Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Ezekiel 48
Ezekiel 48:35The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.”
The city is given a new name, 'The Lord Is There,' which summarizes the entire point of the Bible: God dwelling with His people.Ezekiel 48:11It shall be for the priests who are sanctified of the sons of Zadok, who kept my charge, who did not go astray when the people of Israel went astray, as the Levites did.
This highlights the importance of staying faithful to God even when everyone else is walking away from Him.Ezekiel 48:29This is the land that you shall allot as an inheritance among the tribes of Israel, and these are their portions, declares the Lord God.
This verse confirms that the land is a gift from God, distributed fairly as a permanent home for His children.
Historical & Cultural Context
A New Map for a Restored People
After receiving the outer boundaries of the land in Ezekiel 47:13-21, the prophet now sees how the interior is divided. The tribes are arranged in horizontal strips across the land, starting from the north and moving south. This layout is different from the historical tribal lands, suggesting a new, symbolic order where everyone is included. The vision emphasizes that God has not forgotten any of the tribes, even those who were lost or scattered.
God at the Center of Everything
In the middle of these tribal strips lies a special section called the holy district. This area contains the temple, the homes for the priests and Levites, and the city itself. By placing this district in the center, the vision shows that God is the heart of the nation's life and economy. Even the 'common' areas of the city are connected to this holy center, showing that all of life is meant to be lived near God.
The Allotment of the Restored Land
In Ezekiel 48:1-35, the prophet is shown the final blueprint for the land of Israel. The scene moves from the northern border down to the southern tip, pausing at the sacred center where the Lord dwells. This is a vision of a perfect kingdom where God's presence brings total peace and order. It is not merely a real estate report.
The Northern Tribal Portions (Ezekiel 48:1-7)
1 These are the names of the tribes: Beginning at the northern extreme, beside the way of Hethlon to Lebo-hamath, as far as Hazar-enan (which is on the northern border of Damascus over against Hamath), and extending from the east side to the west, Dan, one portion.
2 And by the border of Dan, from the east side to the west, Asher, one portion.
3 "On the east side, the boundary shall run between Hauran and Damascus; along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel; to the eastern sea and as far as Tamar. This is the east side."
4 And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west, Manasseh, one portion.
5 “Adjoining the territory of Manasseh, from the east side to the west, Ephraim, one portion.
6 “And alongside the portion set apart as the holy district, you shall assign for the property of the city an area five thousand cubits broad and twenty-five thousand cubits long. It shall belong to the whole house of Israel.
7 And alongside the territory of the priests, the Levites shall have an allotment 25,000 cubits in length and 10,000 in breadth. The whole length shall be 25,000 cubits and the breadth 20,000.
Commentary:
Seven tribes are given their specific lands in the north, showing God's organized care for His people.
The Holy District and the Prince (Ezekiel 48:8-22)
8 "Adjoining the territory of Judah, from the east side to the west, shall be the portion which you shall set apart, 25,000 cubits in breadth, and in length equal to one of the tribal portions, from the east side to the west, with the sanctuary in the midst of it.
9 “The offering that you shall give to the Lord shall be 25,000 cubits in length, and 10,000 in breadth.
10 And these shall be the measurements of the altar by cubits (the cubit being a cubit and a handbreadth): its base shall be one cubit high and one cubit broad, with a rim of one span around its edge. And this shall be the height of the altar:
11 It shall be for the priests who are sanctified of the sons of Zadok, who kept my charge, who did not go astray when the people of Israel went astray, as the Levites did.
12 These shall be its measurements: the north side four thousand five hundred cubits, the south side four thousand five hundred, the east side four thousand five hundred, and the west side four thousand five hundred.
13 And alongside the territory of the priests, the Levites shall have an allotment 25,000 cubits in length and 10,000 in breadth. The whole length shall be 25,000 cubits and the breadth 20,000.
14 They shall not sell or exchange any of it.
15 The remainder, 5,000 cubits in breadth and 25,000 in length, shall be for common use for the city, for dwellings and for open country. In the midst of it shall be the city,
16 These shall be its measurements: the north side four thousand five hundred cubits, the south side four thousand five hundred, the east side four thousand five hundred, and the west side four thousand five hundred.
17 And the city shall have open land: on the north side 2500 cubits, on the south side 2500 cubits, on the east side 2500 cubits, and on the west side 2500 cubits.
18 And the remainder of the length alongside the holy portion shall be 10,000 cubits to the east, and 10,000 to the west, and it shall be alongside the holy portion. Its produce shall be food for the workers of the city.
19 And those who serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel.
20 “All the offering shall be 25,000 by 25,000 cubits; you shall set apart the holy portion, the land belonging to the city, for its property.
