The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD shall be of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth.

EZEKIEL 48:9KJV
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Ezekiel 48:9 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 48:9 mean?

Ezekiel 48:9 states that a specific portion of land, measuring twenty-five thousand units in length and ten thousand in width, is to be set aside as an offering to the LORD. This verse gives the exact dimensions for a sacred area dedicated to God as part of Ezekiel’s vision of the future division of the land among the tribes of Israel.

In this chapter, the prophet Ezekiel is describing how the land of Israel will be divided in a future, ideal arrangement. God is speaking through Ezekiel to the people of Israel, laying out detailed measurements for a central holy district. This “oblation” or offering of land is set apart for God, showing the importance of dedicating a special portion to Him before dividing the rest among the tribes.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 48:9

  • "oblation" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah): This word means a contribution or offering, often something set apart for a sacred purpose. Here, it refers to a section of land dedicated to God, not a physical sacrifice.
  • "offer" (רוּם, rum): This verb means to lift up or set apart. The idea is that the land is being elevated in status, marked as special for the LORD.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that the land is set aside specifically for Him, not just for any religious use.
  • "length" (אֹרֶךְ, orekh) and "breadth" (רֹחַב, rokhav): These words clarify the dimensions, showing that the instructions are precise and not just symbolic.

Why Ezekiel 48:9 matters

  • Ezekiel 48:9 clarifies that the land set aside for God is not just symbolic but has exact, measurable boundaries, highlighting the seriousness of dedicating space to God’s service.
  • The verse helps readers see that worship and devotion in ancient Israel involved concrete, physical acts—here, the actual setting apart of land, not just spiritual attitudes.
  • This verse connects to the larger vision in Ezekiel 40–48, where detailed instructions for worship, land division, and temple service show a restored and ordered relationship between God and His people.

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:

“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.

“length” Hebrew H753 · used in 90 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 6:3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.
  • Ezekiel 40:33 And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, were according to these measures: and there were windows therein and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.