Ezekiel 45, verses 1-8
Not until chapter 48 do we find the division of the land of Canaan for the inheritance of the twelve tribes, but here (verses 1 to 8) the portion for God in it is set apart, with provision also for the priests, after that for the Levites, and lastly for the city of Jerusalem. God in that day will be first in the ways and thoughts of His earthly people, however His word be set aside by them in our times.
“Oblation” is “offering,” or more fully “heave offering,” and is so rendered by the translators in most passages where the same Hebrew word occurs; examples will be found in Exodus 25:2 and 29:27 and 28. The portion of the land here denoted lies between the future inheritances of Judah and Benjamin, the seventh and eighth tribes in order, counting from north to south.
We may rightly omit the word “and” in the last line of verse 3, reading the clause, “the sanctuary, the most holy place.” Verse 4 is better read “This is the holy Portion of the land; it shall be, etc.” Within the strip of land set apart as the holy portion in verses 1-4, 25000 cubits (rather than reeds), or substantially seven miles across, and 10,000 cubits or nearly 3 miles from north to south, is to be the temple whose description is given in chapters 4042, surrounded by the dwellings of the priests who do the service of it. The temple area, 500 reeds (approximately one mile) square, corresponds with chapter 42, verse 16; round it is to be a space of 50 cubits (about 75 feet).
Verse 5 refers to the second area, adjoining on the south that of verses 1-4 and equal in size to be given the Levites who do the service of the house of God. The beginning of the verse is correctly translated “And (a space of) five and twenty thousand;” “for twenty chambers,” at the end of this verse is considered a copyist’s error, the true reading being “for their habitations.” No serious mistake has ever been found in the King James translation, God having preserved His Word through all the centuries from alterations that would have changed its substance.
In verse 6 Jerusalem is provided for in an area 7 miles from east to west, adjoining the portion for the Levites on the south, but its extent from north to south is to be a little less than 1 1/2 miles. Thus the city and the temple will in the Millennium be separated by a distance of more than 3 miles. The three parcels of land here marked out are thus in all approximately 7 miles square. The prince who will rule is to be given the land on both sides—east and west—of this area, to the borders of the country—the Mediterranean on the west and the Jordan. and Dead Sea on the east (Chapter 47:18).
Verse 8 brings the assurance that the leaders of Israel shall no more oppress God’s people. That will be a day of rejoicing in the earth when man ceases to oppress his fellows; it will not be until the King of Kings reigns (Revelation 19:11-20:4).
ML 04/05/1936