King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 48:18 Mean?

Ezekiel 48:18 in the King James Version says “And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion shall be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion shall be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward: and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy portion; and the increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city.”

Ezekiel 48:18 · KJV

Context

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.

18

And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion shall be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward: and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy portion; and the increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city.

19

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

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.

Read Ezekiel 48 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion—the remaining agricultural land (10,000 cubits east and west) runs parallel (le-ummat) to the sacred precinct, maintaining geographical relationship between provision and worship. The increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city—divine provision directly supports those laboring in the sacred community.

This principle mirrors New Testament teaching: "they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:14). The agricultural yield doesn't enrich absentee landlords but feeds actual workers—a direct rebuke to pre-exilic exploitation where elites consumed while laborers starved (James 5:4). The land's productivity (tevu'ah, increase/produce) flows from proximity to holy things, suggesting blessing radiates from the sanctuary.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pre-exilic Jerusalem saw vast inequality where temple lands enriched priestly families while ordinary Levites and workers lacked basic provision (Nehemiah 13:10). Ezekiel's vision establishes economic justice through structured land use: those who labor receive the land's increase. This addresses the systemic injustice that contributed to exile (Ezekiel 34:1-10).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the principle of workers receiving land's increase challenge systems where laborers are exploited while others profit?
  2. What does agricultural land "over against" the holy portion teach about the connection between worship and daily provision?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְהַנּוֹתָ֨ר1 of 20

“And the residue”

H3498

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

בָּאֹ֜רֶךְ2 of 20

“in length”

H753

length

לְעֻמַּ֖ת3 of 20

“and it shall be over against”

H5980

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

תְּרוּמַ֣ת4 of 20

“the oblation”

H8641

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

הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ5 of 20

“of the holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וַעֲשֶׂ֤רֶת6 of 20

“and ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

אֲלָפִים֙7 of 20

“thousand”

H505

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

קָדִ֙ימָה֙8 of 20

“eastward”

H6921

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

וַעֲשֶׂ֤רֶת9 of 20

“and ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

אֲלָפִים֙10 of 20

“thousand”

H505

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

יָ֔מָּה11 of 20

“westward”

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

וְהָיָ֕ה12 of 20
H1961

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

לְעֻמַּ֖ת13 of 20

“and it shall be over against”

H5980

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

תְּרוּמַ֣ת14 of 20

“the oblation”

H8641

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

הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ15 of 20

“of the holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְהָיְתָ֤ה16 of 20
H1961

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

תְבֽוּאָתֹה֙17 of 20

“portion and the increase”

H8393

income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)

לְלֶ֔חֶם18 of 20

“thereof shall be for food”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

לְעֹבְדֵ֖י19 of 20

“unto them that serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

הָעִֽיר׃20 of 20

“the city”

H5892

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

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 48:18 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 48:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 7:46-62Ezekiel 45:6Ezra 2:43-58Joshua 9:27

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