Ezekiel 42:5 kjv
Now the upper chambers were shorter: for the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and than the middlemost of the building.
Ezekiel 42:5 nkjv
Now the upper chambers were shorter, because the galleries took away space from them more than from the lower and middle stories of the building.
Ezekiel 42:5 niv
Now the upper rooms were narrower, for the galleries took more space from them than from the rooms on the lower and middle floors of the building.
Ezekiel 42:5 esv
Now the upper chambers were narrower, for the galleries took more away from them than from the lower and middle chambers of the building.
Ezekiel 42:5 nlt
Each of the two upper levels of rooms was narrower than the one beneath it because the upper levels had to allow space for walkways in front of them.
Ezekiel 42 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 40:46 | The priests of the sons of Zadok, who are of the sons of Levi, shall have the charge of the sanctuary. | Sanctuary service and priestly role |
| Ezekiel 42:16 | He measured the east side five hundred cubits with the measuring reed. | Specific measurements within the Temple complex |
| Numbers 3:10 | Aaron and his sons you shall appoint to their priestly service. | Appointment of priests for sacred duties |
| Exodus 28:2 | You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother for glory and for beauty. | Importance of priestly attire and status |
| Leviticus 6:16 | Aaron and his sons are to eat it in a holy place, in the court of the tabernacle of meeting. | Designated holy places for priests |
| 1 Chronicles 23:29 | They were also for the provision of the food offerings, for the fine flour for the grain offerings, for the unleavened bread, or for what is baked in the pan, or for what is mixed, and for all measures of quantity and size. | Priestly duties including provisions for sacrifices |
| Nehemiah 13:4-5 | Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being related to Tobiah, had prepared for him a large chamber where they formerly put the grain offerings, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, the singers, and the gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests. | Proper allocation and use of Temple chambers |
| Hebrews 8:5 | They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. | Symbolic nature of the earthly sanctuary and its service |
| Hebrews 10:1 | For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. | The earthly Temple points to a greater, heavenly reality |
| Isaiah 4:6 | There will be a tabernacle for shade from the heat by day, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and from rain. | God's protective presence and provision for His people |
| Matthew 23:38 | "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing! | Jesus' lament over Jerusalem and the rejection of God's provision |
| John 14:2 | "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?" | Jesus preparing a place in His Father's house for believers |
| Revelation 7:15 | Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them. | Eternal service of the redeemed in God's presence |
| Genesis 1:28 | God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it…" | Divine blessing and mandate, underlying creation's order |
| Exodus 12:3 | "...Let each man take a lamb according to the clans, a lamb or a young goat." | Specific instructions for God's people, a lamb for Passover |
| Numbers 4:3 | “at thirty years old and upward, even to fifty years old, every one that can come to do the work in the service, and the work in the tabernacle of meeting;" | Age limitations for Levitical service, defining roles |
| 1 Kings 6:38 | and in the eleventh year he finished all the house according to all its plans and all its details. So he built it for seven years. | Perfection and meticulous planning in temple construction |
| Psalm 48:2-3 | Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the north side of the city of the great King. God is in her palaces; he is known to be her refuge. | God's dwelling place and refuge, city of God |
| Isaiah 60:7 | All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you. | Future glory and worship of nations in Zion |
| Zechariah 3:7 | "If you will walk in my ways and carry out my service, then you shall govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these who stand here." | Conditionality of service and reward, standing before God |
Ezekiel 42 verses
Ezekiel 42 5 Meaning
This verse describes chambers that were built eastward from the sanctuary. They were intended for the priests who ministered in the sanctuary, specifically those who remained faithful to their duties. The structure and placement highlight the sanctity and order within the Temple, separating the sacred duties of the priests from other areas. The measure of these chambers (one hundred cubits eastward and north, and fifty cubits broad) denotes a specific, divine allocation and perfection in their design, aligning with the symbolic importance of numbers in scripture.
Ezekiel 42 5 Context
Ezekiel chapter 42 concludes the detailed vision of the restored Temple complex. Following the intricate measurements and specifications of the outer courts, inner courts, and various chambers, this verse specifically details the "chambers" situated to the east of the inner court. These chambers were designated for the priests serving in the sanctuary, separating their consecrated quarters from other areas within the holy site. The context emphasizes the holiness, order, and divine specifications for the worship and service within God's house. This vision comes as a comfort and blueprint for the post-exilic community, outlining God's unwavering commitment to His presence and the proper administration of sacred duties. It contrasts sharply with the corrupt practices and disregard for holiness evident in the Temple prior to the Babylonian exile.
