The Tribal Allotments

48 “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.
Next to the territory of Dan, from the east side to the west, will be Asher—one portion.
Next to the territory of Asher, from the east side to the west, will be Naphtali—one portion.
Next to the territory of Naphtali, from the east side to the west, will be Manasseh—one portion.
Next to the territory of Manasseh, from the east side to the west, will be Ephraim—one portion.
Next to the territory of Ephraim, from the east side to the west, will be Reuben—one portion.
Next to the territory of Reuben, from the east side to the west, will be Judah—one portion.

“Next to the territory of Judah, from the east side to the west, will be the portion you donate to the Lord, 8⅓ miles[a] wide, and as long as one of the tribal portions from the east side to the west.(A) The sanctuary will be in the middle of it.

“The special portion you donate to the Lord will be 8⅓ miles[b] long and 3⅓ miles[c] wide. 10 This holy donation will be set apart for the priests alone. It will be 8⅓ miles[d] long on the northern side, 3⅓ miles[e] wide on the western side, 3⅓ miles[f] wide on the eastern side, and 8⅓ miles[g] long on the southern side. The Lord’s sanctuary will be in the middle of it. 11 It is for the consecrated priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept My charge(B) 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[h] long and 3⅓ miles[i] wide. The total length will be 8⅓ miles[j] and the width 3⅓ miles.[k](C) 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 the Lord.(D)

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

1½ miles[n] on the north side;
1½ miles[o] on the south side;
1½ miles[p] on the east side;
and 1½ miles[q] on the west side.

17 The city’s open space will extend:

425 feet[r] to the north,
425 feet[s] to the south,
425 feet[t] to the east,
and 425 feet[u] to the west.

18 “The remainder of the length alongside the holy donation will be 3⅓ miles[v] to the east and 3⅓ miles[w] 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.(F) 20 The entire donation will be 8⅓ miles[x] by 8⅓ miles;[y] you are to set apart the holy donation along with the city property as a square area.

21 “The remaining area on both sides of the holy donation and the city property will belong to the prince.(G) He will own the land adjacent to the tribal portions, next to the 8⅓ miles[z] of the donation as far as the eastern border and[aa] next to the 8⅓ miles[ab] 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.(H)

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(I) 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,(J) and these will be their portions.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.

The New City

30 “These are the exits of the city:

On the north side, which measures 1½ miles,[ac] 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,[ad] 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,[ae] 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,[af] 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,[ag] and the name of the city from that day on will be: Yahweh Is There.”(K)

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 48:8 Lit 25,000 [cubits]
  2. Ezekiel 48:9 Lit 25,000 [cubits]
  3. Ezekiel 48:9 Lit 10,000 [cubits]
  4. Ezekiel 48:10 Lit 25,000 [cubits]
  5. Ezekiel 48:10 Lit 10,000 [cubits]
  6. Ezekiel 48:10 Lit 10,000 [cubits]
  7. Ezekiel 48:10 Lit 25,000 [cubits]
  8. Ezekiel 48:13 Lit 25,000 [cubits]
  9. Ezekiel 48:13 Lit 10,000 [cubits]
  10. Ezekiel 48:13 Lit 25,000 [cubits]
  11. Ezekiel 48:13 Lit 10,000 [cubits]
  12. Ezekiel 48:15 Lit 5,000 [cubits]
  13. Ezekiel 48:15 Lit 25,000 [cubits]
  14. Ezekiel 48:16 Lit 4,500 [cubits]
  15. Ezekiel 48:16 Lit 4,500 [cubits]
  16. Ezekiel 48:16 Lit 4,500 [cubits]
  17. Ezekiel 48:16 Lit 4,500 [cubits]
  18. Ezekiel 48:17 Lit 250 [cubits]
  19. Ezekiel 48:17 Lit 250 [cubits]
  20. Ezekiel 48:17 Lit 250 [cubits]
  21. Ezekiel 48:17 Lit 250 [cubits]
  22. Ezekiel 48:18 Lit 10,000 [cubits]
  23. Ezekiel 48:18 Lit 10,000 [cubits]
  24. Ezekiel 48:20 Lit 25,000 [cubits]
  25. Ezekiel 48:20 Lit 25,000 [cubits]
  26. Ezekiel 48:21 Lit 25,000 [cubits]
  27. Ezekiel 48:21 Lit border, and to the west,
  28. Ezekiel 48:21 Lit 25,000 [cubits]
  29. Ezekiel 48:30 Lit 4,500 [cubits]
  30. Ezekiel 48:32 Lit 4,500 [cubits]
  31. Ezekiel 48:33 Lit 4,500 [cubits]
  32. Ezekiel 48:34 Lit 4,500 [cubits]
  33. Ezekiel 48:35 Lit 18,000 [cubits]

