Now the prince will have the area bordering each side of the area formed by the holy district and the property of the city, extending westward from the western side and eastward from the eastern side, running lengthwise from the western boundary to the eastern boundary and parallel to one of the tribal portions.
God sets apart land for His sanctuary first, before the tribes receive their shares, because what is given to support worship and religion sanctifies the whole; it is the first-fruits that make the lump holy. The priests' portion is fixed and measured so the sanctuary cannot devour the rest of the land, teaching us that giving for God's work and the ministry's support is an act of piety that brings perpetual blessing.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 45:1-8
And a portion shall be for the prince,.... Meaning not the civil magistrate; though he ought to be supported in his dignity and authority, and in such manner that he may be under no temptation to oppress his subjects; and who ought to be, and at this time will be, the protector of the Lord's people, both in their civil and church state; but the...
The prince's possession is to consist of two halves, one on the west, the other on the east, of the sacred territory. The prince, as head of the holy community, stands in closest connection with the sanctuary; his possession, therefore, on both sides must adjoin that which was peculiarly the Lord's [FAIRBAIRN].