King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 48:20 Mean?

Ezekiel 48:20 in the King James Version says “All the oblation shall be five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand: ye shall offer the holy oblation foursqu...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 48:20 · KJV

Context

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.

21

And the residue shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation, and of the possession of the city, over against the five and twenty thousand of the oblation toward the east border, and westward over against the five and twenty thousand toward the west border, over against the portions for the prince: and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the midst thereof.

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.

Read Ezekiel 48 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All the oblation shall be five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand—the complete sacred district forms a perfect square (25,000x25,000 cubits), encompassing priestly portion, Levitical portion, and city property. The term oblation (תְּרוּמָה, terumah) means "contribution" or "heave offering," indicating the entire land is lifted up/set apart for God.

Ye shall offer the holy oblation foursquare—the command shifts from third-person description to direct address, making this a prescriptive mandate for restoration, not mere visionary speculation. The foursquare geometry echoes the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:16), the altar of incense (Exodus 30:2), and ultimately the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:16)—all expressing divine perfection through sacred geometry.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Hebrew terumah originally designated portions given to priests from sacrifices and tithes (Numbers 18:8-19). Here it expands to territorial dedication—the entire sacred district is an offering to God. This transforms land from mere property into worship, addressing the pre-exilic failure to recognize that all land belongs to Yahweh (Leviticus 25:23).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does treating an entire geographical region as an "offering" challenge modern notions of property ownership versus stewardship?
  2. What does the repeated foursquare pattern from tabernacle to temple to eternal city teach about God's unchanging standards of holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כָּל1 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

תְּרוּמַ֣ת2 of 16

“All the oblation”

H8641

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

בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה3 of 16

“by five”

H2568

five

וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים4 of 16

“and twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

אָ֑לֶף5 of 16

“thousand”

H505

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

בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה6 of 16

“by five”

H2568

five

וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים7 of 16

“and twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

אָ֑לֶף8 of 16

“thousand”

H505

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

רְבִיעִ֗ית9 of 16

“foursquare”

H7243

fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth

תָּרִ֙ימוּ֙10 of 16

“ye shall offer”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

אֶת11 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

תְּרוּמַ֣ת12 of 16

“All the oblation”

H8641

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

הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ13 of 16

“the holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

אֶל14 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲחֻזַּ֖ת15 of 16

“with the possession”

H272

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

הָעִֽיר׃16 of 16

“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)

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 48:20 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 48:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 21:16Hebrews 12:17

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