Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 48

Introduction

Overview

Ezekiel 48:1, The portions of the twelve tribes; Ezekiel 48:8, of the sanctuary; Ezekiel 48:15, of the city and suburbs; Ezekiel 48:21, and of the prince; Ezekiel 48:23, The portions of the twelve tribes; Ezekiel 48:30, The dimensions and gates of the city.

Verse 1

the names: Exodus 1:1-5, Numbers 1:5-15, Numbers 13:4-15, Revelation 7:4-8

From: Ezekiel 47:15-17, Numbers 34:7-9

a portion: Heb. one portion

Dan: Genesis 30:3-6, Joshua 19:40-47, Judges 18:26-29, 2 Samuel 24:2, 1 Kings 12:28, 1 Kings 12:29, Matthew 20:15, Matthew 20:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:22 - Now the sons 1 Kings 15:20 - Ijon Psalms 87:3 - Glorious Ezekiel 47:17 - Hazarenan Ezekiel 48:23 - Benjamin Obadiah 1:19 - the fields of Ephraim

Verse 2

Asher: Genesis 30:12, Genesis 30:13, Joshua 19:24-31

Verse 3

Naphtali: Genesis 30:7, Genesis 30:8, Joshua 19:32-39

Verse 4

by the border: In this division of the Holy Land, a portion is laid out for each of the twelve tribes directly across the country, from east to west; and deducting the square of 25,000 reeds, or nearly fifty miles on each side, between Judah and Benjamin, for the priests, Levites, city, and temple, with the inheritance of the prince to the east and west - See note on Ezekiel 45:1, from 280 miles, the length of the country from north to south, there will remain for each tribe a portion of less than twenty miles in width, and 150 in length. This division of the land entirely differs from that which was made in the days of Joshua, in which the tribes were not only differently placed, but confused and inter-mixed; while here distinct lots are assigned to each of the twelve tribes, in a regular mathematical form. Literally such a division never took place: it seems to denote the equality of privileges which subsists among all the tribes of Believers, of whatever nation, and whatever their previous character may have been.

Manasseh: Genesis 30:22-24, Genesis 41:51, Genesis 48:5, Genesis 48:14-20, Joshua 13:29-31, Joshua 17:1-11

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 47:13 - Joseph

Verse 5

Ephraim: Joshua 16:1-10, Joshua 17:8-10, Joshua 17:14-18

Verse 6

Reuben: Genesis 29:32, Genesis 49:3, Genesis 49:4, Joshua 13:15-21

Verse 7

Judah: Genesis 29:35, Joshua 15:1-63, Joshua 19:9

Verse 8

the offering: Ezekiel 45:1-6

the sanctuary: Ezekiel 48:35, Isaiah 12:6, Isaiah 33:20-22, Zechariah 2:11, Zechariah 2:12, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:20-22, Colossians 2:9, Revelation 21:3, Revelation 21:22, Revelation 22:3

Reciprocal: Numbers 35:2 - General Ezekiel 48:10 - and the sanctuary Ezekiel 48:21 - and westward Revelation 21:16 - twelve

Verse 9

Reciprocal: Joshua 21:2 - The Lord Ezekiel 44:28 - I am their inheritance Ezekiel 48:15 - for the city

Verse 10

for the priests: Ezekiel 44:28, Ezekiel 45:4, Numbers 35:1-9, Joshua 21:1-45, Matthew 10:10, 1 Corinthians 9:13, 1 Corinthians 9:14

and the sanctuary: Ezekiel 48:8

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 45:3 - and in it Ezekiel 45:5 - the five Ezekiel 48:15 - for the city

Verse 11

It shall be for the priests that are sanctified: or, The sanctified portion shall be for the priests

the sons: Ezekiel 40:46, Ezekiel 43:19, Ezekiel 44:15, Ezekiel 44:16

charge: or, ward, or ordinance, Matthew 24:45, Matthew 24:45, Matthew 24:46, 2 Timothy 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 2:10

as the Levites: Ezekiel 44:10

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 15:24 - Zadok 1 Chronicles 15:12 - sanctify 2 Chronicles 13:11 - we keep Ezekiel 14:11 - the house Ezekiel 45:4 - holy portion Zechariah 3:7 - if thou wilt keep

Verse 12

a thing: Ezekiel 45:4, Leviticus 27:21

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 48:14 - for

Verse 13

five and twenty thousand in: Ezekiel 45:3, Deuteronomy 12:19, Luke 10:7

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 45:5 - the five Ezekiel 48:15 - for the city

Verse 14

they shall: Exodus 22:29, Leviticus 27:10, Leviticus 27:28, Leviticus 27:33

for: Ezekiel 48:12, Leviticus 23:20, Leviticus 27:9, Leviticus 27:32, Malachi 3:8-10

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:23 - The land Deuteronomy 26:2 - That thou shalt Ezekiel 48:15 - for the city

Verse 15

a profane: Ezekiel 22:26, Ezekiel 42:20, Ezekiel 44:23, Ezekiel 45:6

for the city: The holy oblation of 25,000 square reeds, or near fifty square miles, was divided into three parts from north to south - see note on Ezekiel 45:1, a portion on the north of 10,000 reeds in width, and 25,000 in length, for the priests, in the midst of which was the sanctuary or temple, surrounded by a wall 500 reeds square - Ezekiel 48:9, Ezekiel 48:10, see note on Ezekiel 42:15, next to this another portion of the same dimensions for the Levites - Ezekiel 48:13, Ezekiel 48:14, and on the south another portion of the same length, but only 5,000 reeds in breadth, for the city - Ezekiel 48:15. The city was situated in the midst of this portion, being 4,500 reeds, or about nine miles square - Ezekiel 48:30, having a suburb of 250 reeds, or about half a mile, on each side - Ezekiel 48:17, leaving 10,000 reeds or nearly ten miles, on the east side, and the same on the west side, for the profit of those who serve the city out of all the tribes - Ezekiel 48:18, Ezekiel 48:19. On the east and west sides of this square of 25,000 reeds, is the portion of the prince; each of which, estimating the breadth of the land at 150 miles, would form a square of fifty miles. Thus the whole plan of the division of the country, laying out of the city, temple, and all its appendages, is perfectly regular and uniform; and would therefore convey to the minds of the Jews the most complete idea they were capable of conceiving of the most perfect church, commonwealth, city, temple, and conveniences, on the largest and grandest scale for the Divine worship; and it doubtless ultimately points out the land of Immanuel, the city of the New Jerusalem, and his temple, the Christian church, the house of the living God. 1 Timothy 3:15

