Ezekiel 48 18

Ezekiel 48:18 kjv

And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion shall be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward: and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy portion; and the increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city.

Ezekiel 48:18 nkjv

The rest of the length, alongside the district of the holy section, shall be ten thousand cubits to the east and ten thousand to the west. It shall be adjacent to the district of the holy section, and its produce shall be food for the workers of the city.

Ezekiel 48:18 niv

What remains of the area, bordering on the sacred portion and running the length of it, will be 10,000 cubits on the east side and 10,000 cubits on the west side. Its produce will supply food for the workers of the city.

Ezekiel 48:18 esv

The remainder of the length alongside the holy portion shall be 10,000 cubits to the east, and 10,000 to the west, and it shall be alongside the holy portion. Its produce shall be food for the workers of the city.

Ezekiel 48:18 nlt

Outside the city there will be a farming area that stretches 3 1?3 miles to the east and 3 1?3 miles to the west along the border of the sacred area. This farmland will produce food for the people working in the city.

Ezekiel 48 verses

Ezekiel 48 18 meaning

Ezekiel 48:18 describes the purpose of the common land portion, measuring 25,000 cubits by 5,000 cubits, that adjoins the holy offering and the city. This land's produce is specifically designated to sustain the laborers of the city, providing them with essential food. It signifies a divinely ordered provision system for all members contributing to the holy commonwealth, ensuring their needs are met directly from the land set aside for their labor.

Ezekiel 48 18 Context

Ezekiel 48 describes the concluding vision of the temple, priesthood, and the complete, idealized division of the restored land of Israel among its twelve tribes. It details the precise allocation of sacred portions for the sanctuary, priests, and Levites (vv. 8-14), and a contiguous portion for the new holy city itself, along with its suburbs and administrative needs (vv. 15-17). Verse 18 then clarifies the use of the specific parcel of common land, 25,000 cubits by 5,000 cubits, which immediately adjoins the city and the sacred offering. This land, while not consecrated as holy, is part of the larger divine land offering (תרּוּמָה - terumah) described from Ezekiel 45:1. Historically, land distribution was prone to disputes and inequities, and earlier prophetic criticisms highlighted abuses of power related to land (Micah 2:2). This vision presents an utterly new, divinely orchestrated system of precise allocation that prevents such issues by ensuring direct provision for all those serving in and around the new holy city.

Ezekiel 48 18 Word analysis

• The produce (וּתְבוּאָתָהּ - u'tevu'atāh): From תְּבוּאָה (tevu'ah), meaning 'produce,' 'yield,' or 'harvest.' This word refers specifically to agricultural output. It signifies God's blessing on the land and the bounty it yields, indicating a fruitful and well-managed agricultural system supporting the community.
• of this land (הָאָרֶץ - hā'āretz): Refers to the "common" portion (often rendered as h.ôl, contrasting with qodesh 'holy') mentioned in the preceding verse (Eze 48:15) as being 25,000 by 5,000 cubits, adjacent to the city. This land is cultivated by human effort.
• however, is to be used by (לַעֲבֹדָהּ - la'ăvōdāh): More literally "for its labor" or "for its service." This is not a direct active verb for 'using,' but indicates the purpose or function for which the land's yield is set aside. It emphasizes that this land's primary role is productive, specifically tied to human exertion.
• the workers of the city (לַמִּתְרֵי הָעִיר - lamitrê hāʿîr): This phrase translates to "for those who remain/are left over of the city" or, more contextually, "for those who serve the city" or "for those working in the city." The term מִתְרֵי (mitrê) implies those not otherwise explicitly provided for in the priestly/Levitical allocation, signifying the ordinary inhabitants and civic administrators who operate the city, distinguishing them from sacred functionaries. The NIV's "workers" accurately captures the intent.
• For them (לָהֶם - lāhem): A straightforward demonstrative pronoun, emphasizing the direct beneficiaries. This underscores that the provision is specific and assured for this designated group.
• it will be food (תִּהְיֶה לְאָכְלָה - tihyeh lᵉʾōḵlāh): Meaning "it shall be for food." This simple, declarative statement clarifies the fundamental purpose of the produce. It addresses the basic human need for sustenance.

Words-group analysis:

• "The produce of this land...by the workers of the city": This phrase precisely defines the source, the type of benefit (produce), and the primary beneficiaries (the civic laborers). It illustrates a divinely instituted economic system ensuring direct support for the general populace contributing to the life of the holy city, thereby distinguishing their provision from that of the sanctuary's ministers and the prince.
• "For them it will be food": This concise declaration explicitly states the ultimate and fundamental function of the allocated land – to provide daily nourishment. It eliminates ambiguity and underscores God's meticulous provision for even the practical, physical needs of all involved in His restored kingdom. This stands in contrast to times when the populace might have been neglected or exploited, promising a just and stable system of sustenance.

Ezekiel 48 18 Bonus section

• The allocation in Ezekiel 48 ensures there is no private, hereditary ownership of this particular "common" land, differentiating it from the tribal inheritances. Its use is corporate, tied to the function and support of the city's workers, fostering a sense of shared responsibility rather than individual wealth accumulation.
• The phrase "common land" (part of the larger תרּוּמָה - terumah) highlights the hierarchical sacredness within the restored territory, moving from the most holy sanctuary to the city's practical land. Even this "common" land remains within the divine allocation, underlining God's sovereignty over all aspects of the renewed community.
• This structured provision reflects a deeper theological principle: those who minister, whether in spiritual capacities (priests/Levites) or civic/physical capacities (city workers), are to be supported from the fruits of the collective land, emphasizing the interdependent nature of the ideal community under God.
• The meticulous planning ensures an orderly and self-sustaining system, which stands in stark contrast to the chaos, idolatry, and social injustice that characterized much of Israel's historical existence, particularly in relation to land ownership and the care of its populace.

Ezekiel 48 18 Commentary

Ezekiel 48:18 offers a glimpse into the pragmatic details of God's perfect plan for His restored people, post-exile, within the envisioned temple and land. Following the meticulous delineation of holy and common lands, this verse ensures that the civic workforce of the new city—those responsible for its daily operations, infrastructure, and general upkeep—are well-provided for. The common land, distinct from the sacred priestly and Levitical portions, is earmarked specifically for their sustenance. This divine blueprint highlights not only a commitment to spiritual purity but also to societal justice and stability. Every segment of society has its place and, crucially, its means of sustenance, removing economic strife as a potential destabilizing factor. This ordered provision ensures that individuals can fulfill their roles within the community without being preoccupied by the fundamental need for food, enabling collective flourishing under divine care. It illustrates God's comprehensive attention to detail, establishing an ideal system where diligence is rewarded with secure provision, fostering communal responsibility and equity.