And adjoining the territory of Gad to the south, the boundary shall run from Tamar to the waters of Meribah-kadesh, from there along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This description of the southern border highlights significant historical and geographical markers, but it surprisingly begins by referencing "the waters of Meribah-kadesh." This name directly echoes the Israelites' rebellion at Meribah, reminding us that even in this divinely ordered future, the memory of past struggles and God's persistent faithfulness remains a crucial part of the land's identity.
And adjoining the territory of Gad to the south, the boundary shall run from Tamar to the waters of Meribah-kadesh, from there along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage concludes the detailed description of the restored land, meticulously laying out its boundaries tribe by tribe. Having already defined the northern and eastern borders, Ezekiel now traces the southern edge of the land, specifying its endpoints from the arid region of Tamar down to the contentious waters of Meribah-Kadesh and finally to the strategic "river of Egypt" bordering the Great Sea. This final demarcation solidifies the picture of a divinely ordered inheritance, stretching from Dan in the north to the very edge of the promised territory in the south.
Ezekiel's vision of the restored land includes very specific geographical markers. Where do these places point?
The southern border described in Ezekiel 48:28 uses familiar landmarks that would have resonated with the exiles.
From Tamar to Kadesh
These locations signify the southern extent of the promised land, connecting the vision back to the historical journeys of Israel. It's a reminder that God's promises, even in visionary form, are grounded in the real places and experiences of His people.
The 'river' marking the western edge of the land is a crucial boundary. What river is this, and why is it significant?
The verse mentions a boundary running 'along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea.'
More Than Just a Stream
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Its inclusion here emphasizes the fullness of the land God promised, extending to its divinely appointed boundaries, even as described in the visionary future.
Ezekiel's detailed description of the land's boundaries, including the southern border from Tamar to the Brook of Egypt, reflects a longing for a restored and ordered homeland after the devastation of the Babylonian exile. It paints a picture of a divinely re-established territory, bringing immense comfort and hope to a displaced people.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After the death of Solomon, the united kingdom of Israel splits into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. This division sets the stage for the eventual exiles.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Exile
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital, Samaria. The northern tribes are exiled and largely assimilated, ceasing to exist as distinct entities.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
The Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, besieges Jerusalem and deports a significant portion of its population, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its sacred Temple after a prolonged siege. The remaining population, except for the poorest, is exiled to Babylon.
c. 571 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Visions of the Restored Jerusalem
Ezekiel receives a series of visions detailing a future restoration of Jerusalem, its Temple, and the land, including specific tribal boundaries. This is the context for the verse in Ezekiel 48.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, conquers Babylon. This event paves the way for the return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return from Exile
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This marks the beginning of the return and restoration period.
This passage directly repeats the southern boundary description from Ezekiel 47:15-20, clarifying it as the southern edge of the entire land. It highlights the consistent, divinely ordained boundaries of the promised land.
Numbers 34:3-5This passage describes the southern boundary of the Promised Land as given to the Israelites in Moses' time, mentioning Tamar and the wilderness of Zin. It connects Ezekiel's vision to the historical land God gave to His people.
Joshua 15:4This verse mentions Tamar as part of the southern border of Judah's inheritance, linking the specific landmark in Ezekiel's vision to the historical tribal allocations.
Genesis 15:18God promises Abraham a vast territory extending from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates. This echoes the geographical scope of the land described in Ezekiel, pointing to God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises.
clarkeEzekiel 48:28: "And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea."
From Tamar - in Kadesh - The former was on the south of the Dead Sea; and the latter, or Kadesh-Barnea, was still farther south, and at the extremity of the portion of Gad, which was the most southern tribe, as Dan was the most northern.
cambridgeEzekiel 48:28: "And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea."
28 . The southern border is again given as stated in Ezekiel 47:19 . and to the river ] to the brook (of Egypt), unto the great sea. Cf. Ezekiel 47:19 .
This description of the southern border highlights significant historical and geographical markers, but it surprisingly begins by referencing "the waters of Meribah-kadesh." This name directly echoes the Israelites' rebellion at Meribah, reminding us that even in this divinely ordered future, the memory of past struggles and God's persistent faithfulness remains a crucial part of the land's identity.
This passage concludes the detailed description of the restored land, meticulously laying out its boundaries tribe by tribe. Having already defined the northern and eastern borders, Ezekiel now traces the southern edge of the land, specifying its endpoints from the arid region of Tamar down to the contentious waters of Meribah-Kadesh and finally to the strategic "river of Egypt" bordering the Great Sea. This final demarcation solidifies the picture of a divinely ordered inheritance, stretching from Dan in the north to the very edge of the promised territory in the south.
This passage concludes the detailed description of the restored land, meticulously laying out its boundaries tribe by tribe. Having already defined the northern and eastern borders, Ezekiel now traces the southern edge of the land, specifying its endpoints from the arid region of Tamar down to the contentious waters of Meribah-Kadesh and finally to the strategic "river of Egypt" bordering the Great Sea. This final demarcation solidifies the picture of a divinely ordered inheritance, stretching from Dan in the north to the very edge of the promised territory in the south.
"And adjoining the territory of Gad to the south, the boundary shall run from Tamar to the waters of Meribah-kadesh, from there along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea." — This description of the southern border highlights significant historical and geographical markers, but it surprisingly begins by referencing "the waters of Meribah-kadesh." This name directly echoes…
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Last reviewed October 2026