יחזקאל, פרק מ״ה, פסוק ב׳

Within the vast tract of land set aside as a holy portion, a central section is specifically dedicated to the Temple Mount. The primary approach among commentators is that this designated space is carved out from the total land offering strictly for the Temple, while the remaining territory is reserved for building homes for the priests [רש"י].

The sacred Temple complex itself measures exactly five hundred by five hundred units, forming a perfect square. These units of measurement are understood to be reeds [רש"י, מלבי"ם]. To picture the exact placement of the Temple Mount within the broader holy district, [רד"ק] provides a geographical calculation. Once the central square is established, the remaining land stretches out unevenly: twelve thousand two hundred and fifty measures are left to both the east and the west, while four thousand seven hundred and fifty measures remain to the north and the south.

Surrounding the immediate wall of the Temple Mount is an additional perimeter. This border is an open space measuring exactly fifty cubits wide on all four sides [מצודת דוד, מלבי"ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This perimeter is meant to be kept completely clear and empty, meaning no crops may be sown and no trees may be grown within its bounds [מצודת ציון].