Ezekiel

Ezekiel

“In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day…

the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.”

By the river Chebar, among the exiles, the word of YHWH came to Ezekiel son of Buzi.

The Four Living Creatures

Each had four faces: human, lion, ox, eagle

Each had four wings

Their appearance was like burning coals and lightning

The Wheels Beside Them

A wheel within a wheel

Sparkling like beryl

They moved in any direction without turning

“Wherever the Spirit would go—they went.”

The Throne Above

“Above the expanse… was a throne, like sapphire.”

“On the throne—One with the appearance of a human.”

“Surrounding Him was a brightness like a rainbow in the day of rain.”

“This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of YHWH.

When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of One speaking.”

———

YHWH said:

“Son of man, stand on your feet… I am sending you to a rebellious nation.”

“They and their ancestors have transgressed Me to this very day.”

“Whether they listen or not—they will know a prophet has been among them.”

Scroll of Lamentation

“Open your mouth and eat what I give you.”

“I looked, and behold—a scroll, written on the front and back:

lamentation, mourning, and woe.”

———

YHWH said:

“Eat this scroll, and go speak to the house of Israel.”

Ezekiel said:

“It was in my mouth as sweet as honey.”

Not to a Foreign Nation, But to Israel

“I am sending you not to people of strange speech,

but to the house of Israel—they will not listen.”

Forehead Like Flint

“I have made your forehead like adamant—harder than flint.”

“Do not be dismayed by their faces.”

Bitterness and Burning

“The Spirit lifted me up, and I went in bitterness…

but the hand of YHWH was strong upon me.”

Silence Imposed

“You shall be mute…

but when I speak with you, you shall say,

‘Thus says YHWH.’”

“He who hears—let him hear.

He who refuses—let him refuse.”

———

YHWH said:

“Take a brick—engrave Jerusalem upon it.

Lay siege against it. Set up camps and battering rams.”

Lie on Your Side

390 days on your left—for the years of Israel’s sin

40 days on your right—for Judah

Eat Defiled Bread

“Make barley cakes… bake them on cow dung in the people’s sight.”

“They shall eat defiled bread among the nations.”

Ezekiel pleaded—and YHWH allowed cow dung instead of human waste.

———

YHWH said:

“Take a sword and shave your head and beard.

Weigh and divide the hair.”

1/3 burn inside the city

1/3 strike with the sword around it

1/3 scatter to the wind

“This is Jerusalem.

I have set her in the center of nations—yet she has rebelled more than they all.”

Judgment for Covenant Treachery

“I Myself am against you.”

“Fathers shall eat their sons… sons their fathers.”

“I will make you a desolation and a reproach.”

———

“Set your face toward the mountains of Israel—prophesy against them.”

“I will bring a sword upon you—your high places shall be destroyed.”

“Your altars shall become desolate… your idols shall be broken.”

“The slain shall fall in your midst—and you shall know that I am YHWH.”

A Remnant Will Remember

“Yet I will leave a remnant,

and they shall remember Me among the nations.”

“They will loathe themselves for their evil and detestable practices.”

“They shall know that I did not speak in vain.”

———

“The end has come upon the four corners of the land.”

“Now I will pour out My wrath upon you.

I will judge you according to your ways.”

The Time Has Come

“Behold, the day!

Doom has gone out—the rod has blossomed; pride has budded.”

“Violence has risen up into a rod of wickedness…”

Silver and Gold Cannot Save

“They will cast their silver into the streets…

their gold will be as filth.”

“I will give it into the hands of strangers for spoil.”

No One Escapes

“Disaster upon disaster…

they seek a vision from the prophet—but the law perishes.”

“Then they shall know that I am YHWH.”

———

In the sixth year, in the sixth month:

“The hand of YHWH fell upon me…”

“I saw a figure with the appearance of fire…

He stretched out a hand and took me by the hair…”

He Brought Me to the Temple

“Son of man, do you see what they are doing?

Great abominations that drive Me far from My sanctuary.”

The Idol of Jealousy — near the inner gate

Seventy elders — each with a censer, worshiping carved images in the dark

Women weeping for Tammuz — at the north gate

Twenty-five men — with their backs to the Temple, worshiping the sun

“They have filled the land with violence.”

———

“Call the executioners of the city, each with his weapon.”

“A man in linen with a writing kit came among them.”