The Allotment of the Land and the Gates of the City

48 And[a] these are the names of the tribes: At the end of the north, along the way to Hethlon[b] from Lebo-hamath to Hazar Enan on the boundary of Damascus beside Hamath northward,[c] there will be one portion for Dan from the eastern border to the west.[d] And next to the territory of Dan, from the eastern border[e] up to the western border,[f] one portion for Asher. And next to the territory of Asher, from the eastern border[g] and up to the western border,[h] one portion for Naphtali. And next to the territory of Naphtali, from the eastern border[i] up to the western border,[j] one portion for Manasseh. And next to the territory of Manasseh, from the eastern border[k] up to the western border,[l] one portion for Ephraim. And next to the territory of Ephraim, from the eastern border[m] and up to the western border,[n] one portion for Reuben. And next to the territory of Reuben, from the eastern border[o] up to the western border,[p] one portion for Judah.

And next to the territory of Judah, from the eastern border[q] up to the western border,[r] shall be located the contribution that you set apart, twenty-five thousand cubits[s] in width, and its length just like one of the portions from the eastern border[t] up to the western border,[u] and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it. The contribution that you shall set apart for Yahweh, its length shall be twenty-five thousand cubits,[v] and its width ten thousand cubits.[w] 10 And to these shall be the holy district:[x] to the priests northwards twenty-five thousand cubits,[y] and westwards its width ten thousand cubits,[z] and eastwards its width ten thousand cubits,[aa] and southwards its length twenty-five thousand cubits,[ab] and the sanctuary of Yahweh shall be in the midst of it. 11 To the priests, the ones being consecrated from the descendants[ac] of Zadok, who took care of my service and who did not go astray[ad] when the Israelites went astray,[ae] just as[af] the Levites went astray. 12 And it will be for them a special gift from the contribution of the land as a most holy object[ag] next to the territory of the Levites. 13 And the Levites alongside[ah] the territory of the priests shall have twenty-five thousand cubits[ai] in length and in width ten thousand cubits,[aj] its full length,[ak] twenty-five thousand cubits[al] and its full width, ten thousand cubits.[am] 14 And they shall not sell any part from it, and shall not exchange, and shall not transfer the best of the land, for it is holy to Yahweh.

15 And the remaining part[an] of five thousand cubits[ao] in the width by[ap] twenty-five thousand cubits,[aq] is unholy;[ar] it is for the city as dwelling and as pastureland; and the city will be located in the middle of it.[as] 16 And these shall be its measurements: on its side to the north, four thousand five hundred cubits;[at] and on its side to the south, four thousand five hundred cubits;[au] and on the eastern side,[av] four thousand five hundred cubits;[aw] and on the western side,[ax] four thousand five hundred cubits.[ay] 17 And a pastureland shall be for the city northwards, two hundred and fifty cubits,[az] southwards two hundred and fifty cubits,[ba] and eastwards two hundred and fifty cubits,[bb] and westwards two hundred and fifty cubits.[bc] 18 And the rest in its length alongside[bd] the holy district,[be] ten thousand cubits[bf] eastwards and ten thousand[bg] westwards; and it shall be alongside[bh] the holy district[bi] and its yield[bj] shall be as food for the workers of the city. 19 And the workers of the city from all the tribes of Israel shall cultivate it. 20 All of the contribution, twenty-five thousand by twenty five thousand cubits[bk] square, you shall set apart as the holy district[bl] along with the property of the city. 21 And the rest shall be to[bm] the prince, on both sides[bn] of the holy district[bo] and of the property of the city extending from[bp] twenty-five thousand cubits of the contribution up to the boundary of the east, and westwards extending[bq] twenty-five thousand cubits[br] to the boundary of the sea alongside[bs] the tribal portions. They shall be for the prince, and it shall be the holy district,[bt] and the sanctuary of the temple[bu] will be in its middle. 22 And also the property of the Levites and the property of the city will be in the midst of the property which is for the prince; between the territory of Judah and between the territory of Benjamin the land will be for the prince.

