Ezekiel 48:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Previously, we have highlighted that this prince received an inheritance comparable to one of the tribes. Now we come to understand that he alone shall receive all that remains from each tribe, as every tribe has contributed offerings to the prince, not from any distant place, but from the wealth set aside for the temple and its holy areas, as well as the favored portions of the city. This is what is conveyed by the phrase, Against the twenty-five thousand unto the eastern boundary or the sea boundary, indicating that this measure encompasses the lands among the seven and five tribes, with the city and its outskirts, and at the heart of the city lies the temple sanctuary.

Furthermore, from the Levites’ share and the city’s allocation, all that is left shall be appointed for the prince, and the outermost part of the seven tribes will be adjacent to the lands and the city in the territory of Judah, while the farthest area of the five tribes will align in the region of Benjamin, ultimately belonging to the prince. Therefore, the laws found in Scripture should provoke wonder and contemplation rather than mere verbal discussion.

In the initial allocation of land beyond the Jordan by Moses, the territory was assigned to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. On the western side, Joshua and Eleazar assigned to Judah the southern region, while Ephraim and half the tribe of Manasseh received the northern area. Later, when scouts were sent from each tribe for exploration and the description was presented to Joshua and Eleazar, Benjamin received a portion adjacent to Judah on the south and near Ephraim and half of Manasseh. The tribe of Simeon received an inheritance within the territory of Judah, fulfilling the prophecy concerning Levi and Simeon: I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.

Next, Zebulun obtained Galilee, which includes Mount Tabor. Isachar received lands encompassing Israel as far as the Jordan, while Asher extended to Mount Carmel, bordering the Great Sea and the regions of Tyre and Sidon. Naphtali’s territory was located in Galilee, reaching as far as the Jordan, near Tiberias, historically referred to as Heneref. The Danites occupied lands extending to Joppa, where the towers of Ailon, Selebi, and Emaus—now known as Nicopolis—are found. However, it is noted that the descendants of Dan, having traversed lands of other tribes, later seized the city of Leshem in the territory of Dan, now identified as Paneas.

Given this context, and considering the significant contrast between the initial distribution of the tribes and the current assignment, we must reflect specifically on how both the earlier and present allotments position the city and the temple between the territories of Judah and Benjamin. In previous allocations, Judah lay to the south and Benjamin to the north; yet, in the current arrangement, Judah is positioned to the north while Benjamin is to the south. Following this, Simeon comes second, Issachar third, Zebulun fourth, and Gad fifth, representing the five tribes, as is further noted, according to the text...