Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 48:30
And these [are] the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures.
30 35. The city with its twelve gates, named after the tribes. Cf. Rev 21:12 seq
30. goings out of the city ] i.e. the extensions on all sides.
measures ] in measure, i.e. extent. The 4500 are naturally cubits. The city lies foursquare, each side being 4500. But on each side is a free place of 250 cubits, so that the city forms a square of 5000 cubits.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The goings out of the city – The gates described in Eze 48:31. Measures (reeds) concern the sides. Divide the verses thus: Eze 48:30. And these are the goings out of the city. Eze 48:31. On the north side 4500 measures: and the gates of the city after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward etc.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 30. These are the goings out] Each of the four sides of the city was four thousand five hundred cubits long. There were three gates on each side, as mentioned below; and the whole circumference of the city was eighteen thousand cubits. See the map, plan B. dddd. See Clarke on Eze 48:35.
The rector of New Haven College, in New England, supposes the preceding representations to refer to the happy state of the Church in what is called the Millennium. Leaving this period out of the question, the following observations are worthy of notice:-
“The Jews, for whom this vision was intended, would conceive their country to be divided to the twelve tribes, in lots of a regular and mathematical form; and not confused or intermixed, as in Joshua’s time. Their city laid out larger than before; and exactly foursquare, with regular suburbs; the temple and appendages much more commodious for their sacrifices, and the habitations of the priests and Levites regularly formed round about the temple. So that this whole plan of the division of the country, laying out of the city, temple, and all the appendages, appears to be perfectly regular and uniform, as if it were drawn all at one time, and by one hand, who had power to effect it; and therefore conveyed to the Jews the most complete idea they were capable of conceiving of the most perfect church, commonwealth, city, temple, and conveniences, for Divine worship.
I. The Holy Land, as described Eze 47:13-21 and Eze 48:1-35 according to the original grant, being about two hundred and fifty miles long, north and south, and about one hundred and fifty miles wide, is divided, by parallel lines east and west, to the twelve tribes, each of them having a portion twenty miles wide. Only between Judah and Benjamin there is a holy portion near ten miles wide; in the middle of which is the holy oblation, twenty-five thousand cubits; that is, about ten miles square for the priests, Levites, city, and temple, Ezek 45:1; Ezek 48:8; the two ends are for the prince, Eze 45:7, c.
II. The holy oblation, lying in the middle of the holy portion, is twenty-five thousand cubits square, which is near ten miles of which ten thousand cubits, or four miles, are taken off from the north side for a habitation for the priests, and as much for the Levites on the south side, Eze 45:4-45:5, and Eze 48:20; and five thousand cubits in the middle for the city portion, Eze 45:6; in the middle of which is the city, four thousand five hundred cubits square, which is nearly two miles, Eze 48:15-16. Round about this is left two hundred and fifty cubits, near thirty rods, for suburbs, Eze 48:17. The remaining ten thousand cubits on the east side, and the ten thousand cubits on the west side, are for the profit of those who serve the city, out of all the tribes, Eze 48:18-19. The sanctuary is in the midst o! the city, Eze 48:8.
III. The sanctuary or temple, and its appendages, were entirely surrounded with a wall six cubits high and six cubits thick, Eze 40:5; and five hundred cubits long on each side, Eze 42:15, c., and Eze 45:2. In the middle square stands the temple, which was surrounded by a wall one hundred cubits long on each side, Eze 41:13, and six cubits thick, Eze 41:8. The side-chambers on the outside four cubits, Eze 41:5. The Holy of Holies, at the west end, was twenty cubits square on the inside, Eze 41:4. The holy place or outer court at the east end, was forty cubits, Eze 41:12. The length of the porch on the north side was twenty cubits the breadth was eleven cubits, Eze 40:49; and the width of the separate place on the south side twenty cubits. On each side of the temple, towards the four gates in the outer wall, stood two courts, eight in the whole, each one hundred cubits square, Eze 40:19; Eze 40:23; Eze 40:27. In each of these were thirty-six little chambers or buildings, about six cubits square, viz., six at the entrance of the gate, Eze 40:7; Eze 40:17; Eze 40:20, &c., and thirty on the pavement, Eze 40:17, &c., which were for lodgings for the priests, for hanging up their garments, and their part of the sacrifices, Eze 42:13.”
