Ezekiel 48:35

It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there.

Ezekiel 48:35 (KJV)

Context

Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile, when Jerusalem lay in ruins and the people of Israel longed for restoration. In Ezekiel 40–48, the prophet receives a detailed vision of a future temple and the division of the land among the twelve tribes. This verse concludes both that vision and the entire book of Ezekiel, giving the name of the restored city.

Meaning

The phrase “eighteen thousand measures” describes the circumference of the city in the vision. The exact unit—whether cubits, reeds, or another measure—is not defined in the text, and scholars debate whether the number is literal or symbolic. Eighteen thousand is a multiple of twelve, a number often associated with God’s people, such as the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. This may suggest completeness or the full extent of God’s redeemed community.

The name of the city, “The LORD is there,” is the central theological statement. The Hebrew name Jehovah-Shammah signifies God’s abiding presence among His people. This name is not merely a label; it declares the purpose of the entire vision: God dwelling with His restored people in a place of holiness and blessing.

Biblical connections

This promise of God’s presence echoes earlier Scriptures, such as Exodus 25:8, where God says He will dwell among the Israelites, and Leviticus 26:12, where He promises to walk among them. The vision also points forward to the New Testament, where Jesus Christ is called Immanuel, meaning “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). In Matthew 28:20, Jesus assures His disciples of His abiding presence. The name of the city in Ezekiel thus finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who dwells with His people through the Spirit.

Application

For believers today, this verse affirms that God’s presence is not limited to a physical temple or a future city. Through Christ, God dwells with His people wherever they are. The promise of His presence brings comfort in trials, guidance in decisions, and hope for the future. Just as the city was named for God’s presence, so the life of a believer is marked by His nearness.

Reflection

Ezekiel’s vision ends with a name that sums up the whole message of the Bible: God is with His people. This truth offers assurance that He will never leave us nor forsake us. It also calls us to live in a way that reflects His presence, bearing His name in our words and actions. The final verse of Ezekiel leaves us with hope—a hope that one day, in the new Jerusalem, we will see His face and dwell with Him forever.