Ezekiel – Chapter 48

Old Testament35 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 48 of Ezekiel begins: "And these are the names of the tribes from the borders of the north, by the way of Hethalon, as they go to Emath, the court of Enan the…" The chapter centers on Simeon, Manasses and Joseph. Across its 35 verses, two threads run through the text: God feeding His people and holiness. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And these are the names of the tribes from the borders of the north, by the way of Hethalon, as they go to Emath, the court of Enan the border of Damascus northward, by the way off Emath. And from the east side thereof to the sea shall be one portion for Dan.

2And by the border of Dan, from the east side even to the side of the sea, one portion for Aser:

3And by the border of Aser, from the east side even to the side of the sea one portion for Nephthali.

4And by the border of Nephthali, from the east side even to the side of the one portion for Manasses.

5And by the border of Manasses, from the east side even to the side of the sea, one portion for Ephraim.

6And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even to the side of the sea, one portion for Ruben.

7And by the border of Ruben, from the east side even to the side of the sea, one portion for Juda.

8And by the border of Juda, from the east side even to the side of the sea, shall be the firstfruits which you shall set apart, five and twenty thousand in breadth, and length, as every one of the portions from the east side to the side of the sea: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst thereof.

9The firstfruits which you shall set apart for the Lord will be the length of five and twenty thousand, and the breadth of ten thousand.

10And these shall be the firstfruits of the sanctuary for the priests: toward the north five and twenty thousand in length, and toward the sea ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east also ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the Lord shall be in the midst thereof.

11The sanctuary shall be for the priests of the sons of Sadoc, who kept my ceremonies, and went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites also went astray.

12And for them shall be the firstfruits of the firstfruits of the land holy of holies, by the border of the Levites,

13And the Levites in like manner shall have by the borders of the priests five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth. All the length shall be five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand.

14And they shall not sell thereof, nor exchange, neither shall the firstfruits of the land be alienated, because they are sanctified to the Lord.

15But the five thousand that remain 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.

16And these are the measures thereof: on the north side four thousand and five hundred: and on the south side four thousand and five hundred: and on the east side four thousand and five hundred: and on the west side four thousand and five hundred.

17And the suburbs of the city shall be to the north two hundred and fifty, and the south two hundred and fifty, and to the east two hundred and fifty, and to the sea two hundred and fifty.

18And the residue in length by the firstfruits of the sanctuary, ten thousand toward the east, and ten thousand toward the west, shall be as the firstfruits of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for bread to them that serve the city.

19And they that serve the city, shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel.

20All the firstfruits, of five and twenty thousand, by five and twenty thousand foursquare, shall be set apart for the firstfruits of the sanctuary, and for the possession of the city.

21And the residue shall be for the prince on every side of the firstfruits of the sanctuary, and of the possession of the city over against the five and twenty thousand of the firstfruits unto the east border: toward the sea also over against the five and twenty thousand, unto the border of the sea, shall likewise be the portion of the prince: and the firstfruits of the sanctuary, and the sanctuary of the temple shall be in the midst thereof.

22And from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city which are in the midst of the prince's portions: what shall be to the border of Juda, and to the border of Benjamin, shall also belong to the prince.

23And for the rest of the tribes: from the east side to the west side, one portion for Benjamin.

24And over against the border of Benjamin, from the east side to the west side, one portion for Simeon.

25And by the border of Simeon, from the east side to the west side, one portion for Issachar.

26And by the border of Issachar, from the east side to the west side, one portion for Zabulon.

27And by the border of Zabulon, from the east side to the side of the sea, one portion for Gad.

28And by the border of Gad, the south side southward: and the border shall be from Thamar, even to the waters of contradiction of Cades, the inheritance over against the great sea.

29This is the land which you shall divide by lot to the tribes of Israel: and these are the portions of them, saith the Lord God.

30And these are the goings out of the city: on the north side thou shalt measure four thousand and five hundred.

31And the gates of the city according to the names of the tribes of Israel, three gates on the north side, the gate of Ruben one, the gate of Juda one, the gate of Levi one.

32And at the east side, four thousand and five hundred: and three gates, the gate of Joseph one, the gate of Benjamin one, the gate of Dan one.

33And at the south side, thou shalt measure four thousand and five hundred: and three gates, the gate of Simeon one, the gate of Issachar one, the gate of Zabulon one.

34And at the west side, four thousand and five hundred, and their three gates, the gate of Gad one, the gate of Aser one, the gate of Nephthali one.

35Its circumference was eighteen thousand: and the name of the city from that day, The Lord is there.

Important Verses in Ezekiel 48

The firstfruits which you shall set apart for the Lord will be the length of five and twenty thousand, and the breadth of ten thousand.

Ezekiel 48:9

And for them shall be the firstfruits of the firstfruits of the land holy of holies, by the border of the Levites,

Ezekiel 48:12

This is the land which you shall divide by lot to the tribes of Israel: and these are the portions of them, saith the Lord God.

Ezekiel 48:29

Its circumference was eighteen thousand: and the name of the city from that day, The Lord is there.

Ezekiel 48:35

Historical Context

Ezekiel belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the exiles in Babylon, moved from despair to hope of restoration. Chapter 48 of 48 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 35 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Simeon, Manasses and Joseph, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "And these are the names of the tribes from the borders of the north, by the way of Hethalon, as they go to Emath, the…" It concludes: "Its circumference was eighteen thousand: and the name of the city from that day, The Lord is there. " In terms of historical background, Ezekiel was deported to Babylon in 597 BC and prophesied among the exiles through astonishing visions: God's throne-chariot, the departure of His glory from the Temple, the valley of dry bones brought to life, and a new… The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About 593-571 BC, in Babylon.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Ezekiel, priest and exile

When It Was Written

About 593-571 BC, in Babylon

Catholic Commentary

In this 35-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of judgment, restoration, and God's glory. A pivotal line is verse 9: "The firstfruits which you shall set apart for the Lord will be the length of five and twenty thousand, and the breadth of ten thousand." The passage repeatedly touches on God feeding His people.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 618). Here, Ezekiel's visions inform Catholic understanding of heaven and liturgy (CIC 1137). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God feeding His people as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God will give His people a new heart. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Ezekiel 48 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.
  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

Simeon3 mentionsManasses2 mentionsJoseph1 mention

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Ezekiel Chapter 48 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Ezekiel Chapter 48. At the moral level, the unity of Scripture and the Magisterium challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 2578).

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of the unity of Scripture and the Magisterium bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ezekiel Chapter 48 about?

Ezekiel 48 contains 35 verses. It opens with "And these are the names of the tribes from the borders of the north, by the way of Hethalon, as they go to Emath, the…" and closes with "Its circumference was eighteen thousand: and the name of the city from that day, The Lord is there. ". The book as a whole is prophetic visions and oracles.

What is a key verse in Ezekiel 48?

One of the most significant verses is verse 9: "The firstfruits which you shall set apart for the Lord will be the length of five and twenty thousand, and the breadth of ten thousand." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Ezekiel Chapter 48?

This chapter mentions Simeon, Manasses, Joseph.

Who wrote Ezekiel and when?

The prophet Ezekiel, priest and exile. About 593-571 BC, in Babylon.

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