Ezekiel 48:34

KJV

At the west side four thousand and five hundred, [with] their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali.

KJV (with Strong's)

At the west {H3220} side {H6285} four {H702} thousand {H505} and five {H2568} hundred {H3967}, with their three {H7969} gates {H8179}; one {H259} gate {H8179} of Gad {H1410}, one {H259} gate {H8179} of Asher {H836}, one {H259} gate {H8179} of Naphtali {H5321}.

Berean Standard Bible

And on the west side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, there will be three gates: the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher, and the gate of Naphtali.

American Standard Version

At the west side four thousand and five hundred reeds, with their three gates: the gate of Gad, one; the gate of Asher, one; the gate of Naphtali, one.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 48:34 concludes a meticulous description of the holy city's layout and land distribution in Ezekiel's visionary temple and land restoration prophecy. This verse specifically details the western side of the city, specifying its dimensions and the names of three gates dedicated to the tribes of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali. It underscores the divine order, precision, and inclusivity inherent in God's future dwelling among His people, symbolizing open access and the comprehensive restoration of all Israel within a divinely established kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 48:34 is the penultimate verse in the book of Ezekiel, forming the climax of the prophet's grand vision of restoration (chapters 40-48). Following detailed descriptions of a new temple (chapters 40-43), its ordinances (chapters 44-46), and the life-giving river flowing from it (chapter 47), chapter 48 meticulously outlines the re-allotment of the land to the twelve tribes and, finally, the layout of the holy city itself. Verses 30-35 describe the city's perimeter, its twelve gates, and its overall dimensions, culminating in the city's new name, "The Lord Is There" [Ezekiel 48:35](/ezekiel/48-35 "Ezekiel 48:35 - The Lord Is There"). Verse 34 specifically focuses on the western side, mirroring the pattern of three gates for each of the four sides, ensuring symmetry and universal access.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile (597-538 BC), a period of profound despair and displacement for the Jewish people. The temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed, and the land lay desolate. In this context, Ezekiel's vision of a restored temple, a re-allotted land, and a holy city served as a powerful message of hope and divine faithfulness. The meticulous detail in the architectural plans, including precise measurements and named gates, would have resonated with a people who had lost their physical and spiritual center. Culturally, gates were not merely entry points but significant places of judgment, commerce, and social gathering. The naming of gates after specific tribes reinforced the idea of tribal identity and communal belonging, even for those tribes (like Gad, Asher, and Naphtali) whose historical territories were often less prominent or more vulnerable.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of Ezekiel 48, contributes significantly to several overarching themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Order and Precision**, emphasizing God's meticulous design and sovereign control over the future. The exact measurements and specific naming of gates underscore a divinely orchestrated restoration, contrasting with the chaos and destruction of the exile. Secondly, the naming of all twelve tribes, including those often less prominent, reinforces the theme of **Inclusivity and Unity of Israel**. Every tribe, without exception, has a designated place and access to God's presence, signifying a comprehensive gathering of God's people, echoing the promise in [Ezekiel 37](/ezekiel/37 "Ezekiel 37 - The Valley of Dry Bones and the Two Sticks") of a reunited Israel. Lastly, the gates themselves embody the theme of **Open Access to God's Presence**. The presence of gates on all four sides, each named after a tribe, symbolizes constant and unimpeded entry into the holy city, where God's glory dwells, foreshadowing the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity as seen in the New Testament's vision of the New Jerusalem in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heaven and New Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **West (Hebrew, _yâm'_):** From an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south. In this context, "west" refers to the geographical direction, indicating one of the four sides of the holy city, aligning with the traditional orientation of the temple and city towards the east.
* **Gates (Hebrew, _shaʻar'_):** From _shaʻar_ in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or gate. This term denotes an entrance or portal. In ancient cities, gates were crucial for security, commerce, and symbolic entry. Here, the multiple gates signify access and welcome, rather than restriction, to the holy city.
* **Gad (Hebrew, _Gâd'_):** From _gûd_; Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet. Gad was one of the sons of Jacob, whose tribe settled east of the Jordan River. His inclusion here, alongside Asher and Naphtali, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the restored Israel, including tribes that were historically less prominent or geographically distant from the central sanctuary.
* **Asher (Hebrew, _ʼÂshêr'_):** From _ʼâshar_; happy; Asher, a son of Jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory. Asher was another son of Jacob, whose tribal territory was in the northern part of Canaan. His inclusion further reinforces the idea that all tribes, regardless of their historical prominence or location, are integral to the divine plan for restoration.
* **Naphtali (Hebrew, _Naphtâlîy'_):** From _pâthal_; my wrestling; Naphtali, a son of Jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory. Naphtali, another son of Jacob, had a tribal territory in the northern Galilee region. The naming of these three specific tribes on the west side completes the symmetrical pattern of twelve gates, each bearing the name of a son of Jacob, symbolizing the full inclusion and representation of all God's people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"At the west side four thousand and five hundred,"**: This phrase specifies the length of the western wall of the holy city, matching the dimensions given for the other three sides (north, east, and south) in [Ezekiel 48:30-33](/ezekiel/48-30 "Ezekiel 48:30-33 - City Dimensions and Gates"). The measurement of 4,500 reeds (or cubits, depending on interpretation of the unit) underscores the precise and orderly nature of the divine blueprint for the restored city.
* **"[with] their three gates;"**: This indicates that, like the other sides, the western wall is to have three distinct gates. The number three often symbolizes divine completeness or perfection in biblical numerology, further emphasizing the sacred and divinely ordained nature of this city.
* **"one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali."**: This clause explicitly names the three tribes whose gates are located on the western side. These tribes were historically associated with territories to the north and east, and their placement on the west side of the new city emphasizes a new, divinely ordered arrangement where all tribes are integrated into the holy center, symbolizing unity and comprehensive access for all of God's people.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 48:34 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the gates themselves symbolize access, welcome, and the divine presence. Their naming after the tribes of Israel symbolizes the **Inclusivity** of God's people and the restoration of a unified Israel. The meticulous detailing of measurements and the precise naming of each gate contribute to a sense of **Order and Precision**, reflecting God's sovereign design. Furthermore, the entire vision, including this verse, functions as **Prophecy**, offering a future hope of restoration and God's dwelling among His people, whether interpreted literally or eschatologically. The **Repetition** of the "one gate of..." structure across all four sides (Ezekiel 48:30-34) reinforces the symmetrical and divinely perfect nature of the city.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 48:34, as part of the climactic vision of the holy city, powerfully articulates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ultimate desire to dwell among His people. The precise architectural details and the naming of gates after all twelve tribes underscore a divine plan that encompasses every part of Israel, ensuring universal access to God's presence in the restored kingdom. This vision of a perfectly ordered city, where God's name is "The Lord Is There" [Ezekiel 48:35](/ezekiel/48-35 "Ezekiel 48:35 - The Lord Is There"), serves as a profound theological statement about God's enduring commitment to His people, providing hope for complete restoration and unhindered communion.

