Ezekiel 42 20

Ezekiel 42:20 kjv

He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.

Ezekiel 42:20 nkjv

He measured it on the four sides; it had a wall all around, five hundred cubits long and five hundred wide, to separate the holy areas from the common.

Ezekiel 42:20 niv

So he measured the area on all four sides. It had a wall around it, five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide, to separate the holy from the common.

Ezekiel 42:20 esv

He measured it on the four sides. It had a wall around it, 500 cubits long and 500 cubits broad, to make a separation between the holy and the common.

Ezekiel 42:20 nlt

So the area was 875 feet on each side with a wall all around it to separate what was holy from what was common.

Ezekiel 42 verses

Ezekiel 42 20 Meaning

This verse states that the measurement of the inner court around the temple, encompassing its length and width, was one hundred cubits, and it further clarifies that the eastern side, which was measured as part of this inner court, was separated from the outer court by fifty cubits.

Ezekiel 42 20 Context

Ezekiel chapter 42 details the dimensions and layout of the inner court and the adjoining priests' chambers within the visionary temple. This verse specifically concludes the measurements of the inner court, providing its precise length and width (100 cubits) and also its separation from the outer court. The surrounding chambers are also intricately described in the preceding verses, highlighting the meticulous design of this future sanctuary. This entire section of Ezekiel is concerned with the restoration of worship and the presence of God, emphasizing holiness and order within the sacred space. The vision serves to reaffirm God's faithfulness and His desire for a people through whom His glory will be manifest.

Ezekiel 42 20 Word Analysis

• וְבָאֹ֖רֶךְ (wə·ḇā·’ō⋅rɛḵ)

  • Transliteration: wə·ḇā·’ō⋅rɛḵ
  • Meaning: And in length. The “וְ (wə)” is a conjunction meaning "and." “בָאֹ֖רֶךְ (bā·’ō⋅rɛḵ)” means "in length." It emphasizes a dimension of measurement, building upon previous descriptions.

• חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים (ḥă·miš·šîm)

  • Transliteration: ḥă·miš·šîm
  • Meaning: Fifty. This number represents a significant dimension, often indicating a partition or a special area.

• קָנֶ֥ה (qā·nɛh)

  • Transliteration: qā·nɛh
  • Meaning: Cane, rod, measuring rod. This refers to the tool used for measurement, symbolizing the precise and divinely ordained nature of the measurements. The prophet's measurements are systematic and precise, reflecting God's order.

• הִשְּׂאִ֥יר (hiś·’îr)

  • Transliteration: hiś·’îr
  • Meaning: He left over, he reserved, he left out. This word indicates something set apart or excluded from the main measurement, implying a specific purpose for this leftover space. It implies a distinction between the inner court and what lies beyond it.

• בֵּינֵ֤יכֶם (bê·nê·ḵɛm)

  • Transliteration: bênê·ḵɛm
  • Meaning: Between you. This points to a boundary or separation that exists between different areas. In this context, it signifies the space between the inner court and the outer court or the surrounding structures.

• words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "וּמֵהָאוֹרֶךְ חֲמִשִּׁים קָנֶה הִשְּׂאִיר בֵּינֵיכֶם" (wû·mê·hā·’ō⋅rɛḵ ḥă·miš·šîm qā·nɛh hiś·’îr bê·nê·ḵɛm)
    • This phrase signifies that from the measured length of the inner court (which, in context from v.17, was 100 cubits), fifty cubits were designated as a space left over or reserved between something. This refers to the space separating the measured 100 cubits of the inner court from the outer boundaries, or specifically from the eastern side of the outer court as clarified by earlier verses (v. 17-19). This fifty-cubit gap likely represents a threshold or a separation zone to maintain sanctity.

Ezekiel 42 20 Bonus Section

The 50-cubit measurement for the border or separation zone here echoes other significant divisions in the Old Testament, such as the 50 cubits separating the priests' portions from the common land, or the 50 cubits mentioned in the measuring of the great mountain of God in Psalm 48:2 ("beautiful in elevation, is the joy of the whole earth... Mount Zion... on the north side the city of the great King.") as a point of reference for divine dwelling. It also prefigures the heavenly measurements in Revelation, where everything is meticulously designed for God's glory and for the habitation of His people. The concept of a measured and ordered sanctuary points to the ultimate perfection of God's dwelling place in the new Jerusalem, where all is pure and perfect.

Ezekiel 42 20 Commentary

This verse acts as a concluding statement on the dimensions of the inner court. The measurement of one hundred cubits (length and breadth) established the dimensions of the sacred enclosure itself, mirroring the previous measurements in chapter 40. The crucial element here is the specification of "fifty cubits" left over, specifically on the eastern side. This space serves to separate the inner court's sanctified area from the outer court. This separation reinforces the escalating levels of holiness within the temple complex, where access and proximity to the holy of holies are strictly regulated by divine design. This principle of increasing sanctity as one approaches the divine presence is a consistent theme in biblical sanctuary symbolism. The precision underscores the ordered and reverent manner in which God is to be approached.