Translations
Original
Notes
The gates that faced east were assigned to the children of Rachel. These tribes were Joseph and Benjamin. Dan was also included, since he was born through Rachel’s maidservant.
The gates on the south side were assigned to Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun. These were sons of Leah. Their lands would lie south of the holy square.
The gates on the west side were assigned to Gad, Asher, and Naphtali. These tribes descended from the maidservants Bilhah and Zilpah. The west side was considered less favored in this arrangement.
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.
Israel’s Geography as Theology Temple Legislation as Theology The New Community
Events
- Prophecies of Ezekielc. 593 BC
People
Benjamin: Youngest son of Jacob and Rachel Joseph: Son of Jacob, ruler in Egypt
Places
Dan: Israelite tribe; city in northern Israel; originally called Laish/Leshem
Glossary
Book of Revelation Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Judaism New Jerusalem Sadducees Son of Man Temple Theocracy Tribe of Dan