Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 48

1 NOW these are the names of the tribes. From the North end to the coast of the way of Hethlon , as one goeth to Hamath , Hazar-Enan , the border of Damascus Northward, to the coast of Hamath , for these are his sides East and West, a portion for Dan .

Which follow in their Order.

As the Measurer began to bound the land first on the North-side, so he will first place the Tribe, to whom the most Northern Lot fell, or rather was assign'd by a Divine direction.

Along through the coast, that leads from the West or great Sea to Hethlon.

See chap. 47.15. let. m.

A Frontier City of that name; See chap. 47.16. let. o. antiently the Royal City of Toi, who congratulated David in his victory over Hadadezer King of Syria Zobah, 2 Sam. 8.9, 10.

Vid. chap. 47.17. let. y. for I meet with no more concerning it.

And so on by the Border of Damascus, which lay farther Eastward, then Enan, as Geographers describe it.

This is Syria, and perhaps might have been best so translated, along bordering on this coast the rest of the Northern boundary did run.

The Land, or Dan mentioned immediately after.

That is from the East point, where Mount Libanus joineth to Gilead, to the West Point, which is supposed in the Midland-Sea, near the Hot Baths or Sidon; See chap. 47.20.

The Tribe of Dan, and the strangers, that sojourn with him.

Marginal references: Heb. one portion.

2 And by the border of Dan, from the East side unto the West side a portion for Asher.

That is all along on the Southside of Dan, from East to West in length shall the share of the Tribe of A[illegible: 1 letter]her lie.

3 And by the border of Asher, from the East side even unto the West side , a portion for Naphtali.

To the Northwest point where the dividing line ends being drawn from the North-East point to the North-west in the Midland-Sea.

7 And by the border of Reuben, from the East side unto the West side, a portion for Judah.

Hitherto you have seven of the twelve Tribes placed in the Northern part of Canaan, and reckoned as they lay in order, where nothing occurs new from the 2d. ver. to the 8th.

8 And by the border of Judah, from the East-side to the West side, shall be the offering which ye shall offer of five and twenty thousand reeds in breadth, and in length as one of the other parts, from the East side to the West side : and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it .

The Holy portion of which, chap. 45.1. set out for Priests, Levites, and City, chap. 45.4, 5.

Reeds is here supplyed by the Translators, but I rather think Cubits, for the greatness of the Portion measur'd by reeds will eat out the Tribes, or leave very little for them, as appears thus. The whole length from North to South was about 160 miles, the breadth some 60. Now 25000 reeds is at the least 77 miles, at one thousand paces to a mile. These 77 taken out of 160, there will remain but 83 for the 12 Tribes, which will afford not quite seven miles in breadth for each Tribe, when as 77 miles are allotted to the Priests, Levites, and City, so that there will remain but 83 miles for the 12 Tribes, that is to each one almost 7 miles. Now this to me would seem very much disproportion'd; but 25000 cubits reckoned doth give the holy portion and City 12 miles and half square as broad as long, and gives near as much in breadth to each Tribe, and five times almost as much in length to each Tribe, which appears thus, 12 times 12 makes 144, and 12 quarters makes 3 wholes 5 give then each Tribe 12 and a quarter, you divide 147 by 12 and a quarter: now to this add the Princes, the holy portion, and the City land, which is twelve miles and a half, and you have 159 miles, and three quarters, which is the length of the whole land; thus the breadth of each portion for each Tribe, but the length of each exceeded the Prince by▪ 12, and a half, and the Holy portion, as much as 60 exceeds 12 and a half.

That is Twenty five thousand in length, which amounts to twelve miles and one half. Now the residue of the land from the Sea Eastward abutting on the whole breadth of the Holy portion by equal proportion will be twenty three and one quarter, and as much from the other side measuring from the Eastern bounds of the Holy portion to the utmost bounds Eastward of the land, which is 60 miles from its utmost western bounds, as appears thus; take an oblong square, whose breadth is 12 and a half, its length 60, suppose in the very middle 12 and a half square taken up, there will remain at each end the half of 47 and three quarters, which is 23 and three quarters, according to this we conceive the prince hath assign'd him as much as two Tribes very near, and almost four times as much as the Holy Oblation; so that there is good reason for that chap. 45.9. against oppression, and the command he be content.

The whole content of Suburbs, courts, and house.

Of the land laid out for the Holy portion, for God, and his Priests.

9 The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD shall be of five and twenty thousand in length and of ten thousand in breadth.

This Verse the same with the 3d. ver. of chap. 45. which see.

10 And for them, even for the Priests , shall be this holy oblation, toward the north five and twenty thousand in length, and toward the West ten thousand in breadth , and toward the East ten thousand in breadth , and toward the South five and twenty thousand in length, and the sanctuary of the LORD shall be in the midst thereof.

Who are more particularly described, ver. 11. which see.

The North side in length from North-east to North-west.

From South-west to North-west-point between which points lay the West side.

Between North-east, and South-east points, which made the East border.

From South-east point by line drawn to South-west, the same measure with the North.

