Hethlon

Hethlon is a boundary-marker on the northern frontier of the restored land in Ezekiel's vision. It is named only in the survey of borders that opens the tribal allotment — twice, both times in the phrase "the way of Hethlon."

On the Northern Border of the Restored Land

When Yahweh dictates the borders of the land for re-allotment, the northern line begins at the Mediterranean and runs inland past Hethlon: "And this will be the border of the land: On the north side, from the great sea, by the way of Hethlon, to the entrance of Zedad" (Ezek 47:15). Hethlon is named as a road or pass — "the way of Hethlon" — between the great sea and Zedad, a node along the northern frontier the vision is laying down.

At the Head of the Tribal Allotment

When the tribal portions are then assigned in order, the same boundary marker reappears at the very north, where Dan receives the first share: "Now these are the names of the tribes: From the north end, beside the way of Hethlon to the entrance of Hamath, Hazar-enan at the border of Damascus, northward beside Hamath (and they will have their sides east [and] west), Dan, one [portion]" (Ezek 48:1). The "way of Hethlon" again anchors the northern edge — paired now with the entrance of Hamath, Hazar-enan, and the border of Damascus — and Dan's territory runs east-to-west along it.