The sanctuary of Jehovah was located in the midst of a 25,000-cubit-square “whole contribution” within the administrative strip. The remainder of the strip to the E and W of this square consisted of two portions for the chieftain. (Eze 48:20-22; see CHIEFTAIN.)

Thus, “the holy contribution” was actually 25,000 cubits E to W and 20,000 cubits N to S. It consisted of two 10,000-cubit-wide strips, one assigned to the priests and the other to the Levites. The remainder of the 25,000-cubit-square contribution was “something profane,” being used “for the city, for a dwelling place and for pasture ground.”​—Eze 48:10, 13-15, 18, 20, 21.