YHWH said:

“Pass through the city—put a mark on the foreheads of those who sigh over its abominations.”

“Then strike all the rest—begin at My sanctuary.”

“They began with the elders at the Temple.”

Ezekiel Cries Out

“Ah, Lord YHWH! Will You destroy all the remnant?”

YHWH replied:

“The guilt of Israel is exceedingly great.”

———

“I looked—and above the cherubim was something like sapphire,

in appearance like a throne.”

“The man in linen was told:

‘Take fire from between the wheels.’”

The Cherubim and the Wheels

———

Four faces: cherub, human, lion, eagle

Their whole bodies were full of eyes

“Wherever the Spirit went, they went.”

The Glory Moves

“The glory of YHWH went out from above the cherubim

and paused over the threshold of the house.”

“The court was filled with brightness…

and the sound of the wings was like the voice of God Almighty.”

“The glory of YHWH departed from the threshold…

and stood over the cherubim.”

“They mounted up—and the glory of YHWH went with them.”

———

“The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of YHWH’s house…”

There were 25 men, including Pelatiah son of Benaiah.

YHWH said:

“These are the men who give wicked counsel in the city.”

“They say, ‘This city is the pot, and we are the meat’—

therefore prophesy against them.”

Judgment Inside the City

“You have multiplied your slain…

and filled the streets with corpses.”

“I will bring you out of the city and give you to foreigners.”

Pelatiah Dies, and Ezekiel Cries Out

“Ah, Lord YHWH! Will You make a full end of the remnant of Israel?”

Promise of a New Heart

“Though I scattered them among the nations…

I will gather them and give them the land of Israel.”

“I will give them one heart,

and put a new spirit within them.”

“I will remove the heart of stone… and give a heart of flesh.”

“They shall be My people, and I will be their God.”

The Glory Departs

“The glory of YHWH went up from the midst of the city…

and stood over the mountain east of the city.”

———

YHWH said:

“Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house…

who have eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear.”

Sign-Act: Pack Your Bags

“Prepare your baggage for exile by day…

dig through the wall in their sight.”

“Say: ‘I am a sign to you…

as I have done, so it shall be with them.’”

Zedekiah’s Fate Foretold

“I will bring him to Babylon—yet he shall not see it.”

The Land Shall Be Laid Waste

“I will scatter them among the nations…”

“Then they shall know that I am YHWH.”

The Proverb Shall End

“They say, ‘The days grow long, and every vision fails.’”

“I will make this proverb cease.”

“What I speak will be performed—it shall no longer be delayed.”

———

YHWH said:

“Prophesy against the prophets of Israel who follow their own spirit.”

“They have seen false visions… saying, ‘Declares YHWH’—when I have not spoken.”

Whitewashed Walls

“They have misled My people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace.”

“They build a wall—and others whitewash it.”

“I will tear it down… hailstones shall fall… wind shall rend it.”

“So will I spend My wrath upon the wall and those who whitewashed it.”

Against False Prophetesses

“Woe to the women who sew magic charms on wrists…

and hunt souls like birds.”

“You have profaned Me among My people…

for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread.”

———

“Some elders of Israel came and sat before me…”

YHWH said:

“These men have taken their idols into their hearts.”

“Should I let them inquire of Me?”

“I will answer them Myself…

I will lay hold of their hearts.”

If a Prophet Is Deceived

“I YHWH have deceived that prophet…

I will cut him off from My people.”

“So the house of Israel may no longer go astray.”

No Deliverance by Righteous Men

“Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it…

they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.”

“If I send sword, famine, wild beasts, or plague…

even these three men could not save sons or daughters.”

“Yet… a remnant will be saved—

and you shall know that I have not done without cause.”

———

“Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than other trees?”

“It is good for nothing but fuel.”

“So I have given the inhabitants of Jerusalem—

the vine among the trees of the forest—as fuel for fire.”

“They shall go out from the fire—but the fire shall consume them.”

“You shall know that I am YHWH…

when I set My face against them.”

———

“Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations.”

Her Origins

“Your father was an Amorite, your mother a Hittite.

You were cast out, unwanted, until I passed by.”

“I said to you, ‘Live!’ I covered your nakedness.”

Adorned by YHWH

“I clothed you in fine linen… placed a crown on your head.”

“You became exceedingly beautiful—and you played the whore because of your beauty.”

Abominations Multiplied

“You took My gold and silver to make images…

you sacrificed your children to them.”

