Ezekiel 45 1

Ezekiel 45:1 kjv

Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, ye shall offer an oblation unto the LORD, an holy portion of the land: the length shall be the length of five and twenty thousand reeds, and the breadth shall be ten thousand. This shall be holy in all the borders thereof round about.

Ezekiel 45:1 nkjv

"Moreover, when you divide the land by lot into inheritance, you shall set apart a district for the LORD, a holy section of the land; its length shall be twenty-five thousand cubits, and the width ten thousand. It shall be holy throughout its territory all around.

Ezekiel 45:1 niv

"?'When you allot the land as an inheritance, you are to present to the LORD a portion of the land as a sacred district, 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide; the entire area will be holy.

Ezekiel 45:1 esv

"When you allot the land as an inheritance, you shall set apart for the LORD a portion of the land as a holy district, 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits broad. It shall be holy throughout its whole extent.

Ezekiel 45:1 nlt

"When you divide the land among the tribes of Israel, you must set aside a section for the LORD as his holy portion. This piece of land will be 8 1?3 miles long and 6 2?3 miles wide. The entire area will be holy.

Ezekiel 45 verses

Ezekiel 45 1 meaning

Ezekiel 45:1 outlines the divine instruction for the division of the promised land in the eschatological vision. It mandates that when the land is distributed among the twelve tribes as an inheritance, a special, immense portion must first be set apart and dedicated exclusively to the Lord. This designated area, precisely measured, is to be inherently and completely holy, serving as the central sacred precinct within the restored land, emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty and His dwelling place among His people.

Ezekiel 45 1 Context

Ezekiel 45:1 initiates a detailed architectural and administrative vision presented to Ezekiel in chapters 40-48. Following the meticulous descriptions of the new temple (Ezekiel 40-44), this chapter shifts focus to the sacred apportionment of the land surrounding the temple. It establishes the central role of God in the reordering of post-exilic Israel. The "holy oblation" (terumah), which this verse introduces, is paramount. This land allocation for God and sacred purposes is presented as a fundamental step before any land is distributed to the prince or the people, thereby prioritizing divine ownership and sanctuary in the restored community. The historical context is the Babylonian exile, offering a message of hope for a future, ideal Israel where God's presence and laws would be perfectly upheld, a stark contrast to the reasons for their exile (idolatry, corruption, injustice).

Ezekiel 45 1 Word analysis

• When you allot (וּבְהַפִּֽלְכֶ֜ם֙):
  • Hebrew: ūvehafīlchem (from נָפַל, naphal, Hiphil perfect 2ms)
  • Meaning: Literally "when you cause to fall" or "when you cast lots."
  • Significance: Indicates a process of divinely ordained apportionment, often involving lots (like in Josh 14), emphasizing God's control over the distribution rather than human design.
• the land (אֶת־הָאָ֗רֶץ):
  • Hebrew: et-ha'āretz
  • Meaning: The physical territory of Israel.
  • Significance: Refers to the restored and purified land promised for the future, not merely the historical geographical entity.
• as an inheritance (בְּנַחֲלָה֙):
  • Hebrew: b'nachalah (from נַחֲלָה, nachalah)
  • Meaning: A possession, an estate, a hereditary portion.
  • Significance: Highlights the permanent and legally secured nature of the land distribution among the tribes. The act of giving is divine.
• you are to present (תָּרִ֙ימוּ֙):
  • Hebrew: tarīmū (from רוּם, rum, Hiphil imperative/jussive)
  • Meaning: "You shall lift up," "set apart," or "make an offering."
  • Significance: The action implies setting something aside as sacred, usually for God, known as a terumah (heave offering), highlighting active human participation in honoring God.
• to the Lord (לַיהוָ֔ה):
  • Hebrew: la-YHWH
  • Meaning: "To Yahweh," the covenant name of God.
  • Significance: Explicitly designates the recipient and purpose of the sacred land: it belongs entirely to the sovereign God of Israel.
• a sacred district of land (תְּרוּמָ֣ה לַיהוָ֗ה אֶת־קֹדֶשׁ֙):
  • Hebrew: terūmāh la-YHWH et-qodesh
  • Meaning: A consecrated contribution to the Lord, a holy portion.
  • Significance: This terumah is not just a general offering but a substantial physical segment of the land, specifically demarcated as holy (qodesh). This distinguishes it from other portions of the land.
• 25,000 cubits long (אֹ֗רֶךְ חֲמִשָּׁ֤ה וְעֶשְׂרִים֙ אֶ֔לֶף):
  • Hebrew: orek chamishah ve'esrim elef
  • Meaning: Length of twenty-five thousand.
  • Significance: These are specific, massive dimensions. While stated as "cubits" in some translations, many scholars interpret this unit as "reeds" (each reed being 6 long cubits), consistent with measurements later in Ezekiel 40-48. This underscores the vastness and importance of the dedicated area.
• and 10,000 cubits wide (וְרֹ֣חַב עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת אֲלָפִֽים):
  • Hebrew: verocha tenet alafim
  • Meaning: And width of ten thousand.
  • Significance: Complementing the length, establishing a very large rectangular area dedicated to God. The precise figures denote divine design and order.
• This will be holy (קֹ֖דֶשׁ):
  • Hebrew: qodesh
  • Meaning: Holy, sacred, set apart for God.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the intrinsic and unchangeable character of this land as consecrated and separated from profane use. It is dedicated to divine service.
• throughout its entire extent (כָּל־גְּבוּלָֽהּ):
  • Hebrew: kol gvulāh
  • Meaning: All its boundary/territory.
  • Significance: Reiterates that the holiness applies to every part and perimeter of this specific portion of land, without exception or compromise.

