יחזקאל, פרק מ״ו, פסוק ט״ז

Following the establishment of sacrificial duties, the prophetic vision shifts to the personal property of the Prince, setting clear rules for how his land is transferred to his family [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. When the Prince grants a piece of his land to one of his male children during his lifetime, it becomes an absolute and eternal possession [אברבנאל]. Because the son is already destined to inherit the property after his father passes away, this grant functions simply as an early inheritance. Consequently, the gift remains firmly established forever, passing down to the son's future descendants [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. The ownership is absolute, rooted entirely in the natural right of inheritance [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת ציון].

The practical impact of this permanent transfer becomes clear during the Jubilee year. Ordinarily, land that is sold or given away returns to its original owner when the Jubilee arrives. However, a gift from the Prince to his son does not revert to the Prince or to any of the other brothers; it stays permanently with the son and his family [מלבי״ם]. There are different ways to understand the legal mechanism behind this exception. One approach contrasts a gift given to a son with a gift given to a servant. When a servant receives land, it is viewed as a form of payment or a sale, earned through hard work and loyalty to the master, and therefore it returns in the Jubilee. A son, on the other hand, receives the land unconditionally, meaning it is not treated as a sale and never expires [אהבת יהונתן]. Another perspective suggests that these specific property rules do not reflect the standard property laws of the Israelites at all. Instead, they are unique regulations exclusive to the Prince, handed down through tradition [חומת אנך].

Beyond the legal framework, this arrangement carries a profound moral and spiritual vision for the future. The Prince, who is identified with the Messianic King, receives a special portion of land from God as a reward for his role in gathering the exiles and securing the land. The guarantee that his property will pass permanently to his sons, just like the inheritance of any ordinary citizen, ensures his lasting financial independence. The ultimate purpose of this law is to prevent the Prince from ever using his royal power to seize fields from the public. With the leader's wealth securely established, every citizen can maintain their own property and live in complete safety and peace [אברבנאל, צאינה וראינה].