Eze 45:1-6 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ezek 45:1-8: 45:1-8 The division of the restored Promised Land among the tribes is described in detail in chs 47–48 , but the central sacred section is described here because it included the area set aside for the priests to live in. Regaining a share in the land was a pressing concern for the exiles at a time when they had none. Ezekiel’s interest, however, was not simply in promising that the land would be divided among them in a fair way. He wanted to remind them of what the Promised Land was about in the first place. It was a land in which God would dwell among his people. At the outset, therefore, the central part of the land would be assigned to the Lord as his holy portion . The main purpose of this was to provide a zone of holiness and protection around the Temple.

a45:1-8►

b47–48►

c45:3-4►

d45:5-6►

‏ Ezekiel 45:1-6

Summary for Ezek 45:1-8: 45:1-8 ^a The division of the restored Promised Land among the tribes is described in detail in chs 47–48 ^b, but the central sacred section is described here because it included the area set aside for the priests to live in. Regaining a share in the land was a pressing concern for the exiles at a time when they had none. Ezekiel’s interest, however, was not simply in promising that the land would be divided among them in a fair way. He wanted to remind them of what the Promised Land was about in the first place. It was a land in which God would dwell among his people. At the outset, therefore, the central part of the land would be assigned to the Lord as his holy portion. The main purpose of this was to provide a zone of holiness and protection around the Temple.
Summary for Ezek 45:3-4: 45:3-4 ^c Within this holy portion, the Temple complex would form the Most Holy Place at the heart of a sacred square. Just as the Most Holy Place in the Temple was protected by an inner court that only the priests could enter, the Temple complex was surrounded by a section reserved only for priests.
Summary for Ezek 45:5-6: 45:5-6 ^d To the north of this priestly strip was an area reserved for the Levites; to the south (48:15 ^e), the city was located on a half-size strip. The result was a square that was 8¹/₃ miles on a side.