Ezekiel 40 21

Ezekiel 40:21 kjv

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.

Ezekiel 40:21 nkjv

Its gate chambers, three on this side and three on that side, its gateposts and its archways, had the same measurements as the first gate; its length was fifty cubits and its width twenty-five cubits.

Ezekiel 40:21 niv

Its alcoves?three on each side?its projecting walls and its portico had the same measurements as those of the first gateway. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.

Ezekiel 40:21 esv

Its side rooms, three on either side, and its jambs and its vestibule were of the same size as those of the first gate. Its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth twenty-five cubits.

Ezekiel 40:21 nlt

Here, too, there were three guard alcoves on each side, with dividing walls and an entry room. All the measurements matched those of the east gateway. The gateway passage was 87 1?2 feet long and 43 3?4 feet wide between the back walls of facing guard alcoves.

Ezekiel 40 verses

Ezekiel 40 21 meaning

Ezekiel 40:21 precisely describes the internal layout and dimensions of an outer court gate in the visionary temple. It specifies three guardrooms on each side of the gate passage, dictates that its structural pilasters and decorative arches conformed to the exact measurements established for the initial gate described, and details the overall dimensions of this gate structure as fifty cubits in length and twenty-five cubits in width. This level of architectural detail underscores the divine origin and methodical plan for God's restored presence among His people.

Ezekiel 40 21 Context

Ezekiel chapter 40 inaugurates a profound shift in the book of Ezekiel, pivoting from severe pronouncements of judgment to elaborate visions of restoration. This particular vision, occurring in the 25th year of Ezekiel's exile in Babylon (Ezek 40:1), served as a vital source of hope and instruction for the Jewish people, who had endured the devastating loss of their physical Temple, their homeland, and their distinct identity. Ezekiel is supernaturally transported to a very high mountain, where he encounters a celestial guide (a man with a bronze-like appearance) who possesses a measuring reed and proceeds to meticulously measure every component of a vast and intricately designed temple complex. Verse 21 specifically provides details for one of the outer court gates, likely referring to the North or South Gate. Its dimensions and features are compared to the extensively described East Gate (Ezek 40:6-16), underscoring a consistent, divinely mandated architectural plan for the entire holy precinct. This precise architectural description instilled the reality and grandeur of God's future renewed presence among a purified Israel, reinforcing His faithfulness and ultimate sovereignty.

Ezekiel 40 21 Word analysis

• Its gate chambers (לִשְׁכֹתֶ֗יהָ lishkōthehā): Derived from lishkah, meaning "room," "chamber," or "lodge." These rooms within the gate complex were typically used for guards, administration, or storage, indicating structured control and security for the temple access.
• were three: The number three often denotes emphasis, divine completeness, or stability in biblical numerology (e.g., God's triune nature, third-day resurrection). Here, it emphasizes the perfectly ordered and robust nature of the gate's interior structure.
• on this side and three on that side: This phrase highlights perfect architectural symmetry. Such balance and exactness are characteristic of divine design, ensuring structural integrity and symbolizing divine order within sacred spaces.
• and its pilasters (אֵלֵמֶ֜יהָ ʼēlemayhā): From ʼēylam (אֵילָ֣ם), meaning a "porch," "vestibule," or "door-posts." In this context, it refers to projecting architectural elements, often supportive and ornamental, at the entrance. These provide both structural support and aesthetic grandeur, conveying strength and majesty.
• and its arches (וְאֵילֵמֶ֙יהָ֙ vəʼēylamayhā): This term, similar to "pilasters," likely refers to the recessed architectural elements, perhaps porticoes or vaulted passages. It emphasizes the complex and ornate design of the gate, contributing to its impressiveness and functionality.
• were according to the measure (בְּמִדַּ֥ת bəmiḍdaṯ): This crucial phrase indicates adherence to an exact standard. It emphasizes that this is a divine, immutable design, not subject to human whim, reinforcing God's sovereignty over the sacred space.
• of the first gate (הַשַּׁ֣עַר הָרִאשֹֽׁון haššaʿar hāri'šôn): Explicitly refers to the East Gate, whose detailed specifications were already given in Ezekiel 40:6-16. This established a uniform standard, underscoring the unity of design for all the outer court gates, signifying God's consistent order.
• and its width was fifty cubits: (רָחְבָּ֛הּ roḥbah חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אַמָּ֑ה ḥămiššîm ʼammāh) - Fifty cubits, approximately 75 to 87.5 feet, represents a considerable width for the gate passage. This immense size indicates grandeur, the capacity for large numbers to pass through, and significant functional importance.
• and its length twenty-five cubits: (וְאָרְכָּ֖הּ wəʼorḵāh עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וְחָמֵשׁ ʿeśrîm wəḥāmeš אַמָּֽה ʼammāh) - Twenty-five cubits, roughly 37.5 to 43.75 feet. This dimension, describing the depth of the gate structure, combined with its width, depicts a very substantial and imposing entrance, emphasizing its protective and majestic character as a divine threshold.
• "Its gate chambers were three on this side and three on that side": This specific enumeration describes the symmetrical arrangement of rooms flanking the gateway passage. The exact count (three) on each side highlights careful, balanced planning, serving both defensive and administrative functions, essential for a holy entrance and symbolizing God's methodical structure for His dwelling.
• "and its pilasters and its arches were according to the measure of the first gate": This direct comparative statement mandates consistency across the primary gates of the outer court. It emphasizes that divine standards for sacred structures are fixed and universally applied, negating any human variation. This reinforces the unity of the entire temple design and the unvarying nature of God's architectural directives.
• "and its width was fifty cubits, and its length twenty-five cubits": These precise measurements articulate the monumental scale of the gate's passage. These specific dimensions (likely the depth and internal width of the gate-tunnel) convey a structure that is both grand and impressive, acting as a majestic and significant entrance suitable for a divine presence, signifying its vital role as a controlled entry to the holy precincts.

Ezekiel 40 21 Bonus section

The recurrence of the "first gate" reference serves as an important narrative shorthand, implying uniformity across subsequent gates of the same type without needing to re-enumerate every measurement. This structural economy not only streamlines the prophetic description but also reinforces the conceptual unity and singular origin of the entire temple plan. For ancient cultures, numerical precision in sacred architecture often conveyed divine wisdom and cosmic order, suggesting that this envisioned temple perfectly reflected God's intended harmony for the cosmos. The gates, in ancient Near Eastern thought, were more than mere entry points; they were strategic locations for judgment, counsel, and trade. In the context of Ezekiel's temple, the highly controlled and measured gates highlight the re-establishment of sacred boundaries and proper reverence for God's holiness, essential for preventing any future defilement like that which led to the first temple's destruction. This future temple thus represents a perfect reconciliation and ordering of God's relationship with His people.

Ezekiel 40 21 Commentary

Ezekiel 40:21 presents a segment of God's visionary blueprint for a future temple, revealing the meticulous detail and order inherent in divine design. The gate's symmetry (three chambers on each side) and consistent measurements, established by the "first gate," underscore God's unwavering standards of holiness, precision, and structural integrity. These detailed specifications are not merely architectural; they carry deep theological significance, reflecting divine authority and an immutable plan. The substantial dimensions of the gate convey majesty and grand scale, marking it as a critical threshold—a monumental entrance to the sacred. This vision provided immense hope and direction to the exiled Israelites, showing that God had a perfect, future dwelling place, symbolically teaching about the purity, order, and structured access to His presence that He demands and provides. This vision, in essence, is a tangible promise of divine restoration and God's ultimate dwelling among His purified people, finding its ultimate fulfillment in the person of Christ and the New Jerusalem.