23 And for the remainder of the tribes: From the side on the east up to the side on the west, Benjamin one portion; 24 and next to the territory of Benjamin, from the side on the east up to the side of the sea, Simeon one portion; 25 and next to the territory of Simeon, from the side of the east up to the side of the sea, Issachar one portion; 26 and next to the territory of Issachar, from the side of the east up to the side of the sea, Zebulun one portion; 27 and next to the territory of Zebulun, from the side of the east up to the side of the sea, Gad one portion; 28 and next to the territory of Gad, to the side of the south, southward;[bv] and the territory will be from Tamar to the waters of Meribath Kadesh, toward the wadi,[bw] on to the Great Sea.[bx] 29 This is the land that you shall allot as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel, and these are their portions,” declares[by] the Lord Yahweh.

30 And these shall be the exits of the city: From[bz] the north side,[ca] four thousand and five hundred cubits [cb] by measurement. 31 And the gates of the city shall be according to the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates to the north, the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one. 32 And on the east side, four thousand five hundred cubits,[cc] and three gates, and so the gate of Joseph, one; the gate of Benjamin, one; the gate of Dan, one. 33 And on the south side, four thousand five hundred cubits[cd] by measurement, and so three gates, the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; the gate of Zebulun, one. 34 And on the west[ce] side, four thousand five hundred cubits,[cf] and their gates three, the gate of Gad, one; the gate of Asher, one; the gate of Naphtali, one. 35 All around the city is eighteen thousand cubits,[cg] and the name of the city from that day is “Yahweh Is There”!

