Ezekiel 48:15-19

Ezekiel 48:15-19

[15] And the five  thousand,  that are left  in the breadth  over against  the five  and twenty  thousand,  shall be a profane  place for the city,  for dwelling,  and for suburbs:  and the city  shall be in the midst  thereof. [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. 

What does Ezekiel 48:15-19 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The remaining portion of this allotment, a section25 ,000 cubits (about83miles) wide by5 ,000 cubits (about17 miles) north to south, would be for the holy city and the open spaces beside it. The city itself would occupy the central portion of this section. It would be for the common use of the Israelites, as would be its open spaces and home sites. The city itself would be4 ,500 cubits (about15 miles) square with a250 cubit (416 feet8 inches) open space border on each of its four sides, another green belt like the one around the temple complex (cf. Ezekiel 45:2). The10 ,000 cubit-wide (33miles) areas on the east and west sides of the city would also be for the production of food for those who lived in the city. Those who lived in the city, from all the tribes of Israel, would cultivate those fields.
"Whereas cities have always been known as places of moral corruption and rebellion, this city will be a place of eternal [1] rest, refuge, and personal fellowship with others and God ( Ezekiel 48:8-20; Ezekiel 48:30-35)." [2]