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.'

The Division of the Land: Northern Tribes

1
"'Following is the list of tribes: "'This is Dan's territory: from the north end, through Hetlon to the entrance of Hamat, Hatzar-'Einan (at the border of Dammesek), northward, next to Hamat; and they will have their sides east and west. ​
2
"'Asher's territory will run alongside the territory of Dan from east to west.
3
"'Naftali's territory will run alongside the territory of Asher from east to west.
4
"'M'nasheh's territory will run alongside the territory of Naftali from east to west.
5
"'Efrayim's territory will run alongside the territory of M'nasheh from east to west.
6
"'Re'uven's territory will run alongside the territory of Efrayim from east to west.
7
"'Y'hudah's territory will run alongside the territory of Re'uven from east to west. ​

The Sacred Central Offering (Oblation)

8
"'Alongside the territory of Y'hudah, from east to west, will be the offering you are to set aside, 25,000 [cubits] wide [eight miles], and in length equal to distance between the east and west boundaries of one of the portions, with the sanctuary inside it. ​
9
The offering you are to set aside for ADONAI is to be eight [miles] long and three wide.
10
This holy offering will be for the cohanim; it will be eight [miles] in length along its north and south sides and three in width along its west and east sides; ADONAI's sanctuary will be inside it.
11
The portion set aside as holy will be for the cohanim who are descendants of Tzadok that remained faithful to my commission and did not go astray when the people of Isra'el and the L'vi'im went astray. ​
12
It is to be an especially holy portion set apart for them and taken from the offering of the land, next to the border of the L'vi'im.
13
" 'Alongside the territory for the cohanim, the L'vi'im are to have a portion eight [miles] long and three wide - its total length will be eight and its width three.
14
They may not sell, exchange or alienate any of this choice land; because it is holy, for ADONAI. ​
15
"'The 5,000 [cubits, that is, the one-and-a-half miles] that are left of the width is to be for the common use of the city, for housing and for open fields. The city will be inside it. ​
16
and will measure 4,500 cubits [just under one-and-a-half miles] along each of its sides - north, south, east and west.
17
The city is to have outside it a border of land 440 feet wide on each side - north, south, east and west.
18
A strip next to the holy offering extending three [miles] to the east and three to the west is to be left. This area by the holy offering is to be used to grow food for those serving the city.
19
The people from all the tribes of Isra'el who serve in the city will farm it.
20
The entire offering will be eight [miles] square, including the section for the city. ​
21
"'What remains will be for the prince - the land on the two sides of the holy offering and section for the city, that is, the portion eastward from the eight [miles] of the offering's eastern border to the land's eastern border and the portion westward from the eight [miles] of the offering's western border to the land's western border - this land adjacent to the [tribal] portions will be for the prince, with the holy offering and the sanctuary of the house inside it. ​
22
Thus the land belonging to the L'vi'im and the section for the city will be inside that which belongs to the prince. "'The territory belonging to the prince will be between the territory of Y'hudah and the territory of Binyamin -

The Division of the Land: Southern Tribes

23
which brings us to the rest of the tribes: "'Binyamin's territory will run from east to west. ​
24
"'Shim'on's territory will run alongside the territory of Binyamin from east to west.
25
"'Yissakhar's territory will run alongside the territory of Shim'on from east to west.
26
"'Z'vulun's territory will run alongside the territory of Yissakhar from east to west.
27
"'Gad's territory will run alongside the territory of Z'vulun from east to west.
28
"'Alongside the territory of Gad, from the Negev southward, the border will run from Tamar to the water at M'rivat-Kadesh, then to the Vadi [of Egypt], and on to the Great Sea. ​
29
This is the land you are to distribute by lot to the tribes of Isra'el for inheritance, and these are their portions,' says Adonai ELOHIM. ​

The Gates and Name of the Holy City

30
"'These are the city exits; they are to be named after the tribes of Isra'el, three gates on each of the four sides; the four sides each measure just under one-and-a-half [miles]: on the north, gates named after Re'uven, Y'hudah and Levi; on the east, gates named after Yosef, Binyamin and Dan; on the south, gates named after Shim'on, Yissakhar and Z'vulun; and on the west, gates named after Gad, Asher and Naftali. ​
31–34
Consolidated into verse 30 by this translation.
35
"'The perimeter of [the city] will be just under six [miles] long. And from that day on the name of the city will be ADONAI Shamah [ADONAI 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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