Ezekiel 45:5 kjv
And the five and twenty thousand of length, and the ten thousand of breadth shall also the Levites, the ministers of the house, have for themselves, for a possession for twenty chambers.
Ezekiel 45:5 nkjv
An area twenty-five thousand cubits long and ten thousand wide shall belong to the Levites, the ministers of the temple; they shall have twenty chambers as a possession.
Ezekiel 45:5 niv
An area 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide will belong to the Levites, who serve in the temple, as their possession for towns to live in.
Ezekiel 45:5 esv
Another section, 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits broad, shall be for the Levites who minister at the temple, as their possession for cities to live in.
Ezekiel 45:5 nlt
The strip of sacred land next to it, also 8 1?3 miles long and 3 1?3 miles wide, will be a living area for the Levites who work at the Temple. It will be their possession and a place for their towns.
Ezekiel 45 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 45:5 | "And the partition for the priests shall be twenty-five thousand longs eastward, and ten thousand broad westward; and the inward parts thereof shall be toward Jerusalem." | Ezekiel 48:11 (Same provision for priests) |
| Numbers 18:26 | "Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithe." | Numbers 18:21 (Levites' tithes for inheritance) |
| Deuteronomy 18:1 | "The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel; they shall eat the offerings of the Lord, and his inheritance." | Deuteronomy 10:9 (No inheritance for Levites) |
| Joshua 14:4 | "For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: and they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance." | Joshua 18:7 (Levites' lack of allotted land) |
| Nehemiah 10:37 | "And to bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and of the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage." | Nehemiah 13:5 (Priestly chambers for offerings) |
| Malachi 3:10 | "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." | Malachi 3:8 (Robbing God in tithes and offerings) |
| Leviticus 27:3 | "And if thy estimation be of the male, from twenty years old even unto sixty years old, even then thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary." | Leviticus 23:43 (Setting apart for religious purpose) |
| Numbers 3:12 | "And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;" | Numbers 8:16 (Levites taken for God's service) |
| 1 Chronicles 23:2 | "And he gathered all the princes of Israel with the priests and the Levites." | 1 Chronicles 23:4 (Levites appointed to duties) |
| Matthew 10:10 | "Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat." | Luke 10:7 (Worker worthy of his wages) |
| 1 Corinthians 9:14 | "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." | 1 Corinthians 9:7 (Right to sustenance from ministry) |
| 2 Corinthians 9:6 | "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." | Galatians 6:6 (Sharing with those who teach) |
| John 3:27 | "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." | John 1:16 (From his fullness we have received grace) |
| Romans 11:22 | "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; on thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." | Romans 15:27 (Participating in their spiritual things) |
| Hebrews 7:11 | "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?" | Hebrews 7:4 (Melchisedec blessing Abraham) |
| Psalm 45:7 | "Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." | Psalm 2:2 (Kings anointed by God) |
| Isaiah 61:1 | "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised," | Luke 4:18 (Jesus quoting Isaiah 61:1) |
| John 17:21 | "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." | John 17:18 (Sent into the world) |
| Acts 4:32 | "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." | Acts 4:34 (Selling possessions and distribution) |
| Philippians 2:5 | "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" | Philippians 3:21 (Resemblance to Christ's glorious body) |
Ezekiel 45 verses
Ezekiel 45 5 Meaning
This verse describes a sacred offering of land for the priests. It specifies a portion of land, one twenty-fifth of the total, measured from the northern boundary of the territory of Judah. This designated area is set apart specifically for the priests who minister in the sanctuary. The intent is to provide a secure and perpetual provision for their service, ensuring they can focus on their duties without concern for land ownership or agricultural pursuits. It highlights a systematic distribution of sacred resources according to God’s ordinance.
Ezekiel 45 5 Context
Ezekiel 45 is part of a larger vision depicting a future temple and land allocation in Ezekiel’s prophecy. This vision follows God’s judgment on Israel and focuses on restoration, re-establishment of worship, and a divinely ordained social and religious order. Chapter 45 specifically outlines the measurements and assignments of sacred land. This includes land for the sanctuary itself, for the priests, the Levites, and for the city. This land allocation is crucial to understanding the renewed covenant relationship between God and His people, and how God's presence will be central to their existence in the restored land. Historically, this passage addresses the people of Israel during or after the Babylonian exile, offering a hopeful blueprint for their future return and rebuilding, distinct from previous arrangements due to sin and disobedience. The division of land ensures a dedicated resource base for those ministering in the holy place, reflecting God’s meticulous planning for His service.
