Ezekiel 48, The Perfect Temple (Part Nine)

There is nothing so unique in the world as the restored and eternal nation of Israel. The Millennial kingdom is focused on Israel and the promise that she will be the greatest nation on earth (Isaiah 2:2–3).

1 “Now these are the names of the tribes:

From the northern end, along the road of Hethlon, to Lebo-hamath as far as Hazar-enon, at the northern border of Damascus, alongside Hamath and extending from the eastern side to the sea, will be Dan—one portion. 2 Next to the territory of Dan, from the east side to the west, will be Asher—one portion. 3 Next to the territory of Asher, from the east side to the west, will be Naphtali—one portion. 4 Next to the territory of Naphtali, from the east side to the west, will be Manasseh—one portion. 5 Next to the territory of Manasseh, from the east side to the west, will be Ephraim—one portion. 6 Next to the territory of Ephraim, from the east side to the west, will be Reuben—one portion. 7 Next to the territory of Reuben, from the east side to the west, will be Judah—one portion. 8 “Next to the territory of Judah, from the east side to the west, will be the portion you donate to the Lord, 8⅓ miles wide, and as long as one of the tribal portions from the east side to the west. The sanctuary will be in the middle of it.

“Each tribal area was declared to be equal, according to 47:14. Each would have parallel borders on the north and south and would stretch from the west boundary to the east boundary, in equal sizes, one next to the other. The allotments were listed for the tribes beginning at the north and progressing south. The order has no conformity to any other in Israel’s history. The tribes that originated through Jacob’s wives’ handmaids were placed on the outer extremities, whereas the tribes from Rachel and Leah were in the center of the land (cf. Ge 35:23-26). The faithful tribes of the southern kingdom of Judah—Judah and Benjamin—would have the privileged positions next to the land’s special sacred portion.” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)

9 “The special portion you donate to Yahweh will be 8⅓ miles long and 3⅓ miles wide. 10 This holy donation will be set apart for the priests alone. It will be 8⅓ miles long on the northern side, 3⅓ miles wide on the western side, 3⅓ miles wide on the eastern side, and 8⅓ miles long on the southern side. Yahweh’s sanctuary will be in the middle of it. 11 It is for the consecrated priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept my charge and did not go astray as the Levites did when the Israelites went astray. 12 It will be a special donation for them out of the holy donation of the land, a most holy place adjacent to the territory of the Levites.

13 “Next to the territory of the priests, the Levites will have an area 8⅓ miles long and 3⅓ miles wide. The total length will be 8⅓ miles and the width 3⅓ miles. 14 They must not sell or exchange any of it, and they must not transfer this choice part of the land, for it is holy to Yahweh.

“A portion of the land—25,000 rods wide (see comments on 42:15-20; 45:1-8) and having the same length as the tribal allotments from east to west—was set aside by the people as a special contribution to the Lord (cf. 45:1-8). This special portion was composed of four distinct parts: the sacred area given to the Zadokian priests (vv.9-12), the Levites’ land (vv.13-14), the city land (vv.15-20), and the prince’s land (vv.21-22).” (Expositor’s)

15 “The remaining area, 1⅔ miles wide and 8⅓ miles long, will be for common use by the city, for both residential and open space. The city will be in the middle of it. 16 These are the city’s measurements:

1½ miles on the north side; 1½ miles on the south side; 1½ miles on the east side; and 1½ miles on the west side. 17 The city’s open space will extend: 425 feet to the north, 425 feet to the south, 425 feet to the east, and 425 feet to the west. 18 “The remainder of the length alongside the holy donation will be 3⅓ miles to the east and 3⅓ miles to the west. It will run alongside the holy donation. Its produce will be food for the workers of the city. 19 The city’s workers from all the tribes of Israel will cultivate it. 20 The entire donation will be 8⅓ miles by 8⅓ miles; you are to set apart the holy donation along with the city property as a square area.

“This land strip would be used for the city’s pastureland…The remainder of the land on either side of the city would be used for growing food for the workers in the city…Workers from every tribe who lived in the city would farm this land.” (Expositor’s)

21 “The remaining area on both sides of the holy donation and the city property will belong to the prince. He will own the land adjacent to the tribal portions, next to the 8⅓ miles of the donation as far as the eastern border and next to the 8⅓ miles of the donation as far as the western border. The holy donation and the sanctuary of the temple will be in the middle of it. 22 Except for the Levitical property and the city property in the middle of the area belonging to the prince, the area between the territory of Judah and that of Benjamin will belong to the prince.

“The property of the Levites and priests, along with that of the city, would lie in the center of the prince’s land. The entire sacred area and the prince’s land would lie between the tribal allotments of Judah to the north and Benjamin to the south.” (Expositor’s)

23 “As for the rest of the tribes:

From the east side to the west, will be Benjamin—one portion. 24 Next to the territory of Benjamin, from the east side to the west, will be Simeon—one portion. 25 Next to the territory of Simeon, from the east side to the west, will be Issachar—one portion. 26 Next to the territory of Issachar, from the east side to the west, will be Zebulun—one portion. 27 Next to the territory of Zebulun, from the east side to the west, will be Gad—one portion. 28 Next to the territory of Gad toward the south side, the border will run from Tamar to the Waters of Meribath-kadesh, to the Brook of Egypt, and out to the Mediterranean Sea. 29 This is the land you are to allot as an inheritance to Israel’s tribes, and these will be their portions.” This is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh.

For a picture of what the land allotments would look like, see http://www.thebookwurm.com/eze45an.htm.

The New City
30 “These are the exits of the city:

On the north side, which measures 1½ miles, 31 there will be three gates facing north, the gates of the city being named for the tribes of Israel: one, the gate of Reuben; one, the gate of Judah; and one, the gate of Levi. 32 On the east side, which is 1½ miles, there will be three gates: one, the gate of Joseph; one, the gate of Benjamin; and one, the gate of Dan. 33 On the south side, which measures 1½ miles, there will be three gates: one, the gate of Simeon; one, the gate of Issachar; and one, the gate of Zebulun. 34 On the west side, which is 1½ miles, there will be three gates: one, the gate of Gad; one, the gate of Asher; and one, the gate of Naphtali.

35 The perimeter of the city will be six miles, and the name of the city from that day on will be Yahweh Is There.” (Ezekiel 49)

The city’s twelve gates are named for each tribe of Israel, just as they will be in the heavenly city that comes to earth and forms the abode of the eternal kingdom (Revelation 21:12-13). But that city will also have twelve foundation stones named for the twelve apostles. This city only has names for the tribes because this is Israel’s capital. This city is a square, as is the heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation 21, though that city is actually a cube. They have similar characteristics because the earthly city is patterned after the heavenly one.

“Ezekiel concludes his great prophecy by giving the city a name, a name that the city would have from that day forward: “THE LORD IS THERE.” The Lord would reside forever with his people. Never again would they be separated from him through discipline. Forever Israel would live as God’s people and he as their God!” (Expositor’s)