“You were not like a prostitute—because you scorned payment.

You gave gifts to all your lovers.”

Judgment and Grace

“You are the opposite of other women—you pay, and they pay you nothing.”

“I will gather all your lovers… I will uncover your nakedness.”

“Yet I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth.”

“I will establish an everlasting covenant.”

———

“A great eagle came to Lebanon and took a top branch…

and planted it in fertile soil.”

“Then another eagle came—and the vine bent its roots toward him.”

The Meaning

“The king of Babylon took the king of Jerusalem…

but he rebelled.”

“Can such a vine flourish? I will pull it up, roots and all.”

A Future Planting

“I Myself will take a sprig from the lofty cedar…

I will plant it on a high mountain.”

“Under it will dwell every kind of bird…

All the trees shall know:

I YHWH bring low the high tree and exalt the low tree.”

———

“Why do you say: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes,

and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?”

“All souls are Mine—the soul who sins shall die.”

Three Generations

A righteous man—he shall live.

His violent son—he shall die.

The righteous grandson—he shall live.

“Each shall be judged by his own righteousness.”

Call to Repentance

“Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked?”

“Repent and live!

Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.”

———

“What is your mother? A lioness among lions.”

“She brought up one cub—he became a young lion…

but he was taken to Egypt.”

“Another cub grew fierce—but was captured in a pit

and brought to Babylon.”

“Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard…

but now she is plucked up in fury,

and fire has consumed her branches.”

———

In the seventh year, elders came to inquire.

YHWH said:

“Will you inquire of Me?

I will not be inquired of by you.”

The History of Rebellion

“In Egypt… in the wilderness… in the land I gave them—

they rebelled again and again.”

“My Sabbaths they profaned…

their hearts went after idols.”

I Acted for the Sake of My Name

“I would have poured out wrath—but I acted for My Name’s sake.”

“Though I swore in wrath—they shall not enter My rest…”

“Yet I did not destroy them completely.”

The Present Generation

“You defile yourselves with offerings of your children.

Shall I be inquired of by you?”

A New Exodus and Restoration

“I will bring you out from the peoples…

I will bring you into the wilderness and enter into judgment with you.”

“I will purge the rebels—and bring you into the bond of the covenant.”

A Holy Mountain and Pure Worship

“On My holy mountain, all Israel shall serve Me.”

“I will accept your offerings and gather you.”

“You will remember your ways and loathe yourselves.”

“You shall know that I am YHWH—when I deal with you

not according to your wickedness, but according to My Name.”

———

“Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem…

prophesy against the sanctuary and the land of Israel.”

The Sword Is Drawn

“Say: Thus says YHWH:

‘Behold, I am against you—

I will draw My sword from its sheath.’”

“Sigh, son of man—break your heart with bitterness.

When they ask why—say:

‘Because of the news that is coming.’”

Polished for Slaughter

“A sword, a sword is sharpened and polished—

given into the hand of the slayer.”

“Strike to the right… strike to the left—

wherever your face is set.”

The Babylonian Decision

“The king of Babylon stands at the fork of the road…

he shakes arrows, consults idols, inspects livers.”

“In his right hand is the lot for Jerusalem.”

“Remove the turban, take off the crown…

exalt the low, abase the high.”

“Until He comes—the One to whom it belongs.”

———

“Will you judge the bloody city?

Make her abominations known.”

Charges Against Jerusalem

She sheds blood

Defiles herself with idols

Treats father and mother with contempt

Oppresses the stranger, the orphan, and the widow

Despises holy things

Commits adultery and incest

Takes bribes and interest

Forgets YHWH

A Furnace for Refining

“I will gather you into My furnace of wrath…

I will blow on you with the fire of My anger.”

The Corrupt Leaders

“The prophets have daubed them with whitewash.

The priests have done violence to My Torah.

The princes are wolves.

The people oppress and extort.”

“I sought a man to stand in the breach—but found none.”

———

“Son of man, there were two women, daughters of one mother:

Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem).”

Oholah’s (Samaria’s) Harlotry

“She lusted after her lovers—Assyria.”

“Therefore I gave her into their hand.”

Oholibah’s (Jerusalem’s) Deeper Defilement

“She was more corrupt than her sister.”

“She lusted after the Chaldeans…

She saw men portrayed on the wall—captains in blue.”

