THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The remaining portion of the holy allotment, extending ten thousand to the east and ten thousand to the west, shall serve as a sacred place, with the harvest of this land designated for sustenance for the workers of the city. These laborers will come from all tribes of Israel. The entire designated area, measuring twenty-five thousand cubits in length and twenty-five thousand cubits in width, will be set apart as a holy precinct and an inheritance for the city. Following the description of the holy city and its outskirts, the remaining sacred portion, spanning ten thousand reeds eastward and another ten thousand westward, will be given to those who labor in the city for its various requirements, allowing for cultivation.
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This provision ensures that those who construct or restore the city's walls receive nourishment from this land, maintaining the city’s integrity and allowing for repairs to roofs as necessary.
This practice is evident not only among the people of Israel or within the spiritual realm of the Church but also manifests in the Roman Empire, where certain lands have been incorporated into cities through royal favor, inheritance, or generous gifts. Such arrangements prevent the decay of municipal structures and preserve the public edifices that enhance the city’s beauty. The laborers engaged in the city's work will hail from all tribes of Israel, ensuring that all contribute to the construction of the Church.
Reflecting on the contributions towards the tabernacle, we see that individuals contributed various materials according to their capacity. Some provided gold, silver, or fine fabrics, while others offered hides and goats' hair. The distinct nature of these gifts does not diminish their equal reward, as even the smallest offerings, like that of the poor widow who donated two mites, received commendation from the Lord, who acknowledged her contribution of her whole livelihood as greater than the gifts of the wealthy (Luke 21:3-4).
As for the dimensions of the holy city and its precincts, when measured on all four sides, they total two hundred and forty-six thousand and one-third paces. With twenty-five thousand reeds—each measuring six cubits plus one heel—equating to sixty-one thousand six hundred and sixty-seven Roman paces, it is clear that multiplying this figure by four yields the stated total.
Thus, we understand that the Church's ownership is spiritually more expansive than the geographical allotments formerly held by the priests and Levites in Judea. The latter received no land inheritance but were granted forty-eight cities from each tribe for habitation, enabling even those who may not hold the priestly office to partake in the bounties of the sacred land, the land of the humble and faithful. One such individual proclaimed, “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Ps. 26:13).