Calmet has constructed a map to show the position of the tribes, and the quantum of space each was to possess. As this will give a better view of the subject than any written description can, I have inserted one constructed for this work, which, consulting the places said to be connected with the possessions of the different tribes, shows that the tribes did not all possess the same quantum of space, five of the southern tribes possessing only one half as much as those of the north.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Now the prophet hath a general topography of the city, which lay four-square. The first side mentioned is the north, for there he began to describe the land, or because it was nearest the temple. It was, as Eze 48:16, which see, four thousand five hundred cubits, i.e. about a mile and one third of a mile.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And these are the goings out of the city,…. The gates of it, as Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it, by which they went out of it, and into it; and also the sides of it. The Lord here returns to the city again, to give an account of its circumference and name:
on the north side four thousand and five hundred measures; the north side of the city measured so many measures; that is, reeds, as Jarchi explains it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Size, Gates, and Name of the City
To complete the whole picture of the future land of Israel, what has been stated in Eze 48:15 and Eze 48:16 concerning the size of the holy city is still further expanded here. – Eze 48:30. And these are the outgoings of the city from the north side, four thousand and five hundred (rods) measurement. Eze 48:31. And the gates of the city according to the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates toward the north; the gate of Reuben one, the gate of Judah one, the gate of Levi one. Eze 48:32. And on the east side four thousand five hundred (rods): and three gates; namely, the gate of Joseph one, the gate of Benjamin one, the gate of Dan one. Eze 48:33. And to the south side, four thousand five hundred measurement: and three gates; the gate of Simeon one, the gate of Issachar one, the gate of Zebulon one. Eze 48:34. To the west side, four thousand five hundred – their gates three; the gate of Gad one, the gate of Asher one, the gate of Naphtali one. Eze 48:35. Round about, eighteen thousand (rods); and the name of the city: from henceforth Jehovah there. – The situation of the city of God within the terumah and its external dimensions have already been generally indicated in Eze 48:15, Eze 48:16. Here the measurement of the several sides is specified with a notice of their gates, and this is preceded by the heading, “the outlets of the city.” , the outgoings (not extensions, for the word never has this meaning) as the furthest extremities in which a city or a tract of land terminates; not outlets or gates, which are expressly distinguished from them, but outgoing sides; hence the definition of the extent or length of the several sides is appended immediately afterwards. The enumeration commences, as above in the case of the land, with the north side. Each side has three gates, so that the whole city has twelve, which bear the names of the twelve tribes, like the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem in Rev 21:12, because it will be the city of the true people of God. Levi is included here, and consequently Ephraim and Manasseh are united in the one tribe of Joseph. The three sons of Leah commence the series with the northern gates. They also stand first in the blessing of Moses in Deu 33:6-8: the first-born in age, the first-born by virtue of the patriarchal blessing, and the one chosen by Jehovah for His own service in the place of the first-born. Then follow, for the eastern gates, the two sons of Rachel, according to their age (thus deviating from Deu 33:12 and Deu 33:13), and, along with them, the elder son of Rachel’s maid; for the southern gates, the three other sons of Leah; and lastly, for the western gates, the three other sons of the maids. Being thus indicated by the names of its gates as the city of all Israel, the city itself receives a name, which exalts it into the city of God (Jehovah). But different explanations have been given of the words in Eze 48:35 which refer to this name. The allusion in and the meaning of are both disputed points. It is true that the latter literally means “thither;” but Ezekiel also uses it as synonymous with , “there,” in Eze 23:3 and Eze 32:29-30, so that the assertion that never means “there” is incorrect. , from day forward, equivalent to henceforward; but not henceforth and for ever, though this may be implied in the context. Whether be taken in connection with the preceding words, “the name of the city will henceforward be,” or with those which follow, the name of the city will be, “henceforward Jehovah there,” makes no material difference so far as the thought is concerned, as the city can only bear the name from the time when Jehovah is , and can only bear it so long as Jehovah is . But so far as the question is concerned, whether signifies thither or there in this passage, Hvernick is of opinion, indeed, that the whole of Ezekiel’s vision does not harmonize with the meaning “there,” inasmuch as he separates temple and city, so that Jehovah does not properly dwell in Jerusalem, but, in the strictest an highest sense, in His sanctuary, and turns thence to Jerusalem with the fulness of His grace and love. But if Jehovah does not merely direct His love toward the city from afar off, but, as Hvernick still further says, turns it fully toward it, causes His good pleasure to rest upon it, then He also rules and is in the city with His love, so that it can bear the name “Jehovah thither (there).” In any case, the interpretation, “Jehovah will from henceforth proceed thither, to restore it, to make it a holy city” (Kliefoth), is untenable; for the name is not given to Jerusalem when lying waste, but to the city already restored and fully built, which Ezekiel sees in the spirit. He has therefore before this turned His favour once more to Jerusalem, which was laid waste; and the name , given to the new Jerusalem, can only affirm that henceforward it is to be a city of Jehovah, i.e., that from this time forth Jehovah will be and rule in her. The rendering “Jehovah thither” does not answer to this, but only the rendering, “Jehovah will be there.” compare Isa 60:14, where Jerusalem is called the city of Jehovah, Zion of the Holy One in Israel, because the glory of Jehovah has risen over her as a brilliant light.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
THE CITY AND IT’S GATE
Verses 30-35:
Verses 30, 31 describe those going out or passing through the gates of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures, the distance of the outer wall about the city. The gates of outer entrances to the city northward should be three–one for Reuben, one for Judah, and one for Levi, Isa 60:18; Rev 21:12.
Verse 32 states that the southern wall of the 4,500 measures should also have three gates–one for Joseph, one for Benjamin, and one for Daniel.
Verse 33 directs that the southern city wall should also be 4,500 measures, with three gates–one for Simeon, one for Issachar, and one for Zebulun.
Verse 34 adds that the western wall should also be 4,500 measures with three gate-entrances–one for Gad, one for Asher, and one for Naphtali. The outer wall measurements were 18,000 measures. And the name of the city, from “that day” when first constructed, and thereafter when perfected, made perfectly sanctified, should be the Lord (Jehovah-shammah) is or exists there, Exo 17:15; Jdg 6:24; Psa 132:14; Jer 3:17; Jer 33:16; Joe 3:21; Zec 2:10; Rev 21:3; Rev 22:3. This prophetic vision will ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, upon His return, even as He “tabernacled with us,” for a time, when He became flesh among men, Joh 1:14; Gal 4:4-5. O Glorious and Victorious Day! 1Co 15:57-58.
HERE IN THE HARBOUND COMMENTARY IS A MAP OF THE LAND
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
4. The gates of the city (48:3035)
TRANSLATION
(30) And these are the egresses of the city: On the north side four thousand and five hundred reeds by measure; (31) and the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel, three gates northward: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one. (32) And at the east side four thousand and five hundred reeds, and three gates: even the gate of Joseph, one; the gate of Benjamin, one; the gate of Dan, one. (33) And at the south side four thousand and five hundred reeds by measure, and three gates: the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; the gate of Zebulun, one. (34) At the west side four thousand and five hundred reeds, with their three gates: the gate of Gad, one; the gate of Asher, one; the gate of Naphtali, one. (35) It shall be eighteen thousand reeds round about: and the name of the city from that day shall be, Yahweh-shamma,
COMMENTS
The new Jerusalem as envisioned by Ezekiel had twelve gates, three on each side. These gates were named after the twelve tribes. The gates on the north and south are named after the sons of Leah:
On the North Side
On the South Side
Reuben gate
Simeon gate
Judah gate
Issachar gate
Levi gate
Zebulun gate
Two gates on the east of the city were named for the sons of Rachel, and the third was named for the son of her handmaid Bilhah. The gates on the west were named for the sons of handmaids, Zilpah and Bilhah, These were:
On the East Side
On the West Side
Joseph gate
Gad gate
Benjamin gate
Asher gate
Dan gate
Naphtali gate
It should be noted in the enumeration of gates that Ephraim and Manasseh have been united under the designation Joseph.
