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Ezekiel 48

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1“Now these are the names of the tribes: From the north end, beside the way of Hethlon to the entrance of Hamath, Hazar Enan at the border of Damascus, northward beside Hamath (and they shall have their sides east and west), Dan, one portion. 2“By the border of Dan, from the east side to the west side, Asher, one portion. 3“By the border of Asher, from the east side even to the west side, Naphtali, one portion. 4“By the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west side, Manasseh, one portion. 5“By the border of Manasseh, from the east side to the west side, Ephraim, one portion. 6“By the border of Ephraim, from the east side even to the west side, Reuben, one portion. 7“By the border of Reuben, from the east side to the west side, Judah, one portion. 8“By the border of Judah, from the east side to the west side, shall be the offering which you shall offer, twenty-five thousand reeds in width, and in length as one of the portions, from the east side to the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the middle of it. 9“The offering that you shall offer to Yahweh shall be twenty-five thousand reeds in length, and ten thousand in width. 10For these, even for the priests, shall be the holy offering: toward the north twenty-five thousand in length, and toward the west ten thousand in width, and toward the east ten thousand in width, and toward the south twenty-five thousand in length: and the sanctuary of Yahweh shall be in the middle of it. 11It shall be for the priests who are sanctified of the sons of Zadok, who have kept my instruction, who didn’t go astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. 12It shall be to them an offering from the offering of the land, a most holy thing, by the border of the Levites. 13“Answerable to the border of the priests, the Levites shall have twenty-five thousand in length, and ten thousand in width. All the length shall be twenty-five thousand, and the width ten thousand. 14They shall sell none of it, nor exchange it, nor shall the first fruits of the land be alienated; for it is holy to Yahweh. 15“The five thousand that are left in the width, in front of the twenty-five thousand, shall be for common use, for the city, for dwelling and for suburbs; and the city shall be in the middle of it. 16These shall be its measurements: the north side four thousand and five hundred, and the south side four thousand and five hundred, and on the east side four thousand and five hundred, and the west side four thousand and five hundred. 17The city shall have suburbs: toward the north two hundred fifty, and toward the south two hundred fifty, and toward the east two hundred fifty, and toward the west two hundred fifty. 18The remainder in the length, alongside the holy offering, shall be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward; and it shall be alongside the holy offering. Its increase shall be for food to those who labor in the city. 19Those who labor in the city, out of all the tribes of Israel, shall cultivate it. 20All the offering shall be a square of twenty-five thousand by twenty-five thousand. You shall offer it as a holy offering, with the possession of the city. 21“The remainder shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy offering and of the possession of the city; in front of the twenty-five thousand of the offering toward the east border, and westward in front of the twenty-five thousand toward the west border, alongside the portions, it shall be for the prince. The holy offering and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the middle of it. 22Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, being in the middle of that which is the prince’s, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the prince. 23“As for the rest of the tribes: from the east side to the west side, Benjamin, one portion. 24“By the border of Benjamin, from the east side to the west side, Simeon, one portion. 25“By the border of Simeon, from the east side to the west side, Issachar, one portion. 26“By the border of Issachar, from the east side to the west side, Zebulun, one portion. 27“By the border of Zebulun, from the east side to the west side, Gad, one portion. 28“By the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar to the waters of Meribath Kadesh, to the brook, to the great sea. 29“This is the land which you shall divide by lot to the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their several portions, says the Lord Yahweh. 30“These are the exits of the city: On the north side four thousand and five hundred reeds by measure; 31and the gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel, three gates northward: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one. 32“At the east side four thousand and five hundred reeds, and three gates: even the gate of Joseph, one; the gate of Benjamin, one; the gate of Dan, one. 33“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. 34“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. 35“It shall be eighteen thousand reeds around: and the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘Yahweh is there.’

World English Bible (public domain)

And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.

Ezekiel 48:35

Summary

Ezekiel 48 is the closing chapter of the Book of Ezekiel, focusing on the distribution of land among the twelve tribes of Israel in the restored homeland. This redistribution signals a renewed covenant and reestablishment of God's kingdom among His people. The chapter meticulously outlines the borders and allocations given to each tribe, emphasizing unity and divine order. Additionally, the chapter culminates in a description of the city gates, named after the twelve tribes, signifying their inclusion and identity in God's eternal kingdom. Key themes present in this chapter include the holiness of God as demonstrated through divine order and provision. The names given to both the gates and the divisions underscore the notion of identity and purpose that God bestowed on each tribe. The blessings of restoration and hope are keenly articulated in the depiction of this new beginning for Israel. This setting signifies God's faithfulness in restoring His people and the intimate relationship He desires to have with them. Theologically, Ezekiel 48 offers insight into God's meticulous and sovereign plan for His people, highlighting the importance of identity and belonging within His kingdom. It speaks to His unchanging promises and the ultimate restoration that believers anticipate. The chapter ends with the profound revelation of the city as 'The Lord Is There,' indicating God's tangible presence and the eschatological hope for an eternal dwelling with Him. This serves as a powerful reminder of the fulfillment of divine promises and the eternal trajectory of reconciliation and redemption in God's grand narrative.