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 48:1 Or “Now”
  2. Ezekiel 48:1 Literally “to the side of the way of Hethlon”
  3. Ezekiel 48:1 Literally “northward to the side of Hamat,”
  4. Ezekiel 48:1 Literally “sea”
  5. Ezekiel 48:2 Literally “the side of the east
  6. Ezekiel 48:2 Literally “the side of the sea/west”
  7. Ezekiel 48:3 Literally “the side of the east”
  8. Ezekiel 48:3 Literally “the side of the west/sea”
  9. Ezekiel 48:4 Literally “the side of the east”
  10. Ezekiel 48:4 Literally “the side of the sea/west”
  11. Ezekiel 48:5 Literally “the side of the east”
  12. Ezekiel 48:5 Literally “the side of the sea/west”
  13. Ezekiel 48:6 Literally “the side of the east”
  14. Ezekiel 48:6 Literally “the side of the sea/west
  15. Ezekiel 48:7 Literally “the side of the east
  16. Ezekiel 48:7 Literally “the side of the sea/west
  17. Ezekiel 48:8 Literally “the side of the east
  18. Ezekiel 48:8 Literally “the side of the sea/west
  19. Ezekiel 48:8 That is, 8.33 miles
  20. Ezekiel 48:8 Literally “the side of the east
  21. Ezekiel 48:8 Literally “the side of the sea/west
  22. Ezekiel 48:9 That is, 8.33 miles
  23. Ezekiel 48:9 That is, 3.5 miles; cf. 48:13 and 45:1
  24. Ezekiel 48:10 Literally “the contribution of the holiness”
  25. Ezekiel 48:10 That is, 8.33 miles
  26. Ezekiel 48:10 That is, 3.5 miles
  27. Ezekiel 48:10 That is, 3.5 miles
  28. Ezekiel 48:10 That is, 8.33 miles
  29. Ezekiel 48:11 Or “sons”
  30. Ezekiel 48:11 Literally “who not they went astray”
  31. Ezekiel 48:11 Literally “at going astray the children of Israel”
  32. Ezekiel 48:11 Literally “as that”
  33. Ezekiel 48:12 Literally “as a holiness of holinesses”
  34. Ezekiel 48:13 Literally “to corresponding”
  35. Ezekiel 48:13 That is, 8.33 miles
  36. Ezekiel 48:13 That is, 3.5 miles
  37. Ezekiel 48:13 Literally “all/every of its length ….”
  38. Ezekiel 48:13 That is, 8.33 miles
  39. Ezekiel 48:13 That is, 3.5 miles
  40. Ezekiel 48:15 Literally “the being a part left over”
  41. Ezekiel 48:15 That is, 1.75 miles
  42. Ezekiel 48:15 Literally “in front of”
  43. Ezekiel 48:15 That is, 8.33 miles
  44. Ezekiel 48:15 Or “common”
  45. Ezekiel 48:15 Literally “will be the city in its middle”
  46. Ezekiel 48:16 That is, 1.5 miles
  47. Ezekiel 48:16 That is, 1.5 miles
  48. Ezekiel 48:16 Literally “from the side of the east”
  49. Ezekiel 48:16 That is, 1.5 miles
  50. Ezekiel 48:16 Literally “and the side of the sea/west + directive”
  51. Ezekiel 48:16 That is, 1.5 miles
  52. Ezekiel 48:17 That is, 150 yards
  53. Ezekiel 48:17 That is, 150 yards
  54. Ezekiel 48:17 That is, 150 yards
  55. Ezekiel 48:17 That is, 150 yards
  56. Ezekiel 48:18 Literally “to corresponding”
  57. Ezekiel 48:18 Literally “the contribution of the holiness”
  58. Ezekiel 48:18 That is, 3.5 miles
  59. Ezekiel 48:18 That is, 3.5 miles
  60. Ezekiel 48:18 Literally “to corresponding”
  61. Ezekiel 48:18 Literally “the contribution of the holiness”
  62. Ezekiel 48:18 According to the reading tradition (Qere); cf. BHS
  63. Ezekiel 48:20 That is, 8.33 square miles
  64. Ezekiel 48:20 Literally “the contribution of the holiness”
  65. Ezekiel 48:21 Or “for”
  66. Ezekiel 48:21 Literally “from this and from this”
  67. Ezekiel 48:21 Literally “of the contribution of the holiness”
  68. Ezekiel 48:21 Literally “to in front of”
  69. Ezekiel 48:21 Literally “to in front of”
  70. Ezekiel 48:21 That is, 8.33 miles
  71. Ezekiel 48:21 Literally “to corresponding”
  72. Ezekiel 48:21 Literally “the contribution of the holiness”
  73. Ezekiel 48:21 Or “house”
  74. Ezekiel 48:28 Literally “south”
  75. Ezekiel 48:28 That is, the Wadi of Egypt
  76. Ezekiel 48:28 That is, the Mediterranean
  77. Ezekiel 48:29 Literally “declaration of”
  78. Ezekiel 48:30 Or “on” or “along”
  79. Ezekiel 48:30 Literally “the side of the north”
  80. Ezekiel 48:30 That is, 1.5 miles
  81. Ezekiel 48:32 That is, 1.5 miles
  82. Ezekiel 48:33 That is, 1.5 miles
  83. Ezekiel 48:34 Or “sea”
  84. Ezekiel 48:34 That is, 1.5 miles
  85. Ezekiel 48:35 That is, 6 miles