Ezekiel 48:15

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.

And the five {H2568} thousand {H505}, that are left {H3498} in the breadth {H7341} over against {H6440} the five {H2568} and twenty {H6242} thousand {H505}, shall be a profane {H2455} place for the city {H5892}, for dwelling {H4186}, and for suburbs {H4054}: and the city {H5892} shall be in the midst {H8432} thereof.

"'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.

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

And the five thousand that are left in the breadth, in front of the five and twenty thousand, shall be for common use, for the city, for dwelling and for suburbs; and the city shall be in the midst thereof.

Ezekiel 48:15 is part of the prophet Ezekiel’s extensive vision, detailed from chapter 40 onwards, concerning the future restoration of Israel, the new temple, and the division of the land. This particular verse describes the specific allocation of land immediately adjacent to the highly sacred "holy oblation" or "heave offering" (mentioned in Ezekiel 45:1-6).

Context of Ezekiel 48:15

The final chapters of Ezekiel (40-48) present a detailed, visionary blueprint for a reconstituted Israel, a new temple, and a meticulously organized land division among the twelve tribes. This vision is highly symbolic, reflecting God’s ultimate plan for order, holiness, and His dwelling presence among His people. Verse 15 specifically addresses the area set aside for the new city. The "five and twenty thousand" refers to a square tract of land, 25,000 reeds (or cubits, depending on interpretation) on each side, which constitutes the sacred portion for the temple, priests, and Levites. Adjacent to this, the "five thousand" breadth refers to a strip of common land, 5,000 reeds wide, designated for the city’s practical needs, including dwellings and suburbs. This precise urban planning highlights the divine order of the future kingdom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Order and Meticulous Planning: The precise measurements and allocations throughout Ezekiel's vision, including this verse, underscore God's perfect order and His detailed blueprint for His people and their dwelling place. Every aspect, from the sacred to the secular, is accounted for in His grand design for the restored nation.
  • Distinction Between Holy and Common: The term "profane" (Hebrew: chol) here does not imply evil or unholy in a moral sense, but rather "common" or "secular," distinguishing it from the "holy" (qodesh) areas of the temple and priestly lands. This distinction ensures practical space for daily life while maintaining the sanctity of the consecrated areas. It highlights that even common activities and dwelling places are part of God's overall plan.
  • The City's Purpose and Placement: The city's central location within this common land signifies its importance as the dwelling place for the people, designed to serve the needs of a community living in proximity to God's presence. This foreshadows the ultimate city, the New Jerusalem, where God Himself dwells among humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV renders the Hebrew word חֹל (*chol*) as "profane." While "profane" can carry a negative connotation in modern English, its primary meaning in this context is "common" or "secular," as opposed to "holy" (קֹדֶשׁ, *qodesh*). It refers to land designated for ordinary human use, such as housing and commerce, in contrast to the consecrated areas reserved for the temple and its ministers. This distinction is vital for understanding the practical and spiritual layout of the envisioned land, ensuring that even the city's secular functions are part of God's divinely ordered plan.

Practical Application

Ezekiel's vision, including the detailed planning in verse 15, reminds us that God is a God of order and purpose. While this particular vision may have a future literal fulfillment or a symbolic meaning for the church, it teaches us about:

  • Intentional Living: God's meticulous planning encourages us to live our lives with intentionality, recognizing that even our "common" spaces and daily activities can be lived in alignment with His purposes. There's a divine design for all aspects of life.
  • Respect for Sacred Space: The clear demarcation between holy and common areas emphasizes the need to honor and respect what is consecrated to God, whether it be a physical place of worship or the sacredness of our spiritual walk and time set apart for Him.
  • God's Presence: The ultimate promise of this vision, culminating in the city's name "Jehovah-Shammah" ("The Lord is there" in Ezekiel 48:35), is God's desire to dwell among His people. This verse, by detailing the city's placement, contributes to the larger picture of a restored community where God's presence is central to daily life.
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 45:6

    And ye shall appoint the possession of the city five thousand broad, and five and twenty thousand long, over against the oblation of the holy [portion]: it shall be for the whole house of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 42:20

    He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred [reeds] long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.

  • Ezekiel 44:23

    And they shall teach my people [the difference] between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

  • Ezekiel 22:26

    Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

  • 1 Timothy 3:15

    But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

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