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46 The Lord and King says, “On the six working days of each week you must keep the east gate of the inner courtyard of the temple shut. But open it on Sabbath days and during New Moon feasts. The prince must enter the temple area through the porch of the gateway. He must stand by the gatepost. The priests must sacrifice his burnt offering and friendship offerings. He must bow down in worship at the entrance of the gateway. Then he must leave. But the gate will not be shut until evening. On Sabbath days and during New Moon feasts the people of the land must gather together. They must gather at the entrance of the temple gateway. That is where they must worship me. The prince must bring a burnt offering to me on the Sabbath day. It will be six male lambs and a ram. They must not have any flaws. He must offer 35 pounds of grain along with the ram. The grain he offers along with the lambs can be as much as he wants to give. He must also offer four quarts of olive oil for every 35 pounds of grain. On the day of the New Moon feast the prince must make another offering. He must offer a young bull, six lambs and a ram. They must not have any flaws. He must offer 35 pounds of grain along with the bull or ram. The grain he offers along with the lambs can be as much as he wants to give. He must also offer four quarts of olive oil for every 35 pounds of grain. Here is how the prince must enter the temple area. He must go in through the porch of the gateway. And he must leave the same way.

“The people of the land must worship me at the appointed feasts. Those who enter through the north gate must leave through the south gate. Those who enter through the south gate must leave through the north gate. They must not leave through the same gate they entered. Each one must go out the opposite gate. 10 The prince must be among them. He must go in when they go in. And he must leave when they leave. 11 At the yearly feasts and other appointed feasts there must be grain offerings. The prince must offer 35 pounds of grain along with a bull or ram. The grain he offers along with the lambs can be as much as he wants to give. He must also offer four quarts of olive oil for every 35 pounds of grain.

12 “He may also bring another offering to me because he chooses to. It might be a burnt offering or friendship offering. When he brings it, the east gate must be opened for him. He will bring his offering just as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he will leave. After he has gone out, the gate must be shut.

13 “Every day you must provide a lamb that is a year old. It must not have any flaws. It is a burnt offering to me. You must provide it every morning. 14 You must also offer grain along with it every morning. Bring six pounds of grain. Also bring one and a half quarts of olive oil to make the flour a little wet. So you will give the grain offering to me. That will be a law that will last for all time to come. 15 Provide the lamb, grain offering and oil every morning. They will be used for a regular burnt offering.”

16 The Lord and King says, “Suppose the prince makes a gift from his share of land. And he gives it to one of his sons. Then the property will also belong to his sons after him. It will be handed down to them. 17 But suppose he makes a gift from his share of land to one of his servants. Then the servant may keep it until the Year of Jubilee. After that, it will be returned to the prince. His property may be handed down only to his sons. It belongs to them. 18 The prince must not take any share of land that belongs to the people. He must not drive them off their property. He must give his sons their share out of his own property. Then not one of my people will be separated from their property.”

19 The man brought me through the entrance at the side of the north building. That’s where the priests’ sacred rooms were located. He showed me a place west of the building. 20 He said to me, “This is where the priests must cook the guilt offerings and sin offerings. They must also bake the grain offerings here. Then they will not have to bring the offerings into the outer courtyard. That will keep the people from touching the offerings and becoming holy.”

21 Then the man brought me to the outer courtyard. He led me around to its four corners. In each corner I saw another smaller courtyard. 22 So in the four corners of the outer courtyard were walled courtyards. Each one was 70 feet long and 53 feet wide. All of them were the same size. 23 Around the inside of each of the four courtyards was a stone ledge. Places for fire were built all around under each ledge. 24 The man said to me, “These are the kitchens. Those who serve at the temple must cook the people’s sacrifices here.”

A River Will Flow From the Temple

47 The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple. I saw water flowing east from under a temple gateway. The temple faced east. The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple. It was flowing south of the altar. Then he brought me out through the north gate of the outer courtyard. He led me around the outside to the outer gate that faced east. The water was flowing from the south side of the east gate.

