Ezekiel 40:11

KJV

And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; [and] the length of the gate, thirteen cubits.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he measured {H4058} the breadth {H7341} of the entry {H6607} of the gate {H8179}, ten {H6235} cubits {H520}; and the length {H753} of the gate {H8179}, thirteen {H7969}{H6240} cubits {H520}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He measured the width of the opening to the gateway at seventeen-and-a-half feet and the width of the passage through the gateway at twenty-two-and-three-quarters feet.

Berean Standard Bible

And he measured the width of the gateway entrance to be ten cubits, and its length was thirteen cubits.

American Standard Version

And he measured the breadth of the opening of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 40:11 precisely details the architectural measurements for the entry of one of the gates within the visionary temple complex revealed to the prophet. Specifically, it states the breadth of the gate entry as ten cubits and its length as thirteen cubits. This verse is an integral part of a larger, divinely revealed blueprint for a future sanctuary, underscoring God's meticulous order, comprehensive planning, and the inherent sacredness of His dwelling place, thereby offering a profound message of hope and restoration to the exiled people of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 40:11 is deeply embedded within the monumental temple vision that spans chapters 40-48 of the book of Ezekiel. This elaborate vision commences in [Ezekiel 40:1](/ezekiel/40-1 "Ezekiel 40:1 - The Start of the Temple Vision") with Ezekiel's supernatural transportation to a very high mountain in the land of Israel, where he encounters a divine figure "with the appearance of bronze," equipped with a linen cord and a measuring rod. This celestial architect then systematically proceeds to measure the various components of a new, glorious temple complex. The preceding verses ([Ezekiel 40:6-10](/ezekiel/40-6-10 "Ezekiel 40:6-10 - Dimensions of the Eastern Gate")) meticulously describe the specific dimensions of the eastern gate, detailing its guardrooms, posts, and porch. Verse 11 continues this precise architectural description, shifting focus to the internal dimensions of the gate's entry itself. This extraordinary level of detail and precision serves to emphatically underscore the divine origin and authoritative nature of the entire vision, leaving no room for human conjecture or error in the blueprint of God's future dwelling.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The temple vision in Ezekiel 40-48 was granted to the prophet during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national despair and spiritual disorientation for the Jewish people. Jerusalem and its first temple had been utterly destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC, leaving the people far from their homeland and their spiritual center. In this context of desolation, a vision of a new, magnificent temple served as an immensely powerful message of hope, restoration, and the unwavering promise of God's renewed presence among His people. Ancient Near Eastern temples were not merely buildings; they were meticulously designed cosmic models, often reflecting divine order and serving as the earthly dwelling places of deities. Gates, in particular, held immense significance as architectural features, controlling access, delineating sacred boundaries, and frequently serving as locations for legal judgments or public assembly. The detailed measurements, expressed in cubits—a common unit of measurement in the ancient world—would have been immediately comprehensible to Ezekiel's audience, grounding the visionary hope in tangible, albeit divinely revealed, specifics. This vision presented a stark and glorious contrast to the ruined temple, offering a clear and certain promise of a future where God's glory would return to a purified and perfectly ordered sanctuary.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous measurements presented in Ezekiel 40:11 contribute significantly to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Ezekiel. Firstly, the theme of **Divine Precision and Order** is paramount; the exactness of every dimension, from the [outer wall](/ezekiel/40-5 "Ezekiel 40:5 - Measurement of the Outer Wall") to the intricate gate entries, powerfully underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His meticulous planning. Nothing in His divine blueprint is arbitrary, emphasizing His complete control over all things, including the restoration of His people and their worship. Secondly, the theme of **Holiness and Access** is central. Gates in ancient temples regulated who could enter and how far they could proceed, symbolizing the sanctity of the inner courts and the holiness required to approach God. The specific dimensions of this gate entry suggest a divinely ordained, controlled, and intentional pathway to God's presence, reinforcing the idea that God's dwelling is sacred and demands reverence. Finally, this verse, as an integral part of the broader temple vision, contributes profoundly to the theme of **Future Restoration and God's Dwelling Presence**. For the exiled Israelites, this detailed vision was a tangible and living promise that God had not abandoned them and that His glory would one day return to dwell among them in a purified and perfectly ordered sanctuary, a promise that finds its ultimate resonance in the description of God's dwelling with humanity in [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with Humanity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **measured (Hebrew, _mâdad'_):** This primitive root signifies "to stretch" and, by implication, "to measure (as if by stretching a line)." In Ezekiel 40:11, it highlights the precise, intentional action of the divine guide in quantifying the temple's dimensions. This verb emphasizes the exactness and non-negotiable nature of the divine blueprint, indicating that every detail is purposeful and not left to human estimation or improvisation.
* **cubits (Hebrew, _ʼammâh'_):** Prolonged from a word meaning "mother" or "fore-arm," this term refers to the standard ancient unit of linear measurement, typically the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Its consistent use throughout Ezekiel's temple vision underscores the tangible and concrete nature of the divine instructions, making the visionary temple seem real and constructible, despite its profound symbolic depth. The repetition of "cubits" reinforces the overarching theme of divine precision and the practicality of God's design.
* **gate (Hebrew, _shaʻar'_):** From a root meaning "an opening," this word denotes a door or gate, often referring to a city gate or, as here, a temple entrance. In the context of Ezekiel's temple, the "gate" is far more than a mere entrance; it is a controlled point of access, a critical boundary marker between the profane and the sacred. Its specific measurements indicate a divinely regulated passage into the holy precincts, emphasizing the sanctity of the temple and the ordered, reverent approach required to enter God's presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits;"**: This initial clause introduces the specific dimension of the gate's width. The pronoun "he" refers to the angelic guide (the "man" with the measuring rod) who is meticulously showing Ezekiel the temple and quantifying its various components. The "breadth" (or width) of the "entry" (the opening or passage) of the "gate" is precisely stated as "ten cubits." This exact numerical value immediately conveys a profound sense of divine order and intentionality, emphasizing that every aspect of this future sanctuary is divinely ordained and perfectly proportioned, leaving no room for human error or arbitrary design.
* **"and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits."**: This second clause continues the detailed description of the gate's internal dimensions, specifying its "length" (or depth) as "十三 cubits." The transition from "breadth" to "length" indicates a comprehensive measurement of the entry passage itself, ensuring that the entire gateway is fully defined. The continuation of precise numerical values reinforces the overarching theme of divine precision and the non-negotiable nature of the temple's design. These specific measurements are not arbitrary architectural notes but contribute