And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the offering which ye shall offer of five and twenty thousand [reeds in] breadth, and [in] length as one of the [other] parts, from the east side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it.
And by the border {H1366} of Judah {H3063}, from the east {H6921} side {H6285} unto the west {H3220} side {H6285}, shall be the offering {H8641} which ye shall offer {H7311} of five {H2568} and twenty {H6242} thousand {H505} reeds in breadth {H7341}, and in length {H753} as one {H259} of the other parts {H2506}, from the east {H6921} side {H6285} unto the west {H3220} side {H6285}: and the sanctuary {H4720} shall be in the midst {H8432} of it.
"'Alongside the territory of Y'hudah, from east to west, will be the offering you are to set aside, 25,000 [cubits] wide [eight miles], and in length equal to distance between the east and west boundaries of one of the portions, with the sanctuary inside it.
Bordering the territory of Judah, from east to west, will be the portion you are to set apart. It will be 25,000 cubits wide, and the length of a tribal portion from east to west. In the center will be the sanctuary.
And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the oblation which ye shall offer, five and twenty thousand reeds in breadth, and in length as one of the portions, from the east side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it.
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Isaiah 12:6
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great [is] the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. -
Isaiah 33:20
Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle [that] shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. -
Isaiah 33:22
For the LORD [is] our judge, the LORD [is] our lawgiver, the LORD [is] our king; he will save us. -
Ezekiel 45:1
¶ Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, ye shall offer an oblation unto the LORD, an holy portion of the land: the length [shall be] the length of five and twenty thousand [reeds], and the breadth [shall be] ten thousand. This [shall be] holy in all the borders thereof round about. -
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 48:35
[It was] round about eighteen thousand [measures]: and the name of the city from [that] day [shall be], The LORD [is] there. -
Colossians 2:9
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Ezekiel 48:8 describes a specific portion of the land in Ezekiel's prophetic vision, designated as the "holy oblation" or "offering." This section, directly bordering the tribal territory of Judah, is meticulously measured and set apart for sacred purposes, with the future temple—the sanctuary—at its very center.
Context of Ezekiel 48:8
This verse is part of the climactic section of the Book of Ezekiel (chapters 40-48), which details a grand vision of a restored temple and a redivided land for Israel. After describing the intricate design of the new temple (Ezekiel 40-42) and the return of God's glory to it (Ezekiel 43:4), Ezekiel 45-48 outlines the sacred land divisions. Specifically, Ezekiel 48:1 begins the detailed allocation of territories to the twelve tribes, with particular attention given to this central, consecrated area. The "holy oblation" is a significant land grant dedicated to the Lord, encompassing the temple, the priests' portion, the Levites' portion, and the city.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The term "offering" here translates the Hebrew word terumah (תְּרוּמָה), which signifies a "heave offering" or something "lifted up" or "set apart" as a contribution, particularly for sacred purposes. This emphasizes that the land designated for the temple and its associated priestly and Levitical functions is not merely allocated but is a sacred portion consecrated to God. The measurement unit "reeds" (approximately 10.5 feet or 3.2 meters per reed) reveals the enormous scale of this holy district, spanning from the east to the west side, reinforcing its immense significance.
Practical Application
Ezekiel 48:8 reminds us of God's enduring faithfulness to His promises of restoration. Even in periods of exile and despair, God provides a vision of a future where His presence is central and His people are ordered according to His divine will. For believers today, this verse can symbolize the importance of making Christ and His sanctuary (His presence within us and in the church) the absolute center of our lives and communities. Just as a specific portion was set apart for God's dwelling, we are called to consecrate ourselves and our resources to Him, recognizing His rightful place of preeminence.