Ezekiel 40 27

Ezekiel 40:27 kjv

And there was a gate in the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south an hundred cubits.

Ezekiel 40:27 nkjv

There was also a gateway on the inner court, facing south; and he measured from gateway to gateway toward the south, one hundred cubits.

Ezekiel 40:27 niv

The inner court also had a gate facing south, and he measured from this gate to the outer gate on the south side; it was a hundred cubits.

Ezekiel 40:27 esv

And there was a gate on the south of the inner court. And he measured from gate to gate toward the south, a hundred cubits.

Ezekiel 40:27 nlt

And here again, directly opposite the outer gateway, was another gateway that led into the inner courtyard. The distance between the two gateways was 175 feet.

Ezekiel 40 verses

Ezekiel 40 27 meaning

Ezekiel 40:27 describes a specific architectural detail of the visionary temple: the presence of a gate in the inner court situated directly opposite the south gate of the outer court. The passage then specifies the precise distance between these two corresponding gates, stating it to be one hundred cubits. This verse continues the meticulous detailing of the temple's structure, emphasizing divine precision and order in the restorative vision.

Ezekiel 40 27 Context

Ezekiel 40 opens the final and most extensive section of the Book of Ezekiel, comprising chapters 40-48. This vision occurs in the twenty-fifth year of Ezekiel's exile, a time of profound despair for the Judean captives. The exiles had witnessed the destruction of Solomon's Temple and Jerusalem, shattering their understanding of God's presence among them. Against this backdrop of ruin and loss, God grants Ezekiel a highly detailed vision of a new, magnificent temple and its surrounding facilities. An angelic figure, referred to as "the man," leads Ezekiel on an extensive tour, meticulously measuring every part of the temple complex. This process of precise measurement signifies divine ownership, divine planning, and the assured, exact fulfillment of God's restorative purposes. Chapter 40 specifically focuses on the outer and inner courts, their gates, and surrounding chambers, with repetitive emphasis on accurate dimensions. The historical context for the original audience, primarily the exiles, was one of looking forward to a renewed covenant and physical restoration, yet often wrestling with the symbolic and literal fulfillment of such grand prophecies. The extensive architectural detail here emphasizes God's precise plan for restoration and the reestablishment of His presence among His people, offering a blueprint for future hope and renewed worship.

Ezekiel 40 27 Word analysis

• וּשְׁעַר (u-sha'ar): "and a gate". This conjunctive phrase connects the detail of this gate to the ongoing description of the temple complex. Gates serve as points of entry and exit, symbolizing access, defense, and authority. In sacred architecture, gates mark transitions between different degrees of holiness, controlling movement into consecrated spaces. The consistent description of multiple gates emphasizes divine order and regulated access.
• לֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית (le-hachazer ha-p'nimit): "to the inner court". The "inner court" signifies a higher level of sanctity compared to the "outer court." This separation and progression of courts (similar to the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple) reflect an escalating holiness as one approaches the sanctuary. It restricts access, indicating sacred boundaries and God's distinct presence within.
• מוּל (mul): "opposite". This preposition denotes direct alignment and precise placement. It highlights the architectural symmetry and intentional design of the visionary temple, indicating that the inner court's gate perfectly corresponds with an outer court gate. This exact opposition suggests a harmonious and divinely orchestrated arrangement, crucial for proper functionality and symbolic order.
• שַׁעַר הַדָּרוֹם (sha'ar ha-darom): "the south gate". Specific directional naming indicates the meticulousness of the vision. The south often represents different aspects in scripture, but here it is simply a point on the compass. The repetition of "the gate of the south" in earlier verses (Ezekiel 40:24) establishes consistency in the guided tour, anchoring the vision to a precise spatial understanding.
• וַיִּמְדֹּד (vayeemdod): "and he measured". The verb "measured" (מדד, madad) is central to Ezekiel 40-48, occurring dozens of times. The subject, "he," is the angelic figure. The act of measuring signifies divine precision, preparation, and intention. It sets a standard for construction, denotes ownership, establishes boundaries, and underlines the absolute authority and exactness of God's design. This measurement is for assurance, not just a plan.
• מִשַּׁעַר לְשַׁעַר (mi-sha'ar le-sha'ar): "from gate to gate". This phrase precisely defines the span of the measurement. It emphasizes a fixed, unwavering distance between specific points, leaving no ambiguity in the architectural blueprint. It confirms the relationship and spacing between two significant entry points within the complex.
• מֵאָה אַמָּה (me'ah 'ammah): "a hundred cubits". The specific measurement. A "cubit" (אַמָּה, 'ammah) was an ancient unit of length, typically from elbow to fingertip (approximately 18 inches or 45 cm, though a longer "royal cubit" of about 21 inches or 53 cm is sometimes proposed for temple measurements). Thus, one hundred cubits would be roughly 150-175 feet (45-53 meters). The round number "hundred" might also carry a sense of completeness or fullness in sacred contexts. This exact, recurring dimension, particularly a hundred cubits, implies significant regularity and perfect proportionality in the divine design.
• Words-Group Analysis: "and there was a gate to the inner court opposite the south gate" This group of words describes a fundamental element of the inner court's layout – a gate perfectly aligned with an outer gate. This alignment and placement signify order, divine architectural wisdom, and perhaps regulated movement, where inner court entry is strategically positioned relative to outer entries.
• Words-Group Analysis: "and he measured from gate to gate a hundred cubits" This segment conveys the precise quantification of the distance, highlighting the emphasis on detailed construction. The consistent use of measurements by the angelic guide reinforces the exactness of the divine blueprint. This precise spacing is essential for maintaining the sacred order and spatial relationships within the complex.

Ezekiel 40 27 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on exact measurements throughout Ezekiel 40-48 suggests several layers of meaning. Firstly, it offers hope to the exiles that the rebuilding would be not only according to God's will but with such precision that it could never be casually dismissed or corrupted, unlike past structures. Secondly, the detailed measurements serve as a symbol of God's knowledge and control over all things, down to the minutest architectural details, emphasizing His sovereignty and wisdom in restoration. The specificity, particularly for an unseen, visionary temple, sets it apart as a heavenly or idealized template rather than a mere human blueprint. This precision implicitly critiques any haphazard or man-made approach to worship, advocating for a return to divinely mandated order. The recurrence of the hundred-cubit dimension hints at symbolic completeness or perfection within this specific sacred geometry, a common element in ancient sacred structures where numbers often held theological significance. Some scholars see this entire section as an eschatological blueprint, a "New Creation" temple, the full realization of which might extend beyond any literal earthly structure, culminating in the spiritual reality of God dwelling among His people in the New Heavens and New Earth as hinted in Revelation.

Ezekiel 40 27 Commentary

Ezekiel 40:27 serves as another precise brushstroke in God's elaborate architectural portrait of a future temple. Far from a vague prophecy, this vision is imbued with exact dimensions and placements, particularly significant in a chapter consumed by measurements. The "inner court opposite the south gate" detail is crucial. It underscores the concept of systematic progression within sacred space, where entry to higher sanctity (inner court) is meticulously aligned with and accessible from designated points in lesser sanctity (outer court). The consistent "hundred cubits" measurement (reiterated in 40:19, 23, 27) for various lengths between courts or gates is striking; it suggests a standard unit of measure for key areas, implying divine proportionality and symmetry throughout the vast complex. This meticulous detailing speaks to God's deep care for order and His sovereign plan for renewed worship. For the exiled audience, such precision would be profoundly comforting, ensuring that God’s future dwelling would be built exactly to His specifications, restoring holiness and His glorious presence in an unblemished fashion. The divine surveyor guarantees that the future will unfold according to God's precise and perfect will.