TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
KJV (with Strong's)
And for them, even for the priests H3548, shall be this holy H6944 oblation H8641; toward the north H6828 five H2568 and twenty H6242 thousand H505 in length, and toward the west H3220 ten H6235 thousand H505 in breadth H7341, and toward the east H6921 ten H6235 thousand H505 in breadth H7341, and toward the south H5045 five H2568 and twenty H6242 thousand H505 in length H753: and the sanctuary H4720 of the LORD H3068 shall be in the midst H8432 thereof.
Complete Jewish Bible
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
American Standard Version
And for these, even for the priests, shall be the 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 Jehovah shall be in the midst thereof.
World English Bible Messianic
For these, even for the priests, shall be the holy offering: toward the north twenty-five thousand in length, and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south twenty-five thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the LORD shall be in its midst.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And for them, euen for the Priestes shalbe this holy oblation, towarde the North fiue and twentie thousande long, and towarde the West, ten thousande broade, and towarde the East ten thousand broad, and towarde the South fiue and twentie thousand long, and the Sanctuarie of the Lord shalbe in the middes thereof.
Young's Literal Translation
And of these is the holy heave-offering for the priests, northward five and twenty thousand, and westward in breadth ten thousand, and eastward in breadth ten thousand, and southward in length five and twenty thousand: and the sanctuary of Jehovah hath been in its midst.
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Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Ezekiel
(Verse 10 and following) These will be the firstfruits of the sanctuary for the priests: towards the north, a length of twenty-five thousand [cubits], and towards the sea, a width of ten thousand [cubits]; but also towards the east, a width of ten thousand [cubits], and towards the south, a length of twenty-five thousand [cubits]. And the sanctuary of the Lord will be in the midst of it. It will be a sanctuary for the priests from the descendants of Zadok, who have kept my statutes and have not strayed as the children of Israel strayed, as the Levites strayed. And there will be offerings from the first fruits of the land of the Holy of Holies, according to the boundary of the Levites. The four offerings of the sanctuary are described, which do not pertain to the common people or the lower class Levites, but specifically to the worship of the priests: namely the offerings of the North, West, East, and South. And the order of their arrangement is described in parts, as we leave behind the cold of the North and come to the West: so that our vices may perish and we may then move to the East, where the sun of justice rises for us, and finally come to the South, where the light is most bright and perfect. And both from the North to the sea and from the East to the South, let there be twenty-five thousand in length and ten thousand in width: so that the same measure of length and width is preserved everywhere. However, the sanctuary, that is, the Temple of the Lord, will be in the midst of the firstfruits of the priests, and it will be surrounded on all sides by an equal wall. And what he had said, 'These shall be the firstfruits of the sanctuary of the priests,' was to prevent all the priests from claiming the possession of this place and the special ceremonies to be observed by a common name, specifically stating: 'The sanctuary shall be for the priests of the sons of Zadok,' which means 'righteous.' This is said of him: 'The Lord is righteous, and he loves righteousness; his face beholds the upright' (Psalm 11:7). Regarding this, Sadoc, the Septuagint writes Sadduc. This Sadoc speaks in the Gospel: For the Father judgeth no man, but hath given all judgment unto the Son (John 5:22). And concerning this, under the name of Solomon, the Prophet sings mystically: Give thy judgment to the king, O God, and thy justice to the king's son (Psalm 71:1). But those priests of the Lord shall possess the sanctuary, and shall keep the ceremonies thereof: who have not erred when the children of Israel and the Levites erred, of whom it was discoursed in the foregoing. They do not offer victims, but being content with the privilege of their name and the humility of their error, they always speak from the heart: I acknowledge my wickedness, and my sin is always before me (Psalm 50:4). Let him hear this priestly order, and, overcome by the fury of the Arian persecution, and subsequently submitting his neck to the power of the true faith, so that he may not lack resources, if he is not expelled from the temple, let him hold a certain shadow and image of his former name, and let him not, lying on his back, belch out delights, as if he were immaculate and pure, let him not belch forth the nausea of his ignorance and barbaric babbling from his lofty throne. They shall be, he says, the first fruits from the first fruits of the earth, that is, for the priests: and those who did not go astray, when the sons of Israel and the Levites went astray. But the first crop from the first crops, like the tenth of the tithes, and the holy of holies, according to the boundary of the Levites: for indeed the Levites have the precincts of the priests, but they cannot hold the center, that is, the middle of it, and the actual possession.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Ezekiel 48:10 meticulously delineates the precise dimensions and sacred purpose of the land portion designated for the priests within the prophet's visionary temple and land redistribution. This "holy oblation" is presented as a perfectly measured, central, and consecrated area, explicitly reserving space for the sanctuary of the LORD in its very midst. This underscores the divine order, the sanctity of priestly service, and the absolute centrality of God's abiding presence in the restored community.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Ezekiel 48:10 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message of divine order and presence. The most prominent is Precision and Detail, evident in the meticulous numerical measurements and directional specifications ("north," "west," "east," "south"). This exactitude is not merely descriptive but serves to underscore the divine order, the absolute certainty of God's plan, and the immutable reality of the visionary temple and land. There is also significant Symbolism at play; the "holy oblation" itself symbolizes the sacredness and consecration required for God's presence, and the sanctuary being "in the midst" is a potent symbol of God's centrality, immanence, and governing role within His people. The precise, symmetrical dimensions of the land further symbolize the perfection, harmony, and divine blueprint of God's restored kingdom. Finally, the Repetition of "ten thousand in breadth" and "five and twenty thousand in length" across the different directions reinforces the fixed, unalterable nature of this divine allocation, emphasizing its permanence and divinely ordained structure.