King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 48:15 Mean?

Ezekiel 48:15 in the King James Version says “And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane place ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

13

And over against the border of the priests the Levites shall have 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.

14

And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land: for it is holy unto the LORD.

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.

16

And these shall be the measures thereof; the north side four thousand and five hundred, and the south side four thousand and five hundred, and on the east side four thousand and five hundred, and the west side four thousand and five hundred.

17

And the suburbs of the city shall be toward the north two hundred and fifty, and toward the south two hundred and fifty, and toward the east two hundred and fifty, and toward the west two hundred and fifty.

Read Ezekiel 48 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The five thousand, that are left...shall be a profane place for the city—the term profane (חֹל, chol) means "common" or "secular," not defiled but simply non-sacred. This distinction creates balanced theology: not all space is temple-holy, yet common life adjacent to sacred space receives dignity and purpose.

For dwelling, and for suburbs (לְמוֹשָׁב וּלְמִגְרָשׁ, le-moshav u-le-migrash)—residential areas with open lands for agriculture, showing God's concern for ordinary human needs alongside sacred worship. The city shall be in the midst thereof—centrally located, the city serves those who minister in the temple, creating integrated sacred-secular community rather than isolated monasticism.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Unlike ancient Near Eastern temple cities where priests monopolized resources, Ezekiel's vision includes common people serving the sanctuary community. The "profane" designation doesn't diminish but dignifies ordinary labor supporting sacred service. Archaeological evidence from Jerusalem shows the ancient city intermingled sacred and domestic spaces without formal zoning.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the distinction between "holy" and "common" (not "profane" as defiled) shape your understanding of secular work?
  2. What does centralized planning around the sanctuary teach about orienting all of life toward worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
חֲמִשָּׁ֤ה1 of 17

“And the five”

H2568

five

אֶ֔לֶף2 of 17

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

הַנּוֹתָ֣ר3 of 17

“that are left”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

בָּרֹ֗חַב4 of 17

“in the breadth”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

עַל5 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֨י6 of 17

“over against”

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

חֲמִשָּׁ֤ה7 of 17

“And the five”

H2568

five

וְעֶשְׂרִים֙8 of 17

“and twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

אֶ֔לֶף9 of 17

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

חֹֽל10 of 17

“shall be a profane”

H2455

properly, exposed; hence, profane

ה֣וּא11 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הָעִ֖יר12 of 17

“and the city”

H5892

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

לְמוֹשָׁ֖ב13 of 17

“for dwelling”

H4186

a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population

וּלְמִגְרָ֑שׁ14 of 17

“and for suburbs”

H4054

a suburb (i.e., open country whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea

וְהָיְתָ֥ה15 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הָעִ֖יר16 of 17

“and the city”

H5892

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

בְּתוֹכֹֽה׃17 of 17

“shall be in the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

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 48:15 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 48:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 42:20Ezekiel 45:6Ezekiel 22:26Ezekiel 44:231 Timothy 3:15

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