On the east side: This verse describes the eastern border of the land of Israel.

The boundary shall run from Hazar-enon, which was the easternmost point of the northern border (see verse 17), between Hauran and Damascus, that is, in a southwest direction with Hauran on the left and Damascus on the right (see the comments and the map at verses 15-17). The Hebrew does not mention Hazar-enon. The reading in Revised Standard Version follows a suggested change to the Hebrew text to tie the eastern boundary to the northern boundary. The Hebrew here is literally “from between Hauran and from between Damascus” (similarly Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation, New Century Version). Although this reading results in a less specific description, it is preferable because it does not require a change to the Hebrew consonantal text (see the first model below). But if the omission of Hazar-enon will confuse readers, translators may include it (see the second model below).

Along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel refers to the part of the Jordan River that flows from Lake Galilee to the Dead Sea. God does not say where the border coming from Hazar-enon will meet the Jordan River, but it is unlikely to be further south than Lake Galilee. It may have been at the lake itself, or further north, but we don’t know. Gilead was a region to the east of the Jordan River.

To the eastern sea and as far as Tamar: The boundary will continue to the eastern sea, that is, the Dead Sea, and then further southward as far as Tamar. Revised Standard Version follows the ancient Syriac version here instead of the Hebrew text, which reads “from the border to the eastern sea you shall measure” (similarly King James Version / New King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Complete Jewish Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The Hebrew word for “you shall measure” looks very similar to the Hebrew name “Tamar” and could easily be confused with it. However, the idea of measuring does not fit well here, and the references to the town of Tamar in verse 19 and 48.28 make it almost certain that Tamar is the best translation here (so Hebrew Old Testament Text Project).

This shall be the east side changes the Hebrew text, which is literally “and the east side.” It is better to follow Revised Standard Version here (see the comments on verse 17).

Models for this verse are:

• “Here is [or, This is] the boundary on the east. It will start from a point [in the north] between the territory of Hauran and that of Damascus, and will go southward between those two towns. It will follow the Jordan River between the land of Gilead and the land of Israel, continue to the Dead Sea, and then go south as far as the town of Tamar. This will be the eastern boundary of the land.

• “Here is the boundary on the east. It will start at Hazer-enon in the north and go between the territories of Hauran to the east and Damascus to the west. It will follow the Jordan River between the land of Gilead and the land of Israel, continue to the Dead Sea, and then go south as far as the town of Tamar. This will be the eastern boundary of the land.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .