Eze 48:1-7 | KingComments | STEP | Now that the boundaries of the promised land have been defined, the prophet can begin to speak of the division of the land among the twelve tribes. Just as there will be a new exodus ( ) and a new covenant ( ), so there will be a new division and allocation of the land to the various tribes. The people will acknowledge with great joy that the LORD Himself makes that division and allocation: “He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom He loves. Selah” ( ). In the division of the land we see three major parts: 1. a northern part for seven tribes, 2. a middle part as an offering to the LORD, 3. a southern part for five tribes. In the middle part is an area of 25,000 x 25,000 cubits containing 1. a northern part for the priests and the temple, 2. a middle part for the Levites, 3. a southern part for the city and for those who serve the city, 4./5. to the left and the right of this three-part area an area for the prince. These verses list seven tribes, all of which lie north of the holy area. The area of the tribes consists of a straight strip of land running from east to west across the entire width of the land. The tribes of the northern half are listed in order from north to south. Judah is the southernmost tribe of the north and Benjamin the northernmost tribe of the south ( ). These two tribes are centrally located in the land.

‏ Ezekiel 48:1-7

Introduction

Now that the boundaries of the promised land have been defined, the prophet can begin to speak of the division of the land among the twelve tribes. Just as there will be a new exodus (Eze 20:32-38) and a new covenant (Eze 34:23-30 ; Eze 37:21-28), so there will be a new division and allocation of the land to the various tribes. The people will acknowledge with great joy that the LORD Himself makes that division and allocation: “He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom He loves. Selah” (Psa 47:4).

In the division of the land we see three major parts:

1. a northern part for seven tribes,

2. a middle part as an offering to the LORD,

3. a southern part for five tribes.

In the middle part is an area of 25,000 x 25,000 cubits containing

1. a northern part for the priests and the temple,

2. a middle part for the Levites,

3. a southern part for the city and for those who serve the city,

4./5. to the left and the right of this three-part area an area for the prince.

New Division of the North

These verses list seven tribes, all of which lie north of the holy area. The area of the tribes consists of a straight strip of land running from east to west across the entire width of the land. The tribes of the northern half are listed in order from north to south.

Judah is the southernmost tribe of the north and Benjamin the northernmost tribe of the south (Eze 48:23). These two tribes are centrally located in the land.