Ezekiel 41 15

Ezekiel 41:15 kjv

And he measured the length of the building over against the separate place which was behind it, and the galleries thereof on the one side and on the other side, an hundred cubits, with the inner temple, and the porches of the court;

Ezekiel 41:15 nkjv

He measured the length of the building behind it, facing the separating courtyard, with its galleries on the one side and on the other side, one hundred cubits, as well as the inner temple and the porches of the court,

Ezekiel 41:15 niv

Then he measured the length of the building facing the courtyard at the rear of the temple, including its galleries on each side; it was a hundred cubits. The main hall, the inner sanctuary and the portico facing the court,

Ezekiel 41:15 esv

Then he measured the length of the building facing the yard that was at the back and its galleries on either side, a hundred cubits. The inside of the nave and the vestibules of the court,

Ezekiel 41:15 nlt

The building to the west, including its two walls, was also 175 feet wide. The sanctuary, the inner room, and the entry room of the Temple

Ezekiel 41 verses

Ezekiel 41 15 meaning

Ezekiel 41:15 provides specific architectural measurements within the detailed vision of the future temple. It states that the building facing the open area at the back (west) of the main temple, including its galleries on both sides, extended a length of one hundred cubits. This overall measurement encompassed both the inner sanctuary and the surrounding porticos of the court, thereby integrating these seemingly disparate elements into a unified, measured length of the complex. The verse contributes to the meticulous blueprint of God's future dwelling, emphasizing divine order and a carefully defined sacred space.

Ezekiel 41 15 Context

Ezekiel chapter 41 is part of a detailed prophetic vision given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile (chapters 40-48), outlining a grand, elaborate temple. This vision served as a profound message of hope and future restoration for the exiled Israelites, assuring them that God would dwell among His people once more in a purified sanctuary. Chapter 41 specifically describes the structure and dimensions of the main temple building, including its sanctuary, side chambers, and surrounding areas. Verse 15 elaborates on the measurements of the western portion of this complex, referring to a building that faces an open area at the very back (west) of the main temple. This includes its projecting structures ("galleries") and ultimately integrates the "inner temple" and the "porches of the court" into a cohesive 100-cubit length. The precision in these measurements emphasizes the divine origin of the plan and the holiness and order characteristic of God's future dwelling, standing in stark contrast to the destroyed Solomonic Temple and the impurity that led to the exile. Culturally, such exactitude underscores the Israelite understanding that God's presence demanded a highly organized, consecrated space, a stark counter-message to pagan temples which often lacked such divine direction in their architecture and rituals.

Ezekiel 41 15 Word analysis

• And he measured: וַיִּמַּד (wa-yi-mad). From the root מָדַד (madad), "to measure." Signifies divine precision, authoritative documentation, and the concrete reality of God's plans. The repeated act of measuring throughout chapters 40-48 highlights the methodical and exact nature of the heavenly design.

• the length: אֹרֶךְ (o-rekh). A standard Hebrew term for linear extent. Its inclusion stresses that every dimension is divinely prescribed and significant, leaving no room for human arbitrariness.

• of the building: הַבִּנְיָן (ha-bin-yan). Derived from בָּנָה (banah), "to build." Refers to a distinct architectural structure, specifically one on the western side. This "building" likely provided functional support or served as a buffer, ensuring the sacred core was protected and separated from common space.

• opposite the temple-yard / facing the open area: הַגִּזְרָה אֲשֶׁר מִפְּאַת (ha-gizrah asher mi-p'at). הַגִּזְרָה (ha-gizrah) is the "separated place" or "open area," here referring to the reserved space on the west side of the main temple. This "separated place" is a key term in Ezekiel's temple vision, emphasizing distinction and purity, preventing immediate secular access to the sacred. It is also found in Eze 42:1.

• at the back of it: אֶל־דַּרְגָּה (el-dargah), with מִפְּאַת מַעֲרָב (mi-p'at ma'arav) in other readings/versions often meaning "on the west side." This specifies the location: behind or to the west of the most sacred parts, affirming a proper directional alignment for the complex.