Reciprocal: Zechariah 2:2 - unto Revelation 21:10 - that

Verse 16

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 48:30 - the goings

Verse 17

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 48:15 - for the city Revelation 21:16 - General

Verse 18

that serve: Joshua 9:27, Ezra 2:43-58, Nehemiah 7:46-62

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:36 - every day Ezekiel 48:15 - for the city Revelation 21:16 - General

Verse 19

shall serve: Ezekiel 45:6, 1 Kings 4:7-23, Nehemiah 11:1-36

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 48:15 - for the city Revelation 7:4 - all

Verse 20

foursquare: Hebrews 12:17, Revelation 21:16

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 42:20 - five hundred Ezekiel 45:5 - the five

Verse 21

the residue: Ezekiel 48:22, Ezekiel 34:23, Ezekiel 34:24, Ezekiel 37:24, Ezekiel 45:7, Ezekiel 45:8, Hosea 1:11

and westward: Ezekiel 48:8-10

Verse 22

Reciprocal: Numbers 35:2 - General Ezekiel 48:21 - the residue

Verse 23

Benjamin: Ezekiel 48:1-7, Genesis 35:16-19, Joshua 18:21-28

a portion: Heb. one portion, Ezekiel 48:1

Reciprocal: Joshua 13:7 - General

Verse 24

Simeon: Genesis 29:33, Genesis 49:5-7, Joshua 19:1-9

Verse 25

Issachar: Genesis 30:14-18, Joshua 19:17-23

Verse 26

Zebulun: Genesis 30:19, Genesis 30:20, Joshua 19:10-16

Verse 27

Gad: Genesis 30:10, Genesis 30:11, Joshua 13:24-28

Verse 28

from Tamar: Ezekiel 47:19, 2 Chronicles 20:2

strife in Kadesh: Heb. Meribah-kadesh, Numbers 20:1, Numbers 20:13, Psalms 106:32

the river: Genesis 15:18, Numbers 34:5, Joshua 13:3, Isaiah 27:12

the great sea: Ezekiel 47:15, Ezekiel 47:19, Ezekiel 47:20

Reciprocal: Numbers 20:22 - Kadesh Ezekiel 47:10 - the great sea

Verse 29

Ezekiel 47:13-22, Numbers 34:2, Numbers 34:13, Joshua 13:1 - Joshua 21:45

Reciprocal: Leviticus 16:8 - cast lots Joshua 18:10 - cast lots Ezekiel 45:1 - shall divide by lot Ezekiel 47:14 - fall

Verse 30

the goings: Ezekiel 48:16, Ezekiel 48:32-35, Revelation 21:16

four: It is certainly most obvious to interpret these measures, not of cubits, but of the measuring reed which the prophet's conductor had in his hand; according to which, the city would be about thirty-six miles in circumference, and nine miles on each side of the square; which was nearly nine times larger than the greatest extent to which Jerusalem ever attained - See note on Ezekiel 42:15, and see note on Ezekiel 42:16. The large dimensions of the city and land were perhaps intended to intimate the extensive and glorious propagation of the gospel in the times predicted; and the land was not called Canaan, nor the city Jerusalem, probably because they were figurative of spiritual blessings to the church and to Israel.

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 31:38 - that Ezekiel 40:2 - as the Ezekiel 45:6 - the city Ezekiel 48:15 - for the city Zechariah 2:2 - unto Zechariah 12:6 - Jerusalem shall

Verse 31

Isaiah 26:1, Isaiah 26:2, Isaiah 54:12, Isaiah 60:11, Revelation 21:12, Revelation 21:13, Revelation 21:21, Revelation 21:25

Reciprocal: Revelation 7:4 - all

Verse 32

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 48:30 - the goings

Verse 35

and the name: Genesis 22:14, Jeremiah 33:16, Zechariah 14:21

The Lord: Heb. JEHOVAH shammah, Exodus 15:26, Exodus 17:15, Judges 6:24, Psalms 46:5, Psalms 48:3, Psalms 48:14, Psalms 68:18, Psalms 77:13, Psalms 132:14, Isaiah 12:6, Isaiah 14:32, Isaiah 24:23, Jeremiah 3:17, Joel 3:21, Zechariah 2:10, Revelation 21:3, Revelation 22:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:7 - General Exodus 31:6 - that they Numbers 23:21 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 12:13 - to put Psalms 87:5 - highest Isaiah 11:11 - set his hand Isaiah 25:10 - in this Isaiah 29:22 - Jacob shall Isaiah 33:20 - not one Jeremiah 31:40 - shall be Ezekiel 35:10 - whereas Ezekiel 43:7 - where I Ezekiel 48:8 - the sanctuary Joel 3:17 - shall ye Zephaniah 3:5 - is in Zephaniah 3:15 - is in Zechariah 1:16 - I am Zechariah 8:3 - dwell Romans 11:26 - all Revelation 11:1 - Rise Revelation 21:11 - the glory Revelation 21:16 - General