faithfulness is not vague. He remembers the land He swore to give the patriarchs (v.14). For a people in exile, this specificity is an anchor of hope. God has not forgotten the address of His promise.
- God redefines who belongs. Joseph’s double portion (v.13) honors the birthright and shows that God’s blessing flows through unexpected channels. Then the inclusion of strangers (v.22) pushes the boundary of belonging outward. The people of God are not limited by bloodline; they are formed by grace.
- God’s inheritance is shared equally. Each tribe receives “one as well as another” (v.14). No one is left out, and no one is more privileged. The distribution by lot (v.22) means the outcome rests with God, not human favoritism. This is a picture of the kingdom: equal access to the gift of God.
Five-point outline
- Boundaries, God sets the land’s limits (v.15-20). He is the owner and giver.
- Birthright honored, Joseph’s two portions reaffirm the patriarchal promise (v.13).
- Equality before God, All tribes inherit equally (v.14).
- Inclusion of the outsider, Strangers share the inheritance (v.22).
- Divine allocation, The lot assigns each portion, leaving the decision to God (v.22).
Illustration hooks
- Property lines. Think of a family farm that has been in the family for generations. When the owner wills it to an adopted child as well as to biological children, the map of belonging changes. That is what God does here.
- Classroom seating. In a school where desks are assigned by lottery, every student has an equal chance at a good seat. God’s distribution by lot means no one can claim the best spot by status.
- Immigration and belonging. A refugee family resettles in a new country and after years is granted full citizenship, including the right to own land. The stranger in Ezekiel’s vision receives not just a place to stay but a permanent share of the inheritance.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “Does God still promise a specific land to Israel today, or is this spiritualized in the church?”
- “If strangers receive inheritance, does that mean anyone can become part of God’s people? What does it take?”
- “Why does Joseph get two portions? What does that say about God’s fairness?”
Leading a Discussion
This passage comes near the end of Ezekiel’s grand vision of restoration. After describing a life-giving river and the temple, the prophet turns to the land itself. The boundaries are real places, but the arrangement is ideal. Most importantly, the land is for all the tribes, and for the strangers living among them. As you discuss, notice how God addresses the deepest fears of the exiles: that the promise has failed, that their identity is lost, and that outsiders have no place. This vision transforms those fears into hope.
Discussion questions
- What do the detailed boundaries (v.15-20) tell you about God’s character? Why include so many place names?
- Why does Joseph receive two portions (v.13)? How does this relate to the birthright story in Genesis 48 and 1 Chronicles 5?
- In verse 14, the land is divided “one as well as another.” How is this different from the original division under Joshua? What does it reveal about God’s vision for His people?
- Verse 22 commands that “aliens” (foreigners) receive an inheritance “as the native-born.” What would this have meant for exiles returning to a land where many non-Israelites now lived?
- How does the inclusion of strangers challenge our understanding of who belongs in the church today? Are there “strangers” in your community who should be more fully included?
- The land is divided by lot, a practice that acknowledges God’s sovereign choice. In what areas of your life do you need to trust God’s assignment rather than your own planning?
- This passage is a vision of restoration after judgment. How does it give you hope when you face a situation that feels like a “wilderness” period?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 48:5 | Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, will be mine. |
| Genesis 49:26 | The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my ancestors, above the boundaries of the ancient hills. They will be on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the head of him who is separated from his brothers. |
| Numbers 34:2 | “Command the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you come into the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to its borders), |
| Numbers 34:12 | The border shall go down to the Jordan, and end at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land according to its borders around it.’” |
| I Chronicles 5:1 | The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be listed according to the birthright. |
| Jeremiah 3:18 | In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together out of the land of the north to the land that I gave for an inheritance to your fathers. |
| Jeremiah 31:1 | “At that time,” says Yahweh, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.” |
| Ezekiel 48:4 | “By the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west side, Manasseh, one portion. |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke treats this passage not as a literal land grant but as a prophecy of the Gospel era. He sees the strangers receiving an inheritance as a clear foreshadowing of Gentiles being welcomed into the Church and given a share in an imperishable, eternal inheritance.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes stresses that Ezekiel's land distribution is an ideal, symbolic arrangement grounded in real geography, not a literal blueprint. The distinctive new feature is the inclusion of Gentiles who join themselves to Israel's God, showing that the old Jew-Gentile distinction is abolished as pagandom is absorbed into the one true Church.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Bible notes highlight that this land division includes foreigners living among Israel, granting them equal inheritance with native-born tribes. This detail is read as a prophecy of Gentiles being fully included in God's spiritual people, not merely a practical instruction for ancient Israel.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill reads the expanded land borders and the equal inheritance for all tribes not as a literal future map of Israel but as a prophetic picture of the Gospel church age. He emphasizes that this division admits converted Gentiles on equal footing with Jews, a privilege never granted under the old law, making it a new thing fulfilled when Jews and Gentiles share all spiritual blessings in Christ.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that giving land to foreigners was unprecedented under the old covenant, since Canaan had no room for more than the twelve tribes. He therefore understands this passage spiritually: it foreshadows that Gentiles will share fully in Israel's covenant privileges, without being literally allotted territory within the land.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch observe that Ezekiel describes the northern boundary first, unlike Numbers 34 which begins with the south, because Israel now returns from exile in Assyria and Babylon. They also note that Joseph receives two portions for his sons, maintaining twelve tribes since Levi has no land inheritance.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange stresses that the waters come from below the temple threshold, not from heaven, because they rise from deep within the sanctuary's foundation rather than falling as rain. This origin symbolizes that the divine blessing flows outward from God's dwelling-place, and the eastward direction follows where the glory of the Eternal entered the house.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that after detailing the sanctuary, the prophecy now turns to the land itself. His emphasis is on the equal share given to every tribe, and notably the inclusion of resident foreigners as full inheritors alongside native Israelites.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley clarifies that "Joseph" in this verse refers collectively to his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who will divide the land as tribes. He also identifies the geographical boundaries: the great sea as the Mediterranean, the east sea as the Dead Sea, and the river as Egypt's river, with children inheriting the right from birth.