Ezekiel 45
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
When ye shall divide by lot - That is, when on your repossessing your land, every family settles according to the allotment which they formerly had; for it is certain that the land was not divided afresh by lot after the Babylonish captivity. The allotment mentioned and described here was merely for the service of the temple, the use of the priests, and the prince or governor of the people. A division of the whole land is not intended.
Open source ↗ALLOTMENT OF THE LAND FOR THE SANCTUARY, THE CITY, AND THE PRINCE. (Eze. 45:1-25) offer an oblation--from a Hebrew root to "heave" or "raise"; when anything was offered to God, the offerer raised the hand. The special territorial division for the tribes is given in the forty-seventh and forty-eighth chapters. Only Jehovah's portion is here subdivided into its three parts: (1) that for the sanctuary (Eze 45:2-3); (2) that for the priests (Eze 45:4); (3) that for the Levites (Eze 45:5). Compare Eze 48:8-13. five and twenty thousand reeds, &c.--So English Version rightly fills the ellipsis (compare Note, see on Eze 42:16). Hence "cubits" are mentioned in Eze 45:2, not here, implying that there alone cubits are meant. Taking each reed at twelve feet, the area of the whole would be a square of sixty miles on each side. The whole forming a square betokens the settled stability of the community and the harmony of all classes. "An holy portion of the land" (Eze 45:1) comprised the whole length, and only two-fifths of the breadth. The outer territory in its distribution harmonizes with the inner and more sacred arrangements of the sanctuary. No room is to be given for oppression (see Eze 45:8), all having ample provision made for their wants and comforts. All will mutually co-operate without constraint or contention.
Open source ↗Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land, for inheritance,.... This is not to be understood literally of the division of the land of Israel; which agrees not with the division of it begun by Moses, and finished by Joshua, upon his conquest of it, and the introduction of the people of Israel into it; nor was such a division as this made when the Jews returned from Babylon; nor is there any reason to expect the like when they shall be converted in the latter day; nor is it meant typically of the heavenly inheritance, which saints obtain in Christ by lot, Eph 1:11, of which the earthly Canaan was a type; though some in this way interpret it: but since the whole vision respects the church of Christ on earth, it must be meant mystically and spiritually of the kingdom of Christ, and the settlement and establishment of it throughout the whole world, according to the allotment and determination of God; and they are a distinct and special people that are admitted into this state; it is by the distinguishing grace of God that they are taken into the Gospel church, and have a part and share in all the privileges and immunities of it. Ye shall offer an oblation unto the Lord, an holy portion of the land; which should be lifted up as the heave offering was, and dedicated to the Lord: this designs such persons who are separated from the world, and sanctified by the Spirit of God, who shall be brought by the ministers of the word to the Lord, as trophies of his efficacious and victorious grace, ascribing the whole glory of their conversion to him; and these shall present themselves, souls and bodies, a holy, living, and acceptable sacrifice to him; see Isa 66:20. The length shall be the length of five and twenty thousand reeds, and the breadth shall be ten thousand; the kind of…
Open source ↗The determination of the means of support for the priesthood is followed still further by an explanation of the manner in which Jehovah will be their inheritance and possession; in other words, assign to the priests and Levites that portion of the land which was requisite for their abode. This is to be done by His causing a definite tract of land to be set apart for Himself, for the sanctuary, and for His servants, and for the capital, when the country is distributed among the tribes of Israel (Eze 45:1-8). On both sides of this domain the prince is also to receive a possession in land, to guard against all exaction on the part of the princes in time to come. And everywhere unrighteousness is to cease, just weight and measure are to be observed (Eze 45:9-12), and the people are to pay certain heave-offerings to provide for the sacrifices binding upon the prince (Eze 45:13-17). Eze 45:1-8 The Holy Heave from the Land. - Eze 45:1. And when ye divide the land by lot for an inheritance, ye shall lift a heave for Jehovah as a holy (portion) from the land; five and twenty thousand the length, and the breadth ten (? twenty) thousand. It shall be holy in all its circumference round about. Eze 45:2. Of this five hundred shall belong to the Holy by five hundred square round about, and fifty cubits open space thereto round about. Eze 45:3. And from this measured space thou shalt measure a length of five and twenty thousand, and a breadth of ten thousand, and in this shall be the sanctuary, a holy of holies. Eze 45:4. A holy (portion) of the land shall this be; to the priests, the servants of the sanctuary, shall it belong who draw near to serve Jehovah, and it shall be to them the place for houses and a sanctuary for the sanctuary. Eze 45:5. And five and twenty thousand in length…
Open source ↗Directions are here given for the dividing of the land after their return to it; and, God having warranted them to do it, would be an act of faith, and not of folly, thus to divide it before they had it. And it would be welcome news to the captives to hear that they should not only return to their own land, but that, whereas they were now but few in number, they should increase and multiply, so as to replenish it. But this never had its accomplishment in the Jewish state after the return out of captivity, but was to be fulfilled in the model of the Christian church, which was perfectly new (as this division of the land was quite different from that in Joshua's time) and much enlarged by the accession of the Gentiles to it; and it will be perfected in the heavenly kingdom, of which the land of Canaan had always been a type. Now, 1. Here is the portion of land assigned to the sanctuary, in the midst of which the temple was to be built, with all its courts and purlieus; the rest round about it was for the priests. This is called (Eze 45:1) an oblation to the Lord; for what is given in works of piety, for the maintenance and support of the worship of God and the advancement of religion, God accepts as given to him, if it be done with a single eye. It is a holy portion of the land, which is to be set out first, as the first-fruits that sanctify the lump. The appropriating of lands for the support of religion and the ministry is an act of piety that bids as fair for perpetuity, and the benefit of posterity, as any. This holy portion of the land was to be measured, and the borders of it fixed, that the sanctuary itself might not have more than its share and in time engross the whole land. So far the lands of the church shall extend and no further; as in our own kingdom donatio…
