Ezekiel 45:1

Divide by lot. The meaning seems to be, “divide by allotment.” Actually each tribe was assigned a definite portion (ch. 48:1-29).

An oblation. Heb. terumah, literally, “something lifted up,” here meaning “an offering,” “a present,” “a contribution.” A small part of this “holy portion of the land” was to be occupied by the sanctuary, the rest given to the priests and Levites. The terumah is further described in ch. 48:8-22.

Reeds. This word has been supplied. The question is as to whether “reeds” or “cubits” should be understood. If the former, the area could not be fitted between the Mediterranean and the Jordan. The length would be almost 50 mi. (80 km.). “Cubits” seems more reasonable and more in proportion to the tribal allotments.

Ten thousand. That would be 3.2 mi. (5.12 km.). The total area, as described in vs. 1-6, was 25,000 cubits (6.9 mi.; 11 km.) square. This was made up of three portions: 10,000 (ch. 48:13) at the north for the Levites; 10,000 (ch. 48:10) in the middle for the priests, in the midst of which was the sanctuary; and the remaining 5,000 (ch. 48:15) for “a profane place for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs.”