11 It shall be for the priests that are sanctified, of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.

See this verse explained chap. 44.15, 16.

Marginal references: chap. 44.15.; Or, the sancti [illegible: 1 letter] portion [illegible: 1 span] be for the [illegible: 1 word].; Or, Ward, or [illegible: 1 letter]inance.

12 And this oblation of the land that is offered , shall be unto them a thing most holy, by the border of the Levites.

Which is as 'twere the Primitiae of the land, 'twas order'd to be first set out for God.

Set apart and dedicated to God.

In the account both of the Priests, and the whole people it shall be most Holy, on no occasion to be Servant unto any common uses.

It shall lie next to the Levites these lay Southward between the Priests, and the Cities Portion.

13 And over against the border of the Priests the Levites shall have five and twenty thousand in length and ten thousand in breadth, all the length shall be five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand.

The Levites portion ran parallel with the Priests, whose Northern limits were next to the Southern limits of the Levites.

Vid. this verse explain'd chap. 44.5. tot.

14 And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the first fruits of the land: for it is holy to the LORD.

It is most holy, and therefore no price should be offered for it, nor any price set upon it, nor may they pass away any on pretence of getting greater, and more particularly serviceable to them, and their imployment, and so for conveniencies part with Gods inheritance, this is forbidden, this is Holy, as the first fruits were under the Law, Lev. 25.23, 24. 1 King. 21.4.

15 And the five thousand that are le[illegible: 1 letter]t 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 .

Or running along by the side.

Assign'd to the Levites.

A common, not consecrated place, in which the City should be built, a place for all Services, as men shall need, now as that is counted holy, which is set apart onely for the service of God, so that common or profane, that is for common uses.

Houses within the Walls.

Streets, and Dwellings, or Gardens without the Wall.

Ierusalem.

Of this common place, which is call'd here profane; so that ten thousand are left at each end.

16 And these shall be the measures thereof p; 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.

The ex[illegible: 1 letter]ent, and proportions of the ground for the City, a square of 4500 shall be taken out of the middle of the 25000 for the Area or ground-plat of the City. So it shall be an equilateral square every side exactly the same North, South, East and West, 4500 a piece, by which measures the whole content is visible 18000 Cubits, not Reeds.

17 And the suburbs of the city shall be towards 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.

Here are the dimensions of the Suburbs, which added [illegible: 1 word] those of the City thus, 250 added to the 4500 on the North side and 250 added to the 4500 on the South side makes 5000; so on the East add 250 to 4500, and then add 250 to the 4500 on the West it makes up a square equilateral 5000 in each side.

18 And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion shall be ten thousand East-ward, 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.

Which remains on each side of the 5000 cubit square Area.

Will be 10000 on the East, and 10000 on the West.

[illegible: 1 letter]y parallel, and even with the South side of the Levites Portion both on East and Weast.

Product, the Revenues of this land.

The Maintenance, both Salary, and allowances of Bread and Wine.

For the City officers, so that they may live by the City, whose life is spent for the City, that the Labourer may, as he is worthy of it, receive his wages.

19 And they that serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel .

Either this service is a burthen, if so, 'tis fit all should bear their part in it, or 'tis a Priviledge, and advantage, and then 'tis as fit the advantage should be equally given to all the Tribes; all Tribes shall be capable of the Advantage, and liable to the Burthen.

20 All the oblation shall be five and twenty thousand, by five and twenty thousand : ye shall offer the holy oblation four square, with the possession of the city.

Having particularly measur'd out 10000 for the Priests and 10000 for the Levites, and 5000 for the City broad-ways, these make in all 25000. And the length of each the same 25000 here is evident 25000 by 25000, that a perfect equilateral square whose sides are 25000 each side.

The land assigned for the City, being added to that of the Priests and Levites, makes their 'twice ten thousand to amount to twenty five thousand broad.

21 And the residue shall be for the prince on the one side and on the other side of the holy oblation, and of the possession of the city over against the five and twenty thousand , of the oblation toward the East border , and Westward over against the five and twenty thousand toward the West border, over against the portions for the prince: and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the midst thereof .

Of the land, which is a great portion, for 'tis the remainder of 12 and a half taken out of 60; so that the remainder will be 47 and 1 half.

Suppose it be the East side, there will be 23 and 3 quarters.

On the West just as much, 23 and 3 quarters.

The residue of that, which is on each side, East and West of the 5000 square area.

Which amounts out of the Priests, Levites and City Portion.

Of the land of Canaan, all from the East side of the 25000 to the utmost bounds Eastward, shall be the Prince his portion, and so likewise on the West side Westward to the great Sea.

These 25000 on both sides lay over against, or run parallel with the breadth of the Princes portion, but the length of the Prince his portion on each side did exceed the length of the holy portion, and the City land as 23 and 3 quarters exceed 12 and a half.

The Holy mount.

Of the Temple of God.

Of the land assign'd to the Priests, which lay as described, bounded and guarded with the Prince his portion at East and West Ends.

