Ezekiel 48:31
New International Version
the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. The three gates on the north side will be the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah and the gate of Levi.

New Living Translation
there will be three gates, each one named after a tribe of Israel. The first will be named for Reuben, the second for Judah, and the third for Levi.

English Standard Version
three gates, the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi, the gates of the city being named after the tribes of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. On the north side there will be three gates: the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi.

King James Bible
And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.

New King James Version
(the gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel), the three gates northward: one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, and one gate for Levi;

New American Standard Bible
shall be the gates of the city, named for the tribes of Israel, three gates toward the north: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; and the gate of Levi, one.

NASB 1995
shall be the gates of the city, named for the tribes of Israel, three gates toward the north: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one.

NASB 1977
shall be the gates of the city, named for the tribes of Israel, three gates toward the north: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one.

Legacy Standard Bible
“And the gates of the city shall be named for the tribes of Israel, three gates toward the north: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one.

Amplified Bible
there shall also be gates of the city, named after the names of the tribes of Israel, three gates toward the north: one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.

Christian Standard Bible
there will be three gates facing north, the gates of the city being named for the tribes of Israel: one, the gate of Reuben; one, the gate of Judah; and one, the gate of Levi.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
there will be three gates facing north, the gates of the city being named for the tribes of Israel: one, the gate of Reuben; one, the gate of Judah; and one, the gate of Levi.

American Standard Version
and the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel, three gates northward: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one.

English Revised Version
and the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel; three gates northward: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. The three gates on the north side will be Reuben Gate, Judah Gate, and Levi Gate.

International Standard Version
are to be the gates of the city. Named after the tribes of Israel, three gates are to serve the north site: one named the Reuben Gate, one named the Judah Gate, and one named the Levi Gate.

Majority Standard Bible
the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. On the north side there will be three gates: the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi.

NET Bible
the gates of the city will be named for the tribes of Israel; there will be three gates to the north: one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, and one gate for Levi.

New Heart English Bible
and the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel, three gates northward: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.

World English Bible
and 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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the gates of the city [are] according to the names of the tribes of Israel; three gates northward—one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.

Young's Literal Translation
And the gates of the city are according to the names of the tribes of Israel; three gates northward: the gate of Reuben one, the gate of Judah one, the gate of Levi one.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the gates of the city for the names of the tribes of Israel, three gates north; the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the gates of the city according to the names of the tribes of Israel, three gates on the north side, the gate of Ruben one, the gate of Juda one, the gate of Levi one.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the gates of the city shall be according to the names of the tribes of Israel. There shall be three gates from the north: the gate of Reuben one, the gate of Judah one, the gate of Levi one.

New American Bible
the gates are named after the tribes of Israel—on the north, three gates: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; and the gate of Levi, one.

New Revised Standard Version
three gates, the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi, the gates of the city being named after the tribes of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates on the north side; one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, one gate for Levi.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the gates of the city by the names of the tribes of the children of Israel: on the north, three gates: one of Rubil and one of Yehuda and one of Levi
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel; three gates northward: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; the gate of Ruben, one, and the gate of Juda, one, and the gate of Levi, one.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The City Gates and Dimensions
30“These will be the exits of the city: Beginning on the north side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, 31the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. On the north side there will be three gates: the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi. 32On the east side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, there will be three gates: the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin, and the gate of Dan.…

Cross References
Revelation 21:12
The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve angels at the gates.

Numbers 2:3-31
On the east side, toward the sunrise, the divisions of Judah are to camp under their standard: The leader of the Judahites is Nahshon son of Amminadab, / and his division numbers 74,600. / The tribe of Issachar will camp next to it. The leader of the Issacharites is Nethanel son of Zuar, ...

Genesis 49:1-28
Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather around so that I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come: / Come together and listen, O sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel. / Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. ...

Revelation 7:4-8
And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel: / From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, / from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, ...

Joshua 13:1-7
Now Joshua was old and well along in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and well along in years, but very much of the land remains to be possessed. / This is the land that remains: All the territory of the Philistines and the Geshurites, / from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites; ...

Numbers 34:13-29
So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes. / For the tribes of the Reubenites and Gadites, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh, have already received their inheritance. / These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.” ...

Joshua 18:1-10
Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them, / there were still seven tribes of Israel who had not yet received their inheritance. / So Joshua said to the Israelites, “How long will you put off entering and possessing the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you? ...

1 Chronicles 2:1-2
These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, / Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

Deuteronomy 33:6-25
Let Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few.” / And concerning Judah he said: “O LORD, hear the cry of Judah and bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause, but may You be a help against his foes.” / Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah. ...

