Ezekiel 45:5

And the five and twenty thousand of length, and the ten thousand of breadth, shall also the Levites, the ministers of the house, have for themselves, for a possession for twenty chambers.

And the five {H2568} and twenty {H6242} thousand {H505} of length {H753}, and the ten {H6235} thousand {H505} of breadth {H7341}, shall also the Levites {H3881}, the ministers {H8334} of the house {H1004}, have for themselves, for a possession {H272} for twenty {H6242} chambers {H3957}.

A portion eight by three [miles] will be owned by the L'vi'im who serve in the house; it will also have twenty [gatekeepers'] rooms.

An adjacent area 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide shall belong to the Levites who minister in the temple; it will be their possession for towns in which to live.

And five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth, shall be unto the Levites, the ministers of the house, for a possession unto themselves, for twenty chambers.

Ezekiel 45:5 is part of a detailed prophetic vision given to the prophet Ezekiel concerning a future temple and the reordering of the land of Israel. This specific verse describes the land allocation for the Levites, highlighting God's meticulous plan for those who serve in His house.

Context

Chapters 40-48 of Ezekiel provide an elaborate blueprint for a visionary temple complex and the redistribution of the land among the tribes of Israel. Within this grand design, Ezekiel 45 focuses on the "holy oblation" or "holy portion" of land set apart for sacred purposes. This large tract is divided into three main sections:

  • The sanctuary itself and the dwelling place for the priests, the sons of Zadok (mentioned in Ezekiel 45:4).
  • A portion for the Levites, as described in this verse.
  • A portion for the city.

Verse 5 specifies the dimensions of the Levites' allocation: "And the five and twenty thousand of length, and the ten thousand of breadth." These units are likely reeds (each about 10.5 feet), indicating a substantial area dedicated to them, distinct from the priests' portion but still part of the sacred offering.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Provision: The precise measurements and allocations demonstrate God's meticulous planning and His faithfulness in providing for those dedicated to His service. Every aspect of the future temple and its administration is divinely ordered.
  • Distinction of Roles: While both priests and Levites were ministers of the house, their roles and corresponding land allocations were distinct. The priests received the most sacred portion adjacent to the sanctuary, while the Levites were given a significant, yet separate, area for their dwellings and support.
  • Support for Ministry: The land is granted "for themselves, for a possession for twenty chambers." This indicates that the land was not merely for their general sustenance but specifically for their living quarters and facilities necessary for their service. This provision ensured that the Levites could focus on their ministerial duties without being burdened by worldly concerns.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "five and twenty thousand of length, and the ten thousand of breadth" refers to specific dimensions. The unit of measurement here is likely the "reed" (Hebrew: qaneh), which was 6 cubits long, with each cubit being a "long cubit" (a handbreadth longer than a common cubit). This precision underscores the divine blueprint's exactness.

The term "chambers" (Hebrew: lishkot) refers to rooms or cells. In the context of the temple, these were typically used for housing temple personnel, storing sacred vessels or offerings, or for administrative purposes. Here, they serve as living quarters for the Levites, emphasizing their dedicated presence within the holy precincts.

Related Scriptures

  • This allocation is part of the larger divine blueprint for the land of Israel, detailed further in Ezekiel 48, which describes how the entire land is divided among the twelve tribes, with the holy oblation at its center.
  • The provision for the Levites echoes earlier Mosaic Law, where they were given cities and pasturelands for their service, as seen in Numbers 35:2-8, highlighting a consistent principle of divine care for those who serve God.
  • For understanding the role of the priests, see Ezekiel 44:15, which specifies the sons of Zadok as those who would minister in the temple.

Practical Application

While this vision is highly symbolic and relates to a future temple, its principles offer timeless insights:

  • God's Provision for His Servants: The passage reminds us that God cares for the practical needs of those who dedicate their lives to serving Him. Whether through direct provision or by enabling others to support ministry, God ensures His work can continue.
  • Order and Purpose in Service: The meticulous detail in the allocation of land for the Levites underscores the importance of order, structure, and designated space for spiritual work. Every role within God's kingdom has its place and purpose.
  • Stewardship: The Levites were given a possession to support their service. This speaks to the concept of stewardship—receiving resources from God to fulfill a specific calling or purpose, not merely for personal gain.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 48:13

    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.

  • Nehemiah 10:38

    And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.

  • Nehemiah 10:39

    For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where [are] the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:13

    Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

  • 1 Corinthians 9:14

    Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

  • Ezekiel 40:17

    Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, [there were] chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers [were] upon the pavement.

  • Ezekiel 48:20

    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.

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