Ezekiel 40 7

Ezekiel 40:7 kjv

And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed.

Ezekiel 40:7 nkjv

Each gate chamber was one rod long and one rod wide; between the gate chambers was a space of five cubits; and the threshold of the gateway by the vestibule of the inside gate was one rod.

Ezekiel 40:7 niv

The alcoves for the guards were one rod long and one rod wide, and the projecting walls between the alcoves were five cubits thick. And the threshold of the gate next to the portico facing the temple was one rod deep.

Ezekiel 40:7 esv

And the side rooms, one reed long and one reed broad; and the space between the side rooms, five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the vestibule of the gate at the inner end, one reed.

Ezekiel 40:7 nlt

There were guard alcoves on each side built into the gateway passage. Each of these alcoves was 10 1?2 feet square, with a distance between them of 8 3?4 feet along the passage wall. The gateway's inner threshold, which led to the entry room at the inner end of the gateway passage, was 10 1?2 feet front to back.

Ezekiel 40 verses

Ezekiel 40 7 meaning

Ezekiel 40:7 meticulously details the architectural specifications of the gates in the visionary temple. It describes the precise dimensions of the guard chambers within these gate structures, each measuring one reed in length and one reed in breadth. Furthermore, it specifies an interval of five cubits between these chambers, implying either connecting passageways or the thickness of intervening walls. The verse concludes by stating the threshold of the inner gate porch was also one reed, emphasizing the uniform, divinely ordained precision throughout the sacred complex. This attention to measurement underscores the ordered and holy nature of the future dwelling place of God.

Ezekiel 40 7 Context

Ezekiel chapter 40 marks a significant turning point in the book of Ezekiel. Following visions of God's departing glory, Jerusalem's destruction, and pronouncements against surrounding nations, Ezekiel is given a detailed vision of a new, ideal temple. This vision occurs in the 25th year of his exile (c. 573 BC), 14 years after Jerusalem fell. The purpose of this meticulous architectural description is not necessarily to provide a literal blueprint for a third temple, but to offer the exiled Israelites a vivid hope of God's future presence, restoration, and meticulous ordering of their lives and worship. Chapter 40 specifically focuses on the external courts and their monumental gates, each described with incredible precision. Verse 7, embedded in the description of the eastern outer gate, illustrates the meticulous measurements of the guard chambers and the space between them, establishing a foundational principle of divine order and sanctity for the entire complex.

Ezekiel 40 7 Word analysis

• And every little chamber (וְתָא, wə·ṯāʾ):

  • וְ (wə): Conjunction, meaning "and." Connects this detail to the preceding description of the gate structure.
  • תָא (ta'): Refers to a small room, cell, or compartment, often used in architectural contexts. Here, it denotes the guard rooms or recesses built into the gate structure, providing security, shelter for gatekeepers, or possibly storage. The detailed mention highlights the functional elements within the massive gate complex, designed for specific purposes related to the temple's security and operation. Its repetitive description underscores the uniform design.

• was one reed long, and one reed broad (קָנֶה אֶחָד אֹרֶךְ וְקָנֶה אֶחָד רֹחַב, qa·neh ʾe·ḥāḏ ʾō·reḵ wə·qa·neh ʾe·ḥāḏ rō·ḥaḇ):

  • קָנֶה (qaneh): A "reed" is a specific unit of measurement used in the vision. One reed equals six cubits (Ezek 40:5), and in Ezekiel's vision, a cubit is a "cubit and a handbreadth" (approximately 52.5 cm or 20.7 inches). Thus, one reed is approximately 3.15 meters or 10.35 feet.
  • אֶחָד (eḥad): "One," emphasizing singular, precise units.
  • אֹרֶךְ (ʾō·reḵ): "Length."
  • רֹחַב (rō·ḥaḇ): "Breadth" or "width."
  • This phrase indicates the perfect square dimension of the chambers. The use of "reed" rather than "cubit" suggests larger, significant units for key architectural features, reinforcing the monumental scale and divine grandeur of the temple complex. The precise, repetitive measurement (one reed by one reed) reflects divine order and perfection, characteristic of sacred architecture.

