Ezekiel 46:17 But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it will belong to that servant until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs only to his sons; it shall be theirs.

◄ Ezekiel 46:17 ►

New International Version
If, however, he makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, the servant may keep it until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs to his sons only; it is theirs.

New Living Translation
But if the prince gives a gift of land from his inheritance to one of his servants, the servant may keep it only until the Year of Jubilee, which comes every fiftieth year. At that time the land will return to the prince. But when the prince gives gifts to his sons, those gifts will be permanent.

English Standard Version
But if he makes a gift out of his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty. Then it shall revert to the prince; surely it is his inheritance—it shall belong to his sons.

Berean Standard Bible
But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it will belong to that servant until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs only to his sons; it shall be theirs.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But if he gives a gift of some of his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his until the year of liberty, after which it shall return to the prince. But his inheritance shall belong to his sons; it shall become theirs.

New American Standard Bible
But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his until the year of release; then it shall return to the prince. His inheritance shall be only his sons’; it shall belong to them.

NASB 1995
“But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his until the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince. His inheritance shall be only his sons’ it shall belong to them.

NASB 1977
“But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his until the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince. His inheritance shall be only his sons’; it shall belong to them.

Legacy Standard Bible
But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his until the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince. His inheritance shall be only his sons’; it shall belong to them.

Amplified Bible
But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, then it shall be his until the year of liberty [the Year of Jubilee]; after that it shall be returned to the prince. His inheritance shall be only his sons’ [permanently]; it shall belong to them.

Christian Standard Bible
But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it will belong to that servant until the year of freedom, when it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs only to his sons; it is theirs.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it will belong to that servant until the year of freedom, when it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs only to his sons; it is theirs.

American Standard Version
But if he give of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince; but as for his inheritance, it shall be for his sons.

Contemporary English Version
But if the ruler gives some of his land to one of his servants, the land will belong to the servant until the Year of Celebration, when it will be returned to the ruler. Only the ruler's children can keep what is given to them.

English Revised Version
But if he give of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince; but as for his inheritance, it shall be for his sons.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But suppose the prince offers a gift from his property to one of his servants. The gift will belong to the servant only until the year of freedom. Then the gift will go back to the prince. Only his sons can inherit his property.

Good News Translation
But if the ruling prince gives any of his land to anyone who is in his service, it will become the prince's property again when the Year of Restoration comes. It belongs to him, and only he and his sons can own it permanently.

International Standard Version
But if he gives a gift to any of his servants, it is to belong to the servant until the Year of Release, at which time it is to be returned to the Regent Prince. His inheritance is to belong only to his sons.

Majority Standard Bible
But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it will belong to that servant until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs only to his sons; it shall be theirs.

NET Bible
But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it will be his until the year of liberty; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance will only remain with his sons.

New Heart English Bible
But if he give of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince; but as for his inheritance, it shall be for his sons.

Webster's Bible Translation
But if he shall give a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants, then it shall be his to the year of liberty; afterward it shall return to the prince: but his inheritance shall be to his sons for them.

World English Bible
But if he gives of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince; but as for his inheritance, it shall be for his sons.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And when he gives a gift out of his inheritance to one of his servants, then it has been his until the year of freedom, and it has turned back to the prince, only the inheritance of his sons is theirs.

Young's Literal Translation
And when he giveth a gift out of his inheritance to one of his servants, then it hath been to him till the year of freedom, and it hath turned back to the prince, only the inheritance of his sons is theirs.

Smith's Literal Translation
And if he shall give a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants, and it was to him until the year of liberty; and it turned back to the prince: but his inheritance his sons'; to them it shall be.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But if he give a legacy out of his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his until the year of release, and it shall return to the prince: but his inheritance shall go to his sons.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if he grants a legacy from his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his only until the year of remission, and then it shall be returned to the prince. For his inheritance shall go to his sons.

