Ezekiel 48:16-26

16 and will measure 4,500 cubits [just under one-and-a-half miles] along each of its sides - north, south, east and west.

17 The city is to have outside it a border of land 440 feet wide on each side - north, south, east and west.

18 A strip next to the holy offering extending three [miles] to the east and three to the west is to be left. This area by the holy offering is to be used to grow food for those serving the city.

19 The people from all the tribes of Isra'el who serve in the city will farm it.

20 The entire offering will be eight [miles] square, including the section for the city.

21 "'What remains will be for the prince - the land on the two sides of the holy offering and section for the city, that is, the portion eastward from the eight [miles] of the offering's eastern border to the land's eastern border and the portion westward from the eight [miles] of the offering's western border to the land's western border - this land adjacent to the [tribal] portions will be for the prince, with the holy offering and the sanctuary of the house inside it.

22 Thus the land belonging to the L'vi'im and the section for the city will be inside that which belongs to the prince. "'The territory belonging to the prince will be between the territory of Y'hudah and the territory of Binyamin -

23 which brings us to the rest of the tribes: "'Binyamin's territory will run from east to west.

24 "'Shim'on's territory will run alongside the territory of Binyamin from east to west.

25 "'Yissakhar's territory will run alongside the territory of Shim'on from east to west.

26 "'Z'vulun's territory will run alongside the territory of Yissakhar from east to west.

Ezekiel 48:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 48

In this chapter an account is given of the portions of the twelve tribes in the land of Israel; seven to the north of the sanctuary, Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben, and Judah, Eze 48:1-7, between which and Benjamin lay the holy portion of the land, for the sanctuary and the priests of it, and for the Levites, and for the city and its suburbs, and for the prince, Eze 48:8-22 then the portions of the other five tribes to the south of the sanctuary, Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, and Gad, Eze 48:23-29, after which the city is described by its outlets, north, east, south, and west; by its twelve gates, three at each point; by its circumference and by its name, Eze 48:30-35.