“On the south side, it shall run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah-kadesh, from there along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea. This shall be the south side.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The southern border traces a path from "Tamar" (meaning "palm tree") all the way to the "waters of strife in Kadesh," a place heavy with the memory of Israel's rebellion. This line connects not just geographical points, but also the land's redemptive future to its challenging past.
“On the south side, it shall run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah-kadesh, from there along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea. This shall be the south side.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is describing the boundaries of a restored, ideal land that will be allotted to the tribes of Israel. This verse details the southern edge, tracing a line from a place called Tamar near the Dead Sea, westwards to Meribah-Kadesh (a significant spot from Israel's desert wanderings), and then following the "river of Egypt" (likely the Wadi el-Arish) all the way to the Great Sea (the Mediterranean). This detailed geographical description emphasizes the extent and richness of the land God promises to His people.
Ever wondered how ancient borders were described? Ezekiel's vision gives us a vivid picture, but it's more than just geography.
Echoes of the Wilderness
Ezekiel's description of the southern boundary brings to life places and events from Israel's history. We see 'Tamar,' possibly linked to the oasis known for its palm trees, and 'Meribah-Kadesh' – the very spot where the people contended with God in the wilderness (Numbers 20:1-13).
This isn't just a geographical list; it's a theological statement. By referencing these significant locations, Ezekiel connects the promised future inheritance to the foundational moments of Israel's journey. It reminds us that God's promises are rooted in His past faithfulness, even through times of struggle.
The 'Brook of Egypt' marks a significant border. What does this ancient waterway symbolize in the context of God's promised land?
From Wilderness Torrent to Mediterranean Sea
The verse mentions the boundary following 'the Brook of Egypt' (often identified with the Wadi el-Arish) to the Great Sea. This natural watercourse acted as a natural frontier between the promised land and the powerful nation of Egypt.
In the grand vision of Ezekiel, this boundary signifies not just physical territory, but also the scope of God's restorative work. It's a line drawn from a significant, perhaps challenging, natural feature all the way to the vast, boundless Mediterranean. This points to the comprehensive and expansive nature of God's intended blessing and dominion.
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Understand the original words
Meribah · Hebrew Proper Noun
Derived from the root 'to quarrel' or 'to strive,' this place name commemorates the site where the Israelites contended with Moses and God regarding the lack of water. It serves as a reminder of human unbelief and God's holiness.
Qadesh · Hebrew Proper Noun
A place of sanctuary, the name 'Kadesh' relates to holiness or consecration. In the wilderness narrative, it was a central location for Israel’s encampment and acts as a significant point of reference for the land's borders.
Ezekiel's vision of the restored land's southern boundary references ancient landmarks established during the initial conquest of Canaan, offering hope for a future return and a divinely ordered inheritance after the devastation of the Babylonian exile.
c. 1400 BC
The Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings
The Israelites, after leaving Egypt, wandered in the desert for 40 years. During this time, they encountered various locations, including Kadesh-Barnea, which would later be referenced as a significant boundary marker.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan begins
Following Moses' death, Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, dividing the territory among the twelve tribes. The southern border of the land was defined during this period.
c. 1400 BC
Division of Land by Joshua
The boundaries of the land of Israel were formally established, with specific reference to landmarks like Tamar, Kadesh-Barnea (waters of Meribah), and the 'river of Egypt' (Wadi el Arish) for the southern edge.
597 BC - 586 BC
Babylonian Exile
The southern kingdom of Judah falls to Babylon, and many of its people, including Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon. This exile profoundly impacted the Jewish understanding of God's promises and the future of their land.
c. 570 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Vision of the Restored Temple and Land
Ezekiel receives a series of visions detailing a future restored Israel, including a meticulously described, divinely appointed land boundary, which serves as the context for this verse.
This passage describes the southern boundary of the Promised Land, and it shares many of the same geographical markers with Ezekiel's vision, highlighting the continuity of God's promises for His people's inheritance.
Joshua 15:1-4This passage further details the southern border of Judah, directly referencing Kadesh-Barnea and the 'river of Egypt,' providing a historical account of the land's borders that Ezekiel's vision echoes.
Genesis 14:7This verse mentions En-Gedi, also known as Hazazon-Tamar, one of the starting points in Ezekiel's description of the southern border, showing its long-standing significance in the region.
Numbers 20:13This verse refers to the 'waters of Meribah' where the Israelites strove with God, identifying the place 'Kadesh' mentioned in Ezekiel's boundary description and linking it to a pivotal moment of rebellion and divine provision.
jfbEzekiel 47:19: "And 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."
- Tamar—not Tadmor in the desert, but Tamar, the last town of Judea, by the Dead Sea. Meaning "palm tree"; so called from palm trees abounding near it.
barnesEzekiel 47:19: "And 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."
The south border (compare Numbers 34:4 ) commences with "Tamar," probably a village near the southern end of the Dead Sea. The word means "palm-tree;" and is given to more than one city in the holy land. The river to the great sea - literally, "riverward to the great sea." By the "river" is meant the torrent-stream entering the Medit…
The southern border traces a path from "Tamar" (meaning "palm tree") all the way to the "waters of strife in Kadesh," a place heavy with the memory of Israel's rebellion. This line connects not just geographical points, but also the land's redemptive future to its challenging past.
Ezekiel is describing the boundaries of a restored, ideal land that will be allotted to the tribes of Israel. This verse details the southern edge, tracing a line from a place called Tamar near the Dead Sea, westwards to Meribah-Kadesh (a significant spot from Israel's desert wanderings), and then following the "river of Egypt" (likely the Wadi el-Arish) all the way to the Great Sea (the Mediterranean). This detailed geographical description emphasizes the extent and richness of the land God promises to His people.
Ezekiel is describing the boundaries of a restored, ideal land that will be allotted to the tribes of Israel. This verse details the southern edge, tracing a line from a place called Tamar near the Dead Sea, westwards to Meribah-Kadesh (a significant spot from Israel's desert wanderings), and then following the "river of Egypt" (likely the Wadi el-Arish) all the way to the Great Sea (the Mediterranean). This detailed geographical description emphasizes the extent and richness of the land God promises to His people.
"“On the south side, it shall run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah-kadesh, from there along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea. This shall be the south side." — The southern border traces a path from "Tamar" (meaning "palm tree") all the way to the "waters of strife in Kadesh," a place heavy with the memory of Israel's rebellion. This line connects not just…
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Last reviewed October 2026