Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 40:5
And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man’s hand a measuring reed of six cubits [long] by the cubit and a handbreadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.
5. A wall surrounded the whole temple buildings (Eze 42:20). This wall was a reed broad or thick and a reed high. The reed was six cubits, each cubit being a cubit and a handbreadth, i.e. a handbreadth larger than the lesser cubit in use. This larger cubit was probably about 18 inches, and the reed 9 feet. Others, the Egyp. ell, 20 in.
by the cubit and ] Six cubits long, each of one cubit and, &c.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The boundary wall of the temple-courts. See Plan II.
A wall on the outside of the house – The wall enclosing the courts in which were the entrance gates.
By the cubit and an hand breadth – The Jews first used a cubit of fifteen inches, applying it principally to the vessels and furniture of the temple; next a cubit of eighteen inches (a hand-breadth longer than the former cubit); and lastly, after the captivity, the Babylonian cubit of twenty-one inches (a hand-breadth more). In the temple measurements they used only the cubit of eighteen inches; hence, the cubit and hand-breadth is the cubit of eighteen inches.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 5. A measuring reed of six cubits long] The Hebrew cubit is supposed to be about twenty and a half inches; and a palm, about three inches more; the length of the rod about ten feet six inches.
The breadth-one reed; and the height, one reed.] As this wall was as broad as it was high, it must have been a kind of parapet, which was carried, of the same dimensions, all round the temple. See AAAA in the plan. Eze 48:35
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
A wall: this was that outmost wall, which did encompass the whole ground on which the temple stood, and the courts that belonged to the temple; a wall that encompassed the whole Mount Zion, upon whose top the temple stood.
On the outside: this passage clears which wall it was, viz. the outermost of three, which the floor of the temple and the mount was encircled with.
Of the house; house of God, the temple, as Eze 10:4; 2Ch 2:1,5.
In the mans hand: the prophet is called to see and hear, but the standard is not put into his hand: Christ who is this man, hath and keeps the reed in his own hand, as the only fit person to take the measures of all.
Reed, or cane, for this measuring rod or staff was of those canes growing in that country, straight, long, and light, and which architects did make use of.
Of six cubits long; each cubit consisting of eighteen inches in our common account; and though there is much wrangling about the exact dimensions of this cubit, I will not intermeddle with the dispute, it was about one Roman foot and half, which comes very near to our English foot and half, or eighteen inches, or one half-yard.
An hand breadth, added to each six cubits, not, as some have supposed, to each cubit.
The breadth; the thickness of the walls, which were one reed and one hands breadth, or three yards and three inches, thick.
The height; and the height equal, taking the measure, not from the bottom of the wall in the valley on the outside, which was of different height, as the valley was of different depth, but taking the measure from the area, or floor, on the inside of the wall, it was in the whole circuit of equal height, as here.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. Measures were mostly takenfrom the human body. The greater cubit, the length from theelbow to the end of the middle finger, a little more than two feet:exceeding the ordinary cubit (from the elbow to the wrist) byan hand-breadth, that is, twenty-one inches in all. Compare Eze 43:13;Eze 40:5. The palm was thefull breadth of the hand, three and a half inches.
breadth of the buildingthatis, the boundary wall. The imperfections in the old temple’s boundarywall were to have no place here. The buildings attached to it hadbeen sometimes turned to common uses; for example, Jeremiah wasimprisoned in one (Jer 20:2;Jer 29:26). But now all thesewere to be holy to the Lord. The gates and doorways to the city ofGod were to be imprinted in their architecture with the idea of theexclusion of everything defiled (Re21:27). The east gate was to be especially sacred, as it wasthrough it the glory of God had departed (Eze11:23), and through it the glory was to return (Eze 43:1;Eze 43:2; Eze 44:2;Eze 44:3).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And behold, a wall on the outside of the house round about,…. The first thing that presents itself to the view of the prophet, after the sight of the architect or chief builder, is a wall encompassing this strange and wondrous building; which was like the frame of a city, as before observed: this wall was five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad; see Eze 42:20, now this wall was both for separation and protection; that it was for separation is certain from Eze 42:20, it was to separate between the sanctuary land the profane place; that is, between the church and the world: the people of God were always a distinct and separate people; they were so from eternity, are so in time, and will be so to all eternity; they were distinguished from others by the everlasting love, of God; by his eternal choice of them, and taking them into the covenant of his grace, in consequence of it; and by the redeeming grace of Christ, who has redeemed them out of every kindred, people, and nation; and by the efficacious grace of God, in the effectual calling, by which they are separated from the world, and become a distinct people from them; and so they will be in the resurrection morn, and in the day of judgment, and in heaven for evermore: and what separates and distinguishes them is not any native goodness in them, nor any good thing done by them; but the purpose and grace of God, like a wall built firm and sure; not upon the works of men, but the will of God; and is unalterable and eternal; a wall that can never be battered down: it is this by which the church is enclosed as a vineyard and garden, to which it is sometimes compared, because separate and distinct from the waste, common, and field of the world; as here to a building encompassed by a wall, and divided from it: the church of Christ in all ages does or should consist of persons gathered out of the world, separated from it by the grace of God; but in the latter day it will more visibly appear to consist of such: it will be openly distinguished from the world, by the purity of its doctrines; by the faithful administration of ordinances; strictness of its discipline, and by the holy lives of the members of it; these, by the grace of God, will be a wall of separation round about it, to keep out profane persons and things; moreover, a wail is for protection, preservation, and safety; and such a wall the Lord himself will be to his people; he will be round about them, on their side, and on every side of them: yea, a wall of fire to enlighten, warm, and comfort them, and to consume their enemies, Zec 2:5 he will be a wall about his church in his love to them, with which he encompasses them; and which is built, not on their loveliness, love, or obedience, but upon his sovereign will and pleasure; and the dimensions of which, its length, breadth, height, and depth, are unmeasurable: it is a wall impregnable; it can never be broken down, and secures from all enemies whatever; and so he will be in his power, by which his saints are kept as persons in a garrison, or any fortified place well walled about, and which is invincible; to which may be added salvation by Jesus Christ, which will be for the walls and bulwarks of the city and church of God in the latter day, to which belong the prophecies in Isa 26:1, which salvation flows from the love of God; is secured by his purpose; established in his covenant; wrought out by Christ, and is an everlasting one; and is the firm security and safety of his church and people now, hereafter, and to all eternity:
