Introduction to Ezekiel 45

This chapter of Ezekiel is referring to the Holy District, which in earthly terms is seen in the picture below, highlighted in yellow. This area is about 10 miles x 10 miles square [100 square miles]. In the following verses of this chapter, details will be given of what is found in the Holy District. The Jerusalem of today [48 square miles] is in the same spot as the Holy District shown on the map. In a sense, the Holy District is the capital city over all the other twelve states, [the land of each Twelve Tribes of Israel]. Just like Jerusalem of today is the capital city over all the land of Israel.

To the north and south of the Holy District, you can see the names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the plots of land that were given to them. Those plots of land are known as the “Tribal portions.” You will notice that the Tribe of Levi does not have a portion of land like the other tribes. Before Jesus Christ, the Levites were specifically designated as the priests of the Israelites, and they lived within a plot of land within the Holy District [yellow square]. “But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as He had said to them.” Joshua 13:33 That is also said in Ezekiel 44:28.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel are named after the twelve sons of Jacob, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel “And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel…” Genesis 32:28 His twelve sons are, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. From the previous paragraph, we know why the Levites are not shown with a plot of land among the Twelve Tribes of Israel, but what about Joseph? And why are the names Manasseh and Ephraim included among the Twelve Tribes that inherited a plot of land?

Joseph was one of the original twelve sons of Jacob/Israel, so why isn’t he mentioned among the original Twelve Tribes of Israel when the inheritance of land was given? Joseph died before entering the earthly promised land and did not receive a plot of land. However, Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, were given his inheritance of land. Jacob said this to Joseph, “And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. Your offspring whom you beget after them shall be yours; they will be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance.” Genesis 48:5-6

Manasseh and Ephraim inherited a plot of land among the Twelve tribes in the name of Joseph, and as the adopted sons of Jacob/Israel. Therefore, there were twelve original sons of Israel who inherited land, minus Joseph and Levi, which became 10, plus the addition of Manasseh and Ephraim which makes 12.