“I have turned in disgust from her.”

“Therefore I will gather your lovers against you…”

YHWH’s Verdict

“Because you have forgotten Me…

you must bear the penalty of your lewdness.”

“You shall drink the deep and wide cup of your sister…”

———

“On the tenth day of the tenth month of the ninth year…

the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem.”

The Boiling Pot Parable

“Put the pot on the fire—put in choice pieces…

Boil it well—then empty it.”

“Woe to the bloody city!”

“I tried to cleanse you—but your filth would not come off.”

The Sign of the Prophet’s Wife

“Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away…”

“But you shall not mourn or weep…

Bind your turban, put on your sandals.”

“When they ask why, say:

‘So shall it be with you—when I take away your joy and pride.’”

When the Fugitive Arrives

“On that day, your mouth shall be opened.

You shall be a sign to them—and they shall know that I am YHWH.”

———

Against Ammon:

“Because you said ‘Aha!’ over My sanctuary when it was profaned—

I will deliver you to the people of the East.”

Against Moab:

“Because they said, ‘Judah is like all nations’—

I will expose her cities to the east.”

Against Edom:

“Because you acted vengefully against Judah—

I will lay vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel.”

Against Philistia:

“Because of old hatred—

I will cut off the Cherethites… and destroy the remnant of the seacoast.”

“They shall know that I am YHWH.”

———

“In the eleventh year, on the first of the month,

the word of YHWH came to me.”

“Son of man, because Tyre said concerning Jerusalem:

‘Aha! The gateway of the peoples is broken… now she is mine!’”

“Therefore, I am against you, O Tyre.”

Nebuchadnezzar Will Come

“He will bring many nations against you,

as the sea brings up its waves.”

“They will break down your walls…

and scrape her soil bare like a rock.”

“You shall become a place for spreading nets in the midst of the sea.”

“You shall never be rebuilt.”

———

“You were a ship of perfection, full of beauty.”

“Your builders perfected your beauty…

you were filled with multicolored sails from Egypt…

and oars of Bashan.”

“All the ships of the sea were with you to exchange merchandise.”

Your Traders Came From All Nations

“Tarshish traded silver…

Javan, Tubal, and Meshech traded slaves and bronze…

Arabia, Sheba, and Assyria brought spices, gems, and garments.”

The Sinking of the Ship

“Your oarsmen brought you into the high seas,

but the east wind broke you.”

“All your company sinks into the heart of the seas…”

“Now you are shattered by the seas,

and all who knew you are appalled.”

———

“Because your heart is proud… and you have said,

‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of the gods…’”

“You are but a man, not a god.”

“By your wisdom you have increased wealth—

but your heart has grown proud.”

The Lament Over the King of Tyre

“You were the seal of perfection…

full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.”

“You were in Eden, the garden of God.”

“You were blameless… until unrighteousness was found in you.”

“I cast you as profane from the mountain of God.”

“Your heart was proud because of your beauty.”

“I brought fire from your midst—it consumed you.”

Judgment on Sidon

“I am against you, O Sidon.”

“I will manifest My holiness in her…

and they shall know that I am YHWH.”

Israel’s Future Security

“There shall be no more briar to prick the house of Israel.”

“Then they shall know that I am the Lord YHWH.”

———

“In the tenth year, in the tenth month…”

“I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt—

the great dragon lying in the Nile,

who says, ‘The Nile is mine, I made it.’”

The Sword and the Forty Years

“I will bring a sword and desolation to Egypt…

and scatter them among the nations for forty years.”

“Afterward, I will restore Egypt—

but it shall be the lowliest of kingdoms.”

Egypt Will No Longer Be a Crutch

“Egypt shall no longer be the confidence of Israel,

recalling their iniquity when they turned to her.”

Nebuchadnezzar’s Wages

“Nebuchadnezzar made his army labor hard against Tyre,

but received no wages.”

“Therefore, I give him Egypt as his reward—

he shall carry off her wealth.”

———

“Wail, ‘Alas for the day!’

For the day of YHWH is near.”

Egypt’s Allies Fall

“I will bring a sword upon Egypt…

and break the pride of her power in Pathros.”

“Cush, Put, Lud, Arabia, Libya—all who are allied—shall fall.”

“They shall be desolate from Migdol to Syene.”

YHWH Will Break the Arms of Pharaoh

“I will shatter the arms of Pharaoh king of Egypt…

and put My sword into the hand of the king of Babylon.”

