יחזקאל, פרק מ״ז, פסוק י״ז

The future borders of the Land of Israel hold a promise of significant expansion, reaching far beyond the territories held in the past. The northern boundary, in particular, outlines a wide stretch of land sweeping from the western sea across to the east, reaching upward into new areas. The boundary line begins at the great sea in the west and extends eastward until it reaches Hazar-enon, which serves as the easternmost tip of this northern border [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This location is identical to the landmark originally outlined by Moses, marking the northeast corner of the land [רש"י, רד"ק].

The primary approach among commentators is that in the future, the borders of the land will not shrink from their historical dimensions but will instead grow to encompass additional territories. This outward growth is most evident in the new proximity to Damascus. While the ancient border simply ended at Hazar-enon, the future line will push further north to either fully include the area of Damascus [מלבי"ם] or closely border it [מצודת דוד].

The clear emphasis on a northward trajectory highlights this trend of expansion [ביאור שטיינזלץ, רד"ק]. Some interpret this as a reassurance that all the northern cities originally promised in the Torah will remain safely within the land [רש"י, מצודת דוד]. Conversely, others understand it as the drawing of a completely new boundary line stretching even further north, well past Damascus [מלבי"ם].

As part of this broader expansion, the territory of Hamath, situated in the northwest corner [רש"י], will also be brought into the borders of the Promised Land [מצודת דוד, מלבי"ם]. The description of these borders concludes by finalizing the northern boundary line [רש"י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, an additional perspective suggests that this conclusion hints at even more additions in the northwest corner, bringing ancient territories like Tyre and Sidon into the newly expanded land [מלבי"ם].