Ezekiel Chapter 45 Vs. 1-6

The Land of the Temple Priests 

Ezekiel 45:1-6


Because Ezekiel had been speaking extensively about the priests and Levites (Eze. 44:10-31), he then included their inheritance in the land (cf. Eze. 48:9-12). They will not have inheritances as will people in the other tribes (Eze. 44:28).

In the division of the land Israel is to present to the Lord a portion of the land as a sacred district, 25,000 cubits (about 8.3 miles) long and 20,000 cubits (about 6.6 miles) wide. Within this land area will be the temple complex Ezekiel had just described (chaps. 40-43). The Promised Land had been divided to the tribes of Israel. They were wonderful record keepers, and they knew where their land was located. Each family had an inheritance of the land of their forefathers. This is a different allotment. The land for the temple was not to be allotted to anyone.

This sacred land, set apart at the heart of Palestine, is separate from allotments designated for various tribes, seven to the North and five to the South. Though the whole earth is the Lord’s, this area is meaningful to Him in a special sense, as providing for special purposes which 45:2-8 goes on to define.

This holy rectangle (8.5 miles by 3.3 miles), verses 1-3, corresponds to 48:8-22 which describes this portion as between Judah to the North and Benjamin to the South extending from the Mediterranean East to the eastern border. It is the area for the priestly homes in v.4 particularly, but is also for the benefit of all worshipers.

This rectangle of land will be divided into two equal portions, each about 8.3 miles long and about 3.3 miles wide. The first portion, in which will be located the sanctuary, will be allotted to the priests… for their houses as well as a holy place for the sanctuary. This is the area of the Zadokian priests and the temple area is in this larger area. This holy portion of land, we read about in verse one, is explained here, to belong, not only to the temple area, but to the families of the priests, and high priest where they can build homes. This includes all of the Levitical tribe. Some are not priests, but ministers.

The second portion will be allotted to the Levites, who serve in the temple, as their possession for towns to live in. Distinct from the land devoted to temple and priestly homes is another portion for Levites, who assist in temple service. This portion is also about 8.5 x 3.3 miles and lies north of the temple/priest allotment.

At the heart of the special allotment is the temple area, 48:10, which serves all Israelite tribes, and also is the worship center for those of the whole world, who visit.

It is approximately one mile square. As a center, not only for those in Palestine but for the world, the area is appropriately larger than past temples that served Israel.

Instead of being scattered throughout Israel as they were earlier (Jos. 21:1-42) the priests and Levites will reside near their place of ministry.



The rectangle formed by the priests’ and Levites’ portions was converted into a square with the addition of land for the city of Jerusalem itself. The city is to cover an area 5,000 cubits (about 1.7 miles) wide and 25,000 cubits (about 8.3 miles) long, adjoining the sacred portion. This will then be subdivided into the city proper, grazing land and farmland (cf. Eze. 48:15-18). On the South of the central sanctuary plot is the city of Jerusalem with an area of about 8.5 x 1.65 miles.