And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane place for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs: and the city shall be in the midst thereof.

EZEKIEL 48:15KJV
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Ezekiel 48:15 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 48:15 mean?

Ezekiel 48:15 describes a section of land set aside in the new city layout, specifically five thousand cubits wide, which is not considered holy but is meant for everyday city life, including homes and open areas. This area surrounds the city itself, which will be located in the center of this designated space.

The prophet Ezekiel is relaying God’s instructions to the exiled Israelites about how the land should be divided when they return. In this vision, most of the land is set apart for holy purposes, but this particular portion is called "profane" (meaning ordinary or common) and is reserved for the city’s practical needs—housing and suburbs—rather than for the temple or priests. This shows a careful balance between sacred and everyday life in the restored community.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 48:15

  • The word "profane" is חֹל (chol, H2455), which means "common" or "ordinary," not "unclean" or "bad." Here, it simply means the land is for regular use, not for sacred purposes.
  • The word for "city" is עִיר (ʿir, H5892), which refers to the central urban area, emphasizing that this is a real, lived-in city, not just a symbolic or spiritual place.
  • The word for "dwelling" is מוֹשָׁב (moshav, H4186), meaning a place to live or settle, highlighting that this area is meant for people’s everyday homes.
  • The word for "suburbs" is מִגְרָשׁ (migrash, H4054), which refers to open land or pasture around a city, showing that the design includes space for both living and practical needs like grazing animals.

Why Ezekiel 48:15 matters

  • Ezekiel 48:15 clarifies that not all land in the new city is set apart as holy; some is intentionally reserved for ordinary life, showing that daily living has a valued place in God’s plan.
  • This verse helps readers see the careful organization in Ezekiel’s vision, balancing sacred spaces with areas for community life, which reflects a holistic approach to restoration.
  • Understanding this distinction helps avoid confusion about what "profane" means here—it is not about impurity, but about making room for the practical needs of the people alongside the sacred.

Where else these words appear

“profane” Hebrew H2455 · used in 7 verses

  • Leviticus 10:10 And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;
  • 1 Samuel 21:5 And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.
  • Ezekiel 42:20 He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.

“dwelling” Hebrew H4186 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 10:30 And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
  • Leviticus 23:31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

“suburbs” Hebrew H4054 · used in 67 verses

  • Leviticus 25:34 But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession.
  • Joshua 21:25 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:67 And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,

“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.