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. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan. ​
2
And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Asher.
3
And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Naphtali.
4
And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh.
5
And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Ephraim.
6
And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Reuben.
7
And by the border of Reuben, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Judah. ​

The Sacred Central Offering (Oblation)

8
And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the offering which ye shall offer of five and twenty thousand reeds in breadth, and in length as one of the other parts, from the east side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it. ​
9
The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD shall be of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth.
10
And for them, even for the priests, shall be this holy oblation; toward the north five and twenty thousand in length, and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the LORD shall be in the midst thereof.
11
It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. ​
12
And this oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites.
13
And over against the border of the priests the Levites shall have five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length shall be five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand.
14
And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land: for it is holy unto the LORD. ​
15
And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane place for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs: and the city shall be in the midst thereof. ​
16
And these shall be the measures thereof; the north side four thousand and five hundred, and the south side four thousand and five hundred, and on the east side four thousand and five hundred, and the west side four thousand and five hundred.
17
And the suburbs of the city shall be toward the north two hundred and fifty, and toward the south two hundred and fifty, and toward the east two hundred and fifty, and toward the west two hundred and fifty.
18
And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion shall be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward: and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy portion; and the increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city.
19
And they that serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel.
20
All the oblation shall be five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand: ye shall offer the holy oblation foursquare, with the possession of the city. ​
21
And the residue shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation, and of the possession of the city, over against the five and twenty thousand of the oblation toward the east border, and westward over against the five and twenty thousand toward the west border, over against the portions for the prince: and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the midst thereof. ​
22
Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, being in the midst of that which is the prince's, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the prince.

The Division of the Land: Southern Tribes

23
As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin shall have a portion. ​
24
And by the border of Benjamin, from the east side unto the west side, Simeon shall have a portion.
25
And by the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side, Issachar a portion.
26
And by the border of Issachar, from the east side unto the west side, Zebulun a portion.
27
And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side unto the west side, Gad a portion.
28
And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea. ​
29
This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their portions, saith the Lord GOD. ​

The Gates and Name of the Holy City

30
And these are the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures. ​
31
And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi. ​
32
And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan.
33
And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.
34
At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali.
35
It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall 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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