1 Now these [are] the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east [and] west; a [portion for] Dan.
2 And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Asher.
3 And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a [portion for] Naphtali.
4 And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Manasseh.
5 And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Ephraim.
6 And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even unto the west side, a [portion for] Reuben.
7 And by the border of Reuben, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Judah.
8 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.
9 The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD [shall be] of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth.
10 And for them, [even] for the priests, shall be [this] holy oblation; toward the north five and twenty thousand [in length], and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the LORD shall be in the midst thereof.
11 [It shall be] for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.
12 And [this] oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites.
13 And over against the border of the priests the Levites [shall have] five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length [shall be] five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand.
14 And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land: for [it is] holy unto the LORD.
15 And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane [place] for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs: and the city shall be in the midst thereof.
16 And these [shall be] the measures thereof; 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.
17 And the suburbs of the city shall be toward the north two hundred and fifty, and toward the south two hundred and fifty, and toward the east two hundred and fifty, and toward the west two hundred and fifty.
18 And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy [portion shall be] ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward: and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy [portion]; and the increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city.
19 And they that serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel.
20 All the oblation [shall be] five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand: ye shall offer the holy oblation foursquare, with the possession of the city.
21 And the residue [shall be] for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation, and of the possession of the city, over against the five and twenty thousand of the oblation toward the east border, and westward over against the five and twenty thousand toward the west border, over against the portions for the prince: and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house [shall be] in the midst thereof.
22 Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, [being] in the midst [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 unto the west side, Benjamin [shall have] a [portion].
24 And by the border of Benjamin, from the east side unto the west side, Simeon [shall have] a [portion].
25 And by the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side, Issachar a [portion].
26 And by the border of Issachar, from the east side unto the west side, Zebulun a [portion].
27 And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side unto the west side, Gad a [portion].
28 And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar [unto] the waters of strife [in] Kadesh, [and] to the river toward the great sea.
29 This [is] the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these [are] their portions, saith the Lord GOD.
30 And these [are] the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures.
31 And the gates of the city [shall be] after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.
32 And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan.
33 And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.
34 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.
35 [It was] round about eighteen thousand [measures]: and the name of the city from [that] day [shall be], The LORD [is] there.
Overview of Ezekiel Chapter 48
Ezekiel Chapter 48 concludes the Book of Ezekiel with a detailed description of the division of the land among the tribes of Israel, as well as the establishment of the city of Jerusalem. This chapter emphasizes the restoration of Israel and the significance of the land in the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Division of the Land
The chapter outlines the allocation of land to each of the twelve tribes of Israel, emphasizing their geographical positions and the importance of each tribe’s inheritance.
- Tribes Allocated Land:
- Dan
- Asher
- Naphtali
- Manasseh
- Ephraim
- Reuben
- Judah
- Benjamin
- Simeon
- Issachar
- Zebulun
- Gad
- Land Measurements:
The land is measured in specific dimensions, with each tribe receiving a designated area that reflects their historical significance and role within the nation.
Special Portions of the Land
In addition to the tribal allocations, special portions of land are designated for the priests, Levites, and the city of Jerusalem.
- Priestly Portion:
A section of land is reserved for the priests, highlighting their sacred role in the worship and service of God.
- Levites’ Portion:
Adjacent to the priests’ land, the Levites also receive a portion, emphasizing their service to the community and their role in the spiritual life of Israel.
- City of Jerusalem:
The city itself is a focal point, with specific boundaries and a central role in the worship of Yahweh.
Significance of the City
The chapter concludes with a description of the city of Jerusalem, emphasizing its importance as a spiritual center for the people of Israel.
- Name of the City: The city is named “The Lord is There,” signifying God’s enduring presence among His people.
- Restoration Theme: The chapter encapsulates the theme of restoration, demonstrating God’s commitment to His covenant and the future hope for Israel.
Theological Implications
This chapter of Ezekiel carries profound theological implications for understanding God’s relationship with Israel:
- Covenant Faithfulness: The detailed allocation of land reflects God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises.
- Community and Identity: The division of land reinforces the identity of the tribes and their communal responsibilities.
- Divine Presence: The emphasis on God’s presence in Jerusalem highlights the importance of worship and the centrality of God in the life of Israel.
- Hope for Restoration: The vision of a restored land serves as a hope for the exiled Israelites, assuring them of God’s future plans.
Conclusion
Ezekiel Chapter 48 serves as a powerful conclusion to the book, encapsulating the themes of restoration, divine presence, and covenant faithfulness. It provides a vision of hope for the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of their land and their relationship with God.
