Ezekiel 48:9

KJV

The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD [shall be] of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth.

KJV (with Strong's)

The oblation {H8641} that ye shall offer {H7311} unto the LORD {H3068} shall be of five {H2568} and twenty {H6242} thousand {H505} in length {H753}, and of ten {H6235} thousand {H505} in breadth {H7341}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The offering you are to set aside for ADONAI is to be eight [miles] long and three wide.

Berean Standard Bible

The special portion you set apart to the LORD shall be 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide.

American Standard Version

The oblation that ye shall offer unto Jehovah shall be five and twenty thousand reeds in length, and ten thousand in breadth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 48:9 describes the precise dimensions of the "holy oblation" or "holy district," a significant portion of land within Ezekiel's visionary temple and land distribution. This consecrated area, measuring twenty-five thousand by ten thousand (likely reeds), was to be set apart for the sanctuary, the priests, and the Levites, underscoring the divine order, sanctity, and centrality of worship in God's future plans for His restored people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the concluding section of the book of Ezekiel, specifically chapters 40-48, which present a highly detailed and symbolic vision of a new temple, a re-division of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel, and a new city. This extensive vision, received by Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, serves as a profound message of hope, restoration, and God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. Ezekiel 48 specifically outlines the final distribution of land to the tribes, with a central focus on the sacred district. The preceding chapters, particularly [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Vision of the New Temple") through [Ezekiel 47](/ezekiel/47 "Ezekiel 47 - The River from the Temple"), meticulously describe the temple's architecture, its ordinances, and the life-giving river flowing from it, all culminating in the establishment of God's presence in the midst of His people. Verse 9 specifies the exact measurements of the central, consecrated area set aside for the sanctuary, the priests, and the Levites, underscoring the divine order and precision of God's future plans for His people and their worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during a period of immense national trauma for Israel – the Babylonian exile (c. 597-538 BC). The people had lost their land, their temple, and their king, leading to profound questions about God's covenant faithfulness and their future. In this context, Ezekiel's vision offered a powerful counter-narrative of divine restoration and a future characterized by God's renewed presence and perfect order. The concept of setting apart land or portions of produce as an "oblation" or "heave offering" (Hebrew: *terumah*) was deeply rooted in Israelite cultic practice, as seen in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Numbers 18:8-19](/numbers/18-8 "Numbers 18:8-19 - The Priests' Portion")). This practice emphasized God's ownership of all things and the people's responsibility to dedicate the first and best to Him. The meticulous measurements, though vast, reflect an ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine blueprints and cosmic order, where sacred spaces were precisely defined to reflect heavenly patterns. The vision's emphasis on a clearly demarcated holy district would have resonated with the exiled people's longing for a return to a pure and ordered worship of Yahweh, free from the defilements that led to their exile.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous measurements in [Ezekiel 48:9](/ezekiel/48-9 "Ezekiel 48:9 - Dimensions of the Holy Oblation") highlight **Divine Order and Precision**, signifying a divine blueprint where nothing is left to chance in God's future kingdom. This exactness underscores God's sovereignty and His careful planning for the restoration of His people. The concept of an "oblation" or "holy district" emphasizes the **Sanctification of Space**, where a substantial portion of land is set apart exclusively for sacred purposes, distinct from secular land and dedicated entirely to God's presence and worship. This echoes earlier commands for holiness, such as the instructions for the tabernacle in [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Desire to Dwell Among His People"). Furthermore, this consecrated land serves as the locus of the new temple, signifying the **Centrality of Worship** in the restored community. God's presence, spiritual life, and the pure worship of Him are positioned at the absolute core of this future reality, reflecting God's ultimate desire to dwell among His people, a theme that permeates the entire biblical narrative from [Genesis](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") to [Revelation](/revelation/22 "Revelation 22 - The River of Life and Final Warnings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Oblation (Hebrew, _tᵉrûwmâh'_):** This term (H8641), derived from the root *rûwm* (to raise or lift up), refers to a "present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute." In the context of Ezekiel's vision, it signifies a "heave offering" or a "contribution" that is lifted up or set aside for sacred use. Here, it is applied to a dedicated portion of land, emphasizing its consecrated nature—it is a gift or offering set apart for God's exclusive use.
* **Offer (Hebrew, _rûwm'_):** The verb "offer" (H7311, in its Hophal participle form, H8686) directly relates to the noun "oblation." It means "to be high actively, to rise or raise." In this passive sense, it refers to that which "shall be lifted up" or "set apart." This reinforces the idea of dedication and elevation, indicating that this land is not merely designated but consecrated and elevated to a sacred status by divine command.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred covenant name of God (H3068), "Jehovah," meaning "the self-Existent or Eternal One." The land is not merely for a temple or priests but is specifically offered "unto the LORD," emphasizing that its ultimate purpose is for the dwelling and worship of the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel. This highlights the divine recipient and ultimate authority behind the vision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes the sacred nature and divine purpose of the land being described. It is not just land, but a consecrated "heave offering" or "contribution" that is to be set apart and dedicated specifically to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This underscores the idea of divine ownership and the exclusive use of this territory for holy purposes.
* **"[shall be] of five and twenty thousand in length":** This specifies the first dimension of the holy district. "Five and twenty thousand" (25,000) refers to a unit of measurement, understood from the broader context of Ezekiel's vision (e.g., [Ezekiel 40:5](/ezekiel/40-5 "Ezekiel 40:5 - The Measuring Reed")) to be "reeds." A reed was six cubits long, making this a substantial length (approximately 8.5 miles or 13.7 kilometers), indicating the immense scale and significance of this dedicated territory.
* **"and of ten thousand in breadth":** This provides the second dimension, specifying the width of the holy district as "ten thousand" (10,000) reeds (approximately 3.4 miles or 5.5 kilometers). Together with the length, this defines a large rectangular area, emphasizing the meticulous precision and grand scale of God's plans for His dwelling place and the surrounding consecrated land in the restored kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 48:9 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the meticulously described dimensions of the "holy oblation" symbolize divine order, God's precise blueprint for the future, and the absolute centrality of His presence and worship. The very act of specifying such exact measurements for a sacred space is a form of **Precision/Detailing**, which serves to underscore the divine architect's meticulous planning and the absolute importance of holiness and separation in God's kingdom. This level of detail also creates a sense of **Anticipation**, building a vivid picture of a perfectly ordered future reality where God's presence is tangibly established. Furthermore, the concept of an "oblation" itself is a **Metonymy**, where the term for a sacred offering stands in for the sacred land itself, highlighting its consecrated status and purpose as something "lifted up" to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel's vision of the holy oblation in [Ezekiel 48:9](/ezekiel/48-9 "Ezekiel 48:9 - Dimensions of the Holy Oblation") is deeply rooted in the biblical theology of God dwelling among His people and the necessity of holiness in His presence. The precise dimensions and the designation of this land as an "oblation" echo the meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle and Temple in earlier biblical books, emphasizing that God's presence demands separation and consecration. This vision points to a future where God's ideal for His people and His dwelling place is perfectly realized, free from the defilement that led to the exile. It speaks to God's enduring commitment to restore His relationship with humanity and establish His kingdom on earth in perfect order and holiness. The detailed blueprint for this sacred space underscores the importance of intentionality and divine design in all matters pertaining to God's worship and His people's life.