Words-group analysis:

• "When you allot the land as an inheritance": This phrase highlights a transition from the chaotic state of exile to a new, ordered distribution of the land. The phrase implies a definitive and final apportionment, under divine authority, ensuring the tribes will re-possess their heritage in a reformed state.
• "you are to present to the Lord a sacred district of land": This signifies the immediate priority and claim of God. Before any tribal distribution, a substantial portion must be "lifted up" or "offered" to Yahweh. It emphasizes God's primary place and right within the restored community and territory, reversing any previous negligence in consecrating land and resources to Him.
• "25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. This will be holy throughout its entire extent.": These dimensions, regardless of whether 'cubits' refers to the standard cubit or the larger measuring reed, represent an enormous parcel of land. Its size alone proclaims the magnificent centrality of God's dwelling and His profound holiness. The declaration that it "will be holy throughout its entire extent" underscores a total, pervasive, and inviolable sanctity, implying separation from all that is common or defiling.

Ezekiel 45 1 Bonus section

The unit of "25,000" by "10,000" in Ezekiel's vision is a subject of scholarly discussion. While some English translations render "cubits," many interpreters believe that the original Hebrew term in this context (and subsequent similar mentions like in Eze 45:3 and 48:8-9 where "measures" are used) refers to the "measuring reed" introduced in Ezekiel 40:5. This reed is explicitly defined as six long cubits. If these dimensions are interpreted as reeds (approx. 3.12 meters each), the sacred district would be approximately 78 kilometers (48 miles) long and 31 kilometers (19 miles) wide – a truly immense, geographically distinct, and almost impossible parcel for ancient Israel, suggesting a highly symbolic, idealistic dimension to the vision. This emphasis on immense scale conveys the absolute centrality and unparalleled holiness of God's future dwelling place, rather than providing literal coordinates for an immediate post-exilic resettlement. It establishes God's portion as not just significant, but grand beyond earthly proportion, indicative of a new, ideal order.

Ezekiel 45 1 Commentary

Ezekiel 45:1 lays the foundational principle for the divinely ordered land distribution in the prophet's future temple vision. It immediately asserts God's ultimate claim to the land, preceding any human allocation. The "sacred district" (terumah) is not just a tax or a small portion, but a massive, prime area explicitly separated for God's purposes – His sanctuary and its personnel. This establishes a physical, spiritual, and administrative center for the ideal restored community. The precise measurements convey an intentional, structured, and divine plan for a new order of worship and communal life, rectifying the past failures of Israel in properly consecrating their land and resources to God. It foreshadows a kingdom where God's holiness is supremely manifest and where He truly dwells at the heart of His people, embodying an ideal relationship between Creator and creation, and a blueprint for a future governed by divine standards. This setting apart signifies absolute priority and purity, setting the stage for subsequent descriptions of the temple, the priests, and the prince.