Ezekiel 45 7

Ezekiel 45:7 kjv

And a portion shall be for the prince on the one side and on the other side of the oblation of the holy portion, and of the possession of the city, before the oblation of the holy portion, and before the possession of the city, from the west side westward, and from the east side eastward: and the length shall be over against one of the portions, from the west border unto the east border.

Ezekiel 45:7 nkjv

"The prince shall have a section on one side and the other of the holy district and the city's property; and bordering on the holy district and the city's property, extending westward on the west side and eastward on the east side, the length shall be side by side with one of the tribal portions, from the west border to the east border.

Ezekiel 45:7 niv

"?'The prince will have the land bordering each side of the area formed by the sacred district and the property of the city. It will extend westward from the west side and eastward from the east side, running lengthwise from the western to the eastern border parallel to one of the tribal portions.

Ezekiel 45:7 esv

"And to the prince shall belong the land on both sides of the holy district and the property of the city, alongside the holy district and the property of the city, on the west and on the east, corresponding in length to one of the tribal portions, and extending from the western to the eastern boundary

Ezekiel 45:7 nlt

"Two special sections of land will be set apart for the prince. One section will share a border with the east side of the sacred lands and city, and the second section will share a border on the west side. Then the far eastern and western borders of the prince's lands will line up with the eastern and western boundaries of the tribal areas.

Ezekiel 45 verses

Ezekiel 45 7 meaning

This verse details the specific land allocation for the Prince within the restored Israel, establishing his territorial boundaries and its relationship to the sacred precincts. The Prince is given extensive land to the north and south of the holy portion (containing the sanctuary) and the city's possession, stretching from the western to the eastern borders of the land. This meticulous distribution ensures a precisely ordered and central role for the Prince, distinct yet in close proximity to the holy functions and urban life, mirroring the division of land to other tribes but with a unique and strategic placement for the Prince.

Ezekiel 45 7 Context

Ezekiel 45 is part of a lengthy vision (chapters 40-48) detailing the restoration of Israel, culminating in a meticulously ordered temple, land division, and governance. This vision was given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, offering hope for a future, ideal Israel under divine arrangement, in contrast to the past failures that led to their captivity. Chapter 45 specifically describes the sacred portion (terumah qodesh) for the sanctuary, the priests, and the Levites, as well as the portion for the city. Verse 7 places the Prince's land on either side of these central holy areas. Historically, Israelite kings often encroached on land or misused power, making this precisely defined allocation significant as a divine standard to prevent such abuses in the restored future.

Ezekiel 45 7 Word analysis

• And from this portion: The allocation to the Prince comes from a larger, already designated area of the sacred territory, emphasizing that his claim is also part of God's sovereign provision.
• he shall give: The agent of distribution is God Himself, or an unnamed authority acting on divine directive. This highlights the divine origin and immutable nature of the allocation.
• to the prince (לַנָּשִׂיא - la'nasi'): The term nasi' (נָשִׂיא) means "elevated one," "chief," or "prince." It is distinctly different from melech (מֶלֶךְ), "king." In Ezekiel, the nasi' functions as a civic leader with specific, circumscribed authority, subject to the Mosaic Law (e.g., bringing sin offerings, Ezek 45:17-25). This differentiation from previous kings underscores a re-imagined, less absolute, and divinely accountable leadership structure to prevent the past corruption of the Davidic monarchy.
• on the one side and on the other side: Implies a symmetrical and protective placement, flanking the central, most sacred and populous areas. This central position gives him direct responsibility and connection to both the sacred (temple worship) and secular (city administration) aspects of the community.
• corresponding to the holy portion (לְנֶגֶד הַתְּרוּמָה - ləneged hat't'rumah): The "holy portion" (תְּרוּמָה קֹדֶשׁ - terumah qodesh) refers to the sacred land dedicated specifically for the sanctuary, priests, and Levites. The phrase "corresponding to" means "opposite" or "alongside," emphasizing precise adjacency.
• and to the possession of the city (אֲחֻזַּת הָעִיר - achuzzat ha'ir): This refers to the portion of land specifically designated for the new holy city. The Prince's land extends to encompass this, further linking his administration with the urban center.
• bordering on the holy portion and on the possession of the city: This repetition stresses the direct contiguity of the Prince's land to these central, vital areas, indicating his close oversight and guardianship.
• and there shall be a length: Establishes a key dimension of the Prince's territory.
• equal to one of the portions: His territory will have the same west-to-east length as the portions allotted to the regular tribes. This emphasizes a principle of equity in length, despite the Prince having an unparalleled position and location.
• from the west border to the east border (מִגְּבוּל הַיָּם עַד גְּבוּל הַקָּדִים - mi'gĕvul hayam 'ad gĕvul haqqādīm): This specifies the entire horizontal expanse of the Prince's land, signifying his comprehensive geographical coverage in relation to the central, sacred belt of land. It underscores the importance of his role as protector and administrator across the width of the restored nation.

Ezekiel 45 7 Bonus section

The explicit distinction between "Prince" (nasi') and "King" (melech) is central to Ezekiel's vision. This term avoids the connotations of oppressive rule and personal ambition associated with many previous Israelite kings. The nasi' in Ezekiel's vision is shown performing sacrificial rites (Ezek 45:17-25) and has family, signifying a human, administrative role rather than an absolute monarchical one, and not a priestly role either. His land, though extensive in length, is clearly bounded, indicating his position as an under-shepherd of the true divine King. The highly organized and symmetrical layout of the land in this chapter, where every component has its designated place, symbolizes God's desire for a perfectly ordered creation, governed by His divine laws, ensuring an equitable distribution of resources and duties, ultimately pointing to a future state of perfect harmony and justice.

Ezekiel 45 7 Commentary

Ezekiel 45:7 meticulously defines the land allotted to the Prince, establishing him as a crucial figure in the restored, idealized Israel. His territory, situated precisely alongside and spanning the length of the central holy and city portions, underscores a divine principle of order, balance, and righteous governance. Unlike the often corrupt kings of the past, the "Prince" (nasi') has a clearly delineated and limited role, subservient to God's law and responsible for facilitating worship and civic justice without encroachment. This detailed allocation is a proactive measure against abuse of power, ensuring stability, protecting the sacred spaces, and fostering a society marked by equity and God-ordained structure.