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Chapter outline

How Ezekiel 48 unfolds

  1. Ezekiel 48:1–8 Distribution of Tribal Lands

    Ezekiel details the allotment of land among the tribes, starting from Dan and moving southward, establishing boundaries and emphasizing the significance of each tribe's portion.

  2. Ezekiel 48:9–14 The Holy Offering

    Instructions for a dedicated offering to Yahweh are laid out, highlighting its sacred nature and designating it specifically for the priests and Levites.

  3. Ezekiel 48:15–20 Common Land and City Structure

    The remaining land is designated for the city and its suburbs, providing a space for common use and cultivation by the tribes of Israel.

  4. Ezekiel 48:21–22 Provisions for the Prince

    The chapter outlines land set aside for the prince, demonstrating his role within the established divine order and proximity to the sanctuary.

  5. Ezekiel 48:23–29 Final Allotments to Remaining Tribes

    Ezekiel names the remaining tribes and their respective portions, further defining the geographical and communal landscape of the restored Israel.

  6. Ezekiel 48:30–35 City Gates and Divine Presence

    The chapter concludes with a description of the city gates named after the tribes and the proclamation of the city's name, emphasizing God's enduring presence.

Key verses

  • Ezekiel 48:35The key verse highlights the culmination of God's promise to dwell among His people, reinforcing the chapter's theme of divine presence.

Main themes in Ezekiel 48

restoration

The theme of restoration is prominent in verses 1-8 as the tribes receive their designated land, symbolizing a return to the covenantal promise. This restoration reflects God's faithfulness to His people after a period of exile and loss. The reestablishment of their territories serves as a physical manifestation of their renewed relationship with God.

divine order

Divine order is illustrated in the structured allocations of land in verses 1-29, emphasizing God's sovereignty over His people. The detailed measurements and placements of the tribes reinforce the idea of an organized society under God's rule. This order is essential for maintaining harmony in the community and reflects God's character as a God of order.

identity and belonging

Identity and belonging surface through the naming of the gates in verses 30-34, each gate representing a tribe of Israel. This naming signifies the tribes' integral roles within the community and their connection to God's promises. The inclusion of each tribe within the city structure underlines their collective identity in the renewed covenant with God.

God's presence

God's presence is encapsulated in the chapter's conclusion with the city named 'Yahweh is there' in verse 35. This name emphasizes the intimate relationship between God and His people, signifying His active involvement in their lives. The promise of God's presence serves as a cornerstone for hope and assurance in the restored Israel.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Ezekiel 48

Study questions

Questions for studying Ezekiel 48

  1. What are the specific names of the tribes mentioned in this chapter?
  2. How is the land allotted to the tribes of Israel significant?
  3. What does the term 'holy offering' refer to in this context?
  4. How does the description of the city contribute to the theme of divine order?
  5. What role does the prince play in the distribution of land?
  6. How does Ezekiel 48 reflect the concept of identity within the tribes?
  7. What is the significance of the city's name, 'Yahweh is there'?

Ezekiel 48: frequently asked questions

What is Ezekiel 48 about?+
Ezekiel 48 is the closing chapter of the Book of Ezekiel, focusing on the distribution of land among the twelve tribes of Israel in the restored homeland. This redistribution signals a renewed covenant and reestablishment of God's kingdom among His people. The chapter meticulously outlines the borders and allocations given to each tribe, emphasizing unity and divine order. Additionally, the chapter culminates in a description of the city gates, named after the twelve tribes, signifying their inclusion and identity in God's eternal kingdom. Key themes present in this chapter include the holiness of God as demonstrated through divine order and provision. The names given to both the gates and the divisions underscore the notion of identity and purpose that God bestowed on each tribe. The blessings of restoration and hope are keenly articulated in the depiction of this new beginning for Israel. This setting signifies God's faithfulness in restoring His people and the intimate relationship He desires to have with them. Theologically, Ezekiel 48 offers insight into God's meticulous and sovereign plan for His people, highlighting the importance of identity and belonging within His kingdom. It speaks to His unchanging promises and the ultimate restoration that believers anticipate. The chapter ends with the profound revelation of the city as 'The Lord Is There,' indicating God's tangible presence and the eschatological hope for an eternal dwelling with Him. This serves as a powerful reminder of the fulfillment of divine promises and the eternal trajectory of reconciliation and redemption in God's grand narrative.
What is the key verse in Ezekiel 48?+
Ezekiel 48:35: "“It shall be eighteen thousand reeds around: and the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘Yahweh is there.’"
What are the main themes of Ezekiel 48?+
The main themes of Ezekiel 48 are restoration, divine order, identity and belonging, God's presence.

Related chapters

Chapters that connect with Ezekiel 48

Study Notes