Ezekiel 48:18
And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion shall be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward: and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy portion; and the increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city.
Original Language Analysis
וְהַנּוֹתָ֨ר
And the residue
H3498
וְהַנּוֹתָ֨ר
And the residue
Strong's:
H3498
Word #:
1 of 20
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
לְעֻמַּ֖ת
and it shall be over against
H5980
לְעֻמַּ֖ת
and it shall be over against
Strong's:
H5980
Word #:
3 of 20
conjunction, i.e., society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along with
תְּרוּמַ֣ת
the oblation
H8641
תְּרוּמַ֣ת
the oblation
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
4 of 20
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the holy
H6944
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
5 of 20
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וַעֲשֶׂ֤רֶת
and ten
H6235
וַעֲשֶׂ֤רֶת
and ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
6 of 20
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
אֲלָפִים֙
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִים֙
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
7 of 20
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
קָדִ֙ימָה֙
eastward
H6921
קָדִ֙ימָה֙
eastward
Strong's:
H6921
Word #:
8 of 20
the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)
וַעֲשֶׂ֤רֶת
and ten
H6235
וַעֲשֶׂ֤רֶת
and ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
9 of 20
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
אֲלָפִים֙
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִים֙
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
10 of 20
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
יָ֔מָּה
westward
H3220
יָ֔מָּה
westward
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
11 of 20
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וְהָיָ֕ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֕ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְעֻמַּ֖ת
and it shall be over against
H5980
לְעֻמַּ֖ת
and it shall be over against
Strong's:
H5980
Word #:
13 of 20
conjunction, i.e., society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along with
תְּרוּמַ֣ת
the oblation
H8641
תְּרוּמַ֣ת
the oblation
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
14 of 20
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the holy
H6944
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
15 of 20
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וְהָיְתָ֤ה
H1961
וְהָיְתָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
16 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
תְבֽוּאָתֹה֙
portion and the increase
H8393
תְבֽוּאָתֹה֙
portion and the increase
Strong's:
H8393
Word #:
17 of 20
income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)
לְלֶ֔חֶם
thereof shall be for food
H3899
לְלֶ֔חֶם
thereof shall be for food
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
18 of 20
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
Historical Context
Pre-exilic Jerusalem saw vast inequality where temple lands enriched priestly families while ordinary Levites and workers lacked basic provision (Nehemiah 13:10). Ezekiel's vision establishes economic justice through structured land use: those who labor receive the land's increase. This addresses the systemic injustice that contributed to exile (Ezekiel 34:1-10).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the principle of workers receiving land's increase challenge systems where laborers are exploited while others profit?
- What does agricultural land "over against" the holy portion teach about the connection between worship and daily provision?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion—the remaining agricultural land (10,000 cubits east and west) runs parallel (le-ummat) to the sacred precinct, maintaining geographical relationship between provision and worship. The increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city—divine provision directly supports those laboring in the sacred community.
This principle mirrors New Testament teaching: "they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:14). The agricultural yield doesn't enrich absentee landlords but feeds actual workers—a direct rebuke to pre-exilic exploitation where elites consumed while laborers starved (James 5:4). The land's productivity (tevu'ah, increase/produce) flows from proximity to holy things, suggesting blessing radiates from the sanctuary.