New International Version “On the west side, the Mediterranean Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo Hamath. This will be the western boundary. New Living Translation “On the west side, the Mediterranean itself will be your border from the southern border to the point where the northern border begins, opposite Lebo-hamath. English Standard Version “On the west side, the Great Sea shall be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This shall be the west side. Berean Standard Bible And on the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This will be the western boundary. Berean Literal Bible And on the side of the west, the Great Sea, from the border until over against the coming in Hamath. This is the side of the west. King James Bible The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side. New King James Version “The west side shall be the Great Sea, from the southern boundary until one comes to a point opposite Hamath. This is the west side. New American Standard Bible “And the west side shall be the Great Sea, from the south border to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This is the west side. NASB 1995 “The west side shall be the Great Sea, from the south border to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This is the west side. NASB 1977 “And the west side shall be the Great Sea, from the south border to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This is the west side. Legacy Standard Bible “And the west side shall be the Great Sea, from the south border to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This is the west side. Amplified Bible “The west side shall be the Great [Mediterranean] Sea, from the south border to a point opposite Lebo-hamath [north of Mount Hermon]. This is the west side. Berean Annotated Bible And on the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath (fortress). This will be the western boundary. Christian Standard Bible On the west side the Mediterranean Sea will be the border, from the southern border up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This will be the western side. Holman Christian Standard Bible On the west side the Mediterranean Sea will be the border, from the southern border up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This will be the western side.” American Standard Version And 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. Contemporary English Version The western border will run north along the Mediterranean Sea to a point just west of Lebo-Hamath. English Revised Version And the west side shall be the great sea, from the south border as far as over against the entering in of Hamath. This is the west side. GOD'S WORD® Translation On the west side the Mediterranean Sea is the border up to a point opposite Hamath Pass. This is the west side. Good News Translation "The western boundary is formed by the Mediterranean and runs north to a point west of Hamath Pass. International Standard Version "The western perimeter is to be the Mediterranean Sea, from the southernmost border to a location opposite the entrance to Hamath. This is to be the western perimeter. NET Bible On the west side the Great Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This is the west side. New Heart English Bible The west side shall be the Great Sea, from the south border as far as over against Lebo Hamath. This is the west side. Webster's Bible Translation The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man cometh over against Hamath. This is the west side. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd on the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This will be the western boundary. World English Bible “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. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the west quarter [is] the Great Sea, from the border until opposite the coming in to Hamath: this [is] the west quarter. Berean Literal Bible And on the side of the west, the Great Sea, from the border until over against the coming in Hamath. This is the side of the west. Young's Literal Translation And the west quarter is the great sea, from the border till over-against the coming in to Hamath: this is the west quarter. Smith's Literal Translation And the side of the sea the great sea from the bound, even to over against the entrance of Hamath. This the side of the sea. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd 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. Catholic Public Domain Version And the region toward the sea will have its confines from the great sea continuing directly until one arrives at Hamath. This is the region of the sea. New American Bible The western border shall have the Great Sea as a boundary as far as a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This is the western boundary. New Revised Standard Version On the west side, the Great Sea shall be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This shall be the west side. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the border shall run as far as Nacakh which is at the entrance of Hammath. This is the west side. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the border unto Nakakh that is in the entrance of Khamath; this is the West side OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the west side shall be the Great Sea, from the border as far as over against the entrance of Hamath. This is the west side. Brenton Septuagint Translation This part of the great sea forms a border, till one comes opposite the entrance of Emath, even as far as the entrance thereof. These are the parts west of Emath. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Borders of the Land…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.… Cross References And on the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary Numbers 34:6 Your western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea; this will be your boundary on the west. Joshua 15:12 And the western border was the coastline of the Great Sea. These are the boundaries around the clans of the descendants of Judah. Joshua 1:4 Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great River Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and west as far as the Great Sea. up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. Amos 6:14 For behold, I will raise up a nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD, the God of Hosts, “and they will oppress you from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of the Arabah.” 2 Kings 14:25 This Jeroboam restored the boundary of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word that the LORD, the God of Israel, had spoken through His servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher. Numbers 34:8 and from Mount Hor to Lebo-hamath, then extend to Zedad, This will be the western boundary. Deuteronomy 11:24 Every place where the sole of your foot treads will be yours. Your territory will extend from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Western Sea. Joshua 23:4 See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes these remaining nations, including all the nations I have already cut off, from the Jordan westward to the Great Sea. Ezekiel 48:28 The southern border of Gad will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, then along the Brook of Egypt and out to the Great Sea. Isaiah 11:15 The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals. Psalm 72:8 May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth. Genesis 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates— 1 Kings 4:21 And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life. 2 Chronicles 9:26 He reigned over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. Zechariah 9:10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth. Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. Treasury of Scripture The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side. no references for this verse Jump to Previous Border Boundary Entering Entrance Far Great Hamath Lebo-Hamath Opposite Over-Against Point Sea Side South WestJump to Next Border Boundary Entering Entrance Far Great Hamath Lebo-Hamath Opposite Over-Against Point Sea Side South WestEzekiel 47 1. The vision of the holy waters6. The virtue of them 13. The borders of the land 22. The division of it by lot And on the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary The Great Sea is the Mediterranean, forming Israel’s natural western frontier. Its shoreline provided access to trade, travel, and contact with surrounding peoples, yet it also marked the limit of the inheritance God assigned to Israel. The sea, often associated with danger and unrest in Scripture, stands here under God’s rule as a fixed border within an ordered land. Num 34:6 Your western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea;… up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. Lebo-hamath marked the northern reach of the land and lay near the territory associated with Hamath in Syria. Israel’s earlier spies traveled “as far as Lebo-hamath” when they surveyed Canaan (Numbers 13:21). The inclusion of this northern marker recalls the breadth of God’s covenant promise and anticipates the full restoration of Israel in the land. Amo 6:14 For behold, I will raise up a nation against you,…… This will be the western boundary. God’s precise boundaries establish Israel’s inheritance and distinguish the tribes from the surrounding nations. The detailed division of the land in Ezekiel’s vision reveals that God has not forgotten His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His future kingdom will be marked by order, justice, and the faithful fulfillment of every portion of His word. Deu 11:24 Every place where the sole of your foot treads… Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the author of the book and the one receiving the vision of the new boundaries of the land. 2. The Great Sea Known today as the Mediterranean Sea, it serves as the western boundary for the land described in Ezekiel's vision. 3. The Land of Israel The territory being described in this vision, which is part of a larger vision of restoration and hope for the people of Israel. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in BoundariesGod establishes boundaries for nations and peoples, demonstrating His control and order over creation. Restoration and Hope The vision of the land's boundaries is a promise of restoration for Israel, symbolizing hope and future fulfillment of God's promises. Spiritual Boundaries Just as physical boundaries are set, believers are called to establish spiritual boundaries in their lives to maintain holiness and obedience to God. God's Faithfulness The detailed description of the land's boundaries is a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises, encouraging believers to trust in His word. Community and Inheritance The allocation of land signifies the importance of community and shared inheritance among God's people, reflecting the unity and fellowship in the body of Christ. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 47:20?2. How does Ezekiel 47:20 define Israel's western boundary and its significance today? 3. What role does the Mediterranean Sea play in Ezekiel 47:20's boundary description? 4. How can understanding Ezekiel 47:20 enhance our knowledge of God's promises to Israel? 5. How does Ezekiel 47:20 connect with other biblical promises about Israel's land? 6. How can we apply the concept of boundaries in Ezekiel 47:20 to our lives? 7. What is the significance of the western boundary described in Ezekiel 47:20 for Israel's land? 8. How does Ezekiel 47:20 relate to God's covenant promises to Israel? 9. Why is the Mediterranean Sea important in the context of Ezekiel 47:20? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 47? What Does Ezekiel 47:20 Mean And on the west side- Ezekiel is still describing the future land allotment for Israel. The phrase places us at the western edge of the territory. - Similar directional phrases appear in Ezekiel 47:18–19, showing the prophet walking each border step by step, just as God detailed the borders in Numbers 34:2–12. - By starting with “west,” the text balances earlier mentions of “east” (Ezekiel 47:18), illustrating a complete, orderly outline—nothing random, everything deliberate (1 Corinthians 14:33). the Great Sea will be the boundary - The “Great Sea” is the Mediterranean (Joshua 15:47). For Ezekiel’s original audience, this was an unmistakable landmark. - As in Numbers 34:6—“The western border will be the Great Sea”—God anchors His promise to visible geography, confirming that the restoration is tangible, not symbolic. - God’s faithfulness is tied to real places; the same sea Elijah stood by at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:42–45) will someday border the renewed inheritance. - The unchanging coastline hints at the permanence of God’s covenant (Psalm 89:34). up to a point opposite Lebo-hamath - “Lebo-hamath” defines the northern reach. A matching phrase appears in Ezekiel 47:15 and 1 Kings 8:65, marking the entrance to Hamath. - This clause shows the western border running north–south until it aligns with that northern marker, forming a clean rectangle. - Physical precision reflects moral precision: God keeps His word exactly (Isaiah 55:11). - The mention reminds readers that God’s promise covers the full range of Israel’s historic north–south spectrum (Genesis 15:18–21). This will be the western boundary - By restating the boundary, the Lord closes the loop, removing ambiguity. - Repetition emphasizes certainty; compare Genesis 41:32 where doubling a matter confirms it is fixed by God. - The defined border assures every tribe of its inheritance (Ezekiel 48:1–7, 23–29). God’s gifts are not vague; each family will know where it belongs (Joshua 21:43–45). summary Ezekiel 47:20 anchors the future land of Israel to the unmistakable Mediterranean coast, stretching northward until it lines up with Lebo-hamath, and then God stamps it as the definitive western edge. Just as He outlined borders in Moses’ day, the Lord again marks real geography, underscoring that His covenant blessings are concrete, reliable, and awaiting fulfillment. (20) Over against Hamath.—The western boundary, as in Numbers 34:6, is the Mediterranean, and continues to the starting-point, Hamath being here, as in Ezekiel 47:16-17, the district of Hamath.Verse 20. - The western boundary. This, as in Numbers 34:6, should be the great sea from the border, i.e. the southern boundary last mentioned (ver. 19), till a man come over against Hamath; literally, unto (the place which is) over against the coming to Hamath; i.e. till opposite the point (on the coast) at which one enters the territory of Hamath (comp. Judges 19:10; Judges 20:43).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And on the westיָם֙ (yām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin side, וּפְאַת־ (ū·p̄ə·’aṯ-) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 6285: Mouth, direction, region, extremity the Great הַגָּד֔וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent Sea הַיָּ֣ם (hay·yām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin will be the boundary מִגְּב֕וּל (mig·gə·ḇūl) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed up to עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while a point opposite נֹ֖כַח (nō·ḵaḥ) Preposition Strong's 5227: The front part, opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of Lebo-hamath. לְב֣וֹא (lə·ḇō·w) Preposition | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go This זֹ֖את (zōṯ) Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, will be the western יָֽם׃ (yām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin boundary. פְּאַת־ (pə·’aṯ-) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 6285: Mouth, direction, region, extremity Additonal Resources Ezekiel 47:20 Blue Letter BibleEzekiel 47:20 Bible Gateway Ezekiel 47:20 Bible.com Ezekiel 47:20 NIV |
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