Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Ezekiel 45:1. It’s a really important part of understanding how God sees his relationship with His people. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it’s saying: “When you’re dividing up the land for use – like giving it to different groups or families – you need to give a special offering to God.” Let’s break that down further: "Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land for inheritance..." This means you're choosing who gets to use the land. “Dividing by lot” suggests a fair and impartial way of deciding. "...ye shall offer an oblation unto the LORD..." This is a fancy word for a special offering or sacrifice. "Oblation" basically means a gift or something given as a token of worship and gratitude. "...an holy portion of the land:" This is what we’re talking about – a specific amount of land that's considered sacred and reserved for God. "the length [shall be] the length of five and twenty thousand [reeds], and the breadth [shall be] ten thousand." This tells us exactly how much land is being dedicated to this offering. Let’s look at each part: “five and twenty thousand reeds” : This is a large number – think about 20,000 reeds! Reeds are like long, thin strips of wood used for weaving. So, it’s a huge amount of land. "ten thousand" : This is another huge number - ten thousand! It's an incredibly significant amount of land to dedicate. “holy in all the borders thereof round about.” This is the most important part. It means this land is completely and irrevocably dedicated to God. It’s marked off in every corner, and it’s treated as holy – a place where God's presence is especially felt. "Round about" suggests that it covers an entire area. What does this all mean practically? This passage speaks to the idea of a covenant – a promise or agreement between God and His people. It shows that God wants to be involved in the land, and he wants to honor his people by giving them a special way to show their gratitude and commitment. It's a significant display of trust and respect from God. In short: God is establishing a designated area for use, and he’s asking us to give a generous and dedicated offering – a symbolic sacrifice – to show our devotion and respect. --- Would you like me to: Explain any of these words in more detail? Connect this passage to other parts of the Bible? Give a different interpretation of what it might mean?