and in the man’s hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit, and an hand breadth; as in Eze 40:3 and this being the measure used in taking the dimensions of the whole building, it was proper it should be explained what it was, before they are taken, and the account given: it consisted of six cubits; but then as these differ, there being a common cubit, and a sacred or royal one, it was necessary it should be clearly pointed at, as it is; by observing that these cubits were to be understood of a cubit and a hand’s breadth; the common cubit were eighteen inches, a foot and a half, or half a yard; and a hand’s breadth were three inches; so that this measure consisted of three yards and a half. Some indeed are of opinion that the hand’s breadth is to be added only to the six cubits, and not to each of them; but the text is clear and express that these cubits were by or according to a cubit and a hand’s breadth. So the Targum paraphrases it,
“and in the man’s hand measuring reeds, one of which was six cubits by a cubit, which is a cubit and a hand’s breadth;”
and this is confirmed by what is said in Eze 43:13,
the cubit is a cubit and a hand’s breadth; to which may be added, that such was the royal cubit at Babylon, where Ezekiel now was, according to Herodotus q; who says,
“the royal cubit is larger by three fingers than that which was usually measured with, or the common cubit;”
in this way Jarchi and Kimchi understand it; though they make the common cubit to be but five hands’ breadth, or fifteen inches, and this six hands’ breadth, or eighteen inches: what this mystically signifies,
[See comments on Eze 40:3],
so he measured the breadth of the building one reed, and the height one reed; not of the whole building of the house or temple, but of the wall before mentioned; the breadth or thickness of which was one reed, or three yards and a half; and the height of it was the same; denoting the great security, safe protection, and strong defence of the church of God.
q Clio, sive l. 1. c. 178.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The Surrounding Wall
And, behold, a wall (ran) on the outside round the house; and in the man’s hand was the measuring rod of six cubits, each a cubit and a handbreadth; and he measured the breadth of the building a rod, and the height a rod. – The description of the temple (for, according to what follows, is the house of Jehovah) (cf. Eze 43:7) commences with the surrounding wall of the outer court, whose breadth (i.e., thickness) and height are measured (see the illustration, Plate I a a a a), the length of the measuring rod having first been given by way of parenthesis. This was six cubits (sc., measured) by the cubit and handbreadth – that is to say, six cubits, each of which was of the length of a (common) cubit and a handbreadth (cf. Eze 43:13); in all, therefore, six cubits and six handbreadths. The ordinary or common cubit, judging from the statement in 2Ch 3:3, that the measure of Solomon’s temple was regulated according to the earlier measure, had become shorter in the course of time than the old Mosaic or sacred cubit. Fro the new temple, therefore, the measure is regulated according to a longer cubit, in all probability according to the old sacred cubit of the Mosaic law, which was a handbreadth longer than the common cubit according to the passage before us, or seven handbreadths of the ordinary cubit. , the masonry, is the building of the wall, which was one rod broad, i.e., thick, and the same in height. The length of this wall is not given, and can only be learned from the further description of the whole wall (see the comm. on Eze 40:27).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| The Vision of the Temple. | B. C. 574. |
5 And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man’s hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and a hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed. 6 Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad. 7 And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed. 8 He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed. 9 Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits; and the porch of the gate was inward. 10 And the little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side; they three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side. 11 And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits. 12 The space also before the little chambers was one cubit on this side, and the space was one cubit on that side: and the little chambers were six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side. 13 He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door. 14 He made also posts of threescore cubits, even unto the post of the court round about the gate. 15 And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face of the porch of the inner gate were fifty cubits. 16 And there were narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and windows were round about inward: and upon each post were palm trees. 17 Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement. 18 And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement. 19 Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, a hundred cubits eastward and northward. 20 And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof. 21 And the little chambers thereof were three on this side and three on that side; and the posts thereof and the arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits. 22 And their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them. 23 And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from gate to gate a hundred cubits. 24 After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof and the arches thereof according to these measures. 25 And there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits. 26 And there were seven steps to go up to it, and the arches thereof were before them: and it had palm trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof.
The measuring-reed which was in the hand of the surveyor-general was mentioned before, v. 3. Here we are told (v. 5) what was the exact length of it, which must be observed, because the house was measured by it. It was six cubits long, reckoning, not by the common cubit, but the cubit of the sanctuary, the sacred cubit, by which it was fit that this holy house should be measured, and that was a hand-breadth (that it, four inches) longer than the common cubit: the common cubit was eighteen inches, this twenty-two, see ch. xliii. 13. Yet some of the critics contend that this measuring-reed was but six common cubits in length, and one handbreadth added to the whole. The former seems more probable. Here is an account,
I. Of the outer wall of the house, which encompassed it round, which was three yards thick and three yards high, which denotes the separation between the church and the world on every side and the divine protection which the church is under. If a wall of this vast thickness will not secure it, God himself will be a wall of fire round about it; whoever attack it will do so at their peril.
II. Of the several gates with the chambers adjoining to them. Here is no mention of the outer court of all, which was called the court of the Gentiles, some think because in gospel-times there should be such a vast confluence of Gentiles to the church that their court should be left unmeasured, to signify that the worshippers in that court should be unnumbered, Rev 7:9; Rev 7:11; Rev 7:12.
