King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 45:7 Mean?

Ezekiel 45:7 in the King James Version says “And a portion shall be for the prince on the one side and on the other side of the oblation of the holy portion, and of ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 45 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And a portion shall be for the prince on the one side and on the other side of the oblation of the holy portion, and of the possession of the city, before the oblation of the holy portion, and before the possession of the city, from the west side westward, and from the east side eastward: and the length shall be over against one of the portions, from the west border unto the east border.

Ezekiel 45:7 · KJV


Context

5

And the five and twenty thousand of length, and the ten thousand of breadth, shall also the Levites, the ministers of the house, have for themselves, for a possession for twenty chambers.

6

And ye shall appoint the possession of the city five thousand broad, and five and twenty thousand long, over against the oblation of the holy portion: it shall be for the whole house of Israel.

7

And a portion shall be for the prince on the one side and on the other side of the oblation of the holy portion, and of the possession of the city, before the oblation of the holy portion, and before the possession of the city, from the west side westward, and from the east side eastward: and the length shall be over against one of the portions, from the west border unto the east border.

8

In the land shall be his possession in Israel: and my princes shall no more oppress my people; and the rest of the land shall they give to the house of Israel according to their tribes.

9

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD. exactions: Heb. expulsions


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And a portion shall be for the prince on the one side and on the other side of the oblation of the holy portion—Ezekiel's temple vision allocates land to the prince (הַנָּשִׂיא, hannasi), a civil ruler distinct from the priesthood. Unlike Israel's corrupt monarchy that seized property (1 Kings 21), this prince receives designated territory flanking the sacred district, preventing oppression. The Hebrew terumah (תְּרוּמָה, "oblation" or "contribution") refers to the consecrated land set apart for temple, priests, and Levites.

The detailed boundaries—from the west side westward, and from the east side eastward—ensure the prince's portion runs parallel to the tribal allotments, symbolizing that civil authority serves alongside, not above, sacred worship. This geographical arrangement embodies the proper relationship between governance and religion: the prince protects and provisions worship but does not control it. In Christ, this finds ultimate fulfillment—He is both our Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), perfectly uniting civil authority and spiritual mediation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Written during Babylonian exile (circa 573 BCE), Ezekiel's vision offered hope for restoration with reformed governance. Israel's monarchy had frequently exploited the people (1 Samuel 8:10-18), and kings like Ahab murdered to seize vineyards (1 Kings 21). By designating the prince's land, this vision prevents such abuse in the restored community.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does designated provision for leaders prevent corruption and abuse of power?
  2. What does the prince's position—alongside the holy portion, not controlling it—teach about the relationship between civil and spiritual authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וְלַנָּשִׂ֡יא1 of 30

And a portion shall be for the prince

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

מִזֶּ֣ה2 of 30
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וּמִזֶּה֩3 of 30
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

תְרֽוּמַת4 of 30

on the one side and on the other side of the oblation

H8641

a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute

הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙5 of 30

of the holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

אֲחֻזַּ֣ת6 of 30

portion and of the possession

H272

something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)

הָעִ֔יר7 of 30

of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אֶל8 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פְּנֵי֙9 of 30

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

תְרֽוּמַת10 of 30

on the one side and on the other side of the oblation

H8641

a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute

הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙11 of 30

of the holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְאֶל12 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פְּנֵי֙13 of 30

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֲחֻזַּ֣ת14 of 30

portion and of the possession

H272

something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)

הָעִ֔יר15 of 30

of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וּמִפְּאַת16 of 30

side

H6285

properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity

יָ֖ם17 of 30

from the west

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

יָ֖ם18 of 30

from the west

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וּמִפְּאַת19 of 30

side

H6285

properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity

קֵ֖דְמָה20 of 30

and from the east

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

קָדִֽימָה׃21 of 30

eastward

H6921

the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)

וְאֹ֗רֶךְ22 of 30

and the length

H753

length

לְעֻמּוֹת֙23 of 30

shall be over against

H5980

conjunction, i.e., society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along with

אַחַ֣ד24 of 30

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

הַחֲלָקִ֔ים25 of 30

of the portions

H2506

properly, smoothness (of the tongue)

גְּב֥וּל26 of 30

border

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

יָ֖ם27 of 30

from the west

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

אֶל28 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גְּב֥וּל29 of 30

border

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

קָדִֽימָה׃30 of 30

eastward

H6921

the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 45:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 45:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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