Ezekiel 45:6

And ye shall appoint the possession of the city five thousand broad, and five and twenty thousand long, over against the oblation of the holy portion: it shall be for the whole house of Israel.

Ezekiel 45:6 (KJV)

Context

Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile, when the people of Israel had been taken from their land. In this vision, God revealed how the land would be divided among the twelve tribes after their return. This chapter and the following one give detailed instructions for the sanctuary, the priests, the Levites, the city, and the prince, showing that the restoration would be orderly and intentional.

Meaning

The verse specifies that the city’s possession would be five thousand cubits broad and twenty-five thousand cubits long, set directly opposite the holy oblation—the portion of land dedicated to the Lord and the sanctuary. The measurements are precise, underscoring the care and order in God’s plan. The city’s land was distinct from the holy portion reserved for the priests and Levites, yet it was adjacent to it, so that the daily life of the city would be oriented around the sanctuary.

The phrase “for the whole house of Israel” is significant. This portion was not given to one tribe or to the prince, whose own portion is described in the next verse. Instead, the city belonged to all the people collectively, symbolizing unity and shared inheritance. The arrangement reflects a divine order where the holy and the common are meant to coexist in close proximity, and where worship and practical community life are integrated.

Biblical connections

This allocation connects to Ezekiel 48:20, where the entire oblation is described as a square of twenty-five thousand by twenty-five thousand, with the city’s possession included. That passage clarifies the layout and reinforces the idea that the city is part of the sacred provision for the whole nation.

Application

This verse reminds believers that God’s restoration includes both worship and the practical needs of community life. The city was placed beside the holy portion, teaching that the presence of God should be at the center of everyday existence. It also calls God’s people to ensure that provision is inclusive, so that no tribe or group is left without a share.

Reflection

God’s detailed instructions for the city and the sanctuary show that He cares about the order and well-being of His people. The proximity of the city to the holy portion invites reflection on whether our own lives are oriented around God’s presence, and whether we are living as a community where all are included in His provision.