And for them, even for the priests, shall be this holy oblation; toward the north five and twenty thousand in length, and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the LORD shall be in the midst thereof.

EZEKIEL 48:10KJV
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Ezekiel 48:10 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 48:10 mean?

Ezekiel 48:10 describes the specific portion of land set aside for the priests in the new division of Israel, giving its exact measurements and stating that the sanctuary of the LORD will be located at the center of this area. This verse is part of a detailed vision of how the land will be divided among the tribes and the religious leaders after Israel’s restoration.

In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel is relaying God’s instructions to the people of Israel about how the land should be apportioned when they return from exile. The focus here is on the "holy oblation"—a special, set-apart offering of land for the priests, with clear boundaries to the north, south, east, and west. The sanctuary’s central location emphasizes its importance in the community’s life and worship.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 48:10

  • "Holy" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This word means something set apart for God, highlighting that this land is not ordinary but dedicated for sacred use by the priests.
  • "Oblation" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah): This term refers to an offering or contribution, in this case, a portion of land given as an offering to God and assigned to the priests.
  • "Sanctuary" (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdash): This word means a holy place or temple, making it clear that the central feature of this land is the place where God’s presence dwells among His people.

Why Ezekiel 48:10 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the priests’ land is not just any territory but a "holy" area, emphasizing the separation between the sacred and the ordinary in Israel’s new order.
  • The detailed measurements show the careful planning and fairness in the distribution, underlining God’s concern for order and justice in the restored community.
  • Placing the sanctuary at the center of the priests’ land visually and practically puts worship and God’s presence at the heart of the nation’s life, which is a key theme in the closing chapters of Ezekiel.

Where else these words appear

“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:

“east” Hebrew H6921 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 41:6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
  • Ezekiel 40:32 And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.
  • Ezekiel 48:2 And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Asher.

“sanctuary” Hebrew H4720 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Nehemiah 10:39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
  • Ezekiel 25:3 And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;

“breadth” Hebrew H7341 · used in 89 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • 1 Kings 6:20 And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar.
  • Ezekiel 41:2 And the breadth of the door was ten cubits; and the sides of the door were five cubits on the one side, and five cubits on the other side: and he measured the length thereof, forty cubits: and the breadth, twenty cubits.