• and between the little chambers were five cubits (וְחָמֵשׁ אַמּוֹת בֵּין הַתָּאִים, wə·ḥā·mēš ʾam·mō·wṯ bên hat·tā·ʾîm):

  • חָמֵשׁ (ḥā·mēš): "Five."
  • אַמּוֹת (ʾam·mō·wṯ): "Cubits," the shorter unit of measurement (approximately 52.5 cm). So, five cubits would be about 2.625 meters or 8.6 feet. The switch from reeds to cubits indicates a finer degree of detail for smaller inter-chamber spaces, possibly representing the thickness of partition walls or small intervening passages.
  • בֵּין (bên): "Between" or "among."
  • הַתָּאִים (hat·tā·ʾîm): "The little chambers" (plural definite).
  • This specification provides details for the gaps or passages between the guard chambers, contributing to the overall structural integrity and functionality of the gate complex. It highlights a precise spacing, ensuring uniformity and order.

• and the threshold of the gate (וּמִפְתַּן הַשַּׁעַר, ū·mip·tan haš·ša·ʿar):

  • וּמִפְתַּן (ū·mip·tan): "And the threshold." The threshold (מִפְתָּן, mif'tan) is the base or sill of a doorway. Architecturally significant, it often marks a transition between spaces and can denote strength and permanence.
  • הַשַּׁעַר (haš·ša·ʿar): "The gate." The specific gate being described in this section (the outer east gate, as per Ezek 40:6-16).

• by the porch of the gate within (אֶת אֵילָם הַשַּׁעַר מִבָּיִת, ʾeṯ ʾê·lām haš·ša·ʿar mib·bā·yiṯ):

  • אֵילָם (ʾê·lām): "Porch," "portico," or "vestibule." A space that functions as an entrance area, usually covered and open on one side. This adds a sense of grandeur and prepares visitors for entry.
  • הַשַּׁעַר (haš·ša·ʿar): "The gate." Referring to the specific architectural feature of the porch within the gate structure.
  • מִבָּיִת (mib·bā·yiṯ): "Within," "inward," or "inside." This specifies the location of the threshold, indicating it is on the interior side of the porch, providing further spatial clarification within the gate complex.

• was one reed (קָנֶה אֶחָד, qa·neh ʾe·ḥāḏ):

  • Again, "one reed" (approximately 3.15 meters), signifying the length/breadth of the threshold, consistent with the substantial dimensions established for the other primary features. This consistent use of "reed" for significant elements reinforces the scale and uniform design.

Ezekiel 40 7 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on exact measurements in Ezekiel 40-42 serves multiple symbolic purposes beyond a mere architectural plan.

1. Divine Authority: The highly specific dimensions, revealed by an angelic guide (Ezek 40:3), highlight that this vision originates from God. It's not a human design but a divine mandate, showing His absolute sovereignty over space and form, especially concerning His dwelling place.
2. Order out of Chaos: For an exiled people living in a fragmented world, such intricate order offers a counter-narrative to the chaos of war and displacement. It provides a blueprint for an ordered community centered on God.
3. Sanctity and Purity: Precision in measurements defines sacred space, separating it clearly from the profane. Every wall, every chamber, every threshold contributes to a controlled environment where God's presence can reside without defilement. The detailed spatial distinctions are crucial for preventing the intermingling of the holy and common.
4. Symbolic Blueprint: While likely not a literal construction manual, the vision offers an archetypal ideal. It is a heavenly temple brought down to human understanding, illustrating God's character: methodical, precise, and perfect. The numbers (like one reed or five cubits) likely held symbolic weight for the original audience, signifying completeness or divine presence, though the exact symbolic interpretations are sometimes debated among scholars.

Ezekiel 40 7 Commentary

Ezekiel 40:7 is a testament to the divine demand for precision and order within God's sanctuary. The meticulous enumeration of dimensions—chambers "one reed long, and one reed broad," and the five-cubit separation—transcends mere architectural specification. It speaks to a divine blueprint, emphasizing that every component of God's dwelling place is carefully planned and executed. This attention to detail offers comfort and hope to the exiles, contrasting sharply with the defiled and destroyed Temple they had lost. The new Temple vision ensures that impurity, which was characteristic of the first Temple period leading to its destruction, would not find a foothold in this perfectly proportioned sacred space. The uniform use of the "reed" measurement for primary elements, such as chambers and the gate threshold, underscores the monumental and harmonious scale intended. This ideal vision represents not just a building, but a renewed, orderly relationship between God and His people, where every aspect of worship and presence is structured by divine command, symbolizing His unwavering commitment to a holy future.