Revelation 21:13
There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west.

Numbers 1:5-16
These are the names of the men who are to assist you: From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; / from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai; / from Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab; ...

Joshua 19:1-51
The second lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Simeon: Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah / and included Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah, / Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, ...

1 Kings 18:31
And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.”

Revelation 7:9
After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

Numbers 26:5-51
Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben: The Hanochite clan from Hanoch, the Palluite clan from Pallu, / the Hezronite clan from Hezron, and the Carmite clan from Carmi. / These were the clans of Reuben, and their registration numbered 43,730. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.

Isaiah 26:1,2
In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks…

Isaiah 54:12
And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.

Isaiah 60:11
Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.

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Ezekiel 48
1. The portions of the twelve tribes;
8. of the sanctuary;
15. of the city and suburbs;
21. and of the prince.
23. The portions of the twelve tribes.
30. The dimensions and gates of the city.














the gates of the city
The phrase "the gates of the city" refers to the entrances of the New Jerusalem, as envisioned by the prophet Ezekiel. In ancient times, city gates were not only physical entry points but also places of judgment, commerce, and social interaction. They symbolized access and authority. In the context of Ezekiel's vision, these gates represent the entry into the divine presence and the community of God's people. The Hebrew word for "gates" is "שַׁעַר" (sha'ar), which often signifies a place of decision and transition. Spiritually, this can be seen as an invitation to enter into a deeper relationship with God, where one moves from the outside world into a sacred space.

will be named
The act of naming in the Bible is significant, often denoting ownership, character, or destiny. In this context, the naming of the gates signifies a divine order and purpose. The Hebrew root "קָרָא" (qara) means to call or proclaim. This suggests that the names are not arbitrary but are divinely appointed, reflecting God's sovereign plan for His people. It is a reminder that God knows each tribe intimately and has a specific place and role for them in His eternal kingdom.

after the tribes of Israel
The twelve tribes of Israel, originating from the sons of Jacob, represent the fullness of God's covenant people. Each tribe had its unique identity and role within the nation of Israel. By naming the gates after the tribes, Ezekiel emphasizes the continuity of God's promises and the inclusion of all His people in the eschatological vision. Historically, the tribes were central to the identity and organization of Israel, and their mention here underscores the restoration and unity of God's people. This reflects the biblical theme of God gathering His scattered people and restoring them to their rightful place in His divine order. It is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant and His desire for all His people to dwell with Him eternally.

Verses 31-34. - The gates of the city. These should be twelve in number, three on each side, and named after the twelve tribes (comp. Revelation 21:12). The gates leading northward should be those of Reuben, Judah, and Levi, all children of Leah (Genesis 29:32, 35), as Keil observes, "the firstborn in age, the firstborn by virtue of the patriarchal blessing, and the one chosen by Jehovah for his own service in the place of the firstborn." The same three occupy the first three places and in the same order in the blessing of Moses (Deuteronomy 33:6-8). Towards the east should lead the gates of Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan, the first and second sons of Rachel, and the third a son of Rachel's handmaid (Genesis 30:6, 24; Genesis 35:18). In the blessing of Moses Benjamin precedes Joseph (Deuteronomy 33:12, 13). The south gates receive the names of Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun, again all sons of Leah. The west gates are those of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali, that is, two sons of Leah's handmaid and one of Rachel's. It is observable that in the naming of the gates Levi resumes his place among the tribes, which necessitates the substitution of Joseph the original tribe-father instead of Ephraim and Manasseh his two sons. (On the phrase, one gate of Judah, literally, the gate of Judah one, see on ver. 1.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the gates
וְשַׁעֲרֵ֣י (wə·ša·‘ă·rê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

of the city
הָעִ֗יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

will be named
שְׁמוֹת֙ (šə·mō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8034: A name

after the tribes
שִׁבְטֵ֣י (šiḇ·ṭê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

On the north side
צָפ֑וֹנָה (ṣā·p̄ō·w·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

[there will be] three
שְׁלוֹשָׁ֖ה (šə·lō·wō·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

gates:
שְׁעָרִ֥ים (šə·‘ā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

the gate
שַׁ֣עַר (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

of Reuben,
רְאוּבֵ֞ן (rə·’ū·ḇên)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7205: Reuben -- 'behold a son!' oldest son of Jacob, also his desc

the gate
שַׁ֤עַר (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

of Judah,
יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and
אֶחָֽד׃ (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

the gate
שַׁ֥עַר (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

of Levi.
לֵוִ֖י (lê·wî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3878: Levi -- a son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 48:31 And the gates of the city shall (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 48:30
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