“I will strengthen the arms of Babylon…

and break Pharaoh’s arms so he groans like a wounded man.”

———

“In the eleventh year, on the first day of the third month,

the word of YHWH came to me…”

A Cedar in Lebanon

“Assyria was like a cedar in Lebanon…

towering, with fair branches and deep roots by abundant water.”

“All the birds nested in its branches…

all the great nations lived under its shade.”

Because It Grew Proud

“Its heart was lifted up in height…

so I handed it over to the mighty one of the nations.”

“Strangers, the most ruthless of nations, cut it down…”

Warning to Pharaoh

“To which among the trees of Eden are you like in glory?

Yet you shall be brought down…”

“This is Pharaoh and all his multitude,” declares YHWH.

———

“In the twelfth year, on the first day of the twelfth month…”

“Take up a lamentation over Pharaoh:

‘You compare yourself to a lion—but you are like a sea monster!’”

“I will cast My net over you…

I will throw you on the open field.”

The Day of Darkness

“I will cover the heavens and darken their stars…

I will bring darkness upon your land.”

“I will trouble the hearts of many peoples…”

Down to the Pit

“They shall say:

‘Where is the glory of Egypt?’

You shall lie among the slain.”

“Assyria is there… Elam is there…

Edom is there… the princes of the north…”

“Pharaoh and all his multitude—declares the Lord YHWH—

shall be comforted in the pit.”

———

“Son of man, speak to your people…”

“If the watchman sees the sword and does not blow the trumpet…

the blood is on his hands.”

“But if he warns and they do not turn—his hands are clean.”

Responsibility Before YHWH

“If the righteous turns from his righteousness—he shall die.

If the wicked turns—he shall live.”

“Yet your people say, ‘The way of YHWH is not just!’

But it is their way that is unjust.”

Jerusalem Has Fallen

“In the twelfth year, on the fifth day of the tenth month,

a fugitive came and said,

‘The city has been struck down.’”

They Hear, But Will Not Obey

“They sit before you as My people,

they hear what you say—but will not do it.”

“To them you are like a love song…

but when it comes to pass—they will know a prophet has been among them.”

———

“Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves!

Should not the shepherds feed the flock?”

“You have not strengthened the weak… sought the lost…”

“So they were scattered—for lack of a shepherd.”

I Myself Will Be Their Shepherd

“Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep…

I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered.”

“I will feed them in good pasture… I will bind up the injured…”

Judging Between Sheep and Sheep

“I will judge between the fat and the lean sheep…

because you thrust with side and shoulder…”

The Promise of One Shepherd

“I will set up over them one Shepherd—My servant David.”

“I will make with them a covenant of peace.”

“They shall dwell securely…

and know that I am YHWH.”

———

“Set your face against Mount Seir and prophesy…”

“Because you cherished perpetual enmity…

and gave over the people of Israel to the sword…”

“As you rejoiced at the desolation of My people—

so I will make you desolate.”

“Then you shall know that I am YHWH.”

———

“Prophesy to the mountains of Israel…”

“Because the nations have said, ‘Aha! The ancient heights are ours!’

I speak in jealousy and fire:

I have raised My hand—surely the nations shall bear their shame.”

Israel Will Be Inhabited Again

“I will multiply people on you…

the cities shall be rebuilt… the ruins raised.”

“I am not doing this for your sake, O house of Israel,

but for the sake of My holy Name.”

A New Heart and Spirit

“I will sprinkle clean water on you… and cleanse you from all your idols.”

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.”

“I will remove the heart of stone…

and give you a heart of flesh.”

“The nations will know that I am YHWH.”

———

The Valley of Dry Bones

“The hand of YHWH was upon me…

He set me down in the middle of a valley full of bones.”

“Son of man, can these bones live?”

“Prophesy over these bones…”

A Great Army Rises

“There was a sound… and the bones came together.”

“Breath came into them—and they lived, and stood as a vast army.”

“These bones are the whole house of Israel.

Behold, I will open your graves…

and bring you back into your land.”

The Two Sticks Become One

“Take one stick for Judah… and one for Ephraim…”

“Join them in your hand—they shall become one.”

“I will make them one nation…

never again divided.”

One King and Everlasting Covenant

“My servant David shall be king over them.”

“I will make a covenant of peace…

I will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.”