1. He begins with the east gate, because that was the usual way of entering into the lower end of the temple, the holy of holies being at the west end, in opposition to the idolatrous heathen that worshipped towards the east. Now, in the account of this gate, observe, (1.) That he went up to it by stairs (v. 6), for the gospel-church was exalted above that of the Old Testament, and when we go to worship God we must ascend; so is the call, Rev. iv. 1. Come up hither. Sursum corda–Up with your hearts. (2.) That the chambers adjoining to the gates were but little chambers, about ten feet square, v. 7. These were for those to lodge in who attended the service of the house. And it becomes such as are made spiritual priests to God to content themselves with little chambers and not to seek great things to themselves; so that we may but have a place within the verge of God’s court we have reason to be thankful though it be in a little chamber, a mean apartment, though we be but door-keepers there. (3.) The chambers, as they were each of them four-square, denoting their stability and due proportion and their exact agreement with the rule (for they were each of them one reed long and one reed broad), so they were all of one measure, that there might be an equality among the attendants on the service of the house. (4.) The chambers were very many; for in our Father’s house there are many mansions (John xiv. 2), in his house above, and in that here on earth. In the secret of his tabernacle shall those be hid, and in a safe pavilion, whose desire is to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of their life, Psa 27:4; Psa 27:5. Some make these chambers to represent the particular congregations of believers, which are parts of the great temple, the universal church, which are, and must be, framed by the scripture-line and rule, and which Jesus Christ takes the measure of, that is, takes cognizance of, for he walks in the midst of the seven golden candle-sticks. (5.) It is said (v. 14), He made also the posts. He that now measured them was the same that made them; for Christ is the builder of his church and therefore is best able to give us the knowledge of it. And his reducing them to the rule and standard is called his making them, for no account is made of them further than they agree with that. To the law and to the testimony. (6.) Here are posts of sixty cubits, which, some think, was literally fulfilled when Cyrus, in his edict for rebuilding the temple at Jerusalem, ordered that the height thereof should be sixty cubits, that is, thirty yards and more, Ezra vi. 3. (7.) Here were windows to the little chambers, and windows to the posts and arches (that is, to the cloisters below), and windows round about (v. 16), to signify the light from heaven with which the church is illuminated; divine revelation is let into it for instruction, direction, and comfort, to those that dwell in God’s house, light to work by, light to walk by, light to see themselves and one another by. There were lights to the little chambers; even the least, and least considerable, parts and members of the church, shall have light afforded them. All thy children shall be taught of the Lord. But they are narrow windows, as those in the temple, 1 Kings vi. 4. The discoveries made to the church on earth are but narrow and scanty compared with what shall be in the future state, when we shall no longer see through a glass darkly. (8.) Divers courts are here spoken of, an outermost of all, then an outer court, then an inner, and then the innermost of all, into which the priests only entered, which (some think) may put us in mind “of the diversities of gifts, and graces, and offices, in the several members of Christ’s mystical body here, as also of the several degrees of glory in the courts and mansions of heaven, as there are stars in several spheres and stars of several magnitudes in the fixed firmament.” English Annotations. Some draw nearer to God than others and have a more intimate acquaintance with divine things; but to a child of God a day in any of his courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. These courts had porches, or piazzas, round them, for the shelter of those that attended in them from wind and weather; for when we are in the way of our duty to God we may believe ourselves to be under his special protection, that he will graciously provide for us, nay, that he will himself be to us a covert from the storm and tempest,Isa 4:5; Isa 4:6. (9.) On the posts were palm-trees engraven (v. 16), to signify that the righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree in the courts of God’s house, Ps. xcii. 12. The more they are depressed with the burden of affliction the more strongly do they grow, as they say of the palm-trees. It likewise intimates the saints’ victory and triumph over their spiritual enemies; they have palms in their hands (Rev. vii. 9); but lest they should drop these, or have them snatched out of their hands, they are here engraven upon the posts of the temple as perpetual monuments of their honour. Thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph. Nay, believers shall themselves be made pillars in the temple of our God, and shall go no more out, and shall have his name engraven on them, which will be their brightest ornament and honour, Rev. iii. 12. (10.) Notice is here taken of the pavement of the court, Eze 40:17; Eze 40:18. The word intimates that the pavement was made of porphyry–stone, which was of the colour of burning coals; for the brightest and most sparkling glories of this world should be put and kept under our feet when we draw near to God and are attending upon him. The stars are, as it were, the burning coals, or stones of a fiery colour, with which the pavement of God’s celestial temple is laid; and, if the pavement of the court be so bright and glittering, how glorious must we conclude the mansions of that house to be!
2. The gates that looked towards the north (v. 20) and towards the south (v. 24), with their appurtenances, are much the same with that towards the east, after the measure of the first gate, v. 21. But the description is repeated very particularly. And thus largely was the structure of the tabernacle related in Exodus, and of the temple in the books of Kings and Chronicles, to signify the special notice God does take, and his ministers should take, of all that belong to his church. His delight is in them; his eye is upon them. He knows all that are his, all his living temples and all that belongs to them. Observe, (1.) This temple had not only a gate towards the east, to let into it the children of the east, that were famous for their wealth and wisdom, but it had a gate to the north, and another to the south, for the admission of the poorer and less civilized nations. The new Jerusalem has twelve gates, three towards each quarter of the world (Rev. xxi. 13); for many shall come from all parts to sit down there, Matt. viii. 11. (2.) To those gates they went up by steps, seven steps (v. 22-26), which, as some observe, may remind us of the necessity of advancing in grace and holiness, adding one grace to another, going from step to step, from strength to strength, still pressing forward towards perfection–upward, upward, towards heaven, the temple above.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
A VISION OF THE FUTURE TEMPLE
Verses 5-43:
Verse 5 describes a wall on the outside, encircling the house. In the man’s hand before the building, v. 3, there was a measuring reed of six cubits length, by the cubit and an hand breadth. He measured the breadth of the building and found it to be one reed and the height to be one reed; The reed was about 12 feet in length. Thus it appears that the walls were some twelve feet high and twelve feet thick, so that a chariot might be driven upon the walls. Each of these cubits was 18 inches and an handbreath making it a long cubit of two feet in length, as also used Eze 43:13.
