What is the main point of the land division described in this passage?

The main point of the land division is to show that God himself assigns each tribe and group its place. Every tribe receives a portion, and the shares run side by side from east to west, showing order and fairness. A central holy area is set apart for the sanctuary, the priests, Levites, the prince, and the city. This picture points to a renewed people where all belong, all are cared for, and worship and God’s presence are at the center of their common life.

Why does Dan receive the first portion in this vision of the land?

Dan had a troubled history, yet in this vision Dan is listed first in the new layout of the land. This is a quiet way of showing that God’s grace does not always follow human memory or rank. Even tribes that had failed are still counted and given a place. It reflects the way God can take those who seem last or least and still include them fully. No tribe is left out of the inheritance in this picture of restored order.

What is the holy oblation of land for the priests and Levites?

The holy oblation is a set section of land taken from the whole and given to God’s service. Within this area there is space for the sanctuary, land for the priests from the line of Zadok who stayed faithful, and land for the Levites. Their portion is called “most holy” and must not be sold or traded. This shows that what is given to support worship and God’s servants is set apart in a special way and is meant for lasting service, not for private gain.

Who is the prince in this passage and what land does he receive?

The prince is a leader who has land on both sides of the holy portion and the city. His share stretches along the holy area, between the other tribal portions. He is placed near the sanctuary and the city, not above them or instead of them. His role is to protect and provide, not to take over what belongs to God or the people. In this way he pictures righteous leadership that lives close to worship and serves the good of the whole community.

Why is the city area called “profane” compared with the sanctuary?

The city area is called “profane” not because it is dirty or wicked, but because it is common in contrast to the sanctuary, which is holy ground. The city is for daily life, houses, and fields. People from all the tribes serve there and its produce feeds those who work. This shows that everyday work and community life have their place alongside worship. The sanctuary is set apart for God’s special presence, but the city is still part of his ordered plan for his people.

What is the meaning of the city’s name, “The LORD is there”?

The new name of the city, “The LORD is there,” shows that the greatest gift of this restored land is God’s own presence. The careful measures, gates, and equal shares all lead up to this point. God is not far off but chooses to dwell among his people. The square shape and the gates named after the tribes picture a stable, open community gathered around him. The name promises that God will stay with his people and that their life together will be built around him.

How are the city gates related to the tribes of Israel in this vision?

The city has twelve gates, three on each side, and each gate bears the name of a tribe. This ties the whole people to the city and shows that all have access. No tribe is left without a gate, and the names ring the city on every side. It is a picture of unity and belonging, where the entire people of God are welcomed into the life of the city that carries God’s name and presence. It hints at a future people gathered as one around the Lord.

How does this passage speak about equality and unity among God’s people?

Each tribe’s strip of land runs from east to west and is of like size, which points to equal share in the inheritance. The priests and Levites are provided for, the prince has a fixed share, and the city is served by people from all the tribes. No one is cut off and no tribe is raised to crush the others. Worship stands in the middle, not any single tribe. This layout shows a people joined side by side, sharing God’s gifts and serving together under his presence.

How can this vision of land and city apply to believers today?

Although the vision speaks in terms of land and measures, it points to how God orders his people in every age. He gives each one a place, joins them together, and sets worship and his presence at the center. It reminds believers that they share one inheritance, that leaders should serve near God’s house, and that daily life in the “city” also matters to him. It calls people today to value unity, fair care for those who serve, and a church life centered on God’s presence.

Ezek.48.1

Ezekiel 48:1

KJV GOD

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, Hazar-enan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.

The Portions for the Tribes

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, Hazar-enan, 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.

The Portions for the Priests and Levites

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.

The Common Portion

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.

The Portion for the Prince

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.

The Portions for the Remaining Tribes

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.

The City Gates and Dimensions

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.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.