22 Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, being in the midst of that which is the princes, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the prince :

That we may clearly understand this we must remember, that the portion of Iudah was laid from West to East next to the Holy portion, and the portion of Benjamin is in ver. 23. laid likewise from West to East next to the possession of the City. So that on each side the extent of Iudah and Benjamin run out to 23 miles and 3 quarters further then the holy portion, and possession of the City did and all the land contain'd between the borders of Iudah and Benjamin were the Prince his Right, both the 12 mile, and half broad, 23 and 3 quarters long on the West, and the same proportion on the East; and this is the sum of the 22 verse.

23 As for the rest of the tribes, from the East side unto the West side, Benjamin shall have a portion.

We left with the Prophet the last assign'd portion to Iudah in the 7th. ver. on the Northside of the Holy portions, now the first on the South side of the possession of the City is Be[illegible: 1 letter]jamin, whose portion, as all the rest, runs in length from East to West and its breadth from North to South.

Marginal references: Heb. one portion.

27 And by the border of Zebulun, from the East side unto the West side, Gad a portion .

Thus all the Tribe have their Inheritances assign'd them, but their lot is not here as in Io[illegible: 1 letter]hua'[illegible: 1 letter] division; It was a New Church and State, that was here intended and accordingly many changes made in it▪ which differenced it from the old, which changes no doubt are instructive, but the particular instructions fall not within the design of a Paraphrase or Comment, that is to make the letter of the Text plain to ordinary capacities.

28 And by the border of Gad, at the South side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar , unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea.

The South border of Gad.

Of the whole land Southward.

See chap. 4[illegible: 1 letter].1[illegible: 1 letter]. l[illegible: 1 letter]t. f. g. h. i.

[illegible: 1 word], say some, but if Si[illegible: 1 letter]or be [illegible: 1 word], as [illegible: 1 word] makes it, it cannot be the boundary, 'tis indeed a River, that ariseth, as some place it, out of the North part of the M[illegible: 1 letter]unt[illegible: 1 letter]ins of Para[illegible: 1 letter], and running a course West from its rise, passeth between G[illegible: 1 letter]r[illegible: 1 letter]r and R[illegible: 1 letter]ino c[illegible: 1 letter]r[illegible: 1 letter]va, and after some 23 or 30 miles travel falls into the great Sea, better known in Scripture by the Name of the River of Egypt. But possibly, the true Rise may be from mount Carmel and Gozen whence it may be some forty miles English to the great Sea.

Marginal references: Heb. Meribah-Kadesh.

29 This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their portions, saith the Lord GOD.

Whose South bounds are here repeated, the North bounds, ver. 1.

Not casting lots, but assigning the shares.

Above described are the particular shares of each tribe.

30 ¶ And these are the goings out of the city on the North side, four thousand and five hundred measures .

Now the Prophet hath a general Topography of the City, which lay four square. The first side mention'd, is the North, for there he began to describe the land▪ or because 'twas nearest the Temple. 'Twas as ver. 1[illegible: 1 letter]. which see. 45[illegible: 2 letters] Cubits, i. e. about a mile, and one third of a mile.

31 And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel, three gates Northward, one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one Gate of Levi .

So then at equal distance from the Corners, and from each other 'tis probable these Gates were buil[illegible: 1 letter].

Marginal references: Rev. [illegible: 2 letters] &c.

35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures , and the name of the city from that day shall be The LORD is there.

Measuring all four squares.

Or Cubits at which proportion'd measures 'twas about five miles in compass if the measures were reeds it would be 30 miles and 325 yards in compass of the Walls which cannot be conceived credible▪ whereas the other is the proportion the City might have been built to, if the sins of the Iewes had not prevented.

By which called, known, and which shall be the honour of it, and its glory.

From the day of the Lords restoring this people, and rebuilding their City, and re-establishing his worship, and their thankful, holy, and pure worshipping of God there, from the day, that such unmatched mercy produceth a suitable return unto God, from that day it shall be said of Ierusalem.

The Lord, who as his name alone is Iehovah, so is the onely true God, faithful to Promise, rich in Mercy, glorious in Ma[illegible: 1 letter]esty, righteous in his judgments, wise and holy in his Government whose Presence makes us happy, whose withdrawing from us leaves us to misery. This God will, by his Favour, and Presence, repel Enemies, and protect his people bring with him the Con[illegible: 1 letter]luence of all Good to Persons Family and Cities; This God will be there to dwell, govern, defend, prosper, and crown. The people is blessed that is in such case, for their God is the Lord, Ps. 144.15. Such was the case of Typical, Earthly Ierusalem, tho' not long such is, and shall be for ever the case of the Heavenly Ierusalem, the City of God, the true Church and Temple of God. Such the case of every true sincere believer, who may, where ever he is, in his way of Duty, still write Jehovah Sharumah, My God is here, and 'tis best to be where he is, till he bring me within the Gates of the glorious City, where inconcei[illegible: 1 letter] able light and love from the immediate presence of God give every one an Eternal Demonstration that [non-Latin text not transcribed]; to him be glory for ever.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]