Ezekiel 41 5

Ezekiel 41:5 kjv

After he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of every side chamber, four cubits, round about the house on every side.

Ezekiel 41:5 nkjv

Next, he measured the wall of the temple, six cubits. The width of each side chamber all around the temple was four cubits on every side.

Ezekiel 41:5 niv

Then he measured the wall of the temple; it was six cubits thick, and each side room around the temple was four cubits wide.

Ezekiel 41:5 esv

Then he measured the wall of the temple, six cubits thick, and the breadth of the side chambers, four cubits, all around the temple.

Ezekiel 41:5 nlt

Then he measured the wall of the Temple, and it was 10 1?2 feet thick. There was a row of rooms along the outside wall; each room was 7 feet wide.

Ezekiel 41 verses

Ezekiel 41 5 meaning

Ezekiel 41:5 details precise architectural measurements within the visionary temple, describing the formidable thickness of the main sanctuary's wall and the consistent width of the attached side chambers. This verse signifies divine precision, the establishment of clear boundaries for sacred space, and the structural integrity essential for God's dwelling, underscoring the holiness and meticulous design of the future temple.

Ezekiel 41 5 Context

Ezekiel 41:5 is nestled within a profound and highly detailed visionary sequence (chapters 40-48) describing a new temple and an idealized Holy Land. This vision was given to the prophet Ezekiel during his exile in Babylon, after the destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians. The immediate context of chapter 41 is the inner sanctuary and its surrounding structures, specifically the main building's walls and attached side chambers. The purpose of this meticulous architectural blueprint was multifaceted: to offer a profound message of hope and restoration to a dispossessed and dispirited people, to illustrate God's ongoing commitment to dwell among His people, and to emphasize the radical purity and order required for divine presence, contrasting sharply with the defilement that led to the first temple's destruction. The historical context underscores the theological significance of exact measurements – they represented a divinely ordained standard of holiness and separation from defiled pagan practices and compromised Israelite worship.

Ezekiel 41 5 Word analysis

• Then he measured (וַיָּמֹד, wa-ya'mod): This marks the ongoing guided tour. The "he" refers to the angelic, radiant guide (Ez 40:3) who has been showing Ezekiel around the temple complex. The act of measuring is critical in Ezekiel 40-48, indicating divine authority, precision, and the establishment of order. It's not a human blueprint but a divine one.
• the wall (קִיר, qir): This term refers to a specific structural wall. In context, it points to the outer wall of the main sanctuary building, differentiating it from an encircling wall (chel in Ez 40:5). Its substantial nature is immediately specified by the subsequent measurement.
• of the temple (הַבָּיִת, ha'bayit): Literally, "the house." This term consistently refers to the main sanctuary building, comprising the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, as distinct from the larger temple complex or outer courts. It emphasizes the sacred dwelling place of God.
• six cubits thick (שֵׁשׁ אַמּוֹת רֹחַב, shesh ammot rochav):
  • six (shesh): A number sometimes associated with humanity and creation (e.g., six days of creation), but here emphasizes specific divine instruction for robust construction.
  • cubits (ammot): The standard ancient measurement, roughly 18-21 inches or 45-53 cm. "Six cubits" (approximately 9-10.5 feet or 2.7-3.2 meters) indicates an incredibly thick and strong wall, symbolizing stability, permanence, and perhaps a barrier separating the extremely holy inner spaces.
  • thick (rochav): Specifically "breadth" or "width," defining the dimension of the wall. This considerable thickness implies strong, impenetrable boundaries.
• and the width (וְרֹחַב, w-rochav): Continues the focus on detailed spatial measurements. "And the width" serves to highlight a distinct dimension for a different architectural element.
• of the side chambers (הַצְּלָעוֹת, ha'tsela'ot): Literally, "the ribs" or "sides." These are distinct rooms or annexes attached to the temple building itself, mentioned similarly in Solomon's Temple (1 Kgs 6). They would likely have served for storage of temple treasures, vestments, or for use by the priests for rest and preparation. Their existence and specific measurements demonstrate the full functional detail of the sacred structure.
• four cubits (אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת, arba ammot):
  • four (arba): Often symbolizes cosmic universality, order, and completion (e.g., four cardinal directions, four rivers of Eden).
  • cubits (ammot): "Four cubits" (approximately 6-7 feet or 1.8-2.1 meters) makes these chambers narrower than the main temple wall is thick, indicating careful spatial allocation and function within the sacred complex.
• all around the temple (סָבִיב סָבִיב לַבָּיִת, saviv saviv la'bayit): Literally "all around, all around to the house." The repetition emphasizes the encompassing nature of these chambers, enveloping the main sanctuary on all sides (except perhaps the front). This highlights the comprehensive design for protecting and supporting the central holy dwelling, further enforcing its sacred separation.

Ezekiel 41 5 Bonus section

The extensive detail in Ezekiel's temple vision often prompts discussion about its literal versus symbolic interpretation. Many scholars view these precise measurements, like those in Ez 41:5, as more than mere blueprints for a physical structure. They represent an ideal, a divine standard of perfect order and holiness, meant to instill hope in the exilic community by showing God's unyielding commitment to dwelling among a restored, purified people. Typologically, this physical temple points to the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity: first in Christ (Jn 2:19-21), then in the Church (1 Pet 2:5), and finally in the New Jerusalem where God Himself is the Temple (Rev 21:22). The "thickness" of the wall speaks not just to its physical strength, but metaphorically to the robust protection and unapproachable holiness guarding God's sacred presence. The detailed measurements across Ezekiel 40-48 stand in stark contrast to human error and idolatrous pollution, establishing a divinely immutable standard for true worship and separation unto the Lord.

Ezekiel 41 5 Commentary

Ezekiel 41:5 is a micro-detail within a grand vision, yet it profoundly articulates key theological themes. The meticulous measurement of the temple wall and side chambers highlights God's demand for order and purity in worship. The "six cubits thick" wall underscores strength, permanence, and the demarcation of ultimate holiness. This structure isn't just large; it's meticulously proportioned, designed for function related to God's presence. The "side chambers" encompassing "the temple" reinforce the concept of an integrated, yet highly specialized, sacred complex. This detail conveys not only hope for Israel's future return but also foreshadows the New Testament concept of God dwelling among a people who are being built into a spiritual temple, where order, purity, and Christ as the foundation are paramount (Eph 2:20-22). The vision's physical exactitude ultimately points to a spiritual reality: God's perfect plan for His dwelling, both then and now.