Ezekiel 48
Ezekiel 48 is the final chapter of the book of Ezekiel, and it details the distribution of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel in the future. It provides a vision of the restored land, complete with specific tribal allotments, sections for the sanctuary, the city, and the priests. This chapter signifies the fulfillment of God’s promise to restore His people and establish them in their land, highlighting themes of holiness, order, and unity.
Ezekiel 48:1-7 (NKJV)
1 Now these are the names of the tribes: from the northern border along the road to Hethlon at the entrance of Hamath to Hazar Enan, the border of Damascus northward in the direction of Hamath, there shall be one section for Dan from its east to its west side.
2 By the border of Dan, from the east side to the west, one section for Asher;
3 by the border of Asher, from the east side to the west, one section for Naphtali;
4 by the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west, one section for Manasseh;
5 by the border of Manasseh, from the east side to the west, one section for Ephraim;
6 by the border of Ephraim, from the east side to the west, one section for Reuben;
7 by the border of Reuben, from the east side to the west, one section for Judah.
The distribution of land begins with seven tribes, each receiving a portion from east to west. This orderly allotment emphasizes equality and divine order. The tribes, starting with Dan and moving southward, reflect a new arrangement different from past distributions, symbolizing a fresh start in the promised land. The placement along straight east-west lines suggests a unified and harmonious community under God’s rule.
Ezekiel 48:8-14 (NKJV)
8 By the border of Judah, from the east side to the west, shall be the district which you shall set apart, twenty-five thousand cubits in width, and in length the same as one of the other portions, from the east side to the west, with the sanctuary in the center.
9 The district that you shall set apart for the Lord shall be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width.
10 To these—to the priests—the holy district shall belong; on the north twenty-five thousand cubits in length, on the west ten thousand in width, on the east ten thousand in width, and on the south twenty-five thousand in length. The sanctuary of the Lord shall be in the center.
11 It shall be for the priests of the sons of Zadok, who are sanctified, who have kept My charge, who did not go astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.
12 And this district of land that is set apart shall be to them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites.
13 Opposite the border of the priests, the Levites shall have an area twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width; its entire length shall be twenty-five thousand and its width ten thousand.
14 And they shall not sell or exchange any of it; they may not alienate this best part of the land, for it is holy to the Lord.
In the heart of the land, a sacred district is designated for the priests and Levites, with the sanctuary at its center. This area represents the dwelling place of God among His people, reinforcing His presence and holiness. The land is exclusively for the priests who remained faithful, signifying the value of loyalty to God’s commands. Its unchangeable status underscores the holiness and permanence of this divine inheritance.
Ezekiel 48:15-20 (NKJV)
15 The five thousand cubits in width that remain, along the edge of the twenty-five thousand, shall be for common use by the city, for dwellings and common-land; and the city shall be in the center.
16 These shall be its measurements: the north side four thousand five hundred cubits, the south side four thousand five hundred, the east side four thousand five hundred, and the west side four thousand five hundred.
17 The common-land of the city shall be: to the north two hundred and fifty cubits, to the south two hundred and fifty, to the east two hundred and fifty, and to the west two hundred and fifty.
18 The rest of the length, alongside the district of the holy section, shall be ten thousand cubits to the east and ten thousand to the west; it shall be adjacent to the district of the holy section, and its produce shall be food for the workers of the city.
19 The workers of the city, from all the tribes of Israel, shall cultivate it.
20 The entire district shall be twenty-five thousand cubits by twenty-five thousand cubits, foursquare. You shall set apart the holy district with the property of the city.
Adjacent to the holy district, a city area is established for communal use, with equal dimensions on all sides, symbolizing unity. This space provides for the practical needs of the city, such as food and residence, and is maintained by workers from all tribes. It reflects the inclusive and communal life envisioned in God’s restored kingdom, where all share in the responsibility and benefits.
Ezekiel 48:21-29 (NKJV)
21 The rest shall belong to the prince, on one side and on the other of the holy district and of the city’s property, next to the twenty-five thousand cubits of the holy district as far as the eastern border and westward next to the twenty-five thousand as far as the western border, adjacent to the tribal portions; it shall belong to the prince. It shall be the holy district, and the sanctuary of the temple shall be in the center.
22 Moreover, apart from the possession of the Levites and the possession of the city, which are in the midst of what belongs to the prince, the area between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin shall belong to the prince.
23 As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side to the west, Benjamin shall have one section;
24 by the border of Benjamin, from the east side to the west, Simeon shall have one section;
25 by the border of Simeon, from the east side to the west, Issachar shall have one section;
26 by the border of Issachar, from the east side to the west, Zebulun shall have one section;
27 by the border of Zebulun, from the east side to the west, Gad shall have one section;
28 by the border of Gad, on the south side, toward the South, the border shall be from Tamar to the waters of Meribah by Kadesh, along the brook to the Great Sea.
29 This is the land which you shall divide by lot as an inheritance among the tribes of Israel, and these are their portions,” says the Lord God.
The land surrounding the holy district and city is allocated to the prince, symbolizing authority under God’s rule. This area balances spiritual and governance needs, with the sanctuary symbolically uniting both domains. The remaining tribes, starting with Benjamin, receive sections stretching east to west. This orderly division completes the vision of a united Israel, restored in holiness and unity according to God’s promise.
Ezekiel 48:30-35 (NKJV)
30 “These are the exits of the city. On the north side, measuring four thousand five hundred cubits
31 (the gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel), the three gates northward: one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, and one gate for Levi;
32 on the east side, four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates: one gate for Joseph, one gate for Benjamin, and one gate for Dan;
33 on the south side, measuring four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates: one gate for Simeon, one gate for Issachar, and one gate for Zebulun;
34 on the west side, four thousand five hundred cubits with their three gates: one gate for Gad, one gate for Asher, and one gate for Naphtali.
35 All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.”
The city gates are named after the twelve tribes, symbolizing their unity and inclusion in God’s kingdom. Each side of the city has three gates, representing equal access for all tribes. The name of the city, “The Lord is There,” captures the essence of God’s presence with His people. This final vision reflects the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise: a restored community dwelling in peace and unity with their God eternally present among them.