Read & explore together
The City Gates and Dimensions
Ezekiel 48:30–35 describes the city’s sides, measurements, and gates in a clear pattern. After listing each side and its gates, the final line gives the city this name: ‘Yahweh is there.’
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This prophecy and teaching passage sets out the city’s exits, side lengths, and gate names. Each side is measured the same, and each side has three gates named after tribes of Israel. The passage closes by stating the city’s total circumference and giving its name.
Ezekiel 48:30–35Main takeaway
This passage presents a carefully measured city with twelve tribal gates and ends by naming it, ‘Yahweh is there.’
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A measured north sideThe passage opens by naming the exits of the city and measuring the north side as four thousand five hundred reeds.
Explanation
The passage opens by naming the exits of the city and measuring the north side as four thousand five hundred reeds. Then three gates on the north are named after Reuben, Judah, and Levi. The text begins with structure, measurement, and named gates linked to Israel’s tribes.
02East and south follow the same orderThe east side is also four thousand five hundred reeds, with gates for Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan.
Explanation
The east side is also four thousand five hundred reeds, with gates for Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan. The south side matches that measurement and has gates for Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun. The repeated size and repeated pattern of three gates show a deliberate arrangement on each side.
03The west side completes the listThe west side continues the same pattern: four thousand five hundred reeds and three gates.
Explanation
The west side continues the same pattern: four thousand five hundred reeds and three gates. These gates are named for Gad, Asher, and Naphtali. By the end of this verse, the gates around the city have been named after twelve tribes, arranged in groups of three on four sides.
04The city’s circumference and nameAfter listing the four sides and all twelve gates, the text gives the city’s full circumference as eighteen thousand reeds.
Explanation
After listing the four sides and all twelve gates, the text gives the city’s full circumference as eighteen thousand reeds. Then it states what the city will be called from that day: ‘Yahweh is there.’ The final line adds the city’s name after the measurements and gate lists.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What repeated measurement is given for each side of the city, and what pattern does that create?
Read each side carefully and notice that north, east, south, and west are all measured as four thousand five hundred reeds.
02How are the gates organised across the city?
Look for how many gates appear on each side and which tribal names are attached to them.
03What name is given to the city at the end of the passage?
The answer is stated directly in the final line, after the total circumference is given.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 48:30–35
30“These are the exits of the city: On the north side four thousand five hundred reeds by measure;
31and the gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel, three gates northward: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one.
32“At the east side four thousand five hundred reeds, and three gates: even the gate of Joseph, one; the gate of Benjamin, one; the gate of Dan, one.
33“At the south side four thousand five hundred reeds by measure, and three gates: the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; the gate of Zebulun, one.
34“At the west side four thousand five hundred reeds, with their three gates: the gate of Gad, one; the gate of Asher, one; the gate of Naphtali, one.
35“It shall be eighteen thousand reeds in circumference; and the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘Yahweh is there.’