Ezekiel 45 8

Ezekiel 45:8 kjv

In the land shall be his possession in Israel: and my princes shall no more oppress my people; and the rest of the land shall they give to the house of Israel according to their tribes.

Ezekiel 45:8 nkjv

The land shall be his possession in Israel; and My princes shall no more oppress My people, but they shall give the rest of the land to the house of Israel, according to their tribes."

Ezekiel 45:8 niv

This land will be his possession in Israel. And my princes will no longer oppress my people but will allow the people of Israel to possess the land according to their tribes.

Ezekiel 45:8 esv

of the land. It is to be his property in Israel. And my princes shall no more oppress my people, but they shall let the house of Israel have the land according to their tribes.

Ezekiel 45:8 nlt

These sections of land will be the prince's allotment. Then my princes will no longer oppress and rob my people; they will assign the rest of the land to the people, giving an allotment to each tribe.

Ezekiel 45 verses

Ezekiel 45 8 Meaning

This verse, from the prophecy concerning the future temple and its arrangements, describes a provision for the ruler concerning his offering. It signifies a sanctification of the prince's portion of the land, designated for the "most holy" sanctuary. This sacred portion is set apart from the rest of the land for the upkeep and service of the sanctuary. The land granted to the prince is also for his use, but this specific part, alongside the sanctuary property, is elevated to a status of extreme holiness.

Ezekiel 45 8 Context

Ezekiel's prophecy, particularly chapters 40-48, describes a detailed vision of a future temple and its accompanying order. This vision is a significant departure from the second temple and points towards a yet-to-be-fulfilled reality, often interpreted as a messianic age. Chapter 45 specifically outlines the measurements and divisions of the land, including the allocation of portions for the sanctuary, priests, Levites, the city, and the prince. This verse situates the prince's landholding in relation to the "holy portion" (the sanctuary grounds) and the city, bordering specific tribal territories of Judah, Zebulun, and Asher, emphasizing the prince's rightful place and responsibility within this divinely ordered system. The historical context of Ezekiel’s audience was the Babylonian exile, and this prophecy offered a message of future restoration, order, and a renewed covenant relationship with God, where even the ruler would operate within a sacred framework.

Ezekiel 45 8 Word Analysis

• וְהָיָה (v'hayah): "and it shall be." Connective particle, indicating consequence or sequence in the prophetic narrative.
• לַנָּשִׂיא (lan nasi): "for the prince."
  • לָ (la): "to/for." Preposition indicating possession, direction, or benefit.
  • נָשִׂיא (nasi'): "prince," "leader," "chief." Refers to a royal or high-ranking official, potentially foreshadowing the Messiah or a future divinely appointed leader. This term is consistently used in Ezekiel for the future ruler.
• חֹל (chol): "holy." Derived from the root related to sacredness, set apart.
• וּמִבְּצַר (u'mibbetzar): "and possession," "property."
  • וּ (u): "and." Conjunction.
  • מִבְּצַר (mibbetzar): From the root meaning "stronghold," "fortress," but here used to denote a designated portion or estate.
• קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh): "holy." Repeated from "holy portion." Emphasizes the sanctity of the land.
• בִּגְבוּל (bigebul): "on the border of," "in the territory of."
  • בִּ (bi): "in." Preposition.
  • גְּבוּל (gebúl): "border," "territory," "boundary."
• זְבֻלוּן (Zebulun): "Zebulun." A northern Israelite tribe.
• וּמִבְּצַר (u'mivbetzar): "and the territory." Repeats the word for possession/property.
• אָשֵׁר (Asher): "Asher." Another northern Israelite tribe.
• וּגְבוּל (u'gebúł): "and bordering."
  • וּ (u): "and."
  • גְּבוּל (gebúl): "bordering."
• יְהוּדָה (Yehudah): "Judah." The primary southern Israelite tribe, often associated with royalty.
• מִגְּבוּל (miggébül): "from the border."
  • מִ (mi): "from." Preposition indicating origin.
  • גְּבוּל (gebúl): "border."
• מִקֶּדֶם (míqqedem): "from the east."
• עַד־ (‘ad-): "unto," "to." Preposition indicating extent.
• מִיָּבָּה (míyyabowah): "from the west."
  • מִ (mi): "from."
  • יָּבָּה (yabowah): Obscure word, possibly related to a historical landmark or geographic feature, contextually meaning "west." The intent is to denote the opposite side of the principal tribal region.

Words Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "the holy portion and of the property of the city": This phrasing delineates two distinct but adjacent sacred areas: the sanctuary grounds (holy portion) and the land allotted to the city itself, which is also sanctified for divine purposes.
• "opposite the border of Zebulun and opposite the border of Asher. And bordering the territory of Judah": This defines the prince's land geographically. It's situated between the northern tribes (Zebulun, Asher) and the southern tribe (Judah), placing him at a strategic and symbolic junction within the re-divided land. This implies a restored and unified Israel, with the prince playing a central role across these boundaries.

Ezekiel 45 8 Bonus Section

The specific geographical boundaries mentioned (Zebulun, Asher, Judah) have symbolic weight. Zebulun, associated with the sea, and Asher, with rich produce, represent the material blessings of the land. Judah, the royal tribe, highlights the lineage of kingship. The prince's land acting as a bridge suggests his role in harmonizing these aspects of national life under divine law. The term "nasi'" (prince) is used throughout Ezekiel in this future context and is distinct from the title "king." This may point to a ruler who serves under a higher heavenly king, or it may simply denote a leadership role in the new covenant era. This detailed land division and the prince's provision underscore the Old Testament concept that earthly rulers were to govern in alignment with divine will and for the benefit of the holy community.

Ezekiel 45 8 Commentary

Ezekiel 45:8 is pivotal in understanding the administrative and spiritual structure of the millennial kingdom. The "prince" (nasi') is not a mere secular ruler but a divinely appointed leader who participates in and benefits from the sacred economy of God's restored kingdom. His land is intrinsically linked to the "holy portion," signifying that his authority and provision are subservient to and derived from the sanctuary's holiness. The strategic placement of his territory bridging key tribal areas suggests his role as a unifier and representative of the entire nation under God's direct rule. This foreshadows Christ's ultimate kingship, where His reign blesses and governs all of humanity, with His kingdom intrinsically tied to divine holiness and justice. The sanctity of the land for the prince is not about personal wealth but about upholding the divinely appointed order.