Verse 6 recounts the man of the vision with the architect’s reed’s actions. He came to the east gate steps leading up to the gate, and went up the stairs and measured the threshold of the east gate entrance, and it was one reed or twelve feet both in breadth and in height. It was to keep out anything that might defile the city, a most sacred gate. Through it the glory of the Lord departed from Israel, and to rough it the glory of Israel is to return.
Verse 7 further describes the approach to the temple from without, passing through the east gate entrance, from which a covered porch of some 20 feet width led to the temple. Around and attached to the temple were chambers where Levites, keepers or guards of the temple resided and deposited utensils and musical instruments. The chambers were some twelve feet square and twelve feet high. The chambers were some ten feet apart for purposes of privacy, 1Ch 9:18; 1Ch 9:26-27; 2Ki 22:4.
Verse 8 states that the man measured the porch of the gate within, within the outer walls of the city from the east, but extending outward from the chambers around the outer part of the temple to the east. The porch was one reed or some 12 feet in outward extension, from the guard chambers, without the temple.
Verse 9 describes the measurement of the covered porch that extended to the temple from the eastern gate. The porch was eight cubits or 16 feet, and the posts two cubits or four feet in width, evidently forming column walkways, from the east gate into the temple.
Verse 10 adds that the little chambers were three on each side of the pathway that led to the temple. And all six chambers were of identical size, appearance, and construction, as well as the posts on either side of the entrance to each, 1Ch 26:12-13; Neh 13:5; Neh 13:9; Neh 13:12-13; Isa 26:20; Jer 35:2.
Verse 11 continues a disclosure of the dimension of the measurements of the breadth of the temple entry as ten cubits (long cubits) or 20 feet. And the length or heights of the gate that was extended to cover the gate entrance was 13 cubits, or 26 feet.
Verse 12 explains that between or before the chambers there was a one cubit passage way, left solely for the chamber guards to keep guard or occupy, where the people could not walk, on their way to or about the temple area, Eze 27:4; Eze 43:13; Eze 43:17; Eze 19:12.
Verses 13, 14 describe measurements and dimensions of gates or passage from the roof of one little chamber to another, as 25 cubits. There were also posts of 60 cubits encircling the temple to the court round about the gate, Psa 65:4; Psa 84:2; Psa 84:4; Psa 100:4; Isa 54:2; Isa 60:8-9; Isa 62:9. Windows were of lattice work.
Verses 15,16 state that the distance from the east gate entrance, to the face or front of the inner gate, as fifty cubits. There were narrow or latticed windows to each little chamber, and to the posts within the gates, and to the arches. There too were palm trees carved upon each post, within the entrance to the temple, 1Ki 6:4. The chambers were places of lodging for the priests, and receptacles for the tithes, salt, wine, and oil.
Verses 17, 18 disclose that the Lord brought Ezekiel, in vision, into the outward court of the temple proper, where there were 30 chambers and a mosaic pavement surrounding them, Eze 10:1; Rev 11:2; 1Ki 6:5; Eze 45:5; 1Ch 28:12; Mal 3:10. The higher pavement was level with the gate entrances; the lower pavement was on either side of the raised, higher pavement. In this temple there was to be no room for human corruption, as in Solomon’s temple, 2Ki 23:11-12; 2Ch 20:5; This lower fine pavement of 100 cubits was to be walked on, only by clean feet, Isa 35:8. This was the sacred area or temporary quarters for the officiating priests.
Verses 19, 20 give the layout and dimensions of the temple approach and exit, from the forefront of the lower gate, to the forefront of the inner gate without, as an hundred cubits both to the east and north gates.
Verses 21, 22 assert that the outer chambers, posts, and arches of the porches to the north gate were identical with those before or within the east gate. Their windows, arches, and palm trees were also identical with those of the east gate; And they went up to the north gate from without by seven steps, directly before the arched walkway within, 2Ch 3:5; Rev 7:9. No building of 30 chambers was on the north however.
Verse 23 adds that the inner court gate toward the north was located, by measure of distance, 100 cubits from the gate to the east, Exo 27:9; Exo 27:18; Exo 38:9; Exo 38:12.
Verses 24, 25 recounts that the reed-measuring man, building architect of the vision led Ezekiel next to the south side of the temple area. There he was shown the south gate which he also measured with her posts and arches. There were identical windows in this gate of the south and in the arches around about it, with a length of 50 cubits and a breadth of 25 cubits, as further described at length 1Ki 6:4; 1Ki 7:4; Psa 36:9; Isa 54:12; Isa 60:1; Mat 4:16; Luk 1:79; Joh 1:4; Joh 3:19; Joh 8:12; Joh 9:5; Joh 12:46; 1Co 13:12; 2Pe 1:19; 1Jn 2:8-9.
Verses 26, 27 describe the entrance to the south gate as an approach with seven steps, the same as the north gate, with palm trees on either side of the posts, with a gate in the inner court, the distance of one hundred cubits from the east gate, the same distance as that of the north gate from the east gate, v. 23. No mention is made of outer chambers about it or either of the other gates, as none was needed. For those 30 chambers about the east gate were adequate to care for the most sacred part of the temple area where the priests officiated.
