What is the meaning of Ezekiel 48:15? The remaining area • Verses 9–14 describe land reserved solely “for the priests” and “for the sanctuary.” What is mentioned next is “the remaining area,” showing that the Lord provides for normal civic life after worship needs are met (Ezekiel 45:1-6). • The clear delineation of property teaches that God is a God of order, assigning every tribe and group its place (Numbers 2:1-2). 5,000 cubits wide and 25,000 cubits long • These fixed dimensions (about 1.7 × 8.5 miles) match earlier measurements for the Levites’ land (Ezekiel 45:5-6), underscoring that the prophecy points to a literal future layout, not merely symbolic ideas (Hebrews 11:10). • Uniform measurements guarantee fairness; no tribe is favored over another (Deuteronomy 25:15). Will be for common use by the city • Unlike the “holy portion,” this strip is “common,” set aside for the good of all. God values both sacred and secular activity, weaving them together in the life of His people (Nehemiah 11:1-2). • The arrangement anticipates a society where civic space is secure because the Lord Himself apportions it (Psalm 16:5-6). For houses • Housing inside the designated area promises stable, permanent dwelling, reversing Israel’s former exile (Jeremiah 32:37-41). • It previews Christ’s millennial reign, when people “build houses and dwell in them” without fear of loss (Isaiah 65:21-22; John 14:2-3). And for pastureland • Pasture surrounding the homes ensures food and economic vitality (Micah 4:4). • The mix of urban living and open grazing reflects the Lord’s shepherd-like provision for every daily need (Psalm 23:1-2). The city will be in the center of it • Placing the city squarely in the middle gives all twelve tribes equal access (Ezekiel 48:30-35). • God Himself dwells at the center—“The name of the city from that day shall be, ‘The LORD Is There’” (Ezekiel 48:35; Revelation 21:3). • This foreshadows the New Jerusalem, where the nations walk by the Lamb’s light and nothing is peripheral to His presence (Revelation 21:22-24). summary Ezekiel 48:15 promises that, after land is allotted for worship, a precisely measured tract will serve everyday life—homes, open space, and civic needs—while keeping the Lord’s city at the very center. The verse guarantees an ordered, equitable, and flourishing community in the coming kingdom, where sacred and ordinary pursuits unite under God’s perfect provision. |
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