Ezekiel 48:35 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 48:35 mean?

Ezekiel 48:35 describes the final measurement of the new city in Ezekiel’s vision, saying it is eighteen thousand measures around, and declares that from that day forward, the city’s name will be “The LORD is there.” This verse marks the climax of Ezekiel’s vision, emphasizing that God’s presence will permanently dwell in the restored city.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking to the exiled people of Israel, sharing a vision of a future, ideal Jerusalem after the return from exile. The verse concludes a long description of the city’s layout and the land’s division among the tribes. The new name, “The LORD is there,” signals a promise that God’s presence, which had once departed, will return and remain with His people.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 48:35

• שָׁם (sham, “there”): This word is used in the city’s new name, often rendered as “Yahweh Shammah,” meaning “The LORD is there.” It highlights that God’s presence is the defining feature of the city.
• שֵׁם (shem, “name”): The use of “name” here shows that the city’s identity is being redefined by God’s presence, not just its physical features or location.
• עִיר (ʿir, “city”): This word makes clear that the vision concerns a real, inhabited place, not just a symbolic or spiritual idea.

Why Ezekiel 48:35 matters

• Ezekiel 48:35 clarifies that the ultimate hope for the people is not just a rebuilt city, but a city defined by God’s ongoing presence.
• The verse connects the entire vision of Ezekiel chapters 40–48, where God’s glory returns to the temple, with the promise that God will never again abandon His people.
• By naming the city “The LORD is there,” the verse shifts the focus from physical restoration to a relationship with God, showing that His presence is the greatest blessing.