Ezekiel 45:1: "When you divide the land by lot as an inheritance, you are to set aside a portion for the LORD, a holy portion of the land; it will be 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide. This entire tract of land will be holy."

Context and Background:

Ezekiel 45:1 is situated within a larger section of the Book of Ezekiel that deals with the vision of the restored land and temple. This vision, spanning chapters 40 to 48, is given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound loss and longing for the people of Israel. The vision serves as a message of hope and restoration, promising a future where God's presence will dwell among His people once more.

Interpretation:

In this verse, God commands the Israelites to set aside a specific portion of the land as holy, dedicated to the LORD. This "holy portion" is to be distinct from the rest of the land that is divided among the tribes of Israel. The dimensions provided—25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide—emphasize the significant size and importance of this sacred space.

The act of setting aside a portion of the land for the LORD underscores the centrality of worship and the divine presence in the life of the community. It reflects the principle that all blessings, including the land itself, are ultimately from God and should be used to honor Him. This allocation also symbolizes the restoration of proper worship and the reestablishment of a covenant relationship between God and His people.

Theological Significance:

Ezekiel 45:1 highlights the holiness of God and the necessity for His people to recognize and honor His sovereignty. The concept of a "holy portion" serves as a reminder that God is to be given the first and best of what His people possess. This principle is consistent with the broader biblical theme of dedicating the firstfruits to God, as seen in other parts of Scripture.

Furthermore, the passage points to the future hope of a restored Israel, where God's presence is central and His people live in accordance with His statutes. It foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through the coming of the Messiah, who establishes a new covenant and a spiritual temple in the hearts of believers.

Practical Application:

For contemporary believers, Ezekiel 45:1 serves as a call to prioritize God in all aspects of life. It challenges individuals and communities to dedicate their resources, time, and talents to the service of the Lord. The verse encourages a lifestyle of holiness and devotion, recognizing that all we have is a gift from God and should be used for His glory.

In summary, Ezekiel 45:1 is a profound reminder of God's holiness, the importance of worship, and the hope of restoration. It calls believers to live in a way that honors God, setting aside the best of what they have for His purposes.25000 (11 Occurrences)

Ezekiel 45:1
Moreover, when you shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, you shall offer an offering to Yahweh, a holy portion of the land; the length shall be the length of twenty-five thousand reeds, and the breadth shall be ten thousand: it shall be holy in all its border all around.
(See RSV)

Ezekiel 45:3
Of this measure you shall measure a length of twenty-five thousand, and a breadth of ten thousand: and in it shall be the sanctuary, which is most holy.
(See RSV)

Ezekiel 45:5
Twenty-five thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth, shall be to the Levites, the ministers of the house, for a possession to themselves, for twenty chambers.
(See RSV)

Ezekiel 45:6
You shall appoint the possession of the city five thousand broad, and twenty-five thousand long, side by side with the offering of the holy portion: it shall be for the whole house of Israel.
(See RSV)

Ezekiel 48:8
By the border of Judah, from the east side to the west side, shall be the offering which you shall offer, twenty-five thousand reeds in breadth, and in length as one of the portions, from the east side to the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in its midst.
(See RSV)

Ezekiel 48:9
The offering that you shall offer to Yahweh shall be twenty-five thousand reeds in length, and ten thousand in breadth.
(See RSV)

Ezekiel 48:10
For these, even for the priests, shall be the holy offering: toward the north twenty-five thousand in length, and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south twenty-five thousand in length: and the sanctuary of Yahweh shall be in its midst.
(See RSV)

Ezekiel 48:13
Answerable to the border of the priests, the Levites shall have twenty-five thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length shall be twenty-five thousand, and the breadth ten thousand.
(See RSV)

Ezekiel 48:15
The five thousand that are left in the breadth, in front of the twenty-five thousand, shall be for common use, for the city, for dwelling and for suburbs; and the city shall be in its midst.
(See RSV)

Ezekiel 48:20
All the offering shall be twenty-five thousand by twenty-five thousand: you shall offer the holy offering foursquare, with the possession of the city.
(See RSV)

Ezekiel 48:21
The residue shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy offering and of the possession of the city; in front of the twenty-five thousand of the offering toward the east border, and westward in front of the twenty-five thousand toward the west border, answerable to the portions, it shall be for the prince: and the holy offering and the sanctuary of the house shall be in its midst.
(See RSV)

25000 (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance 25000 (11 Occurrences). Ezekiel 45:1 Moreover,
when you shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, you ...
/num/25000.htm - 10k

24000 (10 Occurrences)

/num/24000.htm - 9k

25100 (1 Occurrence)

/num/25100.htm - 6k

Babylonia (17 Occurrences)
... The compilation of the values of the different signs used in various periods by
both the Sumerians and Assyrians numbers at the present about 25,000, and the ...
/b/babylonia.htm - 75k

Tarsus (5 Occurrences)
... modern town, which still bears the ancient name in the slightly modified form Tersous,
has a very mixed population, numbering about 25,000, and considerable ...
/t/tarsus.htm - 30k

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