Ezekiel 48:33

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.

And at the south ^{H5045} side ^{H6285} four ^{H702} thousand ^{H505} and five ^{H2568} hundred ^{H3967} measures ^{H4060}: and three ^{H7969} gates ^{H8179}; one ^{H259} gate ^{H8179} of Simeon ^{H8095}, one ^{H259} gate ^{H8179} of Issachar ^{H3485}, one ^{H259} gate ^{H8179} of Zebulun ^{H2074}.

On the south side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, there will be three gates: the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar, and the gate of Zebulun.

And at the south side four thousand and five hundred reeds by measure, and three gates: the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; the gate of Zebulun, one.

Ezekiel 48:33 is part of a detailed prophetic vision given to the prophet Ezekiel concerning the layout and division of the land for a restored Israel, culminating in the description of a holy city. This specific verse describes the southern side of this future city, detailing its dimensions and the names of three gates located on that side.

Context

The book of Ezekiel, particularly chapters 40-48, presents a comprehensive and highly symbolic vision of a new temple and a reordered land for Israel. This vision follows the devastating Babylonian exile, offering a message of hope, restoration, and the re-establishment of God's presence among His people. Ezekiel 48 specifically outlines the division of the land among the twelve tribes and then focuses on the holy district and the city at its center. The description of the city's dimensions and gates, as seen in Ezekiel 48:30-35, emphasizes precision and divine order, reflecting God's meticulous plan for the future.

Key Themes and Messages

Divine Order and Precision: The mention of "four thousand and five hundred measures" for the south side, consistent with other sides of the city, highlights the exactness of God's design. This precision signifies divine perfection and meticulous planning, assuring the reader that God's future restoration is not haphazard but perfectly ordered.
Accessibility and Inclusivity: The presence of "three gates" on each side, totaling twelve gates for the city (as mentioned in Ezekiel 48:31 for other sides), named after the tribes of Israel, signifies universal access for God's people. Each tribe, including Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun on the south side, has its designated entry, underscoring the idea that all of restored Israel has a place within God's holy city.
Restoration of Israel: The naming of the gates after the tribes reinforces the theme of the complete restoration and unity of Israel. Even tribes that might have been less prominent historically are included, emphasizing that in God's future plan, all His people are gathered and given their inheritance. This concept is beautifully echoed in the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:12, where the gates are also named after the twelve tribes of Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The term "measures" in KJV (Hebrew: qaneh, קנה) refers to a "reed" or measuring rod, which was a standard unit of length (approximately 10.5 feet or 3.2 meters). This indicates that the dimensions are given with remarkable exactitude, underscoring the literal and precise nature of the vision's elements, even if their ultimate fulfillment might be symbolic or spiritual.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 48:33, like the broader vision, speaks to the enduring hope of God's faithfulness and His commitment to His people. It assures believers that God has a meticulously planned future, one characterized by order, peace, and His manifest presence. For us today, it can inspire confidence in God's sovereign control and His ability to bring about ultimate restoration and reconciliation, even when circumstances seem chaotic. The open gates remind us of God's welcoming nature and the access we have to His presence through Christ, inviting all to enter His kingdom and find their place within His divine order.

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.