Ezekiel 48:2-7
Asher <0836> [Asher.]
Naphtali <05321> [Naphtali.]
border <01366> [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 on ch. 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 <04519> [Manasseh.]
Ephraim <0669> [Ephraim.]
Reuben <07205> [Reuben.]
Judah <03063> [Judah.]
Ezekiel 48:23-27
Benjamin <01144> [Benjamin.]
[a portion. Heb. one portion.]
Simeon <08095> [Simeon.]
Issachar <03485> [Issachar.]
Zebulun <02074> [Zebulun.]
Gad <01410> [Gad.]
Ezekiel 48:30
exits <08444> [the goings.]
one and one-half miles <0702> [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 on ver. 15; ch. 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.
Ezekiel 48:8
allotment <08641> [the offering.]
sanctuary <04720> [the sanctuary.]
