And the residue shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation, and of the possession of the city, over against the five and twenty thousand of the oblation toward the east border, and westward over against the five and twenty thousand toward the west border, over against the portions for the prince: and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the midst thereof.

EZEKIEL 48:21KJV
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Ezekiel 48:21 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 48:21 mean?

Ezekiel 48:21 describes how the remaining land, after the special offerings and city area have been set aside, will belong to the “prince” on both sides of the holy area, stretching from the east border to the west border. The verse emphasizes that this land surrounds the holy offering and the sanctuary, placing the prince’s portion around the central sacred space.

In this chapter, God is giving Ezekiel a detailed vision of how the land will be divided among the tribes of Israel in a future, restored arrangement. The “prince” is a leader figure who receives a specific territory next to the “holy oblation” (a dedicated area for the temple and priests) and the city. This setup shows a careful organization, with the sanctuary at the center and the prince’s land bordering it, highlighting the importance of both worship and leadership in the community.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 48:21

  • “Prince” (נָשִׂיא, nasi): This word refers to a leader or ruler, but in Ezekiel’s vision, the prince is not a king but a special leader with responsibilities near the temple, showing a unique role in this future arrangement.
  • “Holy” (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh) and “oblation” (תְּרוּמָה, terumah): These words describe the set-apart area for God, which is central in the land division. The use of “holy” stresses that this territory is not ordinary but dedicated for sacred purposes.
  • “Sanctuary” (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdash) and “house” (בַּיִת, bayit): These words refer to the temple itself, which is placed “in the midst” (בְּתוֹךְ, betokh) of the holy offering, highlighting its central position in the new layout.

Why Ezekiel 48:21 matters

  • Ezekiel 48:21 clarifies that the prince’s land is not randomly assigned but is purposefully placed around the holy areas, showing a balance between civil leadership and religious life.
  • The verse helps correct the idea that the prince has unchecked power; instead, his territory is defined and surrounds, but does not take over, the sacred spaces.
  • This arrangement connects to the larger theme in Ezekiel 40–48, where worship, justice, and leadership are carefully ordered in the restored community, with God’s presence at the center.

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.

“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:

“portions” Hebrew H2506 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 14:24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
  • Joshua 22:27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.