The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD Is There.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse doesn't just give a measurement; it announces a name change for the city, from whatever it was called before to "The LORD Is There." This isn't just a label, but a declaration that the Divine Presence will so fully inhabit this place that it defines its very identity, a profound shift from when God's presence had withdrawn.
The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD Is There.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter concludes Ezekiel's extensive vision of a restored Israel, detailing the division of the land and the structure of a new temple. The final verses zoom out to describe the city surrounding the temple, emphasizing its immense size and ultimately its profound significance. This vision culminates in the declaration that the city’s name will eternally reflect God's abiding presence.
The city's name isn't just a label; it's a declaration of God's ultimate purpose. What does it mean for a place—or a people—to be defined by God's presence?
Ezekiel 48:35 gives the city a profound name: "The LORD Is There." This isn't a mere nickname; it's the core identity of this divine dwelling place.
The Reality of His Presence
Throughout Scripture, God gives names that reveal His character and intentions. Think of Abraham, whose name was changed to signify his role as a father of nations, or the city of Luz being renamed Bethel, "House of God." Here, the city isn't just called 'The LORD Is There'; it is 'The LORD Is There.' This signifies a complete and permanent inhabitation by God's glory and presence.
A New Jerusalem
This name points beyond any earthly city, including the restored Jerusalem of Ezekiel's day. It foreshadows the ultimate reality described in Revelation, where God dwells fully with His redeemed people. It’s a promise that the divine presence, once withdrawn, will return and remain forever, making the very essence of His people 'The LORD Is There.'
Why is God's presence the ultimate glory for a city? What does it mean for His presence to be the source of its identity and protection?
The immense size of the city described in Ezekiel 48:35 (18,000 cubits in circumference) isn't just about physical dimensions. It speaks to the boundless nature of God's presence and the vastness of His redeemed community.
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Dwelling in Safety
The name 'The LORD Is There' is more than just a comforting thought; it's a declaration of security. When God inhabits a place, it becomes His own possession, protected and sustained by Him. His presence is the ultimate defense against any foe and the source of all provision and blessing.
From Withdrawal to Abiding
In the Old Testament, God's visible glory sometimes departed from Israel, particularly when sin entered. But this vision of 'The LORD Is There' signifies a permanent dwelling. It's a promise that God's favor and fellowship, once experienced, will never be withdrawn again, making the city a place of unending joy and peace.
Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of God in the Old Testament, representing His self-existence, eternal nature, and personal faithfulness to His people. It signifies the God who reveals Himself and enters into a relationship with humanity.
sham · Hebrew Adverb
The Hebrew word for 'there' (sham). When combined with the name of the Lord (Yahweh Shammah), it signifies the promise of God’s abiding, immanent presence among His people in the restored kingdom.
The name 'The LORD Is There' (Jehovah Shammah) for Ezekiel's envisioned city is a powerful contrast to the devastation of Jerusalem and the departure of God's visible glory described in earlier parts of his prophecy. It points beyond a mere rebuilding to a future where God's presence is not only restored but is the very essence of His people's identity.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens, including Ezekiel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Jewish exile and a period of national crisis.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, intensifying the exile and scattering of the Jewish people. This event profoundly impacts Ezekiel's prophecies of future restoration and divine presence.
c. 570 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Vision of the New Temple
Ezekiel receives a detailed vision of a restored Temple and a new city layout, symbolizing God's enduring presence and a future hope for his people.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, paving the way for the return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The Second Temple is dedicated in Jerusalem, a significant milestone in the return from exile, though it lacks the full glory of Solomon's Temple.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus, the 'God with us' (Immanuel), walks the earth, fulfilling prophecies of God's presence in a profound new way.
c. AD 70
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman legions destroy the Second Temple and Jerusalem, leading to further scattering and the end of the sacrificial system.
This passage echoes the idea of a renewed city with a new name that reflects God's presence and character, calling it 'the faithful city' and 'the city of righteousness'.
Jeremiah 3:17This verse speaks of a future time when God's throne will be in Jerusalem and it will be called 'the LORD's own possession,' directly linking God's dwelling place with the city's identity.
Zechariah 2:10Similar to Ezekiel's vision, Zechariah proclaims that God will 'dwell among you,' signifying His tangible presence within His people and His city.
John 1:14This New Testament passage describes Jesus, Immanuel (God with us), 'dwelling' among people, fulfilling the promise of God's presence in a profound and personal way.
Revelation 21:3This future vision directly parallels Ezekiel's 'The LORD is There' with the declaration that 'God himself shall be with them, and be their God,' highlighting the ultimate fulfillment of divine indwelling.
clarkeEzekiel 48:35: "It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there."
The name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there - It would have been better to have retained the original words: - יהוה שמה Yehovah Shammah. This is an allusion to the shechinah, or symbol of the Divine Presence, which was in the first, but most certainly was not in the second temple; but Ezekiel tells us that the Divine Presence should be in the cit…
jfbEzekiel 48:35: "It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there."
- Lord is there—Jehovah-Shammah. Not that the city will be called so in mere name, but that the reality will be best expressed by this descriptive title (Jer 3:17; 33:16; Zec 2:10; Re 21:3; 22:3).
This verse doesn't just give a measurement; it announces a name change for the city, from whatever it was called before to "The LORD Is There." This isn't just a label, but a declaration that the Divine Presence will so fully inhabit this place that it defines its very identity, a profound shift from when God's presence had withdrawn.
This chapter concludes Ezekiel's extensive vision of a restored Israel, detailing the division of the land and the structure of a new temple. The final verses zoom out to describe the city surrounding the temple, emphasizing its immense size and ultimately its profound significance. This vision culminates in the declaration that the city’s name will eternally reflect God's abiding presence.
This chapter concludes Ezekiel's extensive vision of a restored Israel, detailing the division of the land and the structure of a new temple. The final verses zoom out to describe the city surrounding the temple, emphasizing its immense size and ultimately its profound significance. This vision culminates in the declaration that the city’s name will eternally reflect God's abiding presence.
"The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD Is There.”" — This verse doesn't just give a measurement; it announces a name change for the city, from whatever it was called before to "The LORD Is There." This isn't just a label, but a declaration that the Div…
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Last reviewed October 2026