Verses 28, 29 tell of Ezekiel’s being brought by the reed-man to the inner court, by the south gate. He measured the “little chambers,” posts, and arches, and their windows. Their dimensions totaled five cubits long and twenty five cubits broad. See also 1Ki 6:5-6; 1Ki 6:10; 1Ch 28:11-12; 2Ch 3:9; 2Ch 31:11; Neh 10:38-39; Neh 12:44; Neh 13:5; Neh 13:9; Neh 13:12-13; Jer 35:2; Jer 35:4; Jer 36:10.
Verses 30, 31 further describe the porch arches as being five cubits long and 25 cubits broad. The arches were toward the outer court, with palm tree designs as ornaments upon them. There were eight steps leading up to the south gate, Psa 92:12; Son 7:7; Jer 10:5.
Verses 32-37 indicate that from the inner precincts to the outer court were seven steps and from the outer to the inner court were eight steps or degrees. Certain Psalms of degrees were sung by the Levite choir, upon these steps of degrees of the temple courts.
Verses 38-39 explain that the chambers and the entries by the posts of the gates were where the people washed the burnt offering, Lev 1:9; Lev 1:11. This applies only to the north gate. There the offering was to be washed at the north gate, as prescribed by law, at the “gate of the altar,” Eze 8:5. At the porch or entrance of the north gate were two tables on each side, on which to slay the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering, those most prominently offered, Lev 4:2-3; Lev 5:6; Lev 6:6; Lev 7:1.
Verses 40-42 adds that at the side of the north gate without, as one goes up outside the city gate, were two tables on each side, making eight tables on which the offerings were slain, before being washed again, before being placed upon the altar, v. 38. The four tables without were of hewn stone, for the burnt offering, a cubit and a half long and a cubit and a half broad and one cubit high. Upon it they laid the instruments with which they slew the burnt offering and the sacrifice.
Verse 43 states that within the gate-porch or porticos, covering each table, were hooks, an hand broad, two hearthstones on which to hang the flesh of the offering, that portion to be roasted as the patrimony that fell to the priests.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
B. Description of the Outer Court and Its Gateways
40:527
TRANSLATION[502]
[502] At this point the American Standard Version of 1901 has been followed with only slight modification.
(5) And behold, a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the mans hand a measuring reed six cubits long, of a cubit and a handbreadth each: so he measured the thickness of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed. (6) Then came he unto the gate which looks toward the east, and went up the steps thereof: and he measured the threshold of the gate, one reed broad; and the other threshold, one reed broad. (7) And every lodge was one reed long, and one reed broad; and the space between the lodges was five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate toward the house was one reed. (8) He measured also the porch of the gate toward the house, one reed. (9) Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits; and the porch of the gate was toward the house. (10) And the lodges of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side; the three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side. (11) And he measured the breadth of the opening of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits; (12) and a border before the lodges, one cubit on this side, and a border, one cubit on that side; and the lodges, six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side. (13) And he measured the gate from the roof of the one lodge to the roof of the other, a breadth of twenty-five cubits; door against door. (14) He made also posts, sixty cubits; and the court reached unto the posts, round about the gate. (15) And from the forefront of the gate at the entrance unto the forefront of the inner porch of the gate were fifty cubits. (16) And there were closed windows to the lodges, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches; and windows were round about inward; and upon each post were palm-trees. (17) Then he brought me into the outer court; and, 10, there were chambers and a pavement, made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement. (18) And the pavement was by the side of the gates, answerable unto the length of the gates, even the lower pavement. (19) Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, a hundred cubits, both on the east and on the north. (20) And the gate of the outer court whose prospect is toward the north, he measured the length thereof and the breadth thereof. (21) And the lodges thereof were three on this side, and three on that side: and the posts thereof and the arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth twenty-five cubits. (22) And the windows thereof, and the arches thereof, and the palm-trees thereof, were after the measure of the gate whose prospect is toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them. (23) And there was a gate to the inner court over against the other gate, both on the north and on the east; and he measured from gate to gate a hundred cubits. (24) And he led me toward the south; and, behold, a gate toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof and the arches thereof according to these measures. (25) And there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth twenty-five cubits. (26) And there were seven steps to go up to it, and the arches thereof were before them; and it had palm-trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof. (27) And there was a gate to the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south a hundred cubits.
COMMENTS
The measurements of the Temple area are given in cubits. The cubit varied in length from time to time. Apparently here the long cubit, equal to about 20.5 inches, is being used.[503] The measuring reed carried by the angelic agent would be ten feet and three inches long. The accompanying diagram is essential to understanding the text.
[503] The customary cubit was about eighteen inches. See D. J. Wiseman Weights and Measures, NBD, pp. 1321f.
1. A wall surrounded the courtyard. This wall was one reed thick and one reed high (Eze. 40:5).
2. The court could be entered by three identical gateways in the north, east and south sides of the wall (Eze. 40:6; Eze. 40:20-27).
