Ezekiel 47:20 - “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.

Generated Verse: Ezekiel 47:20

What does "Ezekiel 47:20" mean?


Ezekiel 47:20 is a description of the western boundary of the promised land in Ezekiel's vision. Let's break down the meaning:

"The west side shall be the great sea": The western border of the land is the Mediterranean Sea. This is straightforward. "Great Sea" is a common ancient Hebrew term for the Mediterranean.

"from the south border as far as over against the entrance of Hamath": This specifies the extent of the Mediterranean Sea that defines the western boundary. It stretches from the established southern border (previously defined in the chapter) up to a point roughly opposite "the entrance of Hamath."

"Hamath": Hamath was a significant city located in what is now Syria, quite far north of the traditional land of Israel.

"over against the entrance of Hamath": This is a somewhat imprecise geographical marker. It means "opposite" or "in line with" the entrance or approach to the city of Hamath. It indicates how far north along the Mediterranean coastline the western boundary extends.

In summary, Ezekiel 47:20 defines the western border of the land in Ezekiel's vision as being the Mediterranean Sea, extending from the established southern boundary of the land all the way north to a point roughly across from the area approaching the city of Hamath.

Significance:

Idealized Boundaries: This verse (and the rest of the chapter) describes an idealized and expanded boundary of the land, more extensive than what Israel historically controlled. It represents God's promise of a more abundant inheritance.

Directional Marker: It serves as a geographical marker within Ezekiel's vision, allowing the reader to understand the scope and boundaries of the land being described.

Future Hope: For many, the idealized borders represent a future hope and the fulfillment of God's promises for the people of Israel. It's a vision of blessing and abundance.

It is important to note that the exact location of "the entrance of Hamath" is debated among scholars. However, the general idea is that the western border extends much further north than the historical kingdom of Israel typically encompassed.

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