Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 45

Introduction

Overview

Ezekiel 45:1, The portion of land for the sanctuary; Ezekiel 45:6, for the city; Ezekiel 45:7, and for the prince; Ezekiel 45:9, Ordinances for the prince.

Verse 1

shall divide by lot: Heb. cause the land to fall by lot, Ezekiel 47:21, Ezekiel 48:29, Numbers 34:13, Joshua 13:6, Joshua 14:2, Psalms 16:5, Psalms 16:6

ye shall offer: Ezekiel 45:2-7, Ezekiel 48:8-23, Leviticus 25:23, Proverbs 3:9

an holy portion: Heb. holiness, Zechariah 14:20, Zechariah 14:21

the length: That our translators rightly added the word reeds, is evident from the length and breadth of the sanctuary being exactly the same as before - compare Ezekiel 45:2, with Ezekiel 42:16-19. Estimating the reed at 3+ yards, this holy oblation would constitute a square of nearly fifty miles on every side. From the north side a portion of nearly twenty miles in width, and nearly fifty in length, was appointed for the priests; and in the midst of this portion, the area of the sanctuary, about a mile square, to be enclosed by a wall - Ezekiel 45:1, Ezekiel 45:2. Next to this, on the south, was the Levites' portion, of the same dimensions as that of the priests' - Ezekiel 45:5, and south of this was the portion for the city, of the same length as those of the priests and Levites, but only half the width - Ezekiel 45:6. These three formed the square of 25,000 reeds, or nearly fifty miles; and that set apart for the prince, the breadth of which is not mentioned, extended in length from north to south, along the east and west sides of the square. As Canaan would not admit of so large a portion for the sanctuary, etc., this was no doubt intended to intimate the large extent of the church in the glorious times predicted.

Reciprocal: Numbers 35:2 - General Jeremiah 31:40 - shall be Ezekiel 37:26 - set Ezekiel 45:4 - holy portion Ezekiel 48:4 - by the border Ezekiel 48:15 - for the city

Verse 2

five hundred in length: Ezekiel 42:16-20

suburbs: or, void places

Reciprocal: Numbers 35:3 - General Ezekiel 42:20 - five hundred Ezekiel 45:1 - ye shall offer

Verse 3

and in it: Ezekiel 48:10

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:16 - built them Ezekiel 48:13 - five and twenty thousand in

Verse 4

holy portion: Ezekiel 45:1, Ezekiel 44:28, Ezekiel 48:11

which: Ezekiel 40:45, Ezekiel 43:19, Ezekiel 44:13, Ezekiel 44:14, Numbers 16:5

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 48:10 - for the priests Ezekiel 48:12 - a thing Hebrews 10:11 - daily

Verse 5

the five: Ezekiel 48:10, Ezekiel 48:13, Ezekiel 48:20

the ministers: 1 Corinthians 9:13, 1 Corinthians 9:14

for a possession: Ezekiel 40:17, 1 Chronicles 9:26-33, Nehemiah 10:38, Nehemiah 10:39

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 33:18 - General Ezekiel 45:1 - the length

Verse 6

the city: Ezekiel 48:15-18, Ezekiel 48:30-35

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 45:1 - the length Ezekiel 48:19 - shall serve Zechariah 2:2 - unto

Verse 7

Ezekiel 34:24, Ezekiel 37:24, Ezekiel 46:16-18, Ezekiel 48:21, Psalms 2:8, Psalms 2:9, Isaiah 9:5, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 1:32, Luke 1:33

Reciprocal: Joshua 19:49 - gave 1 Samuel 8:9 - the manner

Verse 8

and my princes: In the predicted period, not only shall the ministers and worshippers of God be liberally provided for, but the princes will be both able and willing to defray the expenses of government, without oppressing their subjects, and will rule over them with equity and clemency, as the vicegerents of God; while the people will submit to them conscientiously, and live in peace, prosperity, and holiness. These things seem to be represented in language taken from the customs of the times in which the prophet wrote. Tithes are not mentioned in part of the vision, which shows that the ritual Mosaic law will not be in force. Ezekiel 19:3, Ezekiel 19:7, Ezekiel 22:27, Ezekiel 46:18, Proverbs 28:16, Isaiah 11:3-5, Isaiah 32:1, Isaiah 32:2, Isaiah 60:17, Isaiah 60:18, Jeremiah 22:17, Jeremiah 23:5, Micah 3:1-4, Zephaniah 3:13, James 2:6, James 5:1-6, Revelation 19:11-16

according: Joshua 11:23

Reciprocal: Joshua 19:49 - gave 1 Samuel 8:9 - the manner Isaiah 1:26 - And I will Ezekiel 44:3 - the prince Ezekiel 48:21 - the residue Zechariah 12:5 - the governors

