The Church Fathers on this verse

Ezekiel 47:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And 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.

Douay-Rheims

וְהָיָ֗ה תַּפִּ֣לוּ אוֹתָהּ֮ בְּנַחֲלָה֒ לָכֶ֗ם וּלְהַגֵּרִים֙ הַגָּרִ֣ים בְּתוֹכְכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־הוֹלִ֥דוּ בָנִ֖ים בְּתֽוֹכְכֶ֑ם וְהָי֣וּ לָכֶ֗ם כְּאֶזְרָח֙ בִּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אִתְּכֶם֙ יִפְּל֣וּ בְנַחֲלָ֔ה בְּת֖וֹךְ שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

You shall allocate this land among yourselves by the tribes of Israel, and measure it as an inheritance for yourselves, as well as for the foreigners who have settled among you and borne children. They shall be regarded as if they are native citizens among the people of Israel and shall share in the inheritance alongside you within the tribes. Wherever a foreigner chooses to reside, that tribe shall provide him with a portion, says the Lord God. This distribution highlights the truth (and diminishes the pride of the Jews) that there is no distinction between Israel and the Gentiles. If the land is apportioned to both non-Israelites and the native people, it is clear that the same inheritance is available to both Jews and Gentiles, provided they turn to serve the God of Israel.

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This service truly belongs to Christians, given that the Jews have the written law, while we embody its spirit. They adhere to the texts, while we embrace the essence of what is contained within those texts. Moreover, as in the case of Moses, the land is allocated through lots, but here it is designated according to the will of the Lord, with every inheritance being granted both to foreigners and to Israel. Each tribe is assigned an inheritance in accordance with the command of the Lord God.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

Its leaves will remain evergreen, and its fruit will not wither or be diminished; the freshness of its growth will yield its initial produce throughout the months. For these waters flow from the sanctified, and their yield will serve as nourishment, while their decay will promote healing. These trees are destined to perpetually bear bountiful fruit, not limited to an annual harvest, but continuously month by month, for the saints uphold God's commandments throughout the year, not just during holy days. It is noted that their leaves shall not wither, as the practice of virtue is fostered by their delight in doing good. All their fruit is meant for consumption, for the virtuous life often draws our admiration.

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Their abundance leads to well-being; recognizing the immense goodness inherent in a life aligned with God allows us to benefit and achieve divine health.

Furthermore, the Prophet receives a revelation regarding the boundaries of Israel. From the north, the border is Imath, which is the limit of Damascus; Imath is also known as Epiphany, and others refer to it as Emessa. There are two cities of this name mentioned in sacred Scripture. It is stated, “To Imath the great.” To the east, the boundary is marked by the Jordan River, and to the south, it extends to the waters of the precursor as interpreted by the Syrians, named Mari Moth. To the west, the sea is designated as the boundary. God has ordained this land to be allotted not only to the descendants of Israel but also to the strangers residing among them, as it is written, who have fathered children among you. Each tribe shall share its inheritance with the foreigners living among them, as the prophet has declared.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.