3. The gateways were approached by seven steps (Eze. 40:22; Eze. 40:26).
4. The gateway consisted of a corridor with three square recessed chambers or guardrooms on either side (Eze. 40:7-10).
5. A barrier of some kind probably a low wall separated the guardrooms from the corridor (Eze. 40:12).
6. The corridor opened into a large porch (8 by 20 cubits) which in turn opened on to the outer court of the Temple.
7. The posts within the gate were decorated with palm trees (Eze. 40:16; cf. 1Ki. 6:29-35).
8. Immediately inside the wall of the outer court was a paved area, called the lower pavement (Eze. 40:17-18).
9. Thirty chambers were built on this pavement around the perimeter of the wall on the north, south and east (Eze. 40:17). Probably these rooms were intended for the use of Levites who were serving in the Temple.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(5) By the cubit and an hand breadth.The sense will be more clearly conveyed by reading, each being a cubit and a hand-breadth, i.e., each of the six cubits which made up the reed was an ordinary cubit and a hand-breadth more. It is difficult or impossible to fix with precision the length of the cubit of Scripture, more especially as the value of the measure appears to have changed in the course of ages. In 2Ch. 3:3 the measurements of Solomons Temple are given by cubits after the first [or ancient] measure. It appears, therefore, that the cubit in common use at the time of the compilation of that book (after the return from the captivity) was different from the standard Mosaic cubit. Ezekiel evidently intends to use the latter in his Temple measurements, and therefore adds an hand breadth to the common cubit. Different writers vary in their estimate of the length of the measure thus obtained from eighteen to twenty-four inches. By considering it twenty inches we shall have a convenient number for use, and cannot be far wrong. The reed of six cubits was therefore about ten feet long.
The breadth of the buildingi.e., the thickness of the wall surrounding the court. The length of this wall is not given until Eze. 40:47. The thickness and height are made equal, evidently for the sake of the symmetry of the measures. (Comp. Rev. 21:16.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. The length of the measuring reed has been variously estimated, according to the supposed length of Ezekiel’s cubit. The Hebrew cubit has usually been reckoned at about eighteen inches, while it is now known that the ordinary ancient Babylonian cubit contained about twenty. This, however, is not material. The symbolism expressed by these measurements does not depend upon the exact length in inches of the cubit or reed. The reed was six cubits long, “of a cubit and a handbreadth each” (R.V.); but as the ordinary cubit was six handbreadths (according to the Mishna, Chilim, Eze 17:9; and Josephus, Antiquities, Eze 3:6 ; Eze 3:5) this sacred cubit must therefore have been seven handbreadths long and the symbolic measuring reed of six sacred cubits would be equal in length to seven ordinary cubits. Gudea, king of Babylon about 2500 B.C., has upon his lap a scale in which the reed is reckoned as equal to six great cubits, each cubit being equal to sixty finger lengths. Nebuchadnezzar is called in a cuneiform inscription, “the possessor of the reed of augury” ( W.A.I., Eze 4:14), and both Jews and Babylonians alike were able to understand this symbolism of number. The peculiar sacredness of the number seven may be noticed everywhere, in both literatures. The number seven in Hebrew ( sheveh) is from a root meaning to be full, satisfied. In the tabernacle, ten, the number of perfect symmetry, seems to be the governing number; in the temple of Solomon and in the Christian Church the heavenly number twelve is the symbolic unit (compare twelve tribes, twelve disciples, and see Revelation xxi), while the sacred cubit, seven handbreadths long, and the sacred reed, seven ordinary cubits in length, control the measure of Ezekiel’s temple. (See further in Introduction, “Symbolism,” and closing note chap. 40.) The wall (A.V., “building”) in-closing the area, when measured by this symbolic reed, was seen to be of the most sacred dimensions: seven cubits broad and seven cubits high. (Compare Rev 21:16.)
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The Measurement of the Wall of the Outer Court.
‘And behold there was a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man’s hand a measuring reed of six ‘long cubits’, being a cubit and a handbreadth in length. So he measured the thickness of the building, one reed, and the height one reed.”
The measuring reed was six ‘long cubits’ in length. A long cubit was about 50 centimetres (Eze 20:5 inches) per long cubit (a cubit and a handbreadth) compared with the normal cubit of (44 centimetres) Eze 17:5 inches. Thus the wall around the temple was about Eze 3:2 metres (10 foot 3 inches) thick and Eze 3:2 metres (10 foot 3 inches) high, in perfect symmetry.
So the first thing we learn about the new temple is that it was protected from the outside world by a wall of perfect symmetry, which declared its perfection. Access was thus limited to those who had the right to enter. It was not open to anyone. Like the linen screen round the courtyard of the tabernacle, the wall separated the holy from the profane (Eze 42:20). Without was the world. Within was God’s holy provision for His true people, and a place of worship and prayer where they could meet with Him.
So the wall was to be seen as providing perfect protection, a perfection indicated by its symmetry, for the temple of God itself, protecting it from the profane. But it was also to be seen as providing a sanctified place within it, protected from the world, for the true worship of God. In New Testament terms it gave access into the heavenlies. None, however, could pass in except those granted privileged access, who could enter to meet with God, and entry would be only by those who sought His face and were obedient to His covenant, those of a humble and a contrite heart (Isa 57:15). The high and lofty One was in His heavenly temple, and only those whose hearts were right could approach Him.
Thus when Paul later likened the people of God to the temple it indicated not only the glorious fact that they were the dwellingplace of God by His Spirit, but also that they too enjoyed His full protection and were separate from the world in His eyes, a people set apart for Himself, walled off from the world and its degradation, and with open access to Him.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The Measuring of the Temple ( Eze 40:5 to Eze 42:20 ).
There follows now the measuring in detail of the temple and the temple area, and we may ask what is the purpose of these detailed measurements? In actual fact they were very important for they confirmed the reality of the invisible temple and its purpose. While a visionary temple, it was nevertheless firmly grounded in reality. The measuring made clear to the people a number of facts which they needed to learn.
Firstly it stressed that the tabernacle of God was now once more in the land awaiting them, although in visionary, not literal form. Secondly it pointed ahead to what was to come. And thirdly it stressed that He was a holy God and that approach to Him was not to be endeavoured lightly. Anything short of what appeared to be a detailed blueprint would not have achieved these aims. Those who heard Ezekiel speaking about it would naturally ask for details of what he had seen, and would indeed find their hearts dance within them at every little detail given, for it would remind them of the old temple which they thought they had lost for ever.