Ezekiel 42 5 Word Analysis
- וּמִצְּלָעוֹת (u'mi-tzĕla'ōt): "And from the ribs/sides." Connects to the previously described structure, indicating these chambers are extensions or sides from the main structure.
- בַּיִת (bayit): "house/temple." Refers to the sanctuary or Temple complex.
- לַכֹּהֲנִים (la-kohenim): "for the priests." Explicitly identifies the occupants and their function.
- יֹשְׁבֵי (yoshvei): "who dwell/reside." Emphasizes habitation and function within the Temple precincts.
- הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (ha-mizbach): "the altar." Specifically, the altar of burnt offering, a central element of the sanctuary service.
- הַקֹּדֶשׁ (ha-qodesh): "the holy [place]." Denotes the holy inner sanctuary, separating these priests as those who ministered in the holiest areas.
- אֲשֶׁר (asher): "who." Relative pronoun connecting to the priests.
- יְשָׁרְתֻ֖הוּ (yĕsharetuhu): "minister/serve him." Verb from the root שָׁרַת (sharat), signifying rendering service, particularly to God.
- לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת (lĕ-mishmeret): "for the watch/duty." Indicates their appointed role and responsibility.
- קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh): "holy [service]." Further emphasizes the sacred nature of their duties.
- וּמִן־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (u-min-ha-mizbach): "and from the altar." Indicates these chambers are positioned away from or associated with the altar in a specific manner.
- יְמָאנָה (yĕmanah): "to the south." Specifies the orientation of the chambers relative to the altar or a specific point.
- לָשֵׂאת (la-sēt): "to carry." Denotes their responsibility to carry specific items related to their service.
- הַחַטָּ֖את (ha-chattā't): "the sin offerings." A specific category of sacrificial offerings.
- הָאֲשֵׁמִֽים (ha'ashēmim): "the guilt offerings." Another category of specific sacrificial offerings.
- אֲשֶׁר־בָּהֶם (asher-bahēm): "which [are] in them." Refers to the sacrificial contents or provisions.
- יִגָּֽשׁוּ (yiggāshu): "approach/offer." Signifies the act of presenting the sacrifices.
- לְשָֽׁרֵת (lĕ-sharēt): "to minister." Again, emphasizing priestly service.
- בְּבֵית־יְהוָה (bĕ-veit-YHWH): "in the house of the LORD." The specific location of their service.
Word Groups:
- "The priests... who minister unto him for the ward of the sanctuary": This phrase emphasizes the select group of Levites (sons of Zadok in Ezekiel's vision, Numbers 3:10) appointed for a specific, consecrated duty within the inner courts, maintaining the sanctity of the place.
- "From the altar": This prepositional phrase likely denotes proximity or origin for their tasks, distinguishing them from other priests. It suggests their ministry directly involved the altar services.
- "to carry the sin offerings, the guilt offerings": This clarifies a primary duty of these particular priests – handling the prescribed sacrifices for atonement and restitution.
Ezekiel 42 5 Bonus Section
The mention of carrying "sin offerings" and "guilt offerings" is significant. Sin offerings (Hebrew: chatta'th) were for unintentional sins or defilements, requiring purification of the sanctuary or priests. Guilt offerings (Hebrew: asham) were for sins involving restitution or intentional wrongdoing where the offender sought to make amends and purify themselves. These chambers therefore were tied to the very processes of atonement and restoration within the Israelite sacrificial system. The placement of these chambers is consistent with the eastward orientation of much of the Temple, symbolizing progression towards the presence of God. The specific measurements (though detailed more in v.16) reflect an adherence to divine standards, an element vital to God's relationship with His people as depicted throughout Scripture.
Ezekiel 42 5 Commentary
These chambers served a critical role in the orderly and holy functioning of the restored Temple. They were designated for priests, specifically those entrusted with ministering at the altar, which included handling the sin and guilt offerings. This arrangement underscores the sanctity required for such solemn duties. The placement eastward, with specific dimensions, reflects God's precise design for His house, emphasizing a complete and perfect order. These chambers provided a dedicated space for priests to prepare, handle, and perhaps consume parts of the sacrifices as prescribed, maintaining ritual purity and reverence for God's presence. This contrasts with any disorder or misappropriation of sacred spaces seen in pre-exilic times. The imagery of dedicated chambers for those serving closest to God highlights the importance of appointed roles and faithful execution of service within the divine economy.