Ezekiel 48:13
And over against the border of the priests the Levites shall have five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length shall be five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand.
Original Language Analysis
לְעֻמַּת֙
And over against
H5980
לְעֻמַּת֙
And over against
Strong's:
H5980
Word #:
2 of 19
conjunction, i.e., society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along with
גְּב֣וּל
the border
H1366
גְּב֣וּל
the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים
of the priests
H3548
הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים
of the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
4 of 19
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֲלָפִֽים׃
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִֽים׃
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
7 of 19
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת
and ten
H6235
עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת
and ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
10 of 19
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
אֲלָפִֽים׃
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִֽים׃
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
11 of 19
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲלָפִֽים׃
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִֽים׃
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
16 of 19
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
Historical Context
The Levites received no territorial inheritance in the original conquest (Numbers 18:20-24), instead receiving 48 cities scattered throughout Israel plus tithes for their temple service. Ezekiel's vision grants them a contiguous territorial portion, elevating their status in the restored community while maintaining their special relationship to the sanctuary and priestly tribe.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's provision for the Levites demonstrate that those who serve Him will never lack?
- What does the parallel-but-distinct allocation to priests and Levites teach about unity and order in ministry?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Over against the border of the priests the Levites shall have five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth—the Levitical portion mirrors the priestly dimensions (25,000x10,000 cubits), honoring their ministerial role while maintaining hierarchical distinction. The phrase over against (לְעֻמַּת, le-ummat) means "corresponding to" or "parallel with," emphasizing ordered symmetry in God's design.
The repetition of measurements—all the length shall be five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand—serves rhetorical emphasis, underscoring permanence and precision. Unlike the fluid, contested borders of monarchic Israel, this allocation reflects eschatological stability where each tribe receives its divinely ordained inheritance without encroachment or dispute.