Then the man went toward the east. He had a measuring line in his hand. He measured off 1,700 feet. He led me through water that was up to my ankles. Then he measured off another 1,700 feet. He led me through water that was up to my knees. Then he measured off another 1,700 feet. He led me through water that was up to my waist. Then he measured off another 1,700 feet. But now it was a river that I could not go across. The water had risen so high that it was deep enough to swim in. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”

Then he led me back to the bank of the river. When I arrived there, I saw many trees. They were on both sides of the river. The man said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern territory. It goes down into the Arabah Valley. There it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into it, the salt water there becomes fresh. Many creatures will live where the river flows. It will have many schools of fish. This water flows there and makes the salt water fresh. So where the river flows everything will live. 10 People will stand along the shore to fish. From En Gedi all the way to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading fishnets. The Dead Sea will have many kinds of fish. They will be like the fish in the Mediterranean Sea. 11 But none of the swamps will have fresh water in them. They will stay salty. 12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not dry up. The trees will always have fruit on them. Every month they will bear fruit. The water from the temple will flow to them. Their fruit will be used for food. And their leaves will be used for healing.”

The Borders of the Land

13 Here is what the Lord and King says. “People of Israel, here are the borders of the land that you will divide up. You will divide up the land among the 12 tribes of Israel. Each tribe will receive a share. But the family of Joseph will have two shares. 14 Divide the land into equal parts. Long ago I raised my hand and made a promise. I promised to give the land to your people of long ago. So all of it will belong to you.

15 “Here are the borders of the land.

“On the north side the border will start at the Mediterranean Sea. It will go by the Hethlon road past Lebo Hamath. Then it will continue on to Zedad, 16 Berothah and Sibraim. Sibraim is between Damascus and Hamath. The border will reach all the way to Hazer Hattikon. It is right next to Hauran. 17 The border will go from the sea to Hazar Enan. It will run north of Damascus and south of Hamath. This will be the northern border.

18 On the east side the border will run between Hauran and Damascus. It will continue along the Jordan River between Gilead and the land of Israel. It will reach to the Dead Sea and all the way to Tamar. This will be the eastern border.

19 On the south side the border will start at Tamar. It will reach all the way to the waters of Meribah Kadesh. Then it will run along the Wadi of Egypt. It will end at the Mediterranean Sea. This will be the southern border.

20 On the west side, the Mediterranean Sea will be the border. It will go to a point across from Lebo Hamath. This will be the western border.

21 “You must divide up this land among yourselves. Do this based on the number of men in your tribes. 22 Each of the tribes must receive a share of the land. You must also give some land to the outsiders who live among you and who have children. Treat them as if they had been born in Israel. Let them have some land among your tribes. 23 Outsiders can live in the land of any tribe. There you must give them their share,” announces the Lord and King.

The Land Will Be Divided Up

48 “Here are the tribes. They are listed by their names.

“Dan will receive one share of land. It will be at the northern border of Israel. The border will follow the Hethlon road to Lebo Hamath. Hazar Enan will be part of the border. So will the northern border of Damascus next to Hamath. Dan’s northern border will run from east to west.

Asher will receive one share. It will border the territory of Dan from east to west.

Naphtali will receive one share. It will border the territory of Asher from east to west.

Manasseh will receive one share. It will border the territory of Naphtali from east to west.

Ephraim will receive one share. It will border the territory of Manasseh from east to west.

Reuben will receive one share. It will border the territory of Ephraim from east to west.

Judah will receive one share. It will border the territory of Reuben from east to west.

“You must give one share as a special gift to me. It will border the territory of Judah from east to west. It will be eight miles wide. It will be as long as the border of each of the territories of the tribes. Its border will run from east to west. The temple will be in the center of that strip of land.

“Give that special share of land to me. It will be eight miles long and three and a third miles wide. 10 It will be the sacred share of land for the priests. It will be eight miles long on the north side. It will be three and a third miles wide on the west side. It will be three and a third miles wide on the east side. And it will be eight miles long on the south side. My temple will be in the center of it. 11 This share of land will be for the priests who are set apart to me. They will come from the family line of Zadok. The members of that family served me faithfully. They did not go astray as the Levites and other Israelites did. 12 Their share of land will be a special gift to them. It will be part of the sacred share of the land. It will be very holy. Its border will run along the territory of the Levites.

13 “The Levites will receive a share. It will be next to the territory of the priests. The Levites’ share will be eight miles long and three and a third miles wide. 14 They must not sell or trade any of it. It is the best part of the land. It must not be handed over to anyone else. It is set apart to me.

15 “The area that remains is one and two-thirds miles wide. It is eight miles long. It will not be holy. The people in Jerusalem can build houses there. They can use some of it as grasslands. The city will be in the center of it. 16 Each of the four sides of the city will be one and a half miles long. 17 Each of the four sides of the city’s grasslands will be 440 feet long. 18 What remains of the area will be three and a third miles long on the east and west sides. Its border will run along the border of the sacred share. Its crops will supply food for the city workers. 19 They will farm the area. They will come from all the tribes of Israel. 20 The entire area will be a square. Each of its four sides will be eight miles long. Set the sacred share apart as a special gift to me. Do the same thing with the property of the city.