21 “The rest shall be for the prince, on one side and on the other of the holy district and of the property of the city, in front of the twenty-five thousand cubits of the property as far as the eastern border, and westward in front of the twenty-five thousand, the western border, parallel to the tribal portions. It shall belong to the prince. The holy district and the sanctuary of the temple shall be in the midst of it.
22 The remainder of the length alongside the holy portion shall be 10,000 cubits to the east, and 10,000 to the west, and it shall be alongside the holy portion. Its produce shall be food for the workers of the city.
Commentary:
A central area is dedicated to God's temple, the priests, and the city, making worship the center of life.
The Southern Tribal Portions (Ezekiel 48:23-29)
23 As for the rest of the tribes: from the east side to the west, Benjamin, one portion.
24 "Beside the portion for the prince, the land allotted for the sanctuary, and the land allotted for the city shall be on the west side and on the east side parallel to the tribal portions. It shall be for the whole house of Israel, with the city in the midst of it.
25 “The gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel, three gates to the north: the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi.
26 On the west side, the Great Sea shall be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This is the west side.
27 "And on the east side, 4,500 cubits, three gates, the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin, the gate of Dan."
28 And by the border of Gad, at the south side, the boundary shall run from Tamar to the waters of Meribah-kadesh, from there along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea.
29 This is the land that you shall allot as an inheritance among the tribes of Israel, and these are their portions, declares the Lord God.
Commentary:
The final five tribes receive their land in the south, completing the map of the restored nation.
The City Gates and the New Name (Ezekiel 48:30-35)
30 These shall be the exits of the city: On the north side, which is to be 4,500 cubits by measure,
31 The gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel, three gates to the north: the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi.
32 And on the east side, four thousand five hundred cubits, and three gates, and the same measurements for the north side.
33 "And the south side shall be five thousand cubits by measure."
34 The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.”
35 The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.”
Commentary:
The city is given twelve gates for the tribes and a new name that promises God will always be present.
The Spiritual Blueprint of God's Kingdom
The Beauty of Divine Order
Ezekiel 48 shows that God's kingdom is not chaotic or random. By giving every tribe a specific, measured portion, God demonstrates that He has a plan for everyone and that there is enough room for all His children to thrive.
Faithfulness Rewarded
The special mention of the sons of Zadok in verse 11 reveals that God notices when we stay true to Him during difficult times. While others went astray, they kept their charge, and God honored them with a special place near His sanctuary.
The Goal of Human History
The final name of the city, 'The Lord Is There,' reveals that the point of all God's work is to be with us. Everything in the chapter - the land, the gates, the measurements - exists to support the reality of God dwelling among His people.
Living in the Light of God's Presence
It teaches you that God has a specific 'portion' or purpose for you. He assigned land to each tribe in Ezekiel 48:29. In the same way, He has prepared a place for you in His kingdom and provides exactly what you need to fulfill your calling.
You can choose to remain faithful to God's instructions even when the culture around you goes in a different direction. Ezekiel 48:11 shows that God deeply values those who 'keep His charge' when others go astray, promising a closer relationship with Him as a result.
The solution to your problems is the presence of God Himself, not merely a change in circumstances. Knowing that 'The Lord Is There' (Ezekiel 48:35) gives you peace and confidence, because you are never facing your challenges alone.
A Home Where God Dwells Forever
Ezekiel concludes his prophecy by showing that God's judgment was never the final word. His final word is a home. In this restored land, every tribe is welcomed back, and every boundary is set by God's own hand to ensure peace and belonging. The message is that God is meticulously preparing a place for His people where holiness and everyday life meet. The glory of this future is found in the world-changing fact that the Lord is there, rather than in the size of the land or the beauty of the gates.
What This Means for Us Today
The vision of Ezekiel 48 is an invitation to trust that God is building a future where we truly belong. He is not a distant landlord, but a loving Father who wants to live in the same city as His children. We can respond today by making our hearts a place where 'The Lord Is There,' inviting His presence into every corner of our lives.
- In what area of your life do you most need to remember that 'The Lord Is There'?
- How can you honor God's faithfulness in your own commitments this week?
- Are you resting in the inheritance God has provided, or are you still trying to build your own kingdom?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
Describes the life-giving river flowing from the temple and the outer borders of the land.
Connections Across Scripture
A New Testament vision of the New Jerusalem that shares many features with Ezekiel's city, including the twelve gates.
The original instructions for dividing the land, which Ezekiel's vision restores and perfects.
Jesus's promise to be with His followers always, echoing the name 'The Lord Is There.'
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think God spent so much time giving Ezekiel specific measurements and boundaries for the land?
- The sanctuary was placed in the very center of the land. What would it look like to place God at the 'center' of your daily schedule?
- If your home or workplace was given the name 'The Lord Is There,' how would that change the way you act and speak in those places?