What does Ezekiel 48:15 mean?
"¶ And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane place for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs: and the city shall be in the midst thereof." - Ezekiel 48:15
Ezekiel 48:15 in the King James Version of the Bible reads as follows: "And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane place for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs: and the city shall be in the midst thereof."
The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament and is attributed to the prophet Ezekiel, who lived during the Babylonian exile. The prophet received his calling while he was among the exiles by the river Chebar in Babylon (Ezekiel 1:1-3). The primary themes in the book of Ezekiel include judgment, restoration, and the glory of God. The book also delves into the spiritual condition of Israel and the nations as well as the responsibility of the prophet to deliver God's message faithfully.
In Ezekiel 48, the prophet provides a vision of a future restored Israel, specifically describing the division of the land among the 12 tribes of Israel. The verse 15 specifically refers to the portion allotted to the city and its infrastructure, particularly the area around the city.
The mention of "the five thousand that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand" suggests the existence of an area of land left over or set apart from the city. This area is described as "profane" or common, as opposed to the sanctified or holy space within the city. This indicates that the land outside the city is not designated for religious or sacred purposes but rather for ordinary, everyday activities such as dwelling and suburban life.
The verse also mentions the city being in the midst of this profane place, indicating that the city is the central focus or the heart of the land. This underscores the significance and importance of the city as the hub of activity and governance within the allocated territory.
From a thematic perspective, Ezekiel 48:15 reflects the idea of sacred space and the distinction between the sacred and the profane. Throughout the Bible, there is a recurring theme of the need to set apart certain places, objects, or activities for the worship and service of God. This verse, therefore, highlights the delineation between the sacred space of the city and the ordinary space of the suburban and rural areas. It emphasizes the order and structure that are essential for the functioning of a society under God's governance.
The context of this verse is the restoration of Israel after a period of judgment and exile. The vision presented by Ezekiel offers hope and promise for the future, depicting a time when the land will be divided and inhabited once again according to God's design. This vision serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His people and His plan to bring about restoration and renewal, even after a season of discipline and correction.
Symbolically, the imagery of the city and its surrounding suburbs can be interpreted as representing the idea of God's kingdom and the world at large. The city may symbolize the spiritual center or the presence of God, while the profane place outside the city represents the secular or worldly aspects of life. This symbolism echoes the New Testament concepts of the kingdom of God and the distinction between living in the world but not being of the world (John 17:14-16, Romans 12:2).
In conclusion, Ezekiel 48:15 conveys a message of hope and restoration, portraying a vision of a future when God will bring order and purpose to His people and their land. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of sacred space and the distinction between the sacred and the profane, emphasizing the need for structure and delineation within God's design for His people. Ultimately, this verse points to the sovereignty of God and His plan for the redemption and renewal of all things.
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Ezekiel 48:15 - "¶ And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane place for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs: and the city shall be in the midst thereof."
"¶ And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane place for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs: and the city shall be in the midst thereof." - Ezekiel 48:15
Joshua 15:48 - "¶ And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,"
Ezekiel 48:19 - "And they that serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel."
Ezekiel 48:5 - "And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Ephraim."
Ezekiel 48:27 - "And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side unto the west side, Gad a portion."
Ezekiel 48:7 - "And by the border of Reuben, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Judah."
Ezekiel 20:48 - "And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched."
Ezekiel 48:25 - "And by the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side, Issachar a portion."
Ezekiel 48:2 - "And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Asher."
Ezekiel 48:30 - "¶ And these are the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures."
Ezekiel 48:26 - "And by the border of Issachar, from the east side unto the west side, Zebulun a portion."
Ezekiel 48:4 - "And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh."
Ezekiel 48:6 - "And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Reuben."
Ezekiel 48:3 - "And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Naphtali."
Ezekiel 48:12 - "And this oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites."
Ezekiel 48:35 - "It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there."
Ezekiel 48:14 - "And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land: for it is holy unto the LORD."
1 Corinthians 15:48 - "As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly."
Ezekiel 48:23 - "As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin shall have a portion."
Ezekiel 48:24 - "And by the border of Benjamin, from the east side unto the west side, Simeon shall have a portion."
"¶ And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh," - Joshua 15:48
Ezekiel 48:29 - "This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their portions, saith the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 48:9 - "The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD shall be of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth."
Ezekiel 23:48 - "Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness."
Ezekiel 48:32 - "And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan."
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."
Ezekiel 48:34 - "At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali."
Ezekiel 48:22 - "Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, being in the midst of that which is the prince's, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the prince."
Ezekiel 48:28 - "And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea."