Ezekiel 48 17

Ezekiel 48:17 kjv

And the suburbs of the city shall be toward the north two hundred and fifty, and toward the south two hundred and fifty, and toward the east two hundred and fifty, and toward the west two hundred and fifty.

Ezekiel 48:17 nkjv

The common-land of the city shall be: to the north two hundred and fifty cubits, to the south two hundred and fifty, to the east two hundred and fifty, and to the west two hundred and fifty.

Ezekiel 48:17 niv

The pastureland for the city will be 250 cubits on the north, 250 cubits on the south, 250 cubits on the east, and 250 cubits on the west.

Ezekiel 48:17 esv

And the city shall have open land: on the north 250 cubits, on the south 250, on the east 250, and on the west 250.

Ezekiel 48:17 nlt

Open lands will surround the city for 150 yards in every direction.

Ezekiel 48 verses

Ezekiel 48 17 meaning

Ezekiel 48:17 defines the precise breadth (width) of the area immediately surrounding the holy city within the larger sacred portion of the land. It specifies an equal measurement of twenty-five thousand (cubits or units) extending from the city's wall in all four cardinal directions—northward, southward, eastward, and westward. This establishes a perfect square, underscoring the divine order and geometric precision applied to God's dedicated dwelling place and its surrounding sphere of holiness in the eschatological vision.

Ezekiel 48 17 Context

Ezekiel 48:17 falls within chapters 40-48 of Ezekiel, which detail the prophet's comprehensive vision of the new Temple, its surrounding infrastructure, and the re-allotment of the land of Israel in an eschatological setting. This section describes an idealized, restored nation, a renewed worship system, and the permanent dwelling of God among His people. Chapter 48 specifically focuses on the tribal divisions of the land and the holy portion set aside within it.

Verse 17 describes a part of the "holy oblation" or "contribution" (terumah) for the Lord, specifically the urban area designated for the "city" (Ezek 48:15). This entire sacred territory is a 25,000 x 25,000 unit square (Ezek 45:1). Within this large sacred square, a smaller urban area is set aside. Verse 17 details the dimensions of this surrounding holy space for the city, showing its symmetrical placement within the larger holy land grant. This meticulously defined spatial arrangement emphasizes the sacredness, order, and precise divine plan for the future kingdom. It's a vision of Israel fully restored, worshipping God in perfect harmony and order, with God's presence at the absolute center of their national and communal life.

Ezekiel 48 17 Word analysis

• And the breadth: The Hebrew word for "breadth" is rochav (רוֹחַב), meaning width, extent, or spaciousness. Its usage here emphasizes not just a line, but the full lateral measurement or expanse of an area. The conjunction "And" (waw) connects this detail directly to the preceding descriptions of the sacred allocation, building upon the established framework.

• from the wall: The specific reference point from which the breadth is measured. This implies the city itself has clearly defined boundaries, and the specified measurements extend outward from these walls, signifying the protective and distinguishing boundary of the city proper.

• of the city: The Hebrew term ha-'ir (הָעִיר) refers to "the city," implicitly referring to the holy city mentioned earlier in the chapter (Ezek 48:15). This city is central to the holy portion but distinct from the immediate sanctuary complex, serving as a dwelling place for those who serve the sanctuary.

• northward: Hebrew ṣafōnâ (צָפוֹנָה). This cardinal direction emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the specified measurements.

• shall be five and twenty thousand: The number "five and twenty thousand" in Hebrew is ḥamishah va-ʻesrim elef (חֲמִשָּׁה וְעֶשְׂרִים אֶלֶף). While the unit is not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Ezekiel 45:1 indicates "cubits." This enormous measurement, far exceeding the size of any historical ancient city, highlights the ideal, eschatological, and potentially symbolic nature of this vision, signifying divine abundance and the vastness of God's dominion. The number 25,000, being 5 squared times 1,000, reflects a divinely ordered perfection.

• and southward: Hebrew negaḇâ (נֶגְבָּה), referring to the south. Reinforces the systematic and symmetrical application of the dimensions.

• five and twenty thousand: Repetition stresses the exact, symmetrical nature of the dimension, mirroring the north.

• and toward the east: Hebrew qēḍmah (קֵדְמָה), meaning "eastward."

• five and twenty thousand: Again, the precise measurement, extending equally to the east.

• and toward the west: Hebrew yamâh (יָמָּה), meaning "westward" (lit. toward the sea, as the Mediterranean was west of Israel).

• five and twenty thousand: The final repetition completes the square, solidifying the idea of a perfectly balanced and enclosed holy space.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "And the breadth from the wall of the city": This phrase precisely defines the starting point and the type of measurement. It establishes that the expanse is being measured outward from the settled area of the city, not the total city dimension itself, suggesting a buffer zone or dedicated periphery.
  • "northward...southward...toward the east...toward the west": This consistent listing of all four cardinal directions emphasizes the square or foursquare nature of the area. It implies perfect symmetry and full coverage, indicative of God's complete and all-encompassing plan. The repetition also acts as a literary device to underscore the unalterable exactness of the divine decree for this holy space.
  • "five and twenty thousand" (repeated four times): The constant repetition of this specific number for each direction powerfully reinforces the exactness and symmetry of the divine blueprint. This numerical consistency is key to establishing the ideal geometric shape of this holy surrounding. It's a statement of absolute divine standard, leaving no room for human arbitrariness.

Ezekiel 48 17 Bonus section

The specific unit of measurement ("cubits") is not explicitly mentioned in this verse but is strongly implied by its preceding context in Ezekiel 45:1 where the entire holy contribution (or oblation) is given as "twenty-five thousand in length and twenty-five thousand in breadth." While Ezekiel 40-42 describe the Temple structure using "reeds" (each 6 cubits), the large-scale land divisions are consistently understood in cubits. Thus, 25,000 cubits would equate to roughly 7.8 miles (12.5 kilometers) on each side, forming a substantial urban complex that far surpasses the size of historical Jerusalem. This immense scale suggests that Ezekiel's vision is not merely a blueprint for a physical reconstruction but also a prophetic ideal, representing the vastness, perfection, and spiritual significance of God's future kingdom and its spiritual counterpart in the New Testament. The deliberate use of a square shape aligns with other biblical depictions of ultimate perfection and divine dwelling, most notably the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21, which is a perfect cube.

Ezekiel 48 17 Commentary

Ezekiel 48:17, through its meticulous and repetitive declaration of a 25,000-unit breadth from the city's walls in all four cardinal directions, paints a vivid picture of divine precision, order, and pervasive holiness. This immense, perfectly symmetrical square surrounding the holy city signifies that the very geography of the restored Israel, centered around the divine presence, is under God's absolute design and claim. It represents an ideal order that transcends earthly limitations and reflects the ultimate peace and harmony of God's dwelling among His people. This area serves as a physical manifestation of God's unwavering presence, extending outwards to encompass the entire holy community. It is a polemic against human imperfection and chaotic rule, proclaiming God as the supreme architect whose every detail is ordered for righteousness and holiness. Practically, it encourages believers to pursue precision and intentionality in their walk with God, knowing His plan for them is perfectly formed.