Ezekiel 45
DortA separation of a certain portion of new land, hereditary land of inheritance, for the sanctuary, the priests, Levites, the city and the prince, verse 1, c. a promise and exhortation for the princes of Israel, concerning judgment and justice, 8,9,&c. Ordinances concerning manifold offering, for the people and the prince, both ordinary and on the feasts, 15.
1. Now, when ye shall cause the land to fall for inheritance, [that is, shall by the falling or casting of the lot divide the land among you. See Psalms 16:5,6 with the Annotat. So below chapter 47.14,22. and 48.29. in every café fee the phrase in the casting or drawing of lots; though the lot be not expressly mentioned here, nor in the sequel. And it is worthy observation, that the tribes had their borders assigned to them not by casting of lots, as in the book of Joshua, but the express ordinances of God, in c. 48. compare Matthew25.34.] then shall ye offer a heave-offering unto the Lord, [or, gifts, &c. Heb. Heave a heaving: whereby respect is had to the heave-offering of the law, that were (as it were) lifted up, or taken up from the rest, and were presented and consecrated unto the Lord] (for) a holy place of the land; [to wit, separating it from the rest of the land for a holy life. Or, we may (with some) joy these words to the word offering, thus, ye shall offer unto the Lord a holy portion of the land: so verse 4. Heb. A holiness. Forasmuch as not onely the former temple was burnt, but also the city and all the land laid waist. And the people of God carried away captive, and in the former chapters is treated of the new temple; therefore now in the sequel here mention is made of the land and the people with their prince, representing a full and perfect restauration of this spiritual common-wealth under the Messiah] the length shall be the length of the five and twenty thousand (measuring reeds), and the breadth thousand: [This that is here inserted is taken from above chapter 42.15,16,17,18,19,20 and here the next verse; where after the first measure of the reeds, the ells in particular are specified, for the empty, or free outward space] that shall be holy [Heb. A holiness. See above chapter 43.12.] In the whole border thereof round about. [That is, as wide and as far as it reacheth]
2. At this (there) shall be [Heb. Shall be, in the singular number] for the sanctuary five hundred with five hundred square round about: [Or, by, &c. that is, (according to the opinion of some) five hundred reeds in length, with like five hundred reeds in length, with like five hundred in breadth: Or five hundred answering to other five hundred measured in the square round about. Compare below chapter 48.20.] And it shall have fifty ells for an outer space round about. [see of the Hebrew word rendered here space, (which otherwise is rendered suburbs, when there is mention made of cities) above chapter 36 on verse 5. this matter that is begun here, and broken off verse 9 is prosecuted in chapter 48 on verse 8, c. we may in general sitly understand it (with some) thus: that this separate portion of the land of five and twenty thousand reeds in the length and breadth, and so forth in four square, was further divided into three parts; the first ten thousand in breadth, for the sanctuary with its outwards space, and the habitations of the priests: the second ten thousand for the Levites, the remaining five thousand for the city: and which remained eastward and westward, between the south-borders of Juda and the north-borders of Benjamin, for the offices or ministers of the city, (chapter 48.18,19.) and besides chiefly for the prince: which is to be heeded in the sequel]
3. So of this measure [that is, with, according to this measure] shalt thou measure the length of five and twenty thousand? And the breadth of ten thousand: and in it shall be the sanctuary, (with) the holy of holies. [Heb. Holiness of holiness. See Exodus 26:33,34 Leviticus 4:6. With Annotat.]
4. That shall be a holy place of the land; [as verse 1 it shall be for the priests which ministers in the sanctuary, which come near to minister unto the Lord: and it shall be unto them a place for houses, and a holy place for the sanctuary.
5. Moreover, the Levites, the ministers of the house, shalt have the length of five and twenty thouse, and the breadth of ten thousand, [see below chapter 48.13.] for a possession into themselves (for) twenty chambers.
6. And (for) the possession of the city [Which is not named. See above chapter 40. On verse on verse 2.] Ye shall give the breadth of five thousand, and the length of five and twenty thousand, over against the holy heave-offering: [Heb. Heave-offering of holiness: whereof above verse 1. so in the sequel] it shall be for the whole house of Israel.