The Jerusalem of the future would receive a new name. She would be called Yahweh-shamma, Yahweh is there. God will never again depart from that holy city (Eze. 48:35).
As one reads this description of Ezekiels new Jerusalem, one cannot help but think of that new Jerusalem described by John in Revelation 21. It too had twelve gates, named after the twelve tribes of Israel. It also had twelve foundations which bore the names of the twelve apostles (Rev. 21:12-14). Like his prophetic predecessor, John foresaw the day when God would dwell with His people finally and forever (Rev. 21:3).
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(30) The goings out of the city.In Eze. 48:30-34 the dimensions of the city are again given for the purpose of introducing the mention of the gates, three on each side, one for each of the tribes of Israel. In this enumeration Levi takes his place as a tribe, and Joseph is therefore reckoned as only one tribe; but the order of their names is neither that of their geographical arrangement nor of their seniority. It will be remembered that the symbolism of the twelve gates enters also into the vision of Rev. 21:12; Rev. 21:21.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
30-34. These closing verses relate to the goings out (literally, outer boundaries, Toy) of the city. On each side (exclusive of the suburbs, Eze 48:17) it measures four thousand five hundred cubits (see notes Eze 45:15; Eze 48:8-9), and twelve gates lead out of the city, each gate named after one of the tribes. (Compare Rev 21:2.) The three gates on the north (as one looks from west to east) are those of Reuben, Judah, and Levi; on the east (from north to south) those of Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan; on the south (from east to west) those of Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun; on the west (from south to north) those of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali. (Compare Genesis 29, 30, 40; Deuteronomy 33.)
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The City ( Eze 48:30-35 ).
The city is finally described in more detail. It represents the whole of Israel, with a gate for each tribe. Interestingly Levi is included and Ephraim and Manasseh subsumed in Joseph. All Israel is there. These are the original patriarchs. It has in a sense returned to its beginnings. And above all Yahweh is there. His people share His glory and His presence.
This whole section from chapter 40 to chapter 48 may well once have stood on its own (Josephus testifies to the fact that there were two books of Ezekiel). It began with the heavenly temple, the throne of God, coming to earth, and finishes with the city of man, ‘from that day’ made the dwelling place of God, having been united with Heaven. It is the final seal on man’s redemption.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
“And these are the exits of the city. On the north side. Four thousand five hundred in measurement. And the gates of the city will be in accordance with the names of the tribes of Israel. Three gates northward, the gate of Reuben, one, the gate of Judah, one, the gate of Levi, one. And at the east side. Four thousand five hundred in measurement, and three gates, even the gate of Joseph, one, the gate of Benjamin, one, the gate of Dan, one. And at the south side. Four thousand five hundred by measurement, and three gates, the gate of Simeon one, the gate of Issachar, one, the gate of Zebulun, one. At the west side. Four thousand five hundred, with their three gates, the gate of Gad, one, the gate of Asher, one, the gate of Naphtali, one. It shall be eighteen thousand round about.
The city is now described as containing all the original tribes of Israel, all on equality with each other, Levi one with the others. It summarises the whole people of God. Three to a side may represent foursquare completeness. The number of the elect is now complete. The numbers are multiples of three and five (3 times 3 times 5 times a hundred), a declaration of covenant completeness, and an intensified multiple of three (3 times 3 times 2 times a thousand) denoting total completeness.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Concerning the Capital City
v. 30. And these are the goings out of the city, v. 31. And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel, v. 32. And at the east side four thousand and five hundred; and three gates: and one gate of Joseph, v. 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.