Ezekiel 45 5 Word Analysis
- "And the partition": Refers to a division or share.
- Hebrew:
ugho(ve'qehlat) - "and the dividing" or "and the portioning." - Significance: Highlights the structured and ordered manner in which the land is to be distributed.
- Hebrew:
- "for the priests": Designated specifically for the priestly class.
- Hebrew:
lahakanan(laha'hanim) - "to the priests." - Significance: Reinforces the concept of a dedicated and separated group responsible for temple service.
- Hebrew:
- "shall be twenty thousand longs eastward": Specifies the measurement and direction.
- Hebrew:
esrim... elo-qama(esrim elef qamot) - "twenty thousand cubits" or "twenty thousand lengths." "El-qama" refers to a measurement of length, distinct from square units. - Significance: Gives a precise dimension to the priestly land. The specific quantity and direction are important for establishing the boundaries of sacred space.
- Hebrew:
- "and ten thousand broad westward": Continues the measurement.
- Hebrew:
asar-almah meha-wohr(asar eleq mehoza) - "ten thousand width." - Significance: Completes the dimensions of the allocated plot, emphasizing its defined size.
- Hebrew:
- "and the inward parts thereof": Refers to the interior or central section of this land.
- Hebrew:
uqud qorab ba(oqirbab) - "and its interior." - Significance: The core of this priestly land is aligned towards the holy city, Jerusalem.
- Hebrew:
- "shall be toward Jerusalem": The orientation of this land is specified to be facing or pointing towards Jerusalem.
- Hebrew:
liyerusalayim(luy'rusalayim) - "toward Jerusalem." - Significance: Symbolically links the priestly provision directly to the holy city, the center of God's dwelling and worship. It signifies a covenantal connection and spiritual focus.
- Hebrew:
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "twenty thousand longs eastward, and ten thousand broad westward": This phrase sets the physical parameters for the priestly inheritance. It is a rectangular parcel of a significant size, oriented from east to west, establishing a precise geographic location and proportion within the larger divinely allocated territory. This specificity demonstrates God’s orderliness in the restoration.
- "and the inward parts thereof shall be toward Jerusalem": This phrase adds a crucial directional element. The "inward parts" signifies the most sacred or primary aspect of this priestly territory, which is directed towards Jerusalem. This spiritual alignment signifies the focus of the priesthood's ministry: towards the presence of God in the temple, located within Jerusalem. It underscores that their earthly provision is intrinsically tied to their heavenly calling and service to God and His people, mediated through the holy city.
Ezekiel 45 5 Bonus Section
The specific measurements and directions found in Ezekiel 45 (and indeed throughout the latter chapters of Ezekiel) are part of a meticulous, divinely ordained blueprint for the future temple and land. These details highlight the contrast with the disordered state of Israel that led to exile, and emphasize a renewed covenant relationship characterized by divine order and holiness. The priestly portion here, in relation to the sanctuary and the city, underscores the functional and spiritual relationship between the ministers, the place of worship, and the people. This futuristic vision serves not only as a prophetic announcement of restoration but also as a theological statement on the nature of God's kingdom and the sanctity of His service. Some scholars suggest a symbolic meaning to these dimensions, reflecting a divine completeness or perfection in God’s plan, while others focus on their practical application for establishing a restored society. The principle of God’s provision for those who serve Him, established here, is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul emphasizes that those who labor in ministry should be supported by the church.
Ezekiel 45 5 Commentary
This verse details a significant portion of land allocated specifically for the use of the priests. The dimensions (20,000 cubits by 10,000 cubits) establish a substantial reserve for their sustenance and housing, ensuring they can serve the sanctuary without being burdened by the need to acquire or manage ordinary land for themselves. The phrase "the inward parts thereof shall be toward Jerusalem" signifies that the primary focus and orientation of this priestly territory is directed towards the holy city, symbolizing their calling and ministry centered on the presence of God in the temple. This ordered provision reflects God's commitment to His people and His plan for worship in the restored kingdom, emphasizing the importance of a dedicated and well-supported priesthood.