The Lord is calling for a holy district around the temple where the priests and their families will live (v1-6). Obviously this will be convenient in serving at the temple, but the fact that it was called a holy place, speaks of how this would help protect the temple from being contaminated by godlessness.

Another reason for this holy area for the priests was to protect them against what appears to have happened in the past, when they had been exploited by those who ruled (v7-9). The worship the Lord loves is worship that is accompanied by mercy and justice in our dealings with others.

The need for righteous living is further highlighted as the different measures to be used are laid down (v10-14). In life there can be an attitude of people seeing what they can get away with and seek that which advances themselves most. But the Lord always wants us to have fairness in our dealings with others.

In regards the offerings the people had responsibility (v15-16), but the prince had particular responsibility (v17). This is surely pointing forward to the great Prince of Peace who would provide the ultimate offering.