Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 42:20
He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred [reeds] long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.
20. sanctuary profane place] Rather: between that which was holy and that which was profane (common). Holy and profane are used here relatively, just as Eze 42:13 the inner court is relatively holy in contrast with the outer to which the people had access. Cf. Eze 43:12, where the limits of the house are said to be “most holy.” In Eze 45:4 the priests’ land surrounding the temple is called holy, and in Eze 48:12 most holy.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The sanctuary proper is probably here the most holy place as distinguished from the rest of the temple Eze 41:23; Eze 45:3; but the term was capable of extension first to the whole temple, then to all the ground that was separated to holy as distinguished from profane, i. e., common uses.
In the vision the courts rose on successive platforms, the outer court being raised seven steps above the precincts, the inner court eight steps above the outer, and the temple itself ten steps above the court of sacrifice.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 20. It had a wall round about-to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.] The holy place was that which was consecrated to the Lord; into which no heathen, nor stranger, nor any in a state of impurity, might enter. The profane place was that in which men, women, Gentiles, pure or impure, might be admitted. Josephus says War, lib. vi., c. 14, that in his time there was a wall built before the entrance three cubits high, on which there were posts fixed at certain distances, with inscriptions on them in Latin and Greek, containing the laws which enjoined purity on those that entered; and forbidding all strangers to enter, on pain of death. See Calmet.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He measured it, the whole wall, by the four sides, repeating the measure of the whole, according to the number of the sides.
It had a wall; the whole had such a wall: had each side been five hundred reeds, the prophet must in propriety of speech have said
they, i.e. the sides, not
it, i.e. the whole compass of the wall.
Five hundred reeds long: in such an equilateral square there is properly no length, for all sides are equal, but because in the temple structure there was length and breadth, therefore that latus, or side, which runs in straight line, parallel with the length of the temple, is here taken for the length; the other, which was parallel to the breadth of the temple, is the breadth of this isopleuron, or equilateral square.
Five hundred broad: he speaks not here of the thickness, though sometimes breadth and thickness are the same.
To make a separation; to distinguish, and accordingly to exclude or admit persons, for all might not go in.
The sanctuary; not the temple, this is not here meant; but we must remember here that the Jews accounted the whole earth profane, i.e. common or unclean, compared with Canaan, and Canaan common or less holy than Jerusalem, and every part nearer the temple the more holy; and so here the outward court was enclosed to distinguish it by its comparative holiness, it was more holy than all without it.
Thus, enveloped in clouds and darkness, thou hast, good reader, a conjecture at many things, which, I need not blush to confess, are more above mine own comprehension than above some others. The mystical sense I refer to thy thoughts.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
20. wall . . . separation between .. . sanctuary and . . . profaneNo longer shall the wall ofpartition be to separate the Jew and the Gentile (Eph2:14), but to separate the sacred from the profane. The lownessof it renders it unfit for the purpose of defense (the object of thewall, Re 21:12). But itssquare form (as in the city, Re21:16) is the emblem of the kingdom that cannot be shaken (Heb12:28), resting on prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ being thechief corner-stone.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
He measured it by the four sides,…. Which were equilateral, parallel to each other, each measuring five hundred reeds; which in all made up two thousand reeds, or seven thousand yards: this shows that no material building can be designed; never was an edifice of such dimensions; this seems rather to describe a city than a temple; and denotes the largeness of the Gospel church state in the latter day, when the Jews will be converted, and the fulness of the Gentiles brought in:
it had a wall round about: the same with that in Eze 40:5:
five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad; it was foursquare, as the building was, and exactly answered to that in its dimensions. The Jews say l the mountain of the house was five hundred cubits by five hundred; that is, a perfect square of five hundred cubits on every side, two thousand cubits in the whole compass about. Josephus m says the whole circuit was half a mile, every side containing the length of a two hundred and twenty yards. Now, says Doctor Lightfoot n, if any will take up the full circuit of the wall that encompassed the holy ground, according to our English measure, it will amount to half a mile and about one hundred and sixty six yards; and whosoever will likewise measure the square of Ezekiel, Eze 42:20, will find it six times as large as this, Eze 40:5, the whole amounting to three miles and a half, and about one hundred and forty yards, a compass incomparably larger than Mount Moriah divers times over; and by this very thing is showed that that is spiritually and mystically to be understood; wherefore these measures no doubt did, as Mr. Lee o observes, signify the great fulness of the Gentiles, and that compass of the church in Gospel days should be marvellously extended. The use of it was,
to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place: the church and the world; the world is profane, and lies in wickedness, and the men of it ought not to be admitted into the church of God, and partake of holy things in it; a difference must be made between the precious and the vile; and greater care will be taken in the latter day of the admission of members into Gospel churches, Isa 52:1,
[See comments on Eze 40:5].
l Misn. Middot, c. 2. sect. 1. m Antiqu. l. 15. c. 11. sect. 3. Ed. Hudson. n Prospect of the Temple, c. 2. p. 1051. o Temple of Solomon portrayed, &c. p. 241.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(20) It had a wall.Around this vast enclosure on all sides was a wall, not of the slight character of that in Eze. 42:7; but the same word is used as in Eze. 40:5, of the massive wall surrounding the outer court. The object of this enclosure was to protect the sanctity of the Temple and its courts, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘He measured it on the four sides. It had a wall round about, the length five hundred and the breadth five hundred, to make a separation between that which was holy and that which was common.’
This is the grounds for arguing a further wall to enclose the area of separation. If we read ‘reeds’ all through this must be so. Compare the ‘separate place’ around the sanctuary. We must remember in these measurements that we are not talking about an earthly temple but a heavenly temple. Thus arguments about where it would be sited are irrelevant. The picture is one of unalloyed holiness which has to be preserved at all costs. The number five hundred also stresses the covenant nature of the temple area (5 x 10 x 10), five intensified.