New American Bible
But if he makes a gift of part of his heritage to one of his servants, it belongs to him until the year of release; then it reverts to the prince. Only the heritage given to his sons belongs to him.

New Revised Standard Version
But if he makes a gift out of his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty; then it shall revert to the prince; only his sons may keep a gift from his inheritance.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
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 that it shall return to the high priest; but what his sons inherit shall be theirs.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when he will give a gift from his inheritance to one of his Servants, it will be his until the year that he is freed; it shall be an inheritance of the Leader, but that of his children shall be theirs

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
But if he give of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince; but as for his inheritance, it shall be for his sons.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But if he give a gift to one of his servants, then it shall belong to him until the year of release; and then he shall restore it to the prince: but of the inheritance of his sons the possession shall continue to them.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Prince's Offerings
…16This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘If the prince gives a gift to any of his sons as an inheritance, it will belong to his descendants. It will become their property by inheritance. 17But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it will belong to that servant until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs only to his sons; it shall be theirs. 18The prince must not take any of the inheritance of the people by evicting them from their property. He is to provide an inheritance for his sons from his own property, so that none of My people will be displaced from his property.’ ”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Leviticus 25:10
So you are to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be your Jubilee, when each of you is to return to his property and to his clan.

Leviticus 25:13
In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his own property.

Leviticus 25:28
But if he cannot obtain enough to repay him, what he sold will remain in possession of the buyer until the Year of Jubilee. In the Jubilee, however, it is to be released, so that he may return to his property.

Leviticus 25:30
If it is not redeemed by the end of a full year, then the house in the walled city is permanently transferred to its buyer and his descendants. It is not to be released in the Jubilee.

Leviticus 25:33
So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed—a house sold in a city they possess—and must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the Israelites.

Leviticus 25:41
Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers.

Leviticus 25:50-52
He and his purchaser will then count the time from the year he sold himself up to the Year of Jubilee. The price of his sale will be determined by the number of years, based on the daily wages of a hired hand. / If many years remain, he must pay for his redemption in proportion to his purchase price. / If only a few years remain until the Year of Jubilee, he is to calculate and pay his redemption according to his remaining years.

Numbers 36:4
And when the Jubilee for the Israelites comes, their inheritance will be added to the tribe into which they marry and taken away from the tribe of our fathers.”

1 Kings 21:3
But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”

Nehemiah 5:11
Please restore to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and oil that you have been assessing them.”

Isaiah 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,

Jeremiah 34:14
Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Treasury of Scripture

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.

Leviticus 25:10
And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

Matthew 25:14-29
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods…

Luke 19:25,26
(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) …

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Ezekiel 46

1. Ordinances for the prince in his worship
9. and for the people
16. An order for the prince's inheritance
19. The courts for boiling and baking

Berean Study Bible

But if he gives a gift from his inheritance
This phrase introduces a conditional scenario where the prince, a leader or ruler, decides to give a portion of his inheritance to a servant. The Hebrew word for "inheritance" is "נַחֲלָה" (nachalah), which signifies a possession or property passed down through generations. In the context of ancient Israel, inheritance was a sacred trust, often tied to the land and the covenant promises of God. The act of giving from one's inheritance reflects generosity but also a temporary transfer of stewardship.

to one of his servants
The term "servants" here is derived from the Hebrew "עֶבֶד" (eved), which can mean a servant, slave, or worker. In the ancient Near Eastern context, servants were often part of the household and could hold significant responsibilities. This phrase highlights the social structure and the relationship between the prince and his servants, indicating a hierarchy but also a level of trust and responsibility bestowed upon the servant.

it will belong to the servant until the Year of Jubilee
The "Year of Jubilee" is a profound concept found in Leviticus 25, where every fiftieth year, liberty was proclaimed throughout the land. The Hebrew word "יֹבֵל" (yovel) signifies a time of restoration and freedom, where debts were forgiven, and land was returned to its original owners. This phrase underscores the temporary nature of the gift, aligning with God's design for economic and social reset, ensuring that no permanent loss of family inheritance occurs.

when it will revert to the prince
The word "revert" indicates a return to the original state or owner. In Hebrew, this concept is captured by "שׁוּב" (shuv), meaning to return or restore. This reflects the divine principle of restoration and the cyclical nature of God's provision, ensuring that the prince's inheritance remains intact for his lineage, as ordained by God.

