Ezekiel 47:19 Meaning and Explanation
“And the south side southward, from Tamar even unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is the south side southward.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The southern border runs from Tamar through the waters of Kadesh and westward to the Mediterranean.
The Context of Ezekiel 47:19
The southern border reaches from Tamar through the wilderness to the Mediterranean coast.
What Does Ezekiel 47:19 Mean?
The southern boundary stretches from Tamar (in the Dead Sea region) southwestward through Kadesh and concludes at the Mediterranean. The 'waters of strife' (or 'waters of Meribah,' associated with Israel's wilderness wandering) are reinterpreted here not as a place of conflict but as a fixed border marker, suggesting redemption even of places where Israel's faith once faltered.
The southern frontier, like the northern, extends to the great sea, emphasizing that Israel's restored inheritance reaches from Mediterranean to Mediterranean, encompassing full territorial control from north to south. The westward connection to the sea establishes completeness and security for the people.
Ezekiel 47:19 in the Original Language
meribah (מְרִיבָה), 'strife/Meribah' — from Hebrew rib, 'to contend'; the place recalls Israel's struggles with God, yet including it in the border transforms a place of failure into a fixed point of God's covenant fulfillment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 47:19
What does Ezekiel 47:19 mean?
The southern border runs from Tamar through the waters of Kadesh and westward to the Mediterranean.
What is the context of Ezekiel 47:19?
The southern border reaches from Tamar through the wilderness to the Mediterranean coast.