Keraia
Ezekiel 48

Ezekiel 48:8

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

Translations

Modern
Bordering the territory of Judah, from east to west, will be the portion you are to set apart. It will be 25,000 cubits wide, and the length of a tribal portion from east to west. In the center will be the sanctuary.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And along the border of Judah, from the side of the east to the side of the west, will be the portion that you will lift up—five and twenty thousand in width, and in length as one of the portions, from the side of the east to the side of the west, with the sanctuary in the middle of it.
Latin
Et super terminum Juda, a plaga orientali usque ad plagam maris, erunt primitiæ quas separabitis, viginti quinque millibus latitudinis et longitudinis, sicuti singulæ partes a plaga orientali usque ad plagam maris: et erit sanctuarium in medio ejus.

Original

Hebrew
English
Bordering the territory of Judah, from east to west, will be the portion you are to set apart. It will be 25,000 cubits wide, and the length of a tribal portion from east to west. In the center will be the sanctuary.

Notes

Ezekiel 48:1–8

The land given to the tribes was divided into long strips that ran from east to west. Before the exile, the land had been divided in smaller and uneven sections. This new arrangement was orderly and balanced.

This plan did more than give each tribe equal access to land and resources. It also matched the sacred east–west pattern seen in the temple. In the temple, the layout followed a clear east–west direction. The land was now arranged in a similar way.

The central sacred area was carefully measured and clearly defined. The outer areas were described with less detail (see study note on Ezekiel 40:17–19).

The four tribes farthest from the holy area were Dan, Asher, Naphtali, and Gad. These tribes were in the least honored position. They were descended from the sons of Jacob by Zilpah and Bilhah, the servant women of Leah and Rachel.

The eight sons born to Leah and Rachel received land closer to the holy portion. Their strips lay directly north and south of the sacred area that included the temple.

The tribes closest to the holy portion were Benjamin and Judah. In earlier history, these tribes surrounded Jerusalem. Judah’s land was placed just north of the holy portion. In the past, the kingdom had been divided into north (Israel) and south (Judah). In this new arrangement, Judah was placed in the north, showing a restored and reordered people.

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

Measurements

  • 25,000 cubits wide: About 8.3 mi (13.3 km)

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Glossary

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

Topics

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