1) The detailing of the measurements made clear to the exiles that the temple in question was not just some pipe dream but was a genuine other-worldly temple that had been measured. It was confirmation of their hopes. Each detail had been considered and was being carefully described. So they could know that the new temple was real and truly ‘existed’ in the purposes of God, for Ezekiel had seen it measured and could recount the detail.
2) The fact that it had been measured, not by Ezekiel but by a messenger of God, confirmed that it was God’s own temple, provided by Him, a heavenly temple, a temple which could not be touched by this world, but of which Ezekiel was a witness.
3) The detailed measurements given, which could be compared with the detailed measurements provided for the tabernacle, confirmed that it was of God’s design, like the tabernacle (but this time with no indication that it should be built to specification). It was confirmation that God was still interested in providing His people with the full and necessary resources for approaching and worshipping Him, while at the same time warning them that He was a holy God and not to be approached lightly. Thus while it was a portrayal of the heavenly, it was also ‘down to earth’, and would indeed eventually find its shadow in the earthly temple, which would be a simpler representation. While they made use of a their smaller earthly temple they would be able to visualise and acknowledge the glorious heavenly temple, of which it was a symbol.
4) The perfect symmetry of the measurements revealed the perfection of God, and the perfection of His plans and purposes for His people that were yet to be, and indeed of the temple itself. This was God’s work and not man’s.
5) The measurement of each part of the temple demonstrated that it was being potentially ‘brought into use’ for the people of God. We can compare with this how God elsewhere arranged for the ‘measurement’ of Jerusalem to demonstrate that it belonged to Him, that He was beginning His actions on its behalf and that He had taken it under His protection (Zec 2:1-5), something again done invisibly of which only the physical outcome was seen. We can also compare His arranging of the measurement of the new Jerusalem so as to bring out its perfection and readiness for use (Rev 21:15). Here then was a temple ready for use and through which God was about to act.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eze 40:5. By the cubit, and an hand-breadth Each cubit containing a cubit and an hand-breadth, called the great cubit, chap. Eze 41:8 and supposed equal to half a yard. According to Michaelis, the Hebrew measures are: 1. The finger’s breadth. 2. Four fingers, or hand-breadth. 3. Ell; the smaller of five hand-breadths, the larger of six. 4. Rod, of six ells. He also allows the Rabbinical account, that a finger is equal to the length of six barley grains. See chap. Eze 43:13.
Of the building Of the outer wall, which was three yards high and three yards broad. This wall surrounded a part which corresponded to the court of the Gentiles, and served as a security against the precipices of the mount on which the temple stood.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
The Reader will form a better calculation of the extent of this wonderful city, by considering what its dimensions were. A cubit for the sanctuary measurement, was one foot and nine inches; and if the Reader will mark down the whole measurement, he will be able to ascertain the out-grounds of this place. But leaving this part of the subject to his leisure, I really beg his present attention to some of the spiritual things, which we may humbly venture to suppose, were intended in what is here said. May we not imagine, that what is said of the steps of ascent, is intended to show how souls redeemed by grace, go up by Jesus’s leading, as he here taught and led the Prophet to God? And are not those Palm trees in allusion to what is said of believers flourishing like Palm trees in the house of God? Psa 92:1 . The gates are already explained by what John was taught to inform the Church of the twelve Apostles. Rev 21:14 . And the tables, and porch, and place for sacrifice, and sons of Levi, to minister in divine things; all these are very plain representations of what the Gospel Church, in the after ages, set forth, when Christ became both the Table of offering, the Porch, or way to the throne; the Sacrifice; the Sacrificer; and the New Testament Altar; on whom, and in whom, and through whom alone, all offerings were to be made! The Prophet having been thus led to the measurement thus far, the Chapter is closed, and the subject is reserved, to be continued in the following Chapter.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Eze 40:5 And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man’s hand a measuring reed of six cubits [long] by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.
Ver. 5. And behold a wall on the outside of the house. ] Betokening God’s almighty protection of his Church and chosen. Isa 26:1 Zec 2:9 Job 1:10 Psa 125:1-2 ; Psa 46:1-3
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eze 40:5-16
5And behold, there was a wall on the outside of the temple all around, and in the man’s hand was a measuring rod of six cubits, each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth. So he measured the thickness of the wall, one rod; and the height, one rod. 6Then he went to the gate which faced east, went up its steps and measured the threshold of the gate, one rod in width; and the other threshold was one rod in width. 7The guardroom was one rod long and one rod wide; and there were five cubits between the guardrooms. And the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate facing inward was one rod. 8Then he measured the porch of the gate facing inward, one rod. 9He measured the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and its side pillars, two cubits. And the porch of the gate was faced inward. 10The guardrooms of the gate toward the east numbered three on each side; the three of them had the same measurement. The side pillars also had the same measurement on each side. 11And he measured the width of the gateway, ten cubits, and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits. 12There was a barrier wall one cubit wide in front of the guardrooms on each side; and the guardrooms were six cubits square on each side. 13He measured the gate from the roof of the one guardroom to the roof of the other, a width of twenty-five cubits from one door to the door opposite. 14He made the side pillars sixty cubits high; the gate extended round about to the side pillar of the courtyard. 15From the front of the entrance gate to the front of the inner porch of the gate was fifty cubits. 16There were shuttered windows looking toward the guardrooms, and toward their side pillars within the gate all around, and likewise for the porches. And there were windows all around inside; and on each side pillar were palm tree ornaments.
