Ezekiel 48:35

KJV

[It was] round about eighteen thousand [measures]: and the name of the city from [that] day [shall be], The LORD [is] there.

KJV (with Strong's)

It was round about {H5439} eighteen {H8083}{H6240} thousand {H505} measures: and the name {H8034} of the city {H5892} from that day {H3117} shall be, The LORD is there {H3074}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'The perimeter of [the city] will be just under six [miles] long. And from that day on the name of the city will be ADONAI Shamah [ADONAI is there].'"

Berean Standard Bible

The perimeter of the city will be 18,000 cubits, and from that day on the name of the city will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

American Standard Version

It shall be eighteen thousand reeds round about: and the name of the city from that day shall be, Jehovah is there.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 48:35 serves as the climactic conclusion to Ezekiel's grand vision of a restored Israel, a new temple, and a holy city. Following meticulous details of the city's vast dimensions and the tribal land divisions, this verse culminates the prophecy with a profound declaration of the city's ultimate identity: "The LORD is there." This name signifies God's permanent, glorious, and intimate presence dwelling among His people, reversing the earlier narrative of His departure and establishing an era of divine indwelling, peace, and security.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 48:35 concludes the final major section of the book, chapters 40-48, which detail an elaborate vision of a new temple, a re-allotted land for the twelve tribes, and a meticulously described holy city. This vision stands in stark contrast to the earlier prophecies of judgment, destruction, and the departure of God's glory from the first temple, as described in [Ezekiel 8-11](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8-11 - The Abominations in the Temple and the Departure of God's Glory"). The preceding verses in chapter 48 specifically outline the gates of the city, each named after one of the tribes of Israel, emphasizing the inclusion and unity of God's people. The mention of "eighteen thousand measures" refers to the total circumference of this city, highlighting its immense, perfect, and divinely ordained scale, setting the stage for the ultimate declaration of its spiritual essence in the final phrase.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), a period of profound national trauma for Israel. Jerusalem and its temple had been destroyed, and the people were far from their homeland, questioning God's faithfulness and their future. In this context, Ezekiel's visions of restoration offered immense hope and reassurance. The concept of God dwelling among His people was central to Israelite identity, rooted in the tabernacle and temple traditions. The departure of God's glory was the ultimate sign of judgment, so the promise of His return and permanent indwelling would have been a profoundly comforting and revolutionary message, signaling a new covenant era where the divine presence would be unshakeable.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of Ezekiel 48:35, and indeed the entire concluding vision, is the **restoration of God's presence** among His people. This reverses the tragic narrative of God's glory departing the temple in [Ezekiel 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - The Glory of the Lord Departs the Temple"). The city's new name, "The LORD is there," underscores the **permanence and intimacy of God's dwelling**, signifying a renewed covenant relationship. This also speaks to themes of **divine faithfulness** in fulfilling His promises, even after judgment and exile. Furthermore, the meticulous details of the city and its dimensions contribute to the theme of **divine order and perfection**, suggesting a future state of ideal worship and communal life. Ultimately, this vision foreshadows the ultimate reality of God dwelling with humanity, a theme profoundly developed in the New Testament's description of the [New Jerusalem](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heaven and New Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Yᵉhôvâh shâmmâh (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh shâmmâh'_):** This is a compound phrase, functioning as a symbolic title for the city. "Yᵉhôvâh" (Jehovah/Yahweh) is the personal, covenantal name of God, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. "Shâmmâh" means "there" or "present." Together, "Yᵉhôvâh shâmmâh" declares that the very essence and identity of the city are defined by the active, abiding, and glorious presence of God within it. It is not merely a description but a powerful theological statement of divine immanence.
* **shêm (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** Translated as "name," this word carries significant weight in Hebrew thought. A "name" (shêm) is more than just an appellation; it represents character, authority, reputation, and the very essence of a person or thing. To name the city "The LORD is there" is to declare its fundamental identity and purpose as the place where God Himself resides, imbuing it with His honor, authority, and character.
* **yôwm (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** Translated as "day," this word can refer to a literal 24-hour period, but often in prophetic contexts, it signifies a specific, defined period or era. "From that day" suggests a new epoch, a definitive turning point in history where God's presence will be permanently established, marking a new phase in His redemptive plan for His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[It was] round about eighteen thousand [measures]:"** This clause describes the immense circumference of the city. The "measures" (likely reeds, as used earlier in Ezekiel's vision) signify a precise and divinely ordained dimension. The number eighteen thousand (18,000) is a multiple of twelve (12 tribes) and three (divine perfection), emphasizing the city's vastness, order, and symbolic completeness, reflecting God's perfect design for His dwelling place.
* **"and the name of the city from [that] day [shall be],"** This transitional phrase introduces the climactic declaration. The act of naming is significant, signifying identity and purpose. The phrase "from that day" indicates a permanent and enduring change, marking a new era where the city's identity will be forever defined by what follows. It highlights the definitive and lasting nature of God's renewed relationship with His people.
* **"The LORD [is] there."** This is the profound and ultimate declaration. "The LORD is there" (Hebrew: _Yahweh Shammah_) is the city's new and eternal name. It signifies God's personal, active, and abiding presence within the city. This statement reverses the earlier narrative of God's glory departing the temple and promises a future where His presence is not only restored but permanently established, bringing ultimate security, holiness, and blessing to His people.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 48:35 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, particularly in the city's name, "The LORD is there." This name is not merely a geographical marker but a powerful theological symbol representing the ultimate restoration of God's presence among His people, a reversal of the exile and a promise of perpetual fellowship. The "eighteen thousand measures" also functions as **Symbolism**, signifying not just physical size but divine perfection, completeness, and the vastness of God's provision and dwelling. The verse acts as a **Climax** for the entire book of Ezekiel, providing the ultimate resolution to the prophet's visions of judgment and restoration. It is the culminating statement that brings all the preceding detailed descriptions of the temple and city to their spiritual apex. Furthermore, the entire vision, ending with this verse, serves as **Foreshadowing**, pointing beyond its immediate historical context to the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity in the New Heavens and New Earth, as described in Revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 48:35 encapsulates the profound theological truth of God's unwavering desire to dwell with His people. This culminating declaration, "The LORD is there," signifies the ultimate restoration of fellowship between God and humanity, a reversal of the separation caused by sin. It speaks to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises, even after judgment and exile, demonstrating His redemptive purpose to bring His people back into His glorious presence. This vision of divine indwelling is a foundational theme throughout biblical history, from the Garden of Eden to the Tabernacle and Temple, and ultimately finds its perfect realization in the New Testament. The name "Yahweh Shammah" is a promise that God's ultimate dwelling place is with humanity, bringing perfect joy and complete restoration.