Verse 9

Let it: Ezekiel 44:6, 1 Peter 4:3

remove: Nehemiah 5:10, Psalms 82:2-5, Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 22:3, Zechariah 8:16, Luke 3:14

execute: Ezekiel 43:14-16

take away: Nehemiah 5:1-13, 1 Corinthians 6:7, 1 Corinthians 6:8

exactions: Heb. expulsions, Job 20:19, Job 22:9, Job 24:2-12, Micah 2:1, Micah 2:2, Micah 2:9

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 10:25 - General 2 Samuel 14:26 - two hundred shekels Nehemiah 5:7 - Ye exact usury Isaiah 16:3 - execute Ezekiel 22:27 - princes Micah 6:10 - and Zechariah 7:9 - saying Zechariah 12:5 - the governors Matthew 18:28 - and took Acts 24:25 - righteousness 1 Thessalonians 4:6 - go

Verse 10

Leviticus 19:35, Leviticus 19:36, Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 16:11, Proverbs 20:10, Proverbs 21:3, Amos 8:4-6, Micah 6:10, Micah 6:11

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 25:13 - in thy bag 1 Samuel 10:25 - General Proverbs 20:23 - weights Isaiah 5:10 - one Amos 8:5 - making Luke 16:6 - measures

Verse 11

ephah: The ephah was a dry measure, and the bath a liquid measure, containing about seven gallons, four pints, or three pecks, three pints; and the homer about seventy-five gallons, five pints. Isaiah 5:10

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:16 - an homer Numbers 11:32 - homers Deuteronomy 25:13 - in thy bag Ruth 2:17 - ephah Ezekiel 45:14 - the tenth Hosea 3:2 - an homer

Verse 12

the shekel: Exodus 30:13, Leviticus 27:25, Numbers 3:47

twenty shekels: That is, 20+25+15=60; for the maneh as a weight was equal to sixty shekels, though as a coin it was only equal to fifty, weighing about 2 lb. 6 oz.; and reckoning the shekel at 2s 6d being in value 6£ 5s.

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:15 - shekels Genesis 23:16 - four Exodus 30:24 - the shekel Numbers 18:16 - which is Ruth 2:17 - ephah

Verse 14

the tenth: Ezekiel 45:11

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:26 - two thousand Ezra 7:22 - baths of wine

Verse 15

lamb: or, kid

out of the fat: Proverbs 3:9, Proverbs 3:10, Malachi 1:8, Malachi 1:14

peace offerings: or, thank offerings, Ezekiel 45:17

to make: Leviticus 1:4, Leviticus 6:30, Daniel 9:24, Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, Ephesians 2:16, Colossians 1:21, Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:23

Reciprocal: Leviticus 3:1 - a sacrifice Leviticus 7:11 - General Leviticus 19:5 - a sacrifice 2 Chronicles 29:24 - reconciliation Ezekiel 45:20 - so shall 2 Corinthians 5:18 - who

Verse 16

the people: Exodus 30:14, Exodus 30:15

shall give this: Heb. shall be for

for: or, with, Isaiah 16:1

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 40:7 - the poor

Verse 17

the prince's: The prince is never mentioned in the ritual appointments of Moses, but here he is required to provide the oblations; and the variations in the Mosaic law, in the number of the several sacrifices, and the proportion of the meat offering to each, being ten times as much as the law prescribed, with several other circumstances, seem more like enacting a new law, than enforcing that of Moses. These variations may intimate a change in the external constitution of the church; and it is probable that they are to be understood emblematically. Ezekiel 46:4-12, 2 Samuel 6:19, 1 Kings 8:63, 1 Kings 8:64, 1 Chronicles 16:2, 1 Chronicles 16:3, 1 Chronicles 29:3-9, 2 Chronicles 5:6, 2 Chronicles 7:4, 2 Chronicles 7:5, 2 Chronicles 8:12, 2 Chronicles 8:13, 2 Chronicles 30:24, 2 Chronicles 31:3, 2 Chronicles 35:7, 2 Chronicles 35:8, Ezra 1:5, Ezra 6:8, Ezra 6:9, Psalms 68:18, John 1:16, Romans 11:35, Romans 11:36, Ephesians 5:2

