Ezekiel 46:17 Meaning and Explanation
“But if he give a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants, then it shall be his to the year of liberty; after it shall return to the prince: but his inheritance shall be his sons' for them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Property gifted to a servant reverts to the prince after the jubilee year, but the prince's inherited property always goes to his sons.
The Context of Ezekiel 46:17
Limitations on the prince's gifts of inheritance to servants.
What Does Ezekiel 46:17 Mean?
This law distinguishes between different kinds of property transfer. When a prince gives his inheritance to a servant, the gift has limits—only until the year of jubilee (the fifty-year release cycle). After that, the property returns to the prince's control, preventing permanent alienation of ancestral holdings.
The underlying principle protects dynastic integrity. A prince may show generosity toward servants, but family inheritance cannot be permanently surrendered. His sons' portion is sacred trust, not his to give away. This balance honors both the prince's authority and the constraints that preserve order across generations.
Ezekiel 46:17 in the Original Language
year of liberty (שְׁנַת הַדְּרוֹר, shnath ha-deror) — the jubilee year when all land reverts to its original owners.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 46:17
What does Ezekiel 46:17 mean?
Property gifted to a servant reverts to the prince after the jubilee year, but the prince's inherited property always goes to his sons.
What is the context of Ezekiel 46:17?
Limitations on the prince's gifts of inheritance to servants.