Ezekiel 45:4 kjv
The holy portion of the land shall be for the priests the ministers of the sanctuary, which shall come near to minister unto the LORD: and it shall be a place for their houses, and an holy place for the sanctuary.
Ezekiel 45:4 nkjv
It shall be a holy section of the land, belonging to the priests, the ministers of the sanctuary, who come near to minister to the LORD; it shall be a place for their houses and a holy place for the sanctuary.
Ezekiel 45:4 niv
It will be the sacred portion of the land for the priests, who minister in the sanctuary and who draw near to minister before the LORD. It will be a place for their houses as well as a holy place for the sanctuary.
Ezekiel 45:4 esv
It shall be the holy portion of the land. It shall be for the priests, who minister in the sanctuary and approach the LORD to minister to him, and it shall be a place for their houses and a holy place for the sanctuary.
Ezekiel 45:4 nlt
This area will be holy, set aside for the priests who minister to the LORD in the sanctuary. They will use it for their homes, and my Temple will be located within it.
Ezekiel 45 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 45:1 | "When you divide the land as an inheritance... holy portion..." | Future land division |
| Ezekiel 45:3 | "From this measured area, you are to allocate a portion twenty-five thousand by ten thousand..." | Specifies dimensions for sanctuary |
| Ezekiel 45:4 | "This is to be a holy portion of the land for the priests, for their service..." | Purpose of the allocated land |
| Ezekiel 48:10 | "The priests shall have the holy portion... twenty-five thousand lengths and ten thousand widths..." | Repeats dimensions for priests |
| Ezekiel 48:11 | "This holy portion shall be for the priests of the sanctuary, the consecrated Levites who minister to the LORD..." | Identifies recipients of land |
| Numbers 18:8-9 | "The LORD is your portion and your inheritance... your allotted share..." | Priestly provision |
| Deuteronomy 18:1-2 | "The Levitical priests... shall have no inheritance among the other tribes... the LORD is their inheritance..." | Levites' inheritance |
| Joshua 14:4 | "For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim... they were given their inheritance." | Contrasts tribal inheritance |
| 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 | "Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat what is prepared in the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the altar's benefits?" | Support for temple workers |
| Revelation 21:22 | "I did not see a temple in the city, because its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb." | New Jerusalem's sanctuary |
| Leviticus 27:14-16 | "When a man dedicates his house as a holy thing... its value shall be determined by the priest..." | Valuation of holy things |
| 1 Kings 8:6 | "And the priests carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD..." | Priestly duties in Temple |
| Isaiah 60:10 | "Foreigners shall build your walls, and their kings shall minister to you..." | Service to God's people |
| Malachi 3:3 | "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver..." | Purification of Levites |
| Haggai 2:19 | "Even if seed is not in the storehouse, . . . from this day on I will bless you." | God's blessing on His provision |
| Zechariah 3:7 | "Then Joshua the high priest will rule over my house and have charge of my courts..." | Joshua's role in restoration |
| John 4:23-24 | "True worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth... God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." | Nature of true worship |
| Acts 6:2-4 | "The Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, 'It is not right for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.'" | Service to the church |
| Psalm 132:13-16 | "For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation... I will clothe her priests with salvation..." | God's choice and provision |
| Isaiah 2:2-4 | "In the last days... all nations shall flow to it... They shall beat their swords into plowshares..." | Future glory of God's house |
Ezekiel 45 verses
Ezekiel 45 4 Meaning
This verse specifies the dimensions of a sacred portion of land, designated for a holy contribution, which is to be set apart for the priests who serve in the sanctuary. This reserved area is a central aspect of the future temple and its worship.
Ezekiel 45 4 Context
This verse is part of Ezekiel's extensive vision of a restored Jerusalem and a new temple, detailed in chapters 40-48. Following the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel was commissioned to deliver messages of both judgment and hope to the Jewish people. Chapters 40-42 describe the dimensions and design of the future temple complex. Chapters 43-46 then outline the procedures for worship and offerings in this new sanctuary, emphasizing God's presence and holiness. Chapter 45 specifically focuses on the division of the land for various purposes, including this portion for the priests. The historical context is crucial, as it reflects the deep longing for a renewed worship system and a return of God's glory following the destruction of the first Temple and the loss of the Promised Land. The message provided a vision for continuity and a divinely ordained order for the future.
Ezekiel 45 4 Word Analysis
- və-’im’aq dū-ṯê (wa-’immaqqedōṯey): And you shall apportion/devote
- ‘immaqqedōṯey: From the root qedesh (kōdesh), meaning "holy," "sacred," "consecrated."
- məde qōḏeṣ (mēdeh qōdesh): A measure of holiness/holy portion
- mēdeh (mǝḏeh): From madad (māḏaḏ), meaning "measure," "measurement."
- qōḏeṣ (qōḏeṣ): Holiness, sacredness. The concept emphasizes the set-apart nature of this land for a holy purpose.
- lā·ḵe (lāḵem): To you / for you
- Plural pronoun, addressing the people or the leaders responsible for the land division.
- kō·mā (kōmā): Length/height
- Root meaning is about standing, existing upright, often referring to height.
- maš′ḵaṯ (maschäqat): Length/stretch/dimension
- Related to extending, stretching out. Used for length here in conjunction with koma.
- šəḵā–lem (shekel qōdesh): Sacred shekel
- šəḵāl (shekel): A unit of weight and currency, symbolizing value and transaction.
- qōḏeṣ (qōḏeṣ): Sacred. Implies a specific value or standard of measure for sacred purposes.
- miḇdāl (mibḏāl): A transition/border/boundary
- Suggests a dividing line or a boundary separating this portion.
Group Analysis:
- "a holy portion": Emphasizes that this land is not common but set apart for God's service, a concept foundational in Leviticus and the Mosaic Law.
- "for the priests, for their service": Clearly defines the beneficiaries and the intended use, highlighting the vocational aspect of the priesthood and their need for sustenance.
Ezekiel 45 4 Bonus Section
The concept of a "holy portion" of land for the priests is a significant re-emphasis of the Old Covenant system in a renewed, eschatological context. While the New Testament describes spiritual priesthoods (1 Peter 2:5, 9), the prophecy in Ezekiel points to a literal, earthly order in a restored kingdom. This detailed land division signifies the permanence and divinely ordained structure of worship and service that God intends to establish. It’s important to note the specific measures (25,000 by 10,000 cubits) – these large numbers represent not just size but the completeness and ample provision God makes for His ministers. The reference to the "holy shekel" suggests that even matters of measurement and valuation for sacred purposes would be subject to divine standards, reinforcing the sacredness of the entire enterprise. This detailed zoning of the holy land demonstrates God's meticulous care for the infrastructure of worship and the well-being of His dedicated servants.
Ezekiel 45 4 Commentary
Ezekiel 45:4 establishes a divine provision for the functioning priesthood within the future sanctuary. This sacred territory is a tangible representation of God's commitment to support those who minister to Him. The specified dimensions underscore the importance and magnitude of this dedicated land. It's not just a token offering but a substantial estate, ensuring adequate sustenance and dwelling for the priests, thereby enabling them to fully focus on their sacred duties without undue concern for material needs. This practice echoes earlier provisions for Levites in the Mosaic Law, reinforcing continuity in God's principles for supporting His service, albeit with the unique grandeur of Ezekiel's visionary temple. It signifies that ministry requires provision, and God ordains that provision.