“Then the nations will know that I am YHWH.”

———

“Set your face against Gog of the land of Magog,

chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.”

“I will turn you around and bring you out…

you and many peoples with you.”

In the Latter Days

“You will come against My people Israel…

like a cloud covering the land.”

“In My hot anger I declare:

On that day there shall be a great earthquake.”

YHWH’s Judgment

“Every man’s sword will be against his brother.

I will rain hailstones, fire, and sulfur.”

“So I will show My greatness and My holiness.”

———

“I will turn you around and strike your bows from your hands.”

“You shall fall on the mountains of Israel.”

“I will give you to the birds and beasts for food.”

The Seven-Year Cleanup

“For seven years they shall burn the weapons.”

“Seven months they shall bury the dead…”

The Sacrificial Feast for Birds and Beasts

“Assemble, all birds and beasts—

eat the flesh of the mighty.”

YHWH Restores His People

“I will not hide My face anymore…

for I have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel.”

———

“In the twenty-fifth year of our exile…

the hand of YHWH brought me to a very high mountain.”

“There was a man with the appearance of bronze…

with a measuring reed in his hand.”

The Outer and Inner Courts

East gate: measured in precise cubits

Guard chambers, porches, and thresholds detailed

Palm trees engraved on the gateposts

The Temple Structure

“Behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there…”

“Son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel—

that they may be ashamed of their iniquities.”

———

“He brought me to the sanctuary and measured its posts…”

Length: 40 cubits

Width: 20 cubits

The Most Set-Apart Place

“He measured the inner room—20 cubits square.”

“This is the Most Holy Place.”

Side Chambers and Wall Details

“Three levels of chambers surrounded the house.”

“The walls were engraved with cherubim and palm trees…”

“Each cherub had two faces—human and lion.”

———

“He brought me out to the outer court…”

“The chambers were for the priests who approached YHWH—

a holy place to eat the offerings and change garments.”

“After measuring everything, he brought me back.”

———

“Behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the east.”

“The sound was like many waters… the earth shone with His glory.”

He Entered the Temple

“The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court—

and behold, the glory of YHWH filled the house.”

“Son of man, this is the place of My throne…

I will dwell in the midst of Israel forever.”

Describe the House

“Declare to them the form of the house,

its exits, entrances, laws, and measurements.”

“This is the Torah of the Temple:

the whole territory shall be most set-apart.”

———

“The gate facing east shall be shut…

because YHWH, the God of Israel, has entered through it.”

Sons of Zadok

“Only the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary,

shall come near to minister before Me.”

“They shall wear linen garments—no wool shall touch them.”

“They shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common.”

They Shall Have No Inheritance

“I am their inheritance.”

“They shall eat the grain, sin, and guilt offerings.”

———

“When you allot the land, set apart a holy district:

25,000 cubits long and 10,000 wide.”

For the Priests and Levites

“One section for the priests…

one for the Levites…

one for the city.”

“And a portion shall belong to the prince.”

Just Weights and Measures

“Let there be honest balances and measures.”

“This shall be the offering:

one-sixth of an ephah, one-tenth of a bath…”

———

“On Sabbaths and new moons, the prince shall enter by the east gate.”

“The people shall worship at the gate…”

Daily Offerings and Inheritance Rules

“Every morning—a lamb…

grain and oil with it.”

“The prince may give land to his sons—

but not seize from the people.”

———

“Water was flowing from under the threshold…”

“It became a river too deep to cross.”

Life Wherever the River Flows

“Everything will live where the river goes.”

“Fishermen will spread nets… fruit trees will grow along the banks.”

“Their leaves will not wither—their fruit will never fail.”

Borders of the Land

“From the Great Sea to the Jordan… from the north to the south…”

“Divide the land by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel.”

“The foreigners who dwell among you shall also inherit.”

———

“These are the names of the tribes:

from the north—Dan, Asher, Naphtali…

to the south—Gad.”

The Sacred Portion

“In the center: the sacred district,

25,000 by 25,000 cubits.”

“The sanctuary shall be in its midst.”

The Prince’s Land

“Bounded by the sacred portion and the tribal allotments…”

The City and Its Gates

“The city shall be 4,500 cubits square.”

“Twelve gates:

three on each side—named after the tribes.”

“And the name of the city from that day shall be:

YHWH-Shammah — ‘YHWH is There.’”