Ezekiel 48:12 kjv
And this oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites.
Ezekiel 48:12 nkjv
And this district of land that is set apart shall be to them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites.
Ezekiel 48:12 niv
It will be a special gift to them from the sacred portion of the land, a most holy portion, bordering the territory of the Levites.
Ezekiel 48:12 esv
And it shall belong to them as a special portion from the holy portion of the land, a most holy place, adjoining the territory of the Levites.
Ezekiel 48:12 nlt
It will be their special portion when the land is distributed, the most sacred land of all. Next to the priests' territory will lie the land where the other Levites will live.
Ezekiel 48 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 48:12 | From this allotted portion, the sanctuary of the LORD shall be holy. | Contextual for sacred space designation |
| Leviticus 19:30 | "Observe my Sabbaths and my sanctuaries. I am the LORD." | Emphasizes the holiness of sacred sites |
| Deuteronomy 12:5 | "But you shall seek the place that the LORD your God will choose... | Connects to the concept of God's chosen place |
| Numbers 35:6-7 | The cities for the Levites were to be surrounded by meadows. | Foreshadows allocated spaces for Levites/Priests |
| 1 Chronicles 9:26 | The gatekeepers were appointed to their duties. | Highlights specific roles within sacred service |
| 2 Chronicles 3:1 | Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem... | Points to the actual building of God's sanctuary |
| Jeremiah 17:12 | "Your throne is the throne of glory, raised high from the beginning..." | Connects glory to God's dwelling place |
| John 2:19-21 | Jesus said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." | Speaks of the temple's spiritual significance |
| Revelation 11:19 | Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant... | Points to heavenly sanctuary fulfillment |
| Ezekiel 45:1-5 | This section details the dimensions of the sacred district. | Direct parallel to land division |
| Ezekiel 43:12 | "This is the law of the house: on the top of the mountain... | Reiterates laws concerning the holy house |
| Exodus 28:40 | "And for Aaron's sons you shall make tunics and sashes and caps..." | Details priestly garments, symbolizing service |
| Numbers 18:20 | "You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any..." | Confirms no territorial inheritance for priests |
| Nehemiah 10:39 | And the people of Israel and the Levites shall bring the contributions... | Demonstrates ongoing contributions to the sanctuary |
| Psalm 132:13-14 | For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place. | God’s desire for a dwelling place |
| Isaiah 56:7 | "...for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." | Universal purpose of God's house |
| Matthew 21:13 | "...but you have made it a den of robbers.” | Critiques misuse of the temple |
| Acts 7:48-49 | "Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands..." | Paul's discourse on God's dwelling place |
| Hebrews 9:24 | For Christ has entered, not into a holy places made with hands... | Christ as our High Priest in the true sanctuary |
| Revelation 21:22 | And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God... | Ultimate dwelling in the New Jerusalem |
Ezekiel 48 verses
Ezekiel 48 12 Meaning
This verse describes the dimensions of the portion of land designated for the sanctuary and the priestly city. It specifies a north-south dimension of 25,000 cubits and an east-west dimension that extends to the boundary of the country. This allocation is a crucial part of the divinely ordained division of the land for the tribes of Israel and for sacred purposes in Ezekiel's prophetic vision.
Ezekiel 48 12 Context
Ezekiel chapter 48 concludes the prophet's extensive vision of a restored Israel. Following detailed prophecies about the division of the land among the tribes, the allocation for the princes, and the sacred district, this chapter finalizes the territorial arrangements. Specifically, verse 12 falls within the description of the sacred portion (48:9-14), which is set apart for the sanctuary of the LORD and given to the priests. This land is to be central, consecrated, and untouched by secular ownership or use, emphasizing its ultimate dedication to God's worship and the service of His ministers. The overall context is one of hope and restoration after judgment, portraying a future perfected order for Israel.
Ezekiel 48 12 Word Analysis
- “And from the revenue” - The Hebrew word translated as "revenue" here is terumah (תְּרוּמָה), which means an offering, a heave offering, or a contribution. It signifies something set apart and dedicated to God.
- “of the land” - This refers to the fertile and productive land of Israel, which is itself considered a divine gift.
- “ye shall offer” - The verb "offer" (תָּרִימוּ, tarimu) stems from the same root as terumah and conveys the idea of lifting up or presenting something as a sacred gift.
- “an oblation” - Similar to "revenue," "oblation" also points to an offering (תְּרוּמָה, terumah), reinforcing the concept of dedicating a portion of the land's produce to God.
- “twenty and five thousand” - This denotes a substantial measure, emphasizing the generous allocation for sacred use.
- “and breadth” - This refers to the east-west dimension of the allotted sacred area.
- “ten thousand” - Another specific measurement for the breadth.
- “eastward” - Indicates the direction of this measurement.
- “And for the priests” - This specifies the recipients of this consecrated land.
- “the holy portion” - The land is explicitly defined as qodesh qodashim (קדֹשׁ קָדָשִׁים), meaning "most holy" or "holy of holies," signifying its extreme sanctity.
- “The length thereof” - Refers to the north-south dimension.
- “to the west” - Indicates the direction of this measurement.
- “and to the east” - Again, specifies directionality of the allocated land.
Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:
- “oblation of the land... twenty and five thousand… and breadth ten thousand eastward”: This phrase establishes a clearly defined geographical and volumetric portion dedicated to sacred use. The measurement signifies that this sacred space is to be prominent and centrally located within the larger territorial division.
- “And for the priests the holy portion... The length thereof to the west and to the east”: This links the dimensionally defined "oblation" directly to the priests, calling it "the holy portion." This "holy portion" is specified with its north-south measurement ("length") extending across the territory, implying a significant and impactful sacred presence within the entire land allocation.
Ezekiel 48 12 Bonus Section
This vision is not merely a topographical plan but a theological statement. The precise measurements and locations symbolize the order and holiness God intends for His people. This chapter, in its entirety, depicts a meticulously organized, divinely structured sanctuary and land division, reflecting God’s ultimate sovereignty and His desire for a people wholly consecrated to Him. The future temple, as described here, is a foreshadowing of the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity in Christ and the heavenly Jerusalem, where there is no physical temple but God Himself is the temple (Rev. 21:22).
Ezekiel 48 12 Commentary
Ezekiel 48:12 vividly delineates a specific sanctuary zone, a sacred allotment within the larger territorial division of the land of Israel. The dimensions provided are significant, setting aside a considerable area—25,000 cubits by 10,000 cubits. This sacred space is designated "holy of holies," highlighting its unparalleled sanctity and exclusivity for God's dwelling and the service of His priests. This division underscores the principle that worship and God's presence are to be central and prioritized in the life of the nation. The emphasis on the priests receiving this holy portion reiterates their divinely appointed role in mediating God's presence and facilitating worship. The scale of this area indicates a substantial and glorious future for the temple and its operations.