His inheritance belongs only to his sons
This phrase emphasizes the exclusivity of the inheritance to the prince's direct descendants. The Hebrew word for "sons" is "בָּנִים" (banim), which not only refers to male offspring but also signifies continuity and legacy. In the biblical context, inheritance was crucial for maintaining family lineage and fulfilling God's promises to His people.

it is theirs
The final phrase affirms the rightful ownership of the inheritance by the prince's sons. This declaration is a testament to the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people, where inheritance is not just a matter of property but a symbol of divine blessing and faithfulness. The assurance that "it is theirs" reflects God's sovereign plan for His chosen people, ensuring that His promises are fulfilled through generations.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - The second regulation. Should the prince, however, bestow a portion of his inheritance on one of his servants, what was thus bestowed should not belong to that servant in perpetuity, but should be regarded simply as a temporary loan which should be his till the year of liberty, הֲדְּרור שְׁנַת, i.e. the year of free flowing general - comp. Exodus 30:23, מָראּדּרור, pure myrrh (Authorized Version) or flowing myrrh (Revised Version) - hence the year of release; after which it should return to the prince. Smend thinks Ezekiel could hardly have had in view the year of jubilee (Leviticus 25:10; Leviticus 27:24), else he would not have employed the term "liberty," which Jeremiah (Jeremiah 34:8, 15, 17) uses to denote the freedom regained by Hebrew bondmen in the seventh year (Exodus 21:2; Deuteronomy 15:12). But

(1) the seventh year was only a year of the release of bondmen, not of the reversion of property, and to this rather than to that Ezekiel refers.

(2) The year of jubilee might properly be called the "year of liberty," since in it both slaves were emancipated and property was liberated. And

(3) Ezekiel's phraseology is not framed (nor is Jeremiah's) in imitation of either Exodus or Deuteronomy, the latter of which in particular speaks of "the year of release" (שְׁםנת הַשְּׂמִטָּה), but adheres closely to the style of Leviticus, which, in fact, it presupposes. שְׁנַת הַדְּרור can only signify the year of the release, i.e. the well-known year of emancipation. The last clause should be rendered, as in the Revised Version, "As for his inheritance (generally), it shall be for his sons," or, as Keil translates, "Only his inheritance it is," i.e. the prince's; "as for his sons, it shall be for them."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

But if
וְכִֽי־ (wə·ḵî-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he gives
יִתֵּ֨ן (yit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

a gift
מַתָּנָ֜ה (mat·tā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4979: A present, a sacrificial offering, a bribe

from his inheritance
מִנַּחֲלָת֗וֹ (min·na·ḥă·lā·ṯōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion

to one
לְאַחַד֙ (lə·’a·ḥaḏ)
Preposition-l | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of his servants,
מֵֽעֲבָדָ֔יו (mê·‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

it will belong to
וְהָ֤יְתָה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

that servant until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the year
שְׁנַ֣ת (šə·naṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8141: A year

of freedom;
הַדְּר֔וֹר (had·də·rō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1865: Freedom, spontaneity of outflow, clear

then it will revert
וְשָׁבַ֖ת (wə·šā·ḇaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to the prince.
לַנָּשִׂ֑יא (lan·nā·śî)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5387: An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mist

His inheritance
נַחֲלָת֔וֹ (na·ḥă·lā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion

belongs only
אַ֚ךְ (’aḵ)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely

to his sons;
בָּנָ֖יו (bā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

it shall be
תִּהְיֶֽה׃ (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

theirs.
לָהֶ֥ם (lā·hem)
Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 46:17 But if he give of his inheritance (Ezek. Eze Ezk)