Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, ye shall offer an oblation unto the LORD, an holy portion of the land: the length shall be the length of five and twenty thousand reeds, and the breadth shall be ten thousand. This shall be holy in all the borders thereof round about.
When ye shall divide by lot the land ... ye shall offer an oblation, [tªruwmaah ( H8641)] - from a Hebrew root [heeriym or ruwm (H7311)] to heave or raise; because when anything was offered to God the offerer raised the hand. The special territorial division for the tribes is given in Ezekiel 47:1-23 ; Ezekiel 48:1-35 . Only Yahweh's portion is here subdivided into its three parts:
(1) that for the sanctuary ( Ezekiel 45:2-3);
(2) that for the priests (Ezekiel 45:4 );
(3) that for the Levites ( Ezekiel 45:5 ). Compare Ezekiel 48:8-13.
The length shall be ... five and twenty thousand reeds ... So the English version rightly fills the ellipsis (cf. note, Ezekiel 42:16). Hence, "cubits" are mentioned in Ezekiel 45:2, not here, implying that there alone cubits are meant. Taking each reed at 12 feet, the area of the whole would be a square of 60 miles on each side. The whole forming a square betokens the settled stability of the community, and the harmony of all classes. "The holy portion of the Lord" (Ezekiel 45:1) comprised the whole length, and only two-fifths of the width. The outer territory, in its distribution, harmonizes with the inner and more sacred arrangements of the sanctuary. No room is to be given for oppression (see Ezekiel 45:8), all having ample provision made for their wants and comforts. All will mutually cooperate without constraint contention.