Eze 40:5 there was a wall on the outside of the temple all around This begins the very detailed description of the new temple. This wall’s length is measured in Eze 42:20.
a measuring rod of six cubits, each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth There seem to have been two cubits: (1) described in Deu 3:11 and 2Ch 3:3 as the distance from a man’s elbow to his longest finger, about 18 inches; (2) a longer cubit was used in both Babylon and Egypt, which was the regular distance plus the width of a man’s hand, which made it about 21 inches (cf. Eze 43:13). The Mishnah says that the measuring rod/reed was about 10 feet, 5 inches long. See Special Topic: Cubit .
Eze 40:6 This is the gate from which YHWH left the temple (cf. Eze 11:1; Eze 11:22-23) and the direction from which He will return to the new temple (cf. Eze 43:1-5).
went up its steps Throughout chapter 40 a series of steps is mentioned (Eze 40:6; Eze 40:22; Eze 40:26; Eze 40:31; Eze 40:34; Eze 40:37; Eze 40:39). These ascending steps and shrinking doorways seem to depict the levels of holiness as one approaches the Holy of Holies (cf. chapter Eze 41:2-3.
Eze 40:9
NASBits side pillars
NKJVthe gateposts
NRSVits pilasters
NJBits piers
This rare Hebrew word (BDB 18 II, KB 40 III) means door jamb in 1Ki 6:31, but here (cf. Eze 40:9-10; Eze 40:14 [twice], 16 [twice], 21, 24, 26, 29, 31, 34, 36, 37 [twice], 38, 48, 49; Eze 41:1; Eze 41:3) its meaning is uncertain. The NIV translates it as projecting walls and jambs. The same consonants can mean
1. ram
2. leader
3. prominent tree (terebinth)
4. strength (KB)
5. deer (KB)
KB 40 III offers pillar of an archway as a possible meaning.
Eze 40:14 This verse is very difficult in the Masoretic text. Note the different translations available to you.
Eze 40:16 palm tree ornaments These (BDB 1071, cf. Eze 40:22; Eze 40:26; Eze 41:18) were also in Solomon’s temple (cf. 1Ki 6:29; 1Ki 6:32; 1Ki 6:35; 1Ki 7:36; 2Ch 3:5), but not the tabernacle. Solomon elaborates the tabernacle’s design and Ezekiel elaborates Solomon’s design.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
behold. Figure of speech Asteriamos. App-6,
on the: or, went on.
the house: i.e. the Temple.
cubits. See App-51.,
he measured. In Blithe measurements the unit is one-seventh longer than Solomon’s Temple, pointing to the eighth, the day of God. Seven speaks of completion. Eight speaks of a new beginning (see App-10). In “the day of God” all things will be new.
building: i.e. the wall and its contents.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
a wall: Eze 42:20, Psa 125:2, Isa 26:1, Isa 60:18, Zec 2:5, Rev 21:12
by: Deu 3:11
so he: Eze 42:20
Reciprocal: Eze 40:6 – one reed Eze 40:10 – they three Eze 41:8 – a full Eze 43:13 – The cubits Zec 2:1 – a man
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 40:5. Ezekiel saw a house surrounded by a -wall that was to be measured with the reed mentioned in verse 3. Cubits as measurements of length were of different standards in ancient times. Most of them were based on the human body, beginning at the elbow and extending toward the tip of the fingers, or else reaching only as far as the wrist. The reed which the prophet saw was made on the basis of the cubit that extended from the elbow to the wrist, plus a few inches more, namely, a liandbreadth. The measuring reed in the hand of this man” was equal to 6 of the cubits described. The building was measured with this reed and it was one reed wide and one reed high.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Eze 40:5-16. He is first struck by a thick wall encircling the Temple. Steps led up to the eastern gateway which pierced the wall, and on each side of which were three guard-rooms.
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
2. The millennial temple 40:5-42:20
Earlier Ezekiel hinted that there would be a future temple in the restored Promised Land (Eze 20:40; Eze 37:24-28). Now he described it in considerable detail. [Note: See also the drawings in Allen, Ezekiel 20-48, pp. 231, 233, 234, 258, 282, and 283; and in Block, The Book . . . 48, pp. 508, 509, 520, 541, 550, 565, 572, 573, 598, 603, 711, and 733.] Some of the detail is here to help the reader understand what the writer recorded later about what would happen in this complex (chs. 43-46): stage setting. This is also true of the descriptions of the tabernacle and Solomon’s temple described earlier in the Old Testament. Some of the detail is here to help the reader realize that the temple being described is not one that has stood in the past; it is a future temple. This section has a basic chiastic structure centering on the description of the inner court and the things associated with it. Ezekiel’s guide led him from outside the temple enclosure, into its inner court, and then back out of the complex.
The ancient Israelites always worshipped God outdoors, in the courtyards that surrounded the temple itself. Only the priests entered the temple building. In this temple too the people had access to the outer courtyard only; the priests alone used the inner courtyard.
"The restored temple represents God’s desire to be in the midst of his people and suggests his accessibility to them and desire to bless them (see, e.g., Eze 48:35; Rev 21:3-4; Rev 22:1-4)." [Note: L. Cooper, p. 357.]
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
The wall 40:5
The man first measured the thickness and the height of the wall around the temple complex. Measuring not only provides data but implies ownership (cf. Zec 2:1; Rev 11:1; Rev 21:15); the man measured as God’s representative. He used the six-cubit reed that was in his hand. The wall was six cubits (one rod) thick and six cubits high. Walls, of course, provided a barrier and guarded the holiness of God in Israel’s earlier tabernacle and temple complexes.
A normal cubit was the distance between the tip of a person’s middle finger and the end of his elbow, about 18 inches (Deu 3:11). A handbreadth was about three inches. A long cubit was about 21 inches long, the length of a normal cubit plus a handbreadth. Since each of the cubits of the man’s measuring rod was a cubit and a handbreadth, it seems that the cubits in view in these dimensions were long cubits (cf. Eze 43:13). Six long cubits (one rod) equals about 10 feet.