v. 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. v. 35. It was round about eighteen thousand measures; and the name of the city from that day shall be “The Lord Is There,”
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
It is hardly possible to read this account of the gates, and of the tribes, in each direction of the gates, without having our minds instinctively led to the contemplation of the beloved Apostle’s account of the New Jerusalem. Rev 21:10 , etc. But what crowns all, and gives the highest finishing to all, is that glorious name with which the prophecy closeth, and which ensures the everlasting happiness of the people: Jehovah Shammah! The Lord is there, And wherever the Lord is, that makes heaven, and constitutes everlasting felicity. In the Jewish Church, this glorious Shechinah formed the whole of blessedness. In the Christian Church, Jesus is still the Shechinah of his people. The millennium happiness will arise froth the same. And in the eternal state, Jehovah Shammah is the whole glory. Reader! pause over the wonderful account. Is Jehovah Shammah thy happiness now? So then will He be to all eternity. The joys of heaven, and the joys of the Church on earth, is made up of one and the same. Here, the Lord’s presence with his people, is the sum and substance of all their happiness. There, their felicity is, that they shall be forever with the Lord. Even so. Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Eze 48:30 And these [are] the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures.
Ver. 30. And these are the goings out of the city. ] That is the utmost bounds, as Rabbi Solomon glosseth.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eze 48:30-35
30These are the exits of the city: on the north side, 4,500 cubits by measurement, 31shall be the gates of the city, named for the tribes of Israel, three gates toward the north: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one. 32On the east side, 4,500 cubits, shall be three gates: the gate of Joseph, one; the gate of Benjamin, one; the gate of Dan, one. 33On the south side, 4,500 cubits by measurement, shall be three gates: the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; the gate of Zebulun, one. 34On the west side, 4,500 cubits, shall be three gates: the gate of Gad, one; the gate of Asher, one; the gate of Naphtali, one. 35The city shall be 18,000 cubits round about; and the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘The Lord is there.’
Eze 48:35 The Lord is there This reflects the covenant promise of YHWH’s personal presence with His people. The same concept is expressed by the name Emmanuel (God is with us).
The exile is over! YHWH has returned!
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
goings out = outlets.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the goings: Eze 48:16, Eze 48:32-35, Rev 21:16
four: It is certainly most obvious to interpret these measures, not of cubits, but of the measuring reed which the prophet’s conductor had in his hand; according to which, the city would be about thirty-six miles in circumference, and nine miles on each side of the square; which was nearly nine times larger than the greatest extent to which Jerusalem ever attained – See note on Eze 42:15, and see note on Eze 42:16.The large dimensions of the city and land were perhaps intended to intimate the extensive and glorious propagation of the gospel in the times predicted; and the land was not called Canaan, nor the city Jerusalem, probably because they were figurative of spiritual blessings to the church and to Israel.
Reciprocal: Jer 31:38 – that Eze 40:2 – as the Eze 45:6 – the city Eze 48:15 – for the city Zec 2:2 – unto Zec 12:6 – Jerusalem shall
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 48:30. Goings is from TOTSAAH which Strong defines, Exit, i.e., (geographical boundary.)” The verse means to designate the outer extent of the territory to be named.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
The city, its gates, and its name 48:30-35
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
The Lord next specified the gates of the holy city. Though Ezekiel did not name the city, Zechariah did. It is Jerusalem (Zec 14:8). On each of its 4,500 cubit-long (1.5 miles) sides there would be three gates. The ones facing north would be named in honor of the tribes of Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Judah (the kingly tribe), and Levi (the priestly tribe). All three of these patriarchs were Leah’s sons. The gates on the east would bear the names of Joseph and Benjamin (Rachel’s sons), and Dan (a son of Bilhah). The south gates would honor Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun (Leah’s other three sons). The west gates would bear the names of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali (all sons of the two handmaids, Zilpah and Bilhah). The many gates demonstrate the accessibility of the city.
The New Jerusalem in the eternal state will also have three gates on each of its four sides each named for one of the 12 sons of Jacob (Rev 21:12-13). That city will also be square, but it will be a cube or pyramid (Rev 21:16). Also it will be very much larger (1,500 miles on each side, Rev 21:16-17). Thus it seems that the eternal city will be similar to but not identical with the millennial city.