7. Now the Prince shall have (his portion) on this (side) and on that side of the holy heave-offering, and of the possession of the city, before [Heb. Before, or toward the face. So in the sequel) the holy heave-offering, and before the possession of the city; from the west corner westward, [Heb. Corner of the sea, toward the sea. So in the sequel, sea for west] and from the east-ward: and the length shall be over against one of the portions, from the west-border unto the east-border. [by this prince (of whom much is spoken in this and the next chapter) some understand (as above chapter 44.3.] the high priest, or our Lord Jesus Christ the Messiah himself, who not onely dwelleth in his house, and filleth it with his glory, but also (in manner) encampeth round about it, as a King to defend and protect it: and was our high priest and surety, having taken all our debts upon himself, hath made full payment and satisfaction for them, (as if they had been his own) and hath willingly offered up himself for us, as if it had been for himself because he stood in our room: yea, who is not onely a King or Prince, but also a brother and companion of believers, whom he maketh joint-heirs with himself, being continually in the midst of them, and with them unto the end of the world, making intercession for them as their mediator, having alone powder and priviledge to go in and out where over he lifteth, to lay down his life and take it again, to open and shut the gate of the sanctuary, &c. Others understand here a political or civil Christian Prince or ruler, and thereby also all Christian rulers and magistrates (which God would grant unto his church in the new testament, according to sundry prophesies of the old testament) whose first and chiefly care should be for the welfare of God’s church, which they ought as it were to compass about with their protection, and in the exercise of the true worship of God, and due reverence and respect to the ministers, God’s Ministers of the church, to go before the people by their own example, and likewise to behave and carry themselves herein as brethren, companions and fellow-members of the church: moreover, to practice and maintain judgment and justice, to extirpate all injustice, oppression, tyranny and violence, and take care that their subjects may lead a quiet and peaceable life, until perfect justice, holiness and peace do thereupon follow in that life which is to come.
8. As for this land it shall be unto him a possession in Israel: and my princes shall no more oppress my people, [compare Psalms 72:2,4,14. Isaiah 11:3,4,5, c. and 29.18, 19.20 and 42.1,3,4 and 60.17,18 Zephaniah 3:13] but (shall) leave [Heb. Properly give] the land to the house of Israel, according to their tribes.
9. Thus saith the Lord LORD, it is too much for you, ye princes of Israel; [see above chapter 44 on verse 6. as if God had said; you have land more than enough for yourselves in that which I have proportioned out for you, therefore, &c. Others take it to be a rhetorical reproof of the deceased kings of Juda, to whom God speaketh as if there were present: or of the antichristian ecclesiatistical and political tyrants, that that should forely and a long while plague and torment the people of God] remove violence and destruction, and do judgment and justice: take up your thrusting out from my people. [In that ye drive them away, and thrust them out of their possessions, drawing the same unto yourselves: such oppression shall ye take away from them, and free them therefrom. See the like phrase Isaiah 57:14] saith the Lord LORD.
10. Ye shall have a just balance, [Heb. Balance, or scales of justice: and so in the sequel; as Leviticus 19:33.] And a just Epha, [of Epha see Levit. 5. on verse 11.] and a just bath. [See of bath 1 kings 7. on verse 26.]
11. And Epha and Bath shall be [Heb. shall be, in the singular number] of one kind of measure, [an Epha in dry, and a Bath in moist wares, [that a Bath may contain the tenth part of a Homer: [The greateth measure of dry wares, otherwise also called Cor. See 1 Kings 4 on verse 22 and below verse 14] also an Epha tenth part of a home; the measure thereof shall be after the homer. [As being the greatest measure, according to which other measures were to be regulated]
12. And the shekel [see of this Genesis 23 on verse 15. and 24 on verse 22.] shall be of twenty Gerahs: [Of Gera see Levit. 27 on verse 26. it is with us (as some have fitly counted it according to our coin) as much as a half penny and a little more, whereof twenty make about half a ryx-doller; as much as a common or civil shekel (whereof mention Is made here) is in value] five and twenty shekels, and fifteen shekels shall be unto you a pound. [Heb. Maneh; that is mina. See 1 Kings 13:10,17. 2 Bron 9.16. Ezra 2:69 with the Annotat. The meaning is that threescore shekel makes a pound or mina of gold or silver. This is counted by some to be new ordinances, in regard the old mina contained but fifty shekel of the sanctuary and a hundred common shekels; but here mention is made of threescore shekels, which must need be so much more both in the holy and civil pound or mina. Some are of opinion that there were three such sorts of coins that made together a pound or mine. It implieth, that justice shall be kept in the strictest and most exact manner]
13. This is the heave-offering that ye shall offer: [Or, the offerings which, c. Heb. The heaving that ye shall heave. Some understand this of tat which the people should bring in all the year long for the ordinary offering of the temple. Others apply it to the dedication of the temple. Of the offerings in general see above chapter 41 on verse 39.] The sixth part of an Epha of a Homer of wheat, also ye shall give the sixth part of a homer of barly. [Heb. As if one should lay, ye shall fix, &c. that is, gives the sixth part: as tithing is giving the tent part]
14. Concerning the ordinances of oil, of a Bath of oil (ye shall offer) the tenth part of the Bath out of a Cor, [see above on verse 11.] which is a Homer of ten Baths: for ten Baths are a Homer.
