The holy portion of the land just defined (Ezekiel 45:3) should be reserved for the priests the ministers of the sanctuary, i.e. of the inner court, who were privileged to draw near to Jehovah in altar ministrations (comp.
Ezekiel 44:15; Exodus 28:43; Exodus 30:20; Numbers 16:5, Numbers 16:40), as distinguished from the Levites, who were only" ministry of the house" (Ezekiel 45:5), i.e. guardian, of the temple and assistants in its outer court services.
As such this holy portion should serve the twofold purpose of providing- for the priests a place for their houses in which they might dwell, and an holy place for the sanctuary, in which they should minister.