Albert Barnes Commentary Ezekiel 48:1

"Now these are the names of the tribes: From the north end, beside the way of Hethlon to the entrance of Hamath, Hazar-enan at the border of Damascus, northward beside Hamath, (and they shall have their sides east [and] west,) Dan, one [portion]." — Ezekiel 48:1 (ASV)

The distribution of the holy land is seen in detail throughout Ezekiel 48. The order of the original occupation by the tribes under Joshua is partly, but only partly, followed. It is a new order of things—and its ideal character is demonstrated, as elsewhere, by exact and equal measurements. From north to south, seven tribes succeed each other. Then comes a portion, separated as an offering to the Lord, subdivided into:

1. A northern portion for the Levites,
2. A central portion for the priests and the temple,
3. A southern portion for the city and those who serve it.

These three form a square, which does not occupy the whole breadth of the land but is flanked on either side, east and west, by portions assigned to the prince. Then follow, south of the city, five portions for the five remaining tribes—similar to those assigned to the seven. The Levites, the temple, and the city are thus guarded by Judah and Benjamin. These two tribes had throughout preserved their allegiance to the true sovereignty of Yahweh, and in this way, the plan expresses the presence of Yahweh among His people, summed up in the name of the city with which Ezekiel’s prophecy closes: the Lord is there.

The breadth of the portions is not given. However, since the exact breadth of the oblation was about 30 geographic miles (Ezekiel 45:1, note), and seven tribes were between the entrance of Hamath and the oblation, the “breadth of one portion” was about 17 geographic miles. The breadth of the Levites’ portion and of the priests’ portion was in each case about 15 geographic miles. Ain-el-Weibeh, if Kadesh (questionable, see Numbers 13:26), would be very nearly the southern border.

The general lines of existing features are followed with considerable fidelity, but adjustments are made to give the required symbolic expression. “Dan” originally had an allotment west of Benjamin but, having colonized and given its name to Laish in the north, was regarded as the most northern occupant of Canaan (Judges 18:29). “Zebulun and Issachar” are removed to the south to make room for the second half of “Manasseh,” brought over from the east of Jordan. “Reuben,” brought over from the east, is placed between “Ephraim and Judah.” “Benjamin” comes immediately south of the city, and “Gad” is brought over from the east to the extreme south.