Bible Strands
Ezekiel 45:4
It will be a holy portion of the land to be used by the priests who minister in the sanctuary, who draw near to minister before the LORD. It will be a place for their houses, as well as a holy area for the sanctuary.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Ezekiel records a divine directive concerning the division of the restored land. The instruction allocates a specific parcel of territory for the priestly class who approach the sanctuary.
The words — קֹדֶשׁ (Ko.desh) denotes a set-apart portion, while מְשָׁרְתֵי (me.sha.re.Tei) identifies those who perform ministerial duties. Together they define the land's consecrated status and the occupants' functional role.
The thread — This allocation parallels Numbers 16:5, which ties holiness to divine revelation of belonging. It aligns with Ezekiel 40:45 and Ezekiel 43:19, which similarly restrict sanctuary service to specific priestly lineages.
Why it lands — The text states that physical space in the restored order is assigned according to sacred function. It requires readers to acknowledge that proximity to the sanctuary dictates both privilege and operational obligation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The holy portion of the land shall be for the priests the ministers of the sanctuary, which shall come near to minister unto the Lord: and it shall be a place for their houses, and an holy place for the sanctuary.
Cross-references
- Numbers 16:5 Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will reveal who belongs to Him and who is holy, and He will bring that person near to Himself. The one He chooses He will bring near to Himself.
- Ezekiel 40:45 Then the man said to me: “The chamber that faces south is for the priests who keep charge of the temple,
- Ezekiel 43:19 You are to give a young bull from the herd as a sin offering to the Levitical priests who are of the family of Zadok, who approach Me to minister before Me, declares the Lord GOD.
- Ezekiel 44:13 They must not approach Me to serve Me as priests or come near any of My holy things or the most holy things. They will bear the shame of the abominations they have committed.
- Ezekiel 44:28 In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.
- Ezekiel 45:1 “When you divide the land by lot as an inheritance, you are to set aside a portion for the LORD, a holy portion of the land 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide. This entire tract of land will be holy.
- Ezekiel 48:10 This will be the holy 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 will be the sanctuary of the LORD.