Ezekiel 48:17

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.

And the suburbs ^{H4054} of the city ^{H5892} shall be toward the north ^{H6828} two hundred ^{H3967} and fifty ^{H2572}, and toward the south ^{H5045} two hundred ^{H3967} and fifty ^{H2572}, and toward the east ^{H6921} two hundred ^{H3967} and fifty ^{H2572}, and toward the west ^{H3220} two hundred ^{H3967} and fifty ^{H2572}.

The city is to have outside it a border of land 440 feet wide on each side - north, south, east and west.

The pastureland of the city will extend 250 cubits to the north, 250 cubits to the south, 250 cubits to the east, and 250 cubits to the west.

And the city shall have suburbs: 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.

Ezekiel 48:17 is part of a lengthy and highly detailed prophetic vision given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. This specific verse describes the precise dimensions of the "suburbs" or open land surrounding the holy city within the larger portion of land designated as the "holy oblation" (or sacred district) for the priests, Levites, and the prince, as outlined in Ezekiel 48:8-20.

Context

The book of Ezekiel, particularly chapters 40-48, provides a meticulously detailed blueprint for a future temple, city, and division of the land of Israel. This vision served as a message of hope and restoration to the exiled Israelites, assuring them of God's faithfulness and a glorious future, even after the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem. The measurements throughout this section are given in "reeds" (as established in Ezekiel 40:5), each reed being six cubits long. The "suburbs" mentioned here refer to the open land immediately adjacent to the holy city, creating a buffer or common area around it, similar to the concept of pasture lands for Levitical cities described elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Key Themes

Divine Order and Precision: The extreme specificity of the measurements in Ezekiel's vision, including these "suburbs," underscores God's meticulous planning and the perfect order of His future kingdom. Every aspect is divinely ordained and precisely measured.
Holiness and Separation: The designated "suburbs" (Hebrew: migrash) served to separate the holy city from the surrounding profane world. This buffer zone emphasizes the city's sacredness and the necessity of boundaries for holy spaces. It reflects God's desire for a distinct and pure dwelling place among His people.
God's Provision: This land, being part of the larger "holy oblation," signifies God's provision for His people, ensuring space not just for the temple and city, but also for common use, sustaining life around the center of worship.
Symbolism of the Future: Many scholars interpret these detailed plans as symbolic of God's ultimate spiritual kingdom, perhaps even pointing toward the New Jerusalem described in Revelation, where God's presence is perfectly established and order reigns supreme.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "suburbs" is migrash (מִגְרָשׁ), which refers to open pasture land or common land surrounding a city. It's a term often used in the context of the Levitical cities, where such land was provided for the cattle and sustenance of the Levites. In Ezekiel's vision, its inclusion emphasizes the practical and orderly nature of the future holy city, ensuring ample space around its core.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 48:17, while highly symbolic and prophetic, reminds us of God's character. He is a God of order, precision, and holiness. For believers today, this can inspire confidence in God's perfect plans, even when our circumstances seem chaotic. It also encourages us to cultivate areas of "holy separation" in our own lives, setting boundaries that protect our spiritual walk and distinguish us as God's people, reflecting the holiness God calls us to.

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.

No cross-references found for this verse.