King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 48:33 Mean?

Ezekiel 48:33 in the King James Version says “And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.”

Ezekiel 48:33 · KJV

Context

31

And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.

32

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

33

And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.

34

At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali.

35

It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there. The LORD: Heb. Jehovahshammah

Read Ezekiel 48 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun. The southern wall completes the city's perimeter with gates for Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun. Shimon (שִׁמְעוֹן, from shama, "to hear") represents the God who hears—Leah named him thus because "the LORD hath heard" her affliction (Genesis 29:33). Despite Simeon's curse for the Shechem massacre and subsequent absorption into Judah, grace provides a permanent gate.

Issachar ("there is reward") and Zebulun ("dwelling"), two full brothers from Leah, receive adjacent gates as they received adjacent territories (verses 25-26). The pattern throughout all four walls demonstrates complete access—north, south, east, west—twelve gates for twelve tribes. Revelation 21:12-13 explicitly identifies the New Jerusalem with these same twelve tribal gates, confirming that Ezekiel's vision points to the eternal city. The number twelve (three gates × four walls) symbolizes completeness: all God's people from every direction have access to the divine presence. This is the fulfillment of the city's name: YHWH Shammah, "The LORD is there" (48:35).

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Historical & Cultural Context

These three tribes (Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun) were all sons of Leah, Jacob's first wife. Simeon and Zebulun represent the extremes of Leah's childbearing—her second and sixth sons. Their inclusion together on the southern wall may symbolize that all of Leah's children have equal access, from first to last. Historically, the southern approach to Jerusalem was the primary route from Hebron, Beersheba, and Egypt—the direction from which Abraham, the patriarchs, and the exodus generation approached the land. The southern gates welcome those coming from the historical roots of Israel's faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the twelve-gate structure (three per wall) demonstrate that access to God is complete and available from every direction?
  2. What does Simeon's gate—despite his curse—teach about the triumph of grace over generational consequences?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וּפְאַת1 of 18

“side”

H6285

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

נֶ֗גְבָּה2 of 18

“And at the south”

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

חֲמֵ֨שׁ3 of 18

“and five”

H2568

five

מֵא֜וֹת4 of 18

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְאַרְבַּ֤עַת5 of 18

“four”

H702

four

אֲלָפִים֙6 of 18

“thousand”

H505

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

מִדָּ֔ה7 of 18

“measures”

H4060

properly, extension, i.e., height or breadth; specifically, tribute (as measured)

שַׁ֥עַר8 of 18

“gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

שְׁלֹשָׁ֑ה9 of 18

“and three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

שַׁ֥עַר10 of 18

“gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

שִׁמְע֞וֹן11 of 18

“of Simeon”

H8095

shimon, one of jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him

אֶחָֽד׃12 of 18

“one”

H259

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

שַׁ֥עַר13 of 18

“gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

יִשָּׂשכָר֙14 of 18

“of Issachar”

H3485

jissaskar, a son of jacob

אֶחָֽד׃15 of 18

“one”

H259

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

שַׁ֥עַר16 of 18

“gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

זְבוּלֻ֖ן17 of 18

“of Zebulun”

H2074

zebulon, a son of jacob; also his territory and tribe

אֶחָֽד׃18 of 18

“one”

H259

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

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 48:33 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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