* [Revelation 21:12-13](/revelation/21-12 "Revelation 21:12-13 - The Gates of the New Jerusalem")
* [Isaiah 60:11](/isaiah/60-11 "Isaiah 60:11 - Gates Always Open")
* [Psalm 87:2](/psalms/87-2 "Psalm 87:2 - God Loves the Gates of Zion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's vision, culminating in the meticulously designed holy city with its twelve gates, offers profound spiritual nourishment for believers today. It reminds us that God is a God of order, precision, and faithfulness, whose plans for His people are comprehensive and ultimately bring about perfect restoration. Just as every tribe had a designated gate and place within this vision, so too does every believer have a unique and valued place within the body of Christ and God's eternal kingdom. This vision challenges us to embrace the unity of the church, recognizing that our diverse backgrounds and gifts are all integral to God's grand design. It also instills a deep sense of hope, assuring us that despite present challenges or perceived brokenness, God is actively working towards a future where His presence is fully accessible, and His people dwell in perfect harmony and security with Him. We are called to live now as citizens of that coming city, reflecting its order, inclusivity, and open access to God's grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail in Ezekiel's vision of the city and its gates challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character and His plans for the future?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, embody the "open gate" principle in our communities, ensuring that all feel welcome and have access to God's presence through us?**
* **Considering that tribes often seen as less prominent are named on the gates, what does this teach us about God's view of every individual and group within His kingdom?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the specific measurement "four thousand and five hundred" for each side of the city?**

Answer: The measurement "four thousand and five hundred" (likely referring to reeds, though the unit isn't explicitly stated in the KJV) for each side of the city's perimeter signifies perfect symmetry and divine order. When multiplied by four sides, it results in a total perimeter of 18,000 units, a number that appears to be symbolically significant in Ezekiel's vision, possibly representing completeness or the full extent of God's dwelling. This precise detailing underscores God's meticulous planning and the perfection of His restored kingdom, contrasting sharply with the chaos and destruction of the exile. It implies a divinely established and perfectly proportioned dwelling place for God's people.

**Why are Gad, Asher, and Naphtali specifically named on the west side, and not other tribes?**

Answer: The naming of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali on the west side completes the pattern of twelve gates, with three on each of the four sides of the city, each named after one of Jacob's sons. While the historical territories of these tribes were generally to the north and east of the traditional land of Israel, their specific placement on the west in this visionary city emphasizes a new, divinely ordered arrangement. This arrangement transcends historical geography, ensuring that all twelve tribes are represented and have a designated point of access to the holy city. It underscores the theme of the comprehensive restoration and unity of all Israel, where no tribe is excluded from God's presence and blessing in the future kingdom. This symbolic re-ordering highlights God's sovereignty over all aspects of His restored people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 48:34, like the entire vision of the holy city, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal earthly reconstruction, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the spiritual reality of the New Covenant. The gates, representing access to God's presence, are fully opened through Christ, who declared Himself to be "the door" [John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Door"). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus tore the veil of the temple [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn"), granting believers direct and unhindered access to God the Father. The inclusivity of all twelve tribes, with each having a gate, foreshadows the New Testament reality where, through Christ, there is "neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - One in Christ"). The meticulous order of the city points to the perfect order of God's redemptive plan, culminating in the New Jerusalem, the bride of Christ, where God's dwelling is finally with humanity [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity"). In this ultimate reality, the Lamb of God is its temple and its light [Revelation 21:22-23](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22-23 - The Lamb is the Temple and Light"), and the gates, though always open, are named after the tribes of Israel and the apostles of the Lamb, signifying the continuity of God's people, redeemed and united in Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.