• and the gallery on either side: וְאֶת־אַתִּיקָיו מִפְּנִימָה וּמִחוּץ (v'et-'attīqāv mi-pnimah u-mi-chuts). אַתִּיק (attīq) refers to architectural projections or porticoes. The mention "on either side" (literally, "within and without" or "inward and outward" in some contexts, but here referring to sides of the gallery) implies symmetrical extensions, further showcasing ordered design and balanced structure.

• an hundred cubits: מֵאָה אַמָּה (me'ah 'ammah). A precise and substantial measurement. One hundred (מֵאָה) suggests completeness or fullness in scale. The cubit (אַמָּה, 'ammah) varied, typically 18-21 inches, indicating a significant and practical dimension, crucial for envisioning the physical scale of the divine abode.

• with the inner temple: וְהֵיכָל הַפְּנִימִי (v'hekhal ha-p'nimiy). הֵיכָל (hekhal) denotes the main temple building, the "holy place" and "most holy place." פְּנִימִי (p'nimiy) means "inner." Its inclusion within this overall measurement signifies that the "building" and its "galleries" are not detached but form an integral part of the larger sanctuary complex's entire length, even incorporating the most sacred central unit.

• and the porches of the court: וְאֻלַמּוֹת הֶחָצֵר (v'ulammot he-chatser). אֻלַם (ulam) are vestibules or porticoes. חָצֵר (chatser) is the court or courtyard. This refers to the structures forming the entrance or transition spaces of the courtyard, demonstrating the continuous integration of all components into the grand scheme of the measured length.

• The words-group analysis:

  • "he measured the length of the building... an hundred cubits": This phrase establishes the primary purpose of the verse – precise dimensioning. The divine measurement signifies the immutability and reality of the vision. The specific number "one hundred" denotes substantial size, representing God's grandeur.
  • "opposite the temple-yard which was at the back of it, and the gallery on either side": These phrases precisely locate and describe the structures being measured. "Temple-yard" or "open area" highlights the intentional separation for holiness. The inclusion of "galleries" speaks to intricate, functional, and aesthetically significant architectural features.
  • "with the inner temple, and the porches of the court": This clarifies that the "one hundred cubits" encompasses multiple parts of the complex, from the sacred innermost dwelling to the outermost court entrances. This detail emphasizes the holistic and integrated design of the entire sanctuary, demonstrating how God's dwelling encompasses and influences all surrounding areas.

Ezekiel 41 15 Bonus section

The concept of "separated place" (גִּזְרָה - gizrah) introduced here for the area behind the temple, usually the west side, is crucial to understanding the meticulous boundary setting in Ezekiel's vision. This term recurs several times in these chapters, indicating a divinely mandated area designed to preserve the absolute sanctity of the central temple structures. It acts as a buffer or holy exclusion zone, maintaining purity and reverential distance. This principle of separation is fundamental to all biblical sanctuaries, from the Tabernacle (Exodus) to Solomon's Temple, and even symbolically extends to the New Testament's call for believers to be set apart from the world. This specific measurement, integrating multiple structures, points to an understanding of holiness not just as a static point, but as a quality that extends and influences all connected components of God's presence, requiring every part to be under divine regulation.

Ezekiel 41 15 Commentary

Ezekiel 41:15 is a detailed architectural snippet within Ezekiel's grand temple vision. Its primary message is the comprehensive, ordered, and divinely determined nature of God's future dwelling place. The measurement of "one hundred cubits" is not arbitrary but points to the precise blueprint for God's renewed presence among a purified Israel. This measurement incorporates the westernmost auxiliary building, its symmetrically placed galleries, and remarkably, includes the most sacred "inner temple" (holy place and most holy place) along with the outer "porches of the court." This signifies a holistic vision where the divine core is deeply integrated with its surrounding sacred buffer zones and public areas, all part of one unified and measured design. The inclusion of such minute detail offers hope by concretizing the vision of God's unwavering commitment to dwell with His people. It stresses the profound holiness that will permeate every part of God's renewed sanctuary, marking a definitive end to the past defilement and neglect. This vision serves not just as an architectural drawing, but as a symbolic promise of ultimate restoration and the perfect ordering of all creation around God's manifest presence.