Eze 48:34 | KingComments | STEP | The description of the temple and the land in the realm of peace concludes with a description of “the exits of the city” and the mention of the length “on the north side, 4,500 [cubits] by measurement” ( ). This length then applies also to the east side ( ), the south side ( ), and the west side ( ). The exits, which are then called “gates”, are “named for the tribes of Israel”, that is, of all twelve tribes ( ; cf. ). This indicates that the city is the property of all twelve tribes. It is the city of the true people of God. The city is the capital of all the tribes. That there is mention of “exits” makes it clear that the city is the center of blessing from which blessing goes to each tribe. The enumeration of the exits ( ) begins with the north side, just as it does with the tribes of the land ( ). Each of the four sides of the city has three exits, so that the whole city has twelve. It is noteworthy that there is mention of “the gate of Levi” ( ). This is possible because there is also a “gate of Joseph” ( ), in which the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, are joined. The enumeration begins with the “three gates toward the north: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one” ( ). The names mentioned are those of the sons of Leah. They are also mentioned first in Moses’ blessing ( ). Reuben is the firstborn in age, Judah is the king’s tribe, and Levi was chosen by God to serve Him in place of the firstborn. Then follow the gates on the east side: “the gate of Joseph, one; the gate of Benjamin, one; the gate of Dan, one” ( ). Joseph and Benjamin are the two sons of Rachel. Dan is the eldest son of Rachel’s maid. Next, the names of the gates on the south side are mentioned: “the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; the gate of Zebulun, one” ( ). These are the names of the three other sons of Leah. Finally, we are given the names of the gates on the west side: “the gate of Gad, one; the gate of Asher, one; the gate of Naphtali, one” ( ). These are the names of the three other sons of the two maids.

‏ Ezekiel 48:34

The Gates of the City

The description of the temple and the land in the realm of peace concludes with a description of “the exits of the city” and the mention of the length “on the north side, 4,500 [cubits] by measurement” (Eze 48:30). This length then applies also to the east side (Eze 48:32), the south side (Eze 48:33), and the west side (Eze 48:34). The exits, which are then called “gates”, are “named for the tribes of Israel”, that is, of all twelve tribes (Eze 48:31a; cf. Rev 21:12). This indicates that the city is the property of all twelve tribes. It is the city of the true people of God. The city is the capital of all the tribes. That there is mention of “exits” makes it clear that the city is the center of blessing from which blessing goes to each tribe.

The enumeration of the exits (Eze 48:30-34) begins with the north side, just as it does with the tribes of the land (Eze 48:1-7). Each of the four sides of the city has three exits, so that the whole city has twelve. It is noteworthy that there is mention of “the gate of Levi” (Eze 48:31). This is possible because there is also a “gate of Joseph” (Eze 48:32), in which the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, are joined.

The enumeration begins with the “three gates toward the north: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one” (Eze 48:31b). The names mentioned are those of the sons of Leah. They are also mentioned first in Moses’ blessing (Deu 33:6-8). Reuben is the firstborn in age, Judah is the king’s tribe, and Levi was chosen by God to serve Him in place of the firstborn.

Then follow the gates on the east side: “the gate of Joseph, one; the gate of Benjamin, one; the gate of Dan, one” (Eze 48:32). Joseph and Benjamin are the two sons of Rachel. Dan is the eldest son of Rachel’s maid.

Next, the names of the gates on the south side are mentioned: “the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; the gate of Zebulun, one” (Eze 48:33). These are the names of the three other sons of Leah.

Finally, we are given the names of the gates on the west side: “the gate of Gad, one; the gate of Asher, one; the gate of Naphtali, one” (Eze 48:34). These are the names of the three other sons of the two maids.