What responsibilities are given to the prince in Ezekiel 45:7? Reading the Passage “ ‘The prince shall have land on either side of the holy allotment and the city’s property, extending westward to the Mediterranean Sea and eastward to the eastern border, running parallel to one of the tribal portions from the western border to the eastern border.’ ” (Ezekiel 45:7) What the Allocation Teaches • By divine decree the prince receives a clearly defined stretch of territory • His land hugs the sacred district and the city, forming a protective buffer • The borders are fixed; he may not enlarge them by seizing Israelite holdings (cf. 45:8; 46:18) Key Responsibilities Implied in the Verse • Stewardship – He is to manage the strip on both sides of the sanctuary, ensuring it remains inviolate and well-kept • Protection – His allotment serves as a guard-zone around the temple and city, shielding holy ground from encroachment • Accessibility – By controlling the land “parallel” to tribal portions, he maintains orderly access routes for worshipers coming from every tribe • Example of Contentment – Accepting the borders God assigns, he models righteous submission and discourages abuse of power Additional Duties Clarified Elsewhere in the Chapter (These flow naturally from the territory he is given.) • Provide the nation’s regular offerings, festivals, and sacrifices (45:16-17; 46:4-15) • Practice justice—no extortion, honest weights and measures (45:9-12) • Preserve family inheritances by passing his own land to his sons, not confiscating others’ (46:16-18) Other Scriptures Echoing the Prince’s Role • Ezekiel 44:3 – He alone may sit in the inner gate, signifying leadership yet submission to the LORD • Ezekiel 34:23-24; 37:24-25 – A shepherd-king who cares for the flock under God’s rule • Isaiah 32:1-2 – Righteous rulers provide shelter and refreshment for the people Summing It Up Ezekiel 45:7 entrusts the prince with a defined ribbon of land that flanks the sanctuary and the city. Within that territory he must serve as steward, protector, and exemplar—guarding sacred space, facilitating worship, abstaining from oppression, and supporting the people’s offerings. His obedience underscores God’s order and justice for Israel’s future kingdom. |
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