Open source ↗45:1-8 The division of the restored Promised Land among the tribes is described in detail in chs 47–48, but the central sacred section is described here because it included the area set aside for the priests to live in. Regaining a share in the land was a pressing concern for the exiles at a time when they had none. Ezekiel’s interest, however, was not simply in promising that the land would be divided among them in a fair way. He wanted to remind them of what the Promised Land was about in the first place. It was a land in which God would dwell among his people. At the outset, therefore, the central part of the land would be assigned to the Lord as his holy portion. The main purpose of this was to provide a zone of holiness and protection around the Temple.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the…
Open source ↗קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction רָבַע (râbaʻ, H7251) — to be quadrate סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… מִגְרָשׁ (migrâsh, H4054) — a suburb (i.e. open country whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area…
Open source ↗מִדָּה (middâh, H4060) — properly, extension, i.e. height or breadth; also a measure (including its standard);… מָדַד (mâdad, H4058) — properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line);… אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdâsh, H4720) — a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
Open source ↗קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdâsh, H4720) — a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of… קָרֵב (qârêb, H7131) — near יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֲחֻזָּה (ʼăchuzzâh, H272) — something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land) לִשְׁכָּה (lishkâh, H3957) — a room in a building (whether for storage, eating, or lodging)
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֲחֻזָּה (ʼăchuzzâh, H272) — something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length עֻמָּה (ʻummâh, H5980) — conjunction, i.e. society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix),… תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗נָשִׂיא (nâsîyʼ, H5387) — properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity אֲחֻזָּה (ʼăchuzzâh, H272) — something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… פֵּאָה (pêʼâh, H6285) — properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e. direction, region, extremity קֶדֶם (qedem, H6924) — the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity);… קָדִים (qâdîym, H6921) — the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the East (often adverbially, eastward, for… אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length עֻמָּה (ʻummâh, H5980) — conjunction, i.e. society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix),… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first חֵלֶק (chêleq, H2506) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֲחֻזָּה (ʼăchuzzâh, H272) — something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָשִׂיא (nâsîyʼ, H5387) — properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist יָנָה (yânâh, H3238) — to rage or be violent; by implication, to suppress, to maltreat עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,…
Open source ↗נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) נָשִׂיא (nâsîyʼ, H5387) — properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain שֹׁד (shôd, H7701) — violence, ravage עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)… רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) גְרֻשָׁה (gᵉrushâh, H1646) — (abstractly) dispossession
Open source ↗צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity מֹאזֵן (môʼzên, H3976) — (only in the dual) a pair of scales אֵיפָה (ʼêyphâh, H374) — an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general בַּת (bath, H1324) — a bath or Hebrew measure (as a means of division) of liquids
Open source ↗אֵיפָה (ʼêyphâh, H374) — an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general בַּת (bath, H1324) — a bath or Hebrew measure (as a means of division) of liquids אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first תֹּכֶן (tôken, H8506) — a fixed quantity נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative מַעֲשֵׂר (maʻăsêr, H4643) — a tenth; especially a tithe חֹמֶר (chômer, H2563) — properly, a bubbling up, i.e. of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay (cement); also a… עֲשִׂירִי (ʻăsîyrîy, H6224) — tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part מַתְכֹנֶת (mathkôneth, H4971) — proportion (in size, number or ingredients)
Open source ↗שֶׁקֶל (sheqel, H8255) — probably a weight; used as a commercial standard עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth גֵּרָה (gêrâh, H1626) — a gerah or small weight (and coin) חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) מָנֶה (mâneh, H4488) — properly, a fixed weight or measured amount, i.e. (techn.) a maneh or mina
Open source ↗תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) שִׁשִּׁי (shishshîy, H8345) — sixth, ord. or (feminine) fractional אֵיפָה (ʼêyphâh, H374) — an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general חֹמֶר (chômer, H2563) — properly, a bubbling up, i.e. of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay (cement); also a… חִטָּה (chiṭṭâh, H2406) — wheat, whether the grain or the plant שָׁשָׁה (shâshâh, H8341) — to sixth or divide into sixths שְׂעֹרָה (sᵉʻôrâh, H8184) — barley (as villose)
Open source ↗חֹק (chôq, H2706) — an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage) שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness בַּת (bath, H1324) — a bath or Hebrew measure (as a means of division) of liquids מַעֲשֵׂר (maʻăsêr, H4643) — a tenth; especially a tithe כֹּר (kôr, H3734) — properly, a deep round vessel, i.e. (specifically) a cor or measure for things dry חֹמֶר (chômer, H2563) — properly, a bubbling up, i.e. of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay (cement); also a… עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
This is the land you are to allot as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel, and these will be their portions,” declares the Lord GOD.
So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes.
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest;
The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me.
All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim—all the Sidonians—I Myself will drive out before the Israelites. Be sure to divide it by lot as an inheritance to Israel, as I have commanded you.
Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.