Bible Glide

Ezekiel 48

Ezekiel 48 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Ezekiel 48 gives the final layout of the restored land. The chapter assigns portions to the tribes, sets apart land for the priests and Levites, describes the city area, and ends with the city gates named for Israel's tribes. It closes with a striking promise about God's presence.

Read in ReaderShare Passage

What happens in Ezekiel 48?

This chapter arranges the land of Israel in ordered bands from north to south, with each tribe receiving its portion. Near the center is a holy section reserved for the priests, especially the descendants of Zadok, along with land for the Levites. A separate area is given for the city, its workers, and pastureland, while the prince receives land on both sides of the holy district. The chapter then names the city gates after the tribes and ends by declaring the city's name: The LORD Is There.

Ezekiel 48 is the closing chapter of the book and follows the vision of the temple and restored land in chapters 40 through 47. It completes the final picture of renewed worship, ordered inheritance, and God's presence among his people. The chapter also ties back to Israel's tribal identity while placing the sanctuary at the center.

Themes to notice

  • Ordered inheritanceThe land is measured and assigned in a careful pattern that gives each tribe a defined place.
  • Holy centerThe sanctuary, priests, and Levites are placed at the heart of the land to show the priority of worship.
  • God's presenceThe chapter ends with the city's new name, pointing to the hope that the Lord dwells among his people.

Questions for Ezekiel 48

  • What does the detailed layout of the land suggest about God's care and order?
  • Why are the priests, Levites, and sanctuary placed at the center of the vision?
  • What does the name The LORD Is There mean for the future hope of God's people?

Read the full text of Ezekiel 48 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Ezekiel 48

The Portions for the Tribes

1“Now these are the names of the tribes:

At the northern frontier, Dan will have one portion bordering the road of Hethlon to Lebo-hamath and running on to Hazar-enan on the border of Damascus with Hamath to the north, and extending from the east side to the west side.

2Asher will have one portion bordering the territory of Dan from east to west.

3Naphtali will have one portion bordering the territory of Asher from east to west.

4Manasseh will have one portion bordering the territory of Naphtali from east to west.

5Ephraim will have one portion bordering the territory of Manasseh from east to west.

6Reuben will have one portion bordering the territory of Ephraim from east to west.

7Judah will have one portion bordering the territory of Reuben from east to west.

The Portions for the Priests and Levites

8Bordering the territory of Judah, from east to west, will be the portion you are to set apart. It will be 25,000 cubits wide, and the length of a tribal portion from east to west. In the center will be the sanctuary.

9The special portion you set apart to the LORD shall be 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide.10This will be the holy portion for the priests. It will be 25,000 cubits long on the north side, 10,000 cubits wide on the west side, 10,000 cubits wide on the east side, and 25,000 cubits long on the south side. In the center will be the sanctuary of the LORD.11It will be for the consecrated priests, the descendants of Zadok, who kept My charge and did not go astray as the Levites did when the Israelites went astray.12It will be a special portion for them set apart from the land, a most holy portion adjacent to the territory of the Levites.

13Bordering the territory of the priests, the Levites shall have an area 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. The whole length will be 25,000 cubits, and the width 10,000 cubits.14They must not sell or exchange any of it, and they must not transfer this best part of the land, for it is holy to the LORD.

The Common Portion

15The remaining area, 5,000 cubits wide and 25,000 cubits long, will be for common use by the city, for houses, and for pastureland. The city will be in the center of it16and will have these measurements: 4,500 cubits on the north side, 4,500 cubits on the south side, 4,500 cubits on the east side, and 4,500 cubits on the west side.17The pastureland of the city will extend 250 cubits to the north, 250 cubits to the south, 250 cubits to the east, and 250 cubits to the west.18The remainder of the length bordering the holy portion and running adjacent to it will be 10,000 cubits on the east side and 10,000 cubits on the west side. Its produce will supply food for the workers of the city.19The workers of the city who cultivate it will come from all the tribes of Israel.20The entire portion will be a square, 25,000 cubits by 25,000 cubits. You are to set apart the holy portion, along with the city property.

The Portion for the Prince

21The remaining area on both sides of the holy portion and of the property of the city will belong to the prince. He will own the land adjacent to the tribal portions, extending eastward from the 25,000 cubits of the holy district toward the eastern border, and westward from the 25,000 cubits to the western border. And in the center of them will be the holy portion and the sanctuary of the temple.22So the Levitical property and the city property will lie in the center of the area belonging to the prince—the area between the borders of Judah and Benjamin.

The Portions for the Remaining Tribes

23As for the rest of the tribes:

Benjamin will have one portion extending from the east side to the west side.

24Simeon will have one portion bordering the territory of Benjamin from east to west.

25Issachar will have one portion bordering the territory of Simeon from east to west.

26Zebulun will have one portion bordering the territory of Issachar from east to west.

27And Gad will have one portion bordering the territory of Zebulun from east to west.

28The southern border of Gad will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, then along the Brook of Egypt and out to the Great Sea.

29This 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.

The City Gates and Dimensions

30“These will be the exits of the city:

Beginning on the north side, which will be 4,500 cubits long,

31the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. On the north side there will be three gates: the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi.

32On the east side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, there will be three gates: the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin, and the gate of Dan.

33On the south side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, there will be three gates: the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar, and the gate of Zebulun.

34And on the west side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, there will be three gates: the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher, and the gate of Naphtali.

35The perimeter of the city will be 18,000 cubits, and from that day on the name of the city will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

Keep studying

Save notes and ask about Ezekiel 48

Create a free account to keep highlights and notes across devices, or open Bible Glide Chat with this passage already attached.

Create Free AccountAsk About This Passage