Read & explore together
The Portion for the Prince
These verses describe where the prince’s land is placed in relation to the holy offering, the city, the sanctuary, and the tribal borders. The passage teaches through measured placement and repeated boundary language rather than through story.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
Ezekiel 48:21–22 speaks about the remainder belonging to the prince. The land lies on both sides of the holy offering and the city’s possession. The sanctuary is in the middle, and the prince’s area is also described between the borders of Judah and Benjamin, with reference to the Levites’ possession and the city’s possession.
Ezekiel 48:21–22Main takeaway
This passage presents the prince’s portion as carefully defined around the holy offering, the city, and the sanctuary, showing ordered placement within the land.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The prince receives the remainderVerse 21 begins, “The remainder shall be for the prince”. That word “remainder” shows this is a defined portion within a larger arrangement.
Explanation
Verse 21 begins, “The remainder shall be for the prince”. That word “remainder” shows this is a defined portion within a larger arrangement. The prince’s land is not described vaguely. It is set “on the one side and on the other” of the holy offering and the possession of the city, so its position is tied to these central areas.
02East and west are both marked outThe verse then names direction and measurement. It speaks of “the twenty-five thousand of the offering” toward the east border and likewise toward the west border.
Explanation
The verse then names direction and measurement. It speaks of “the twenty-five thousand of the offering” toward the east border and likewise toward the west border. This makes the prince’s portion stretch alongside the portions on both sides. The wording highlights deliberate order, with boundaries and placement carefully stated rather than left uncertain.
03The holy offering and sanctuary are centralAt the end of verse 21, the passage says, “The holy offering and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the middle of it.”
Explanation
At the end of verse 21, the passage says, “The holy offering and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the middle of it.” The middle matters here. The prince’s land is described around a centre that includes what is holy and the sanctuary of the house. The focus stays on arrangement around this central holy place.
04The prince’s land is bordered by key possessionsVerse 22 adds more precision. It mentions the possession of the Levites and the possession of the city as being in the middle of what belongs to the prince.
Explanation
Verse 22 adds more precision. It mentions the possession of the Levites and the possession of the city as being in the middle of what belongs to the prince. It also places this area “between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin”. The prince’s portion is therefore framed by named groups and named borders.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the word “remainder” suggest about the prince’s portion in verse 21?
Look at how the prince’s land is presented as one defined part within a larger arrangement of holy offering, city possession, and other portions.
02Which places are said to be in the middle, and why is that important in the wording of this passage?
Notice that verse 21 places the holy offering and sanctuary in the middle, while verse 22 also speaks about the Levites’ possession and the city’s possession within the prince’s area.
03How does verse 22 make the prince’s portion more specific than verse 21 already has?
Compare the broader east-west description in verse 21 with the added references to the Levites, the city, Judah, and Benjamin in verse 22.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 48:21–22
21“The remainder shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy offering and of the possession of the city; in front of the twenty-five thousand of the offering toward the east border, and westward in front of the twenty-five thousand toward the west border, alongside the portions, it shall be for the prince. The holy offering and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the middle of it.
22Moreover, from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, being in the middle of that which is the prince’s, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the prince.