21 “The area that remains on both sides will belong to the prince. So his land does not include the sacred share and the property of the city. The eastern part of his land will reach from the sacred share all the way to the eastern border. The western part will reach from the sacred share to the western border. The sacred share itself is eight miles long on its east and west sides. Both of those areas will be right next to the borders of the two tribes on the north and south sides. They will belong to the prince. The sacred share will be in the center of them. It will have the temple in it. 22 The property of the Levites will lie in the center of the prince’s share. So will the property of the city. The prince’s land will lie between the borders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

23 “Here is the land for the rest of the tribes.

“Benjamin will receive one share. It will reach from the eastern border to the western border.

24 Simeon will receive one share. It will border the territory of Benjamin from east to west.

25 Issachar will receive one share. It will border the territory of Simeon from east to west.

26 Zebulun will receive one share. It will border the territory of Issachar from east to west.

27 Gad will receive one share. It will border the territory of Zebulun from east to west.

28 The southern border of Gad will run south from Tamar to the waters of Meribah Kadesh. It will continue along the Wadi of Egypt. It will end at the Mediterranean Sea.

29 “This is the land you must divide among the tribes of Israel. And these will be the shares they will receive,” announces the Lord and King.

The Gates of the New City

30 “Here is a list of the gates of the city.

“Start with its north side. It will be a mile and a half long. 31 The city gates will be named after the tribes of Israel. The north side will have three gates. They will be the gates of Reuben, Judah and Levi.

32 The east side will be a mile and a half long. It will have three gates. They will be the gates of Joseph, Benjamin and Dan.

33 The south side will be a mile and a half long. It will have three gates. They will be the gates of Simeon, Issachar and Zebulun.

34 The west side will be a mile and a half long. It will have three gates. They will be the gates of Gad, Asher and Naphtali.

35 “The city will be six miles around.

“From that time on, its name will be ‘The Lord Is There.’ ”

46 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The gate of the inner court(A) facing east(B) is to be shut on the six working days, but on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon(C) it is to be opened. The prince is to enter from the outside through the portico(D) of the gateway and stand by the gatepost. The priests are to sacrifice his burnt offering(E) and his fellowship offerings. He is to bow down in worship at the threshold of the gateway and then go out, but the gate will not be shut until evening.(F) On the Sabbaths(G) and New Moons the people of the land are to worship in the presence of the Lord at the entrance of that gateway.(H) The burnt offering the prince brings to the Lord on the Sabbath day is to be six male lambs and a ram, all without defect. The grain offering given with the ram is to be an ephah,[a] and the grain offering with the lambs is to be as much as he pleases, along with a hin[b] of olive oil for each ephah.(I) On the day of the New Moon(J) he is to offer a young bull, six lambs and a ram, all without defect.(K) He is to provide as a grain offering one ephah with the bull, one ephah with the ram, and with the lambs as much as he wants to give, along with a hin of oil for each ephah.(L) When the prince enters, he is to go in through the portico(M) of the gateway, and he is to come out the same way.(N)

“‘When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed festivals,(O) whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which they entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate. 10 The prince is to be among them, going in when they go in and going out when they go out.(P) 11 At the feasts and the appointed festivals, the grain offering is to be an ephah with a bull, an ephah with a ram, and with the lambs as much as he pleases, along with a hin of oil for each ephah.(Q)

12 “‘When the prince provides(R) a freewill offering(S) to the Lord—whether a burnt offering or fellowship offerings—the gate facing east is to be opened for him. He shall offer his burnt offering or his fellowship offerings as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go out, and after he has gone out, the gate will be shut.(T)

13 “‘Every day you are to provide a year-old lamb without defect for a burnt offering to the Lord; morning by morning(U) you shall provide it.(V) 14 You are also to provide with it morning by morning a grain offering, consisting of a sixth of an ephah[c] with a third of a hin[d] of oil(W) to moisten the flour. The presenting of this grain offering to the Lord is a lasting ordinance.(X) 15 So the lamb and the grain offering and the oil shall be provided morning by morning for a regular(Y) burnt offering.(Z)

16 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: If the prince makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his sons, it will also belong to his descendants; it is to be their property by inheritance.(AA) 17 If, however, he makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, the servant may keep it until the year of freedom;(AB) then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs to his sons only; it is theirs. 18 The prince must not take(AC) any of the inheritance(AD) of the people, driving them off their property. He is to give his sons their inheritance out of his own property, so that not one of my people will be separated from their property.’”

