Ezekiel 48:20
All the oblation shall be five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand: ye shall offer the holy oblation foursquare, with the possession of the city.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תְּרוּמַ֣ת
All the oblation
H8641
תְּרוּמַ֣ת
All the oblation
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
2 of 16
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
אָ֑לֶף
thousand
H505
אָ֑לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
5 of 16
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
אָ֑לֶף
thousand
H505
אָ֑לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
8 of 16
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
תָּרִ֙ימוּ֙
ye shall offer
H7311
תָּרִ֙ימוּ֙
ye shall offer
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
10 of 16
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תְּרוּמַ֣ת
All the oblation
H8641
תְּרוּמַ֣ת
All the oblation
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
12 of 16
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ
the holy
H6944
הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ
the holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
13 of 16
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
Historical Context
The Hebrew terumah originally designated portions given to priests from sacrifices and tithes (Numbers 18:8-19). Here it expands to territorial dedication—the entire sacred district is an offering to God. This transforms land from mere property into worship, addressing the pre-exilic failure to recognize that all land belongs to Yahweh (Leviticus 25:23).
Questions for Reflection
- How does treating an entire geographical region as an "offering" challenge modern notions of property ownership versus stewardship?
- What does the repeated foursquare pattern from tabernacle to temple to eternal city teach about God's unchanging standards of holiness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
All the oblation shall be five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand—the complete sacred district forms a perfect square (25,000x25,000 cubits), encompassing priestly portion, Levitical portion, and city property. The term oblation (תְּרוּמָה, terumah) means "contribution" or "heave offering," indicating the entire land is lifted up/set apart for God.
Ye shall offer the holy oblation foursquare—the command shifts from third-person description to direct address, making this a prescriptive mandate for restoration, not mere visionary speculation. The foursquare geometry echoes the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:16), the altar of incense (Exodus 30:2), and ultimately the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:16)—all expressing divine perfection through sacred geometry.