Yahweh Shammah

Ezekiel 48 completes the allotment of the land. Unlike Joshua's irregular tribal borders, these are equal, parallel bands running east to west. Dan is placed farthest north and Gad farthest south, with seven tribes above the holy district and five below. Tribes descended from Jacob's servant wives are placed at the edges, yet every tribe receives an equal share.

At the center lay the holy district, about twenty-five thousand reeds square. The sanctuary was in the middle of the priests' portion; the Levites' portion lay beside it; then came the city with its common land, worked by people from all the tribes. The prince's land flanked the district on both sides, so he would never again need to seize the people's land.

The city's twelve gates bore the names of the twelve tribes, showing that the city belonged to all Israel. The book closes with the city's name: Yahweh Shammah, Yahweh is there. Ezekiel began with exile and the glory departing in chapters 10 and 11; it ends with God's permanent presence. In the New Testament, Revelation 21:12 describes the holy city with twelve gates bearing the names of the twelve tribes.