19 Then the man brought me through the entrance(AE) at the side of the gate to the sacred rooms facing north,(AF) which belonged to the priests, and showed me a place at the western end. 20 He said to me, “This is the place where the priests are to cook the guilt offering and the sin offering[e] and bake the grain offering, to avoid bringing them into the outer court and consecrating(AG) the people.”(AH)

21 He then brought me to the outer court and led me around to its four corners, and I saw in each corner another court. 22 In the four corners of the outer court were enclosed[f] courts, forty cubits long and thirty cubits wide;[g] each of the courts in the four corners was the same size. 23 Around the inside of each of the four courts was a ledge of stone, with places for fire built all around under the ledge. 24 He said to me, “These are the kitchens where those who minister at the temple are to cook the sacrifices of the people.”

The River From the Temple

47 The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water(AI) coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar.(AJ) He then brought me out through the north gate(AK) and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side.

As the man went eastward with a measuring line(AL) in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits[h] and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river(AM) that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross.(AN) He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”

Then he led me back to the bank of the river. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river.(AO) He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah,[i](AP) where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh.(AQ) Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.(AR) 10 Fishermen(AS) will stand along the shore; from En Gedi(AT) to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets.(AU) The fish will be of many kinds(AV)—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea.(AW) 11 But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.(AX) 12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river.(AY) Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit(AZ) fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary(BA) flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.(BB)

The Boundaries of the Land

13 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “These are the boundaries(BC) of the land that you will divide among the twelve tribes of Israel as their inheritance, with two portions for Joseph.(BD) 14 You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with uplifted hand to give it to your ancestors, this land will become your inheritance.(BE)

15 “This is to be the boundary of the land:(BF)

“On the north side it will run from the Mediterranean Sea(BG) by the Hethlon road(BH) past Lebo Hamath to Zedad, 16 Berothah[j](BI) and Sibraim (which lies on the border between Damascus and Hamath),(BJ) as far as Hazer Hattikon, which is on the border of Hauran. 17 The boundary will extend from the sea to Hazar Enan,[k] along the northern border of Damascus, with the border of Hamath to the north. This will be the northern boundary.(BK)

18 “On the east side the boundary will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the Dead Sea and as far as Tamar.[l] This will be the eastern boundary.(BL)

19 “On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah Kadesh,(BM) then along the Wadi of Egypt(BN) to the Mediterranean Sea.(BO) This will be the southern boundary.

20 “On the west side, the Mediterranean Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo Hamath.(BP) This will be the western boundary.(BQ)

21 “You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. 22 You are to allot it as an inheritance(BR) for yourselves and for the foreigners(BS) residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.(BT) 23 In whatever tribe a foreigner resides, there you are to give them their inheritance,” declares the Sovereign Lord.(BU)

The Division of the Land

48 “These are the tribes, listed by name: At the northern frontier, Dan(BV) will have one portion; it will follow the Hethlon road(BW) to Lebo Hamath;(BX) Hazar Enan and the northern border of Damascus next to Hamath will be part of its border from the east side to the west side.

“Asher(BY) will have one portion; it will border the territory of Dan from east to west.

“Naphtali(BZ) will have one portion; it will border the territory of Asher from east to west.

“Manasseh(CA) will have one portion; it will border the territory of Naphtali from east to west.

“Ephraim(CB) will have one portion; it will border the territory of Manasseh(CC) from east to west.(CD)

“Reuben(CE) will have one portion; it will border the territory of Ephraim from east to west.

“Judah(CF) will have one portion; it will border the territory of Reuben from east to west.

“Bordering the territory of Judah from east to west will be the portion you are to present as a special gift. It will be 25,000 cubits[m] wide, and its length from east to west will equal one of the tribal portions; the sanctuary will be in the center of it.(CG)

“The special portion you are to offer to the Lord will be 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits[n] wide.(CH) 10 This will be the sacred portion for the priests. It will be 25,000 cubits long on the north side, 10,000 cubits wide on the west side, 10,000 cubits wide on the east side and 25,000 cubits long on the south side. In the center of it will be the sanctuary of the Lord.(CI) 11 This will be for the consecrated priests, the Zadokites,(CJ) who were faithful in serving me(CK) and did not go astray as the Levites did when the Israelites went astray.(CL) 12 It will be a special gift to them from the sacred portion of the land, a most holy portion, bordering the territory of the Levites.