* [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "God's Desire to Dwell Among His People")
* [Leviticus 26:11-12](/leviticus/26-11 "God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel")
* [Revelation 21:2-3](/revelation/21-2 "The New Jerusalem Descends")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the precise fulfillment of Ezekiel's temple vision is a subject of ongoing theological discussion—whether it is to be understood literally, symbolically, or eschatologically—the underlying principles embedded in [Ezekiel 48:9](/ezekiel/48-9 "Ezekiel 48:9 - Dimensions of the Holy Oblation") remain profoundly relevant for believers today. The concept of a vast, precisely measured "holy oblation" dedicated entirely to the LORD challenges us to consider what "holy space" means in our lives. Just as a physical territory was set apart for God's presence and worship, we are called to consecrate our lives—our bodies, minds, time, talents, and resources—as a living offering to God. This means intentionally setting aside areas of our lives for His exclusive use, ensuring that God and His worship are truly central. It reminds us that our spiritual lives are not haphazard but should reflect God's divine order and purpose, striving for holiness and intentional dedication in all we do. This vision ultimately points to God's perfect order and His enduring desire to dwell among His people, a promise that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and is anticipated in the eternal kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I need to establish a clearer "holy oblation," setting them apart for God's exclusive use?**
* **How does the meticulous detail of Ezekiel's vision challenge my understanding of God's intentionality and precision in His plans for me and the world?**
* **If God desires to dwell among His people in such a perfectly ordered and holy way, how should this truth shape my daily pursuit of holiness and my approach to worship?**

### FAQ

**What unit of measurement is implied by "thousand" in Ezekiel 48:9?**

Answer: While not explicitly stated in [Ezekiel 48:9](/ezekiel/48-9 "Ezekiel 48:9 - Dimensions of the Holy Oblation") itself, the broader context of Ezekiel's temple vision, particularly [Ezekiel 40:5](/ezekiel/40-5 "Ezekiel 40:5 - The Measuring Reed"), clarifies that the units of measurement throughout these chapters are "reeds." A reed was a standard measuring rod, typically six cubits long (about 10.5 feet or 3.2 meters). Therefore, "twenty-five thousand in length" would mean 25,000 reeds, and "ten thousand in breadth" would mean 10,000 reeds, indicating a vast and significant area.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel's vision of the holy oblation, with its precise measurements and dedication to the LORD, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal, earthly temple, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ and His spiritual body, the Church. The Old Testament temple system, including its holy spaces and offerings, was a shadow pointing to the reality found in Christ ([Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - Shadow of Things to Come")). Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to the temple of His body ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). He is the true and ultimate "oblation," the perfect sacrifice "offered unto the LORD" ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")), through whom we gain access to God's presence. Moreover, the New Testament reveals that believers, individually and corporately, are now the "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple")) and a "spiritual house" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")), built upon Christ as the cornerstone. The meticulous dimensions of Ezekiel's holy district symbolize the perfect order, holiness, and divine presence that are fully realized in Christ and His redeemed people. In the new heavens and new earth, there will be no physical temple, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" ([Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - No Temple in New Jerusalem")), signifying that God's presence, mediated through Christ, will be the ultimate and all-encompassing reality.

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.