On the west side, which is to be 4,500 cubits, three gates, the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher, and the gate of Naphtali.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's striking that the west side's gates are named after Gad, Asher, and Naphtali, tribes whose allotted lands in the original conquest were often on the fringes or faced significant challenges. This might suggest that even those on the edges, or those who've historically struggled, will find an open and honored place within God's perfected kingdom, demonstrating access for all.
On the west side, which is to be 4,500 cubits, three gates, the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher, and the gate of Naphtali.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is describing the meticulously planned future temple and city, detailing its dimensions and gates, which are named after tribes. This vision emphasizes order, sacredness, and a sense of completion, all pointing towards God's restored presence among His people. The final verses of the chapter, including this one, focus on the city's perimeter and its gates, highlighting accessibility from all directions, a symbol of God's universal invitation.
Imagine a city with gates on every side, welcoming people from all directions. Ezekiel's vision paints a picture of God's inclusive kingdom.
The city described in Ezekiel's vision is perfectly square, with gates on all four sides (north, east, south, and west). Each side has three gates, named after tribes of Israel. This symmetrical design with numerous gates signifies that God's people and His presence are accessible from everywhere.
Open Access, Not Exclusion
This isn't a city with secret entrances or exclusive clubs. The abundance of gates, named after tribes that historically had distinct territories, shows that people from every background and every part of the world are welcomed. It points to a future where God's people gather freely and openly.
Why name the gates after specific tribes? It's a reminder of God's faithfulness to His people, even as they are gathered into one new community.
The gates are named after the tribes of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali on the west side, just as other tribes would have gates on the other sides. This detail is significant for a few reasons:
Remembering God's Promises
These names represent the twelve tribes of Israel, to whom God made foundational promises. Naming the gates after them signifies that this redeemed community is built upon God's historical faithfulness and covenants with His people.
A New Unity
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While the tribes had distinct identities and territories, in this vision, they are unified. The gates named after them don't represent separate entrances for each tribe, but rather a unified entry point into God's perfected city, where their distinct heritage is honored within a greater whole.
Ezekiel's vision of the restored Temple and land, including the gates named after the tribes of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali on the west, offers a powerful message of hope and future restoration for a people facing the devastation of exile. The naming of the gates reflects a restored people, gathered from all directions, with open access to God's presence, a stark contrast to their current brokenness.
c. 593 BC
Ezekiel's First Vision
Ezekiel receives his initial, extensive vision of God's glory departing from the Jerusalem Temple, marking the beginning of his prophetic ministry during the Babylonian exile.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile a significant portion of the remaining population, a catastrophic event that deeply impacted Ezekiel's audience.
c. 571 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Final Vision
Ezekiel receives the detailed vision of the new Temple and the restored land, including its measurements and the placement of its gates, presented as a blueprint for a future hope.
c. 538 BC
Cyrus' Decree
The Persian king Cyrus allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, initiating the return phase after the Babylonian captivity.
c. 167-164 BC
Maccabean Revolt
The Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid rule led to the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple, a significant event in Jewish history that echoed themes of restoration and divine presence.
This passage describes the New Jerusalem with its twelve gates, three on each of the four sides, mirroring the city's structure and symbolizing open access for God's people from all directions.
Isaiah 2:2It prophesies that in the last days, people will stream to the Lord's mountain from all nations, reflecting the inclusive and accessible nature of God's kingdom symbolized by the gates in Ezekiel's vision.
Matthew 11:28Jesus' invitation to the weary and burdened highlights the open invitation and access to God's rest and kingdom for everyone who comes to Him.
John 10:9Jesus declares Himself as the 'gate' through which one must enter to be saved, emphasizing that access to God's presence and kingdom is solely through Him.
pooleEzekiel 48:34: "At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali."
No text from Poole on this verse.
gillEzekiel 48:34: "At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali."
At the west side four thousand and five hundred,.... Measures or reeds; so many were the length of this side; the same with north, south, and east, and made a foursquare; and such the city was, as the New Jerusalem is said to be, Revelation 21:16 , with their three gates: one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali; the situation of the…
It's striking that the west side's gates are named after Gad, Asher, and Naphtali, tribes whose allotted lands in the original conquest were often on the fringes or faced significant challenges. This might suggest that even those on the edges, or those who've historically struggled, will find an open and honored place within God's perfected kingdom, demonstrating access for all.
Ezekiel is describing the meticulously planned future temple and city, detailing its dimensions and gates, which are named after tribes. This vision emphasizes order, sacredness, and a sense of completion, all pointing towards God's restored presence among His people. The final verses of the chapter, including this one, focus on the city's perimeter and its gates, highlighting accessibility from all directions, a symbol of God's universal invitation.
Ezekiel is describing the meticulously planned future temple and city, detailing its dimensions and gates, which are named after tribes. This vision emphasizes order, sacredness, and a sense of completion, all pointing towards God's restored presence among His people. The final verses of the chapter, including this one, focus on the city's perimeter and its gates, highlighting accessibility from all directions, a symbol of God's universal invitation.
"On the west side, which is to be 4,500 cubits, three gates, the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher, and the gate of Naphtali." — It's striking that the west side's gates are named after Gad, Asher, and Naphtali, tribes whose allotted lands in the original conquest were often on the fringes or faced significant challenges. This…
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Last reviewed October 2026