And a portion shall be for the prince on the one side and on the other side of the oblation of the holy portion, and of the possession of the city, before the oblation of the holy portion, and before the possession of the city, from the west side westward, and from the east side eastward: and the length shall be over against one of the portions, from the west border unto the east border.

EZEKIEL 45:7KJV
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Ezekiel 45:7 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 45:7 mean?

Ezekiel 45:7 describes a special section of land set aside for "the prince," with his territory lying on both sides of the area dedicated as a holy offering and the city's property, stretching from the western to the eastern border. This verse lays out the boundaries and location of the prince's land in relation to the sacred and city areas in Ezekiel's vision of a restored Israel.

The prophet Ezekiel is relaying God's instructions to the exiles in Babylon about how land should be divided when Israel is restored. The "prince" refers to a future leader, and the verse carefully details his allotted land so it is distinct from the land set apart for the temple ("holy portion") and the city. This reflects a vision of order and fairness in the new community.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 45:7

  • "prince" (נָשִׂיא, nasi): This word means a leader or ruler, but not necessarily a king. Here it signals a person with authority, but distinct from the priesthood or monarchy.
  • "oblation" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah): This refers to an offering or a portion set aside for a sacred purpose. The "oblation of the holy portion" marks land dedicated to God, emphasizing its separation from other uses.
  • "holy" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This word means something set apart for God. The "holy portion" is land reserved for worship and temple service.
  • "possession" (אֲחֻזָּה, achuzzah): This means a permanent holding or inheritance, highlighting the lasting nature of the city's and prince's land.
  • "before" (פָּנִים, panim): Often translated "in front of" or "facing," this word helps clarify the spatial relationship between the prince's land and the other portions.
  • "side" (פֵּאָה, pe'ah): This means "side" or "edge," used here to describe the prince's land lying on both sides of the sacred and city areas.

Why Ezekiel 45:7 matters

  • This verse clears up that the prince's land is not mixed with the temple or city land, but is carefully positioned alongside them, showing a separation of roles and responsibilities.
  • Ezekiel 45:7 emphasizes fairness and structure in the distribution of land, reflecting God's concern for order in the community.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing how each group—priests, people, and prince—receives a distinct inheritance, which helps prevent abuses of power and ensures that worship and governance remain balanced.

Where else these words appear

“against” Hebrew H5980 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 25:27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
  • Ezekiel 3:13 I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.

“possession” Hebrew H272 · used in 58 verses

  • Genesis 17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
  • Leviticus 25:41 And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.
  • Joshua 21:41 All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.

“side” Hebrew H6285 · used in 59 verses

  • Exodus 25:26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
  • Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
  • Ezekiel 48:1 Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.

“oblation” Hebrew H8641 · used in 63 verses

  • Exodus 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
  • Numbers 15:19 Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the LORD.
  • Ezra 8:25 And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered: