Ezekiel48

Ezekiel 48 meticulously details the final division of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel, arranged in precise north-to-south strips. Central to this arrangement is a large holy oblation, set aside for the priests, Levites, and a designated city. The chapter concludes by describing the new city's dimensions, its twelve gates named after the tribes, and its ultimate name, 'The LORD is there.'
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The Division of the Land: Northern Tribes

1
“Now these are the names of the tribes: At the northern frontier, Dan will have one portion bordering the road of Hethlon to Lebo-hamath and running on to Hazar-enan on the border of Damascus with Hamath to the north, and extending from the east side to the west side. ​
2
Asher will have one portion bordering the territory of Dan from east to west.
3
Naphtali will have one portion bordering the territory of Asher from east to west.
4
Manasseh will have one portion bordering the territory of Naphtali from east to west.
5
Ephraim will have one portion bordering the territory of Manasseh from east to west.
6
Reuben will have one portion bordering the territory of Ephraim from east to west.
7
Judah will have one portion bordering the territory of Reuben from east to west. ​

The Sacred Central Offering (Oblation)

8
Bordering the territory of Judah, from east to west, will be the portion you are to set apart. It will be 25,000 cubits wide, and the length of a tribal portion from east to west. In the center will be the sanctuary. ​
9
The special portion you set apart to the LORD shall be 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide.
10
This will be the holy portion for the priests. It will be 25,000 cubits long on the north side, 10,000 cubits wide on the west side, 10,000 cubits wide on the east side, and 25,000 cubits long on the south side. In the center will be the sanctuary of the LORD.
11
It will be for the consecrated priests, the descendants of Zadok, who kept My charge and did not go astray as the Levites did when the Israelites went astray. ​
12
It will be a special portion for them set apart from the land, a most holy portion adjacent to the territory of the Levites.
13
Bordering the territory of the priests, the Levites shall have an area 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. The whole length will be 25,000 cubits, and the width 10,000 cubits.
14
They must not sell or exchange any of it, and they must not transfer this best part of the land, for it is holy to the LORD. ​
15
The remaining area, 5,000 cubits wide and 25,000 cubits long, will be for common use by the city, for houses, and for pastureland. The city will be in the center of it ​
16
and will have these measurements: 4,500 cubits on the north side, 4,500 cubits on the south side, 4,500 cubits on the east side, and 4,500 cubits on the west side.
17
The pastureland of the city will extend 250 cubits to the north, 250 cubits to the south, 250 cubits to the east, and 250 cubits to the west.
18
The remainder of the length bordering the holy portion and running adjacent to it will be 10,000 cubits on the east side and 10,000 cubits on the west side. Its produce will supply food for the workers of the city.
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The workers of the city who cultivate it will come from all the tribes of Israel.
20
The entire portion will be a square, 25,000 cubits by 25,000 cubits. You are to set apart the holy portion, along with the city property. ​
21
The remaining area on both sides of the holy portion and of the property of the city will belong to the prince. He will own the land adjacent to the tribal portions, extending eastward from the 25,000 cubits of the holy district toward the eastern border, and westward from the 25,000 cubits to the western border. And in the center of them will be the holy portion and the sanctuary of the temple. ​
22
So the Levitical property and the city property will lie in the center of the area belonging to the prince—the area between the borders of Judah and Benjamin.

The Division of the Land: Southern Tribes

23
As for the rest of the tribes: Benjamin will have one portion extending from the east side to the west side. ​
24
Simeon will have one portion bordering the territory of Benjamin from east to west.
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Issachar will have one portion bordering the territory of Simeon from east to west.
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Zebulun will have one portion bordering the territory of Issachar from east to west.
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And Gad will have one portion bordering the territory of Zebulun from east to west.
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The southern border of Gad will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, then along the Brook of Egypt and out to the Great Sea. ​
29
This is the land you are to allot as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel, and these will be their portions,” declares the Lord GOD. ​

The Gates and Name of the Holy City

30
“These will be the exits of the city: ​
31
Beginning on the north side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. On the north side there will be three gates: the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi. ​
32
On the east side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, there will be three gates: the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin, and the gate of Dan.
33
On the south side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, there will be three gates: the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar, and the gate of Zebulun.
34
And on the west side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, there will be three gates: the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher, and the gate of Naphtali.
35
The perimeter of the city will be 18,000 cubits, and from that day on the name of the city will be: THE LORD IS THERE.” ​

Study Notes for Ezekiel 48

Verse 1

This chapter concludes the vision with the precise allocation of the land among the twelve tribes. Unlike the historical settlement, the tribes are arranged in parallel strips running east to west, symbolizing perfect order and equality. Dan, historically located in the south, is placed furthest north.

Verse 7

The portion of Judah is allotted immediately adjacent to the sacred central offering (the oblation), emphasizing the tribe’s importance in the restored community.

Verse 8

This section details the large, central square of land (25,000 reeds/cubits wide) set aside exclusively for sacred use. This 'oblation' is the spiritual and geographic heart of the community, ensuring the sanctuary is perpetually supported.

Verse 11

This privilege is reserved specifically for the sons of Zadok, the priestly line who remained faithful to God’s charge during the period when other Levites were unfaithful during the apostasy (cf. Ezek 44:15).

Verse 14

The prohibition against selling or exchanging this land emphasizes its absolute holiness and permanence. It ensures that the resources necessary for priestly service can never be alienated from the sanctuary.

Verse 15

The final 5,000 unit strip of the oblation is designated as 'profane' (common use) for the city. This distinction shows that while the city is sacred, the Temple and priestly portions (vv. 9-13) possess a higher degree of holiness.

Verse 20

The total holy oblation is a perfect square (25,000 x 25,000), symbolizing completeness and perfection in the sacred design established by God.

Verse 21

The Prince's land is placed on the eastern and western flanks of the central holy oblation. This provision grants the Prince resources but ensures he cannot encroach upon or oppress the sacred land or the people (cf. Ezek 45:7-8).

Verse 23

The remaining five tribes are listed, also receiving parallel strips of land leading down to the southern border. Benjamin is placed directly next to the Prince’s portion and the central oblation.

Verse 28

This verse defines the southern boundary of the land, stretching from Tamar (likely near the Dead Sea) to the waters of Meribah Kadesh, and west toward the Mediterranean Sea ('the great sea').

Verse 29

This serves as the concluding summary for the entire land division plan. The division is not arbitrary but is established by divine decree, confirming the restoration of Israel’s inheritance.

Verse 30

The description shifts to the Holy City itself, which is a perfect square (4,500 measures per side). This geometric perfection mirrors the design of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21.

Verse 31

The city has twelve gates, named after the tribes, symbolizing that access to God’s presence is available to all Israel. Notably, Levi receives a gate, but Joseph’s two sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) are replaced by Joseph and Levi to maintain the number twelve.

Verse 35

This verse is the theological climax of the entire vision (chapters 40–48) and arguably of the book. The city’s new and eternal name, 'The LORD is there' (Hebrew: *YHWH Shammah*), signifies the permanent, manifest presence of God among his redeemed people.

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