15. Moreover, one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the watry land of Israel; [That is, out of the best and fattest pastures of Israel. Others, above the wines or the drink of Israel that this which Israel should bring in for drink offering. Compare verse 17.] For a meat offering and for a burnt-offering, and for thank-offering to make reconciliation for them, saith the Lord LORD
16. All the people of the land shall be in this heave-offering [Or, shall be (bound or engaged) for this heave-offering whereof mention was made before] for the prince of Israel. [Or, for the prince his sake, &c. some understand this thus, that by this contribution should supply that which otherwise the prince was to do. Compare 2 chronicles 31.3 with the Annotat. Others, with the prince, &c. like wise, unto the prince; so as that the prince was not bound to it, as whose particular offerings are related in the sequel. It might be also taken as the substance or contents of that which followeth and thereunto thus’ concerning the prince of Israel: or of the prince, c. 9as the like is found in other prophets) he shall do as followeth]
17. And it shall lie upon the prince [Heb. It shall be upon the prince: that is, it shall be his duty] (to offer) the burnt-offerings, and the meat-offering on the feasts, and on the new moons, and on the Sabbaths, on all appointed solemnities [Or, in all appointed assemblies] of the house of Israel: he shall perform [or prepare’; that is, give, bring in, cause to be prepared] the sin-offering, and the meat-offering and the burnt-offering and the thank-offering, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel
18. Thus saith the Lord LORD; in the first (moneth) on the first (day) of the month, that shalt take a perfect young bullock; [Heb. Chills or son of a bullock] and thou shalt cleanse the sanctuary [some have rightly observed, that this ensuring ordinances was no where given unto Moses, as also besides the difference that there is between new offerings and ceremonies that are mentioned here and the old former sacrifices and ceremonies, may appear by comparing both together: which doth signify the repealing of the old ceremonies and of the former priesthood by the manner of writing, coming and the onely perfect sacrifice of the Messiah, which is here typified by the many sacrifices according to the style of the Old Testament and the condition of those times when the clearness of light and the time of reformation was not yet come. See Galatians 3:23,24,25 and 4.1,2,3. Also Hebrws 9.8.10.]
19. And the priest shall take of the bloud of the sin-offering and put it upon the posts. [Heb. Post: and so in the sequel] of the house and upon the four corners of the settle of the Altar: and upon the posts of the gate of the innermost court.
20. So shall thou also do on the seventh (day) in that moneth, because of him that erreth, and because of him that is simple: so shall ye reconcile the house. [that is, for such as it as it may be through error, or simplicity, ignorance, want of the understanding have offended, or defiled the house of God, but not through wilfulness and with a high hand; this ordinances representing how we should fuccor and restore him that is fallen through weakness and repenteth of his sin, namely, by means of a well-ordered and Christian discipline. Compare Matthew 16:19. And 18.18, 21, c. Job 20:23. Romans 14:4, 10, 13, Galatians 6:1, c. James 5:19, 20.1 Job 5:16,c.]
21. In the first (month) on the fourteenth day of the month, shall the Passover be unto you, a feast of seven dayes; unleavened bread (loaves) shall men eat [Heb. Shall be eaten.]
22. And upon that day the prince prepare for himself and for all people of the land, a bullock of sin-offering, as continually in this matter. See Leviticus 4 on verse 3.]
23. And the seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt-offering unto the Lord, seven bullocks and seven rams, (that) are perfect, daily, the sevent days (long;) and a sin-offering of a he-goat daily.
24. He shall also prepare a meat-offering, an Epha for a bullock and an Epha for a ram, and hin [see Leviticus 19 on verse 36.] of oil for an Epha.
25. In the seventh (moneth) on the fifteenth day of the moneth; shall he do the like [Heb. According to, or like that: that is, so as he hath done on the former feast, with all these offerings that are mentioned before and are here briefly touched upon] on the feast, [meaning the feast of leaf-hats, or tabernacles. Observe that the feast of Pentecost is not here mentioned. Compare Zach. 14 verse 16, 19.] Seven days (long) as the sin-offering, as the burnt-offering, as the burnt-offering, as the meat-offering, and as the oil.