in the feasts: Leviticus 23:1-44, Numbers 28:1 -Numbers 29:40, Isaiah 66:23

he shall prepare: Psalms 22:15-26, Psalms 22:29, John 6:51-57, 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Corinthians 5:8, Hebrews 13:10, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18

peace offerings: or, thank offerings, Ezekiel 43:27, Colossians 3:17, Hebrews 13:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:40 - a drink Numbers 28:11 - in the beginnings 2 Chronicles 29:24 - reconciliation Ezekiel 45:15 - peace offerings Ezekiel 46:1 - on the sabbath Ezekiel 46:12 - as he did Colossians 1:20 - having made peace Colossians 2:16 - the new Hebrews 2:17 - to make

Verse 18

In the first month: This seems to enjoin, not a mere dedication, but an annual purification of the sanctuary; of which there is nothing said in the Mosaic law. Exodus 12:2, Numbers 28:11-15, Matthew 6:33

without blemish: Leviticus 22:20, Hebrews 7:26, Hebrews 9:14, 1 Peter 1:19

and cleanse: Ezekiel 43:22, Ezekiel 43:26, Leviticus 16:16, Leviticus 16:33, Hebrews 9:22-25, Hebrews 10:3, Hebrews 10:4, Hebrews 10:19-22

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 43:18 - to offer Ezekiel 43:19 - a young Ezekiel 45:20 - so shall

Verse 19

and upon the four corners: Ezekiel 43:14, Ezekiel 43:20, Leviticus 16:18-20

Reciprocal: Leviticus 16:16 - an atonement Ezekiel 8:16 - the inner Ezekiel 40:9 - the posts Ezekiel 43:18 - to offer Ezekiel 43:19 - a young

Verse 20

every one: Leviticus 4:27-35, Psalms 19:12, Romans 16:18, Romans 16:19, Hebrews 5:2

that is simple: Who wants understanding to conduct himself properly.

so shall: Ezekiel 45:15, Ezekiel 45:18, Leviticus 16:20

Reciprocal: Leviticus 8:15 - to make Jeremiah 18:10 - do Romans 5:10 - reconciled Hebrews 2:17 - to make

Verse 21

ye shall: Exodus 12:1-51, Leviticus 23:5-8, Numbers 9:2-14, Numbers 28:16-25, Deuteronomy 16:1-8, 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Corinthians 5:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:6 - fourteenth Numbers 28:19 - two young 2 Chronicles 35:1 - the fourteenth John 18:28 - eat

Verse 22

the prince: Matthew 20:28, Matthew 26:26-28

bullock: Leviticus 4:14, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Reciprocal: Leviticus 16:5 - General Ezekiel 44:3 - the prince

Verse 23

seven days: Leviticus 23:8

a burnt: Numbers 28:15-31, Numbers 29:5, 11-38

seven bullocks: Numbers 23:1, Numbers 23:2, Job 42:8, Hebrews 10:8-12

Reciprocal: Leviticus 16:5 - General 1 Chronicles 15:26 - bullocks 2 Chronicles 29:21 - seven

Verse 24

Ezekiel 46:5-7, Numbers 28:12-15

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:40 - hin Leviticus 23:13 - the fourth

Verse 25

In the seventh: The prince shall do at the feast of tabernacles the same thing he was desired to do on the passover. Leviticus 23:33-43, Numbers 29:12-38, Deuteronomy 16:13-15, 2 Chronicles 5:3, 2 Chronicles 7:8-10, Nehemiah 8:14-18, Zechariah 14:16-19, John 7:2, John 7:37-39