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 48:10 powerfully reinforces the perennial biblical theme of God's profound desire to dwell among His people, a concept central to Israelite theology from the Tabernacle in the wilderness to the Temple in Jerusalem. This verse vividly illustrates that in God's ideal future, His presence, embodied by the sanctuary, is not peripheral but utterly central and foundational to the life, structure, and identity of His community. The meticulous provision for the priests within this holy portion underscores the ongoing importance of consecrated service and the mediation of holiness, even as it points to a perfected state of worship and a renewed relationship with God. It speaks to a divine order where every aspect of life is aligned to facilitate, honor, and revolve around God's dwelling.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 48:10, though situated within a visionary context of future restoration, offers timeless and profound principles for personal and communal spiritual life today. The meticulous detail of God's plan for the priests' portion and the sanctuary's absolute centrality reminds us that God is a God of perfect order, purposeful design, and intrinsic holiness. For believers today, this verse challenges us to consider the "holy oblation" of our own lives. Are we intentionally setting apart consecrated space, time, and resources for God? Does His "sanctuary"—His presence, His Word, and His will—truly reside "in the midst" of our daily activities, our most important relationships, our career aspirations, and our deepest desires? The divine provision for the priests also serves as a powerful encouragement, reminding us of God's unwavering faithfulness to sustain those dedicated to His service. Simultaneously, it calls us, as part of a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), to live lives worthy of our calling, reflecting the holiness of the God we serve in every sphere. This vision inspires us to pursue a life where God's presence is not merely acknowledged but is the defining, central, and governing reality around which everything else revolves.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is Ezekiel's temple vision meant to be taken literally, or is it symbolic?
Answer: The interpretation of Ezekiel's temple vision, including the detailed land divisions in Ezekiel 48, is a subject of ongoing and significant debate among biblical scholars. Some interpret it literally, believing it describes a physical temple and land redistribution that will occur during a future millennial kingdom. They often point to the extreme detail of the measurements, the specific names of the tribes, and the geographical locations as strong evidence for a literal, future fulfillment. Others view the vision as primarily symbolic, representing spiritual realities of God's restored presence, perfect worship, and the ideal relationship between God and His people under the New Covenant. They argue that some aspects seem impractical for a literal fulfillment, and that the New Testament presents Christ as the ultimate Temple and High Priest. A third view suggests a partial fulfillment, where some elements are literal and others symbolic, or that it represents an ideal blueprint that finds its ultimate spiritual fulfillment in the Church (Ephesians 2:19-22) and the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21:1-22:5). Regardless of the specific literal or symbolic interpretation, the profound theological principles of God's centrality, holiness, and ordered presence remain profoundly significant and applicable.
What is the significance of the specific dimensions mentioned in this verse?
Answer: The dimensions of "five and twenty thousand" (25,000) and "ten thousand" (10,000) are likely given in reeds, with one reed being equivalent to six cubits. This translates to a very substantial area (25,000 reeds by 10,000 reeds, or approximately 75 miles by 30 miles, if interpreted using standard cubit/reed conversions). The significance lies not just in the impressive size but, more importantly, in the precision and symmetry of the measurements. This meticulous detail underscores God's perfect order, His intentional design, and the divine blueprint for His restored kingdom. It stands in stark contrast to the chaos, destruction, and disorder experienced by Israel during the Babylonian exile, promising a future characterized by divine intentionality, harmony, and unwavering purpose. The specific allocation for the priests, with the sanctuary "in the midst," highlights the divine provision for those consecrated to serve God and the absolute centrality of God's dwelling place within the entire land, ensuring that worship and God's presence are the undisputed focal point of the renewed community.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 48:10, with its visionary depiction of a precisely measured, holy portion of land for the priests and the sanctuary of the LORD firmly established at its center, finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a reconstructed physical temple, but in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the spiritual reality of the New Covenant. Jesus is revealed as the ultimate High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), who entered the true, heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 9:11-12) and offered a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, thereby establishing a new and living way to God (Hebrews 10:19-20). He is also the true Temple, the very dwelling place of God among humanity, whose resurrected body replaced the earthly sanctuary (John 2:19-21). Under the New Covenant, all believers are made part of a "holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5) and a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and good works. The "holy oblation" of land, representing a consecrated space for God's presence and priestly service, is spiritually fulfilled in the Church, which is collectively the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 3:16) and a spiritual house built on Christ, the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22). Thus, the vision of God's sanctuary being "in the midst" finds its most profound and glorious reality in Christ dwelling in the hearts of individual believers and in the Church as His living body, making God's presence central to the new creation.