But note that in Eze 42:20 b the unit of measurement is not specifically mentioned (neither reeds nor cubits). Thus it may be that the note about the wall here is a finally added comment, referring to the wall of the temple, and ‘cubits’ is to be read in. The idea would then be to draw attention to the parallel between the ‘500 reeds’ of the separation area and the ‘500 cubits’ of the wall, (cubits being understood from the previous measurements), with the stress on the separation of the holy from the common and the covenant significance of the numbers.
(Indeed it may be that a cryptic ‘500 x 500’ would always be read as cubits automatically where no unit of measurement was stated, as today tradesmen might automatically understand ‘metres’ (or ‘feet’).)
However, LXX specifically reads ‘cubits’ throughout (mostly understood) rather than ‘reeds’ and this would then be the measurement of the outer wall around the temple area itself, which fits in with the measurements described earlier. But LXX does have a tendency to remove difficulties in the numbers by making alterations.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eze 42:20. Between the sanctuary and the profane place Between the place which was consecrated to the Lord, and where it was not permitted either to the heathens, strangers, or impure persons, to present themselves; and that which all the world might enter indiscriminately; men, women, pure, impure, Gentiles and others. Josephus tells us, that such a place of separation existed in the temple in his time. See his Antiq. lib. 15: chap. 14 and Calmet.
The vision in chap. 40, 41, 42 says Archbishop Newcombe, seems designed to shew that, if the Jews repented of their iniquities and idolatries, their temple should be rebuilt, and their worship according to the Levitical law should be restored. The buildings might at first be erected after the general plan here described, without deviation from it, though without ability to execute every part; and the whole might afterwards resemble it in many respects, though never exactly. However, the Jews should have proceeded conformably to the directions here given.
REFLECTIONS.1st, We have here, 1. The chambers about the temple: probably designed for the retirement of the holy worshippers, where they might be alone for prayer and meditation: they who would find comfort in public ordinances must maintain communion with God in private. The chambers were many; for in the heavenly temple there are many mansions. They had galleries before them, where they who lodged there might meet and converse together about the things of God; the great privilege, duty, and delight of God’s people.
2. These chambers, many of them at least, were appropriated to the use of the priests, and were the places where they deposited the holy things, and their sacred vestments. They who have the charge of the sanctuary must reside upon the spot; and God has made a provision for them, that they may wait on him without distraction.
2nd, The ground on which this temple and its courts stood, was many miles in circumference; intimating the vast extent of the church of Christ in the times of the gospel, and particularly when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in. A wall of separation divided the sanctuary from the profane place, to signify the present exclusion of all those from the blessings and benefits of Christ’s church and kingdom, who continue unhumbled in their sins; and to prefigure the eternal separation of the world that lieth in wickedness,of all those who continue impenitent,from the presence of God in glory.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
REFLECTIONS
READER! while you and I are following the Prophet, led by Jesus, through the several apartments, let us not lose sight of Him, who is himself the habitation of his Church and people, and their portion forever. Here let us contemplate the Lord indeed, under every endearing character, and we shall find him to be our dwelling place, our Temple, our Altar, High Priest, and Sacrifice! And how do all his perfection’s suit our souls, for our abiding place, and rest, and, solace, and delight forever. In his person, righteousness, and grace, are hid and live securely all his redeemed. Jesus takes them all in, brings them all home, clotheth them with his own garments of salvation, feeds them with his own body and blood, and communicates to them of his fulness, grace here, and glory forever. Exult, my soul, in this delightful view of thy glorious Saviour, and cry out in the words of the Prophet; I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness; as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Eze 42:20 He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred [reeds] long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.
Ver. 20. He measured it by the four sides. ] The Church is fair and firm, for it is quadrangular; so is every true member thereof homo quadratus, square, steadfast and immovable, , always abounding in the work of the Lord, &c. 1Co 15:58 His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Psa 112:1 He quits himself well in all estates, and comes off a gainer. Gold is purged in the fire, shines in the water; as, on the other side, clay is scorched in the fire, dissolved in the water. The new Jerusalem is said to lie square. Rev 21:16 See Trapp on “ Rev 21:16 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
it had: Eze 40:5, Son 2:9, Isa 25:1, Isa 26:1, Isa 60:18, Mic 7:11, Zec 2:5
five hundred: Eze 45:2, Eze 48:20, Rev 21:12-17
a separation: Eze 22:26, Eze 44:23, Eze 48:15, Lev 10:10, Luk 16:26, 2Co 6:17, Rev 21:10-27
Reciprocal: Exo 27:9 – the court Isa 54:11 – I will lay Eze 43:11 – show them Eze 43:12 – Upon Eph 2:21 – all Rev 11:2 – the court
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 42:20. The four sides that have been measured were supplied with a wall extending throughout tlieir entire boundary. Sanctuary means the holy part and profane refers to the part that was not sacred because it was not specifically used by priests,
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Eze 42:20. It had a wall round about To defend it from being invaded or profaned. Such a square wall as is here described, seems only capable of a mystical sense and interpretation. To make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place Between that compass of ground which was included in the precincts of the temple, and was considered as consecrated to the Lord, and where it was not permitted either the heathen, strangers, or impure persons, to present themselves; and that place, here termed profane, which all the world might enter indiscriminately, men, women, pure, impure, Gentiles, and others. We learn from Josephus, that such a place of separation existed at the temple in his time: see Antiq., lib. 15. c. 14, and Calmet.