Keraia
Ezekiel 48

Ezekiel 48:10

The Portions for the Priests and Levites · Ezekiel 48:8–14
Read Ezekiel 48

Translations

Modern
This will be the holy portion for the priests. It will be 25,000 cubits long on the north side, 10,000 cubits wide on the west side, 10,000 cubits wide on the east side, and 25,000 cubits long on the south side. In the center will be the sanctuary of the LORD.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And to these will be the holy portion for the priests: To the north five and twenty thousand, and to the west ten thousand in width, and to the east ten thousand in width, and to the south five and twenty thousand in length; and the sanctuary of YHWH will be in the middle of it
Latin
Hæ autem erunt primitiæ sanctuarii sacerdotum, ad aquilonem longitudinis viginti quinque millia, et ad mare latitudinis decem millia, sed et ad orientem latitudinis decem millia, et ad meridiem longitudinis viginti quinque millia: et erit sanctuarium Domini in medio ejus.

Original

Hebrew
English
This will be the holy portion for the priests. It will be 25,000 cubits long on the north side, 10,000 cubits wide on the west side, 10,000 cubits wide on the east side, and 25,000 cubits long on the south side. In the center will be the sanctuary of the LORD.

Notes

Ezekiel 48:9–14

  • The holy portion was not exactly in the center of the land. There were seven tribal strips to the north and five to the south. Although not centrally located, the spiritual center had moved significantly north from Jerusalem.

  • The importance of the holy portion for the Lord's temple is emphasized by its detailed dimensions and composition, unlike the brief descriptions of the tribal areas.

    This special portion was dedicated to God and could never be sold, traded, or used by others. It consisted of strips running from east to west, given to the Levites, the priests, and the city. The area for the ordained priests surrounded the temple, protecting it from anything unholy. An area for the Levites was to the north.

Ezekiel 47:13–48:35

The final section of the book of Ezekiel describes the boundaries of the land and how it will be divided among the tribes.

In this section, theology (teaching about God) is shown through geography (the arrangement of the land). The way the land is organized has meaning. Matters such as space, access, and position in relation to the temple are very important.

Where a tribe lives, and how close it is to the temple, shows something about order and holiness among God’s people.

Events

Glossary

Book of Revelation Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Inheritance Judaism New Jerusalem Sadducees Son of Man Temple Theocracy Tribe of Dan

Topics

Land: Priests' Part In Priest: Benefits of Portion of Land Allotted To, in Redistribution in Ezekiel's Vision Priest: Benefits of Provided with Cities and Suburbs