Definition: The holy [portion] of the land shall be for the priests the ministers of the sanctuary, which shall come near to minister unto the LORD: and it shall be a place for their houses, and an holy place for the sanctuary.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 45:4 together. It’s a really important passage about how God wants to use his people in the temple of Jerusalem. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says: God is setting up a special area – the “holy portion” – within the Jerusalem Temple (which was already built) specifically for priests and ministers who will serve him and the temple. It’s designed to be a sacred and holy place for them to worship and minister to God. Let's unpack it further: “The holy portion of the land” : This refers to the temple itself – the building where God dwells and performs his work. It's a special, consecrated space. “The priests and ministers…” : These are people who are specifically chosen to serve God in the temple. They’re like the leaders and officials who handle the worship and rituals. "...of the sanctuary" : The “sanctuary” is the main area where God’s presence is felt most intensely – the altar, the space where sacrifices were made. “which shall come near to minister unto the LORD” : This means they must be physically present in this place. They need to be close to God and focus their attention on him. "...and it shall be a place for their houses…” : This indicates that they’ll live nearby, probably in a separate area of the temple complex. "...and an holy place for the sanctuary” : This reinforces the idea – this is a special , designated space where worship and devotion are paramount. It's meant to be a place where God feels most connected and honored. In short, it’s a beautiful picture of God establishing a dedicated area for his people to serve him and work in his temple. Why is this important? It shows that God wants a strong connection between his people and himself, and he's creating a place where they can focus their hearts on Him. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Give an example of what this might have meant back in ancient times when the temple was built?