Ezekiel 40 19

Ezekiel 40:19 kjv

Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward.

Ezekiel 40:19 nkjv

Then he measured the width from the front of the lower gateway to the front of the inner court exterior, one hundred cubits toward the east and the north.

Ezekiel 40:19 niv

Then he measured the distance from the inside of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner court; it was a hundred cubits on the east side as well as on the north.

Ezekiel 40:19 esv

Then he measured the distance from the inner front of the lower gate to the outer front of the inner court, a hundred cubits on the east side and on the north side.

Ezekiel 40:19 nlt

Then the man measured across the Temple's outer courtyard between the outer and inner gateways; the distance was 175 feet.

Ezekiel 40 verses

Ezekiel 40 19 Meaning

Ezekiel 40:19 describes a specific measurement within the visionary temple complex. It indicates the distance from the outer, lower gate leading into the complex, across the expanse of the outer court, to the outer edge of the inner court. This distance is precisely measured as one hundred cubits, uniformly so both eastward and northward from the reference points. This detailed measurement highlights the precision and divinely ordained order of the future temple.

Ezekiel 40 19 Context

Ezekiel 40 opens a monumental section of the book (chapters 40-48), depicting a comprehensive vision of a new, ideal temple and the restored land of Israel. This vision occurs during the Babylonian exile (c. 573 BC), a period of deep national despair for the Israelites, whose first temple had been destroyed. God's precise and detailed revelation to Ezekiel about this magnificent temple complex served as a powerful message of hope, assurance of future restoration, and the unyielding faithfulness of God to His covenant promises. The meticulous measurements, from the outer wall to the inner chambers, emphasize God's perfect plan and design, ensuring purity and order. The vision reassures a dispirited people that God will indeed dwell among them again, restoring proper worship and a holy land. The exactness in measurements also stood as a polemic against pagan temples and their arbitrary designs, asserting God's sovereignty and specific commands.

Ezekiel 40 19 Word analysis

• Then he measured: Hebrew: וַיִּמַּד (va-yimmad) from מָדַד (madad), meaning "to measure" or "to stretch out." This verb appears repeatedly in Ezekiel 40, highlighting the consistent divine instruction and the precision of the architect figure who acts as God's agent, ensuring accurate details for the temple's construction. This underscores the objective reality and importance of every dimension.
• the width: Hebrew: רֹחַב (rochav), meaning "width" or "breadth." This specific term clarifies that the dimension being measured is across the designated area, distinguishing it from length or height.
• from the front of the lower gate: Hebrew: מִפְּנֵי הַשַּׁעַר הַתַּחְתּוֹן (mi-p'nei ha-sha'ar ha-tachton).
  • מִפְּנֵי (mi-p'nei): "from the face of" or "from the front of." It signifies the outer surface or the starting point for the measurement.
  • הַשַּׁעַר (ha-sha'ar): "the gate." Gates were crucial points of entry, security, and sometimes judgment in ancient cities and complexes.
  • הַתַּחְתּוֹן (ha-tachton): "the lower" or "the outermost." This distinguishes it as the gate on the periphery of the entire temple complex, indicating the initial entry point. This gate system also implies a separation of sacred spaces, from the outside world into the sacred.
• to the front of the inner court outside: Hebrew: עַד לִפְנֵי הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית מֵחַצִּין (ad lif'nei he-chatzer ha-pnimit me-chatzin).
  • עַד לִפְנֵי (ad lif'nei): "up to the face of" or "to the front of," marking the end point of the measurement.
  • הֶחָצֵר (he-chatzer): "the court." A courtyard was an open, paved area, serving as a transitional space or gathering place within sacred complexes.
  • הַפְּנִימִית (ha-pnimit): "the inner." This identifies the court as distinct from the outer court, representing a higher degree of holiness and closer proximity to the temple sanctuary.
  • מֵחַצִּין (me-chatzin): "outside" or "externally." This clarifies that the measurement terminates at the outside face of the wall of the inner court, not within it. This further stresses the meticulousness of the boundaries and divisions.
• one hundred cubits: Hebrew: מֵאָה אַמָּה (me'ah amma).
  • מֵאָה (me'ah): "one hundred." A complete number, often signifying fullness or a substantial amount in biblical contexts.
  • אַמָּה (amma): "cubit." A common ancient measurement of length, generally the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. In Ezekiel 40:5, it specifies "a cubit and a handbreadth" as the cubit used, making it longer than a standard cubit (approximately 20.6 inches instead of 18 inches). This "long cubit" implies greater precision and perhaps an idealized standard for God's dwelling.
• eastward and northward: Hebrew: קֵדְמָה וְצָפֹנָה (qedma ve-tzafona).
  • קֵדְמָה (qedma): "eastward." The eastern direction was highly significant for the temple, as the main entrance usually faced east (Ezek 43:1-2), often associated with the presence of God.
  • וְצָפֹנָה (ve-tzafona): "and northward." This indicates that the measurement of 100 cubits applied consistently across these two cardinal directions, suggesting a square or uniform space of the outer court leading up to the inner court entrances.

Ezekiel 40 19 Bonus section

The consistent use of "one hundred cubits" in Ezekiel 40 (e.g., v.19, v.23, v.27, v.47) is noteworthy. This recurring dimension, particularly in relation to the outer and inner courts, might symbolize completion or divine order, as 100 is often associated with a full measure. The precise and somewhat larger "Ezekiel's cubit" (as described in Ezek 40:5) used throughout this vision emphasizes that these are not arbitrary human measurements but divine standards, pointing to a reality of greater perfection and grandeur than previously experienced. The specificity of these external measurements, given before details of the inner temple, establishes the spatial relationship and functional separation of the courts, emphasizing that every aspect of the divine dwelling is part of an interconnected, holy design.

Ezekiel 40 19 Commentary

Ezekiel 40:19, with its precise measurement, serves as a testament to the divine order, holiness, and intentionality inherent in God's plan for His dwelling place. The vision is a powerful antidote to the despair of the Babylonian exile, providing a tangible, though visionary, blueprint of restoration. The exact hundred cubits distance between the outer gate and the inner court boundary highlights the meticulously designed sacred space, moving from the periphery towards the increasing holiness of the sanctuary. This journey inward reflects spiritual progression. While the immediate literal fulfillment of every detail is debated among scholars—some see a literal future temple, others a symbolic representation of the church or the New Jerusalem—the core message remains clear: God's presence is ordered, holy, and assured. It demonstrates that God's plan for dwelling with His people is not haphazard but detailed and perfect, contrasting sharply with human structures or idol temples of the day.