13 “Alongside the territory of the priests, the Levites will have an allotment 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. Its total length will be 25,000 cubits and its width 10,000 cubits.(CM) 14 They must not sell or exchange any of it. This is the best of the land and must not pass into other hands, because it is holy to the Lord.(CN)

15 “The remaining area, 5,000 cubits[o] wide and 25,000 cubits long, will be for the common use of the city, for houses and for pastureland. The city will be in the center of it 16 and will have these measurements: the north side 4,500 cubits,[p] the south side 4,500 cubits, the east side 4,500 cubits, and the west side 4,500 cubits.(CO) 17 The pastureland for the city will be 250 cubits[q] on the north, 250 cubits on the south, 250 cubits on the east, and 250 cubits on the west. 18 What remains of the area, bordering on the sacred portion and running the length of it, will be 10,000 cubits on the east side and 10,000 cubits on the west side. Its produce will supply food for the workers of the city.(CP) 19 The workers from the city who farm it will come from all the tribes of Israel. 20 The entire portion will be a square, 25,000 cubits on each side. As a special gift you will set aside the sacred portion, along with the property of the city.

21 “What remains on both sides of the area formed by the sacred portion and the property of the city will belong to the prince. It will extend eastward from the 25,000 cubits of the sacred portion to the eastern border, and westward from the 25,000 cubits to the western border. Both these areas running the length of the tribal portions will belong to the prince, and the sacred portion with the temple sanctuary will be in the center of them.(CQ) 22 So the property of the Levites and the property of the city will lie in the center of the area that belongs to the prince. The area belonging to the prince will lie between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin.

23 “As for the rest of the tribes: Benjamin(CR) will have one portion; it will extend from the east side to the west side.

24 “Simeon(CS) will have one portion; it will border the territory of Benjamin from east to west.

25 “Issachar(CT) will have one portion; it will border the territory of Simeon from east to west.

26 “Zebulun(CU) will have one portion; it will border the territory of Issachar from east to west.

27 “Gad(CV) will have one portion; it will border the territory of Zebulun from east to west.

28 “The southern boundary of Gad will run south from Tamar(CW) to the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.(CX)

29 “This is the land you are to allot as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel, and these will be their portions,” declares the Sovereign Lord.(CY)

The Gates of the New City

30 “These will be the exits of the city: Beginning on the north side, which is 4,500 cubits long, 31 the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. The three gates on the north side will be the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah and the gate of Levi.

32 “On the east side, which is 4,500 cubits long, will be three gates: the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin and the gate of Dan.

33 “On the south side, which measures 4,500 cubits, will be three gates: the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar and the gate of Zebulun.

34 “On the west side, which is 4,500 cubits long, will be three gates: the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher and the gate of Naphtali.(CZ)

35 “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits.[r]

“And the name of the city from that time on will be:

the Lord is there.(DA)

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 46:5 That is, probably about 35 pounds or about 16 kilograms; also in verses 7 and 11
  2. Ezekiel 46:5 That is, about 1 gallon or about 3.8 liters; also in verses 7 and 11
  3. Ezekiel 46:14 That is, probably about 6 pounds or about 2.7 kilograms
  4. Ezekiel 46:14 That is, about 1 1/2 quarts or about 1.3 liters
  5. Ezekiel 46:20 Or purification offering
  6. Ezekiel 46:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  7. Ezekiel 46:22 That is, about 70 feet long and 53 feet wide or about 21 meters long and 16 meters wide
  8. Ezekiel 47:3 That is, about 1,700 feet or about 530 meters
  9. Ezekiel 47:8 Or the Jordan Valley
  10. Ezekiel 47:16 See Septuagint and 48:1; Hebrew road to go into Zedad, 16 Hamath, Berothah.
  11. Ezekiel 47:17 Hebrew Enon, a variant of Enan
  12. Ezekiel 47:18 See Syriac; Hebrew Israel. You will measure to the Dead Sea.
  13. Ezekiel 48:8 That is, about 8 miles or about 13 kilometers; also in verses 9, 10, 13, 15, 20 and 21
  14. Ezekiel 48:9 That is, about 3 1/3 miles or about 5.3 kilometers; also in verses 10, 13 and 18
  15. Ezekiel 48:15 That is, about 1 2/3 miles or about 2.7 kilometers
  16. Ezekiel 48:16 That is, about 1 1/2 miles or about 2.4 kilometers; also in verses 30, 32, 33 and 34
  17. Ezekiel 48:17 That is, about 440 feet or about 135 meters
  18. Ezekiel 48:35 That is, about 6 miles or about 9.5 kilometers