What is the “holy oblation” of land described in this passage?

The “holy oblation” is a special portion of land that God sets apart from the rest of the country. It is marked off with clear measurements in length and breadth and is not just ordinary farmland. The center of this holy area holds the sanctuary of the Lord, where worship and sacrifices take place. Part of this land is given to the priests and part to the Levites. It is called “most holy” because it is devoted to God’s service and must not be sold, traded, or turned to any other use.

Who are the sons of Zadok and why do they receive a special portion?

The sons of Zadok are a group of priests who stayed faithful when many in Israel turned away from God. The passage says they “kept my charge” and did not go astray like others did. Because of this faithfulness, they are given the innermost part of the holy land around the sanctuary. Their portion shows that God notices steady obedience, even in hard times. He honours those who hold to his ways when many fall away, and he gives them a nearness to his presence as a kind of reward.

Why must the priests and Levites not sell or exchange their land?

Their land is described as “most holy” and “holy unto the Lord,” which means it belongs to God first. Because it is set apart for his worship and for their service, it cannot be treated like regular property that can be sold, traded, or passed away to others. Keeping it in their hands protects the worship life of the community and makes sure those who serve God have a stable place to live and work. It also teaches that what is devoted to God should not be used for common gain or casual purposes.

Why is the city area called a “profane place” in contrast to the holy portion?

“Profane” here does not mean wicked, but common rather than holy. The land for the city and its suburbs is for ordinary living, houses, and daily life, not for direct worship like the sanctuary area. By calling it profane beside the holy portion, the passage makes a clear line between worship space and common space. Both are needed. The holy area is focused on God’s worship, while the city area is for the whole community’s normal activities, where people still ought to live in a way that honours God.

What is the meaning of the repeated measurements and the foursquare shape?

The passage gives exact measurements for the priests’ land, the Levites’ land, and the city, ending with a total that is foursquare. This careful layout shows order and balance in how God arranges his people’s life. The square shape suggests completeness and steadiness, not something thrown together at random. By setting everything in measured lines with the sanctuary in the middle, God shows that worship, work, and daily life all have their proper place under his rule and care.

Who are “they that serve the city,” and how are they provided for?

“They that serve the city” are the people who work for the good of the city, likely including civil leaders and other public servants. The passage says that the increase, or produce, of the land around the holy portion is for food for them. God makes sure those who give themselves to the service of the community are not forgotten. Their support comes from land set opposite the holy portion, and they are drawn from all the tribes of Israel, so the whole nation shares in their care and in the work they do.

How are all the tribes of Israel involved in serving the city in this passage?

The text says that those who serve the city will come “out of all the tribes of Israel.” That means no single tribe owns the work of caring for the city. Instead, service is shared across the whole people. This picture shows unity and shared responsibility. Everyone has a stake in the well-being of the city at the center and in supporting those who serve there. It reflects the idea that God’s people, though divided into tribes, are meant to work together for the good of the whole community.

What does this passage teach about God’s care for priests and other servants?

This passage shows that God does not leave his servants to fend for themselves. Priests, especially the faithful sons of Zadok, receive a central, holy portion near the sanctuary. The Levites receive their own strip of land beside it. Those who serve the city are given food from the increase of nearby land. All of this is carefully measured and protected from sale or loss. It teaches that God values those who serve in worship and public life and that his people should also ensure they are properly supported.

How can this detailed land division speak to believers today?

Although the passage describes a specific layout for Israel, the pattern still speaks today. It shows that God wants his presence and worship at the center of his people’s life, pictured by the sanctuary in the midst. It reminds believers that faithfulness in service matters and that God sees and honours it. It also highlights shared responsibility: different groups have different roles, yet all are connected. For believers now, this encourages ordered lives with God at the center and a commitment to support those who serve.

Ezek.48.10

Ezekiel 48:10

KJV GOD

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.

The Portions for the Priests and Levites

¶ 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.

The oblation that ye shall offer unto the Lord shall be of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth.

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.

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.

And this oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites.

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.

And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land: for it is holy unto the Lord.

¶ 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.

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.

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.

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.

And they that serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel.

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.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.