* [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity")
* [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us")
* [1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 48:35 offers a profound source of hope and encouragement for believers today. The promise that "The LORD is there" assures us of God's abiding presence, not merely in a physical structure, but in the lives of His people. It reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, even when circumstances seem bleak or when we experience seasons of spiritual exile. This verse calls us to recognize that our ultimate identity and security are found in God's indwelling presence, which transforms us into living temples of His Spirit. It challenges us to cultivate an awareness of His nearness in every aspect of life, trusting that where God is, there is true peace, purpose, and fulfillment. We are invited to live as those who carry the name of "The LORD is there" within us, reflecting His glory to a world in need of His presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise "The LORD is there" challenge or affirm your understanding of God's presence in your daily life?**
* **In what ways can you actively cultivate an awareness of God's indwelling presence in your personal and communal worship?**
* **Considering the historical context of exile, what hope does this verse offer to those experiencing feelings of separation or spiritual wilderness today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "eighteen thousand measures" in Ezekiel 48:35?**

Answer: The "eighteen thousand measures" refers to the total circumference of the new, holy city described in Ezekiel's vision. While a literal interpretation suggests an incredibly vast city, its primary significance is symbolic. The number 18,000 is a multiple of 12 (representing the twelve tribes of Israel and completeness) and 3 (representing divine perfection). Thus, these dimensions emphasize the city's immense scale, its divine origin, and its perfect, divinely ordered design. It underscores the grandeur and completeness of God's restored dwelling place, setting the stage for the ultimate declaration of His presence.

**Is the city described in Ezekiel 40-48, culminating in Ezekiel 48:35, a literal future city or a symbolic one?**

Answer: Interpretations vary widely among scholars. Some believe it describes a literal temple and city that will be built during a future millennial kingdom, based on the meticulous details provided. Others view it primarily as symbolic, representing the spiritual reality of God's renewed presence among His people, the perfection of His kingdom, or the church. A common approach is to see it as both: a literal vision given to Ezekiel that also carries profound spiritual and eschatological symbolism, foreshadowing the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity in the New Jerusalem, as seen in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heaven and New Earth"). Regardless of the literal-symbolic debate, the central theological truth of God's permanent presence ("The LORD is there") remains paramount.

**How does "The LORD is there" in Ezekiel 48:35 relate to earlier parts of Ezekiel where God's glory departs?**

Answer: The declaration "The LORD is there" (Hebrew: _Yahweh Shammah_) in Ezekiel 48:35 is the climactic reversal of a major theme in the earlier chapters of Ezekiel. In [Ezekiel 8-11](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8-11 - The Abominations in the Temple and the Departure of God's Glory"), the prophet vividly describes the departure of God's glory from the Jerusalem temple due to the idolatry and sin of Israel. This departure symbolized God's judgment and the impending destruction of the city and temple. Therefore, the concluding statement, "The LORD is there," signifies God's return and the permanent re-establishment of His glorious presence among His people in a new, holy city. It represents the culmination of God's restoration promises and the ultimate triumph of His redemptive plan over sin and judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 48:35, with its profound declaration "The LORD is there," finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Ezekiel's vision pointed to a future physical manifestation of God's presence, the New Testament reveals that God's dwelling with humanity is perfectly realized in the person of Jesus. He is Immanuel, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Jesus, Immanuel")), the Word who "became flesh and dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). In Christ, the very presence of God, which was once confined to a temple, walked among humanity. Furthermore, through His atoning sacrifice and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, believers individually and collectively become the new temple of God, the dwelling place of the Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit"); [Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - Growing into a Holy Temple in the Lord")). The promise of _Yahweh Shammah_ is not merely a future hope for a physical city, but a present reality in the church, the body of Christ, where God's presence truly dwells. Ultimately, this vision culminates in the eternal state, the New Jerusalem, where God Himself will "dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God" ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity")), perfectly fulfilling the longing for God's permanent and intimate presence.

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.

Cross-References

Revelation 21:3

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.

Zechariah 2:10

¶ Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.

Revelation 22:3

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

Jeremiah 33:16

In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this [is the name] wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.

Isaiah 12:6

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great [is] the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Jeremiah 3:17

At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

Isaiah 24:23

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.