Ezekiel 40 31

Ezekiel 40:31 kjv

And the arches thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it had eight steps.

Ezekiel 40:31 nkjv

Its archways faced the outer court, palm trees were on its gateposts, and going up to it were eight steps.

Ezekiel 40:31 niv

Its portico faced the outer court; palm trees decorated its jambs, and eight steps led up to it.

Ezekiel 40:31 esv

Its vestibule faced the outer court, and palm trees were on its jambs, and its stairway had eight steps.

Ezekiel 40:31 nlt

The entry room to the south gateway faced into the outer courtyard. It had palm tree decorations on its columns, and there were eight steps leading to its entrance.

Ezekiel 40 verses

Ezekiel 40 31 Meaning

This verse describes the interior dimensions and furnishings of the east gate's inner courtyard. It details the three chambers on each side, each with a sill and a jamb. The sills measure half a cubit. The chambers themselves are six cubits wide and six cubits deep. The distance between the doorposts (the openings to the chambers) is one cubit.

Ezekiel 40 31 Context

Ezekiel 40 marks the beginning of Ezekiel's prophetic vision of a new temple and a restored Israel. Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile, God grants Ezekiel a detailed vision of a future sanctuary. This vision serves as a powerful message of hope and restoration. Chapter 40 describes the outer court, the gate, and its associated structures, emphasizing order, holiness, and the renewed presence of God. Verse 31 specifically details the internal architecture of the east gate's inner courtyard, highlighting its precise measurements and structural components, such as chambers, sills, and jambs. This meticulous description underscores the divine design and the sacred nature of the envisioned place of worship.

Ezekiel 40 31 Word Analysis

• "and" (וְ‎ - wə): A common conjunctive particle, linking this verse to the previous description.
• "the sills" (וּפֹתֹתֵיהֶם‎ - u-pōtōtêhem): Feminine plural noun with a third-person plural possessive suffix. Refers to the thresholds or bases of the door openings into the chambers. In this context, it likely refers to the steps or bases upon which one would step to enter.
• "were half a cubit" (חֲצִי־אַמָּה‎ - ḥăṣî-ʼammâ): ḥăṣî (half) + ʼammâ (cubit). A precise measurement, indicating a small, specific dimension for these sills. The cubit was a standard ancient unit of length, roughly the distance from the elbow to the fingertips.
• "and" (וְ‎ - wə): Conjunction.
• "the jambs" (וּמְקָרָן‎ - u-məqārān): Masculine plural noun. Refers to the side posts of a doorway, the upright parts on either side of the opening.
• "were half a cubit" (חֲצִי־אַמָּה‎ - ḥăṣî-ʼammâ): Again, the measurement of half a cubit, suggesting a consistent design for the entryway’s sides.
• "and" (וְ‎ - wə): Conjunction.
• "the width" (וְרֹחַב‎ - wə-rōḥab): Masculine singular noun with a conjunctive "waw." The breadth or extent of something.
• "of the chamber" (הַתָּא‎ - hâttā’): Masculine singular noun with the definite article "ha." Refers to a specific room or compartment.
• "was six cubits" (שֵׁשׁ־אַמּוֹת‎ - šêš-ʼammōt): šêš (six) + ʼammōt (cubits). A clear dimension for the internal space of each chamber.
• "and" (וְ‎ - wə): Conjunction.
• "the length" (וְאֹרֶךְ‎ - wə-ʼōreḵ): Masculine singular noun with a conjunctive "waw." The extent of something from end to end.
• "of the chamber" (הַתָּא‎ - hâttā’): Again, refers to the same room.
• "was six cubits" (שֵׁשׁ־אַמּוֹת‎ - šêš-ʼammōt): Six cubits again, indicating the chamber was square in its internal dimensions.
• "and" (וְ‎ - wə): Conjunction.
• "between" (וּבֵין‎ - u-ḇêyn): Preposition "between" with the conjunctive "waw." Indicating separation or distance.
• "the doorposts" (הַמְּקָרֹות‎ - hâməqārōt): Masculine plural noun with the definite article "ha." Refers to the jambs of the doorway to the chamber.
• "was one cubit" (אַמָּה‎ - ʼammâ): One cubit. This likely refers to the thickness of the wall or structure between the doorways, creating the partitions.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the sills... were half a cubit, and the jambs were half a cubit": This repeated measurement of half a cubit for both the sills (thresholds) and jambs (side posts) emphasizes the intricate, detailed, and precisely engineered nature of this gate’s internal structure, possibly highlighting a balanced or symmetrical design at these smaller measurement points.
• "the width of the chamber was six cubits, and the length of the chamber was six cubits": The repeated dimension of six cubits for both width and length clearly indicates that these chambers within the gate were square, providing a uniform and regular internal space for their function.
• "and between the doorposts was one cubit": This phrase defines the space or thickness between the entrances to these adjacent chambers, representing the wall or partition separating them. This consistent dimension contributes to the overall orderliness of the architectural design.

Ezekiel 40 31 Bonus Section

The architectural detail in Ezekiel’s vision of the temple, including measurements like cubits for sills and jambs, is a significant aspect of understanding God’s desire for order and holiness in His worship. This visionary temple is often interpreted by scholars in various ways: some see it as a literal future temple to be built, while others view it as a symbolic representation of Christ or the Church, or a pre-Millennial literal temple. The precision of the measurements, such as the six-cubit square chambers, reinforces the idea of a sanctuary perfectly designed by God, unlike the man-made structures that often reflected human flaws. This level of detail in scripture encourages believers to approach God’s presence with reverence and a prepared heart, as indicated by the prophetic call to "enter His gates with thanksgiving." The repeated dimensions suggest symmetry and balance, qualities that speak of God’s own perfect nature and His orderly governance of creation and redemption.

Ezekiel 40 31 Commentary

This verse meticulously details the dimensions of the three chambers on each side of the inner gate. The mention of half-cubit sills and jambs suggests small, functional thresholds and doorframe elements. The internal space of each chamber being six cubits by six cubits points to a square, uniform layout, likely for specific purposes such as guarding or administrative duties within the temple complex. The one-cubit measurement between doorposts signifies the thickness of the partitions separating these chambers. These precise measurements underscore the emphasis on order, holiness, and intentional design in God's dwelling place as revealed in Ezekiel’s vision. They contribute to the sense of awe and sacredness associated with the visionary temple, pointing towards a divine perfect order.