Ezequiel 45
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Ezequiel 45:1-5
45:1 "when you divide by lot the land" The VERB (BDB 656, KB 709, Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) basically means "to fall," but in the Hiphil refers to casting lots to know the Lord's will on a matter. The concept (i.e. mechanism) originated with the Urim and Thummim of the High Priest (cf. Exod. 28:30; Num. 27:21). This method was to be used to divide the Promised Land (i.e. Canaan) among the twelve tribes (excluding Levi) as described in Num. 26:53-56; 33:54; 34:2,13; 36:2-3 and originally done in Joshua 13-22 (esp. 14:1-2). Ezekiel is drawing a mental image from the past to illustrate a new beginning! Special Topic: Urim and Thummim ▣ "an allotment to the Lord" The phrase is literally "set apart an offering" (BDB 926, KB 1202, Hiphil IMPERFECT). This refers to the temple area. This offering/allotment is described in Ezek. 45:1-5. length, 25,000 cubits or rods/reeds (cf. Ezek. 42:15-20) width, 10,000 cubits (LXX, 20,000) or rods/reeds, which means it includes the priestly and Levitical areas containing a square 500 cubits by 500 cubits or rods/reeds for the holy place square surrounded by an open space of 50 cubits or rods/reeds contains YHWH's sanctuary and priests' housing area for the Levites (25,000 cubits by 10,000 cubits or rods/reeds) A cubit would be about 21 inches, a rod/reed about 10 feet. Special Topic: Cubit NASB, NRSV, NJB, REB, LXX "20,000" NKJV, JPSOA, Peshitta "10,000" The MT has "10,000." The UBS Text Project, p. 178, suggests that the text of the LXX be followed but gives it only a "C" rating (considerable doubt). 45:5 NASB, NRSV, RSV, NEB, LXX "cities" NKJV, JPSOA "chambers" TEV, NJB "towns" "houses" "places in which they live" The MT has "chambers" (לשכת, BDB 545), which is so common in this section of Ezekiel (cf. Ezek. 40:17 [twice], 38,44,45,46; 41:10; 42:1,4,7 [twice],8,11), but the Septuagint has "cities," reflecting the Hebrew word (לשבת). The B (beth) and K (kaph) consonants are formed in a similar way and are often confused in handwritten texts. The UBS Text Project, p. 178, gives "cities" a "C" rating (considerable doubt).
Ezequiel 45:6
45:6 "the city" This area (5,000 by 25,000 cubits) is further described in Ezek. 48:15-18,30-35. It is a holy area for all the house of Israel, similar to the courts of Herod's temple.
Ezequiel 45:7-8
45:7-8 "The prince shall have land" The allotment for the royal leader is described in Ezek. 45:7-8, which is adjacent to the holy common area for the people. The purpose of the land is twofold. symbolizes closeness to YHWH symbolizes he is a servant of the people (i.e. outside the common area) It is also a way of providing status and authority without oppressing the people (cf. Ezek. 45:9; 22:27; 46:18). This "prince" (BDB 672) is an administrator fulfilling Isa. 9:6-7 and Micah 5:2-5. However, the "princes" (cf. Ezek. 45:8,9) are governmental leaders who must be admonished to live and act appropriately. Ezekiel takes seriously the corruption of the leadership which occurred regularly in the past. This very point shows that this does not directly refer to an "ideal Messianic" period, but future Israeli history. The results of the fall potentially continue and must be guarded against. See full note on "prince" at Ezek. 46:2.
Ezequiel 45:9
45:9-10 These verses list what the governmental leaders should and should not do. put away violence (BDB 329) and oppression (BDB 994) – BDB 693, KB 747, Hiphil IMPERATIVE PLURAL practice justice (BDB 1048) and righteousness (BDB 842) – BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERATIVE (terms often paired, cf. Ezek. 18:5,19,21,27; 33:14,16,19) stop your expropriations (BDB 177, literally, "lift your evictions") – BDB 926, KB 1202, Hiphil IMPERATIVE have just balances, ephah and baths – BDB 224, KB 243, Qal JUSSIVE
Ezequiel 45:10-12
45:11-12,14 See Special Topic: Ancient Near Eastern Weights and Measures (metrology).
Ezequiel 45:13-17
45:13-16 These verses describe what an Israelite worshiper should provide (either in kind or as a tax). a sixth of an ephah (dry measure) from a homer of wheat a sixth of an ephah from a homer of barley (cf. Num. 5:15) a bath (liquid measure) of oil one sheep which will make up a grain offering (Leviticus 2) a burnt offering (Leviticus 1) a peace offering (Leviticus 3) Special Topic: ANE Weights and Volumes 45:17 The prince (i.e. government) shall provide the offerings. the burnt offering the grain offering the drink offering for the feasts of new moons sabbaths appointed feasts to make atonement (cf. Ezek. 45:15) the sin offering the grain offering the burnt offering the peace offering (often used to inaugurate a temple, cf. Lev. 9:4,18,22; 1 Kgs. 8:63-64; 2 Chr. 30:22; 31:2; Ezek. 43:27) Special Topic: Feasts of Israel Special Topic: Atonement
Ezequiel 45:18-20
45:18-25 The lists of feasts (the year begins in the spring): Verse(s) Month Day Parallel Texts 1. Ezek. 45:18-19 1 st month 1 st day Num. 28:11-15 2. Ezek. 45:20 1 st month 9 th day Leviticus 16 3. Ezek. 45:21-24 1 st month 14 th day Lev. 23:5; Num. 28:16-25 4. Ezek. 45:21-24 1 st month 15 th -21 st days Lev. 23:6 5. Ezek. 45:25 7 th month 15 th -21 st days Lev. 23:33-37; Numbers 29; Deut. 16:13-15 Even though #2 has elements of the Day of Atonement, probably Ezek. 45:18-20 reflect the New Year Feast, while Ezek. 45:21-24 reflect Passover/Unleavened Bread and Ezek. 45:25 reflects the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles. The last of this chapter and the next is the section that disagrees so much with the Mosaic regulation. The question is why. Ezekiel was a priest. He knew the law of Moses. I think that the differences and exaggerated land dimensions are a way to denote its symbolic nature (it is similar to John listing the tribes incorrectly in Revelation 7). Only literalists demand a future temple! Special Topic: Feasts of Israel