What Does Ezekiel 47:21 Mean in the King James?

So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.

Ezekiel 47:21 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Here, dividing the land makes each tribe’s portion visible within one shared inheritance.

THE MEANING

Belonging takes shape in a place and a portion within a shared whole. Distinct shares coexist within one land; the whole does not require every part to be identical.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It loosens the belief that shared belonging requires indistinguishable shares: the land is one, while its portions remain particular.

THE ROOT

וְחִלַּקְתֶּם

vechillaqtem

GROWS FROM

חלק

To divide, apportion, or assign a share.

“divide” in this verse is vechillaqtem. The same root names both dividing and a portion, holding the act and its result together. Each tribe’s share emerges through division, so distinct allotments remain within one land.

ALSO GROWS

cheleq: Portion, share.

חֵלֶק

This branch names what the division yields: a particular share within the common inheritance.

maḥleqōt: Divisions, organized courses.

מַחְלְקוֹת

This branch shows how division can form an ordered arrangement, illuminating the tribes’ distinct places within the land.

THE PATTERN

A shared inheritance takes shape through distinct portions, each with a place within the whole.

Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.

Numbers 26:53 · KJVThe land becomes an inheritance through portions assigned within the larger whole.

Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,

Joshua 13:7 · KJVDistinct tribes receive their places within one shared land.

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Corinthians 12:11 · KJVDistinct portions are distributed within a shared source.

THE THREAD

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

Psalm 16:5 · KJV

The Hebrew word for “portion” in this verse, ⁨חֵלֶק⁩ (cheleq), shares its root with “divide” in Ezekiel. The root that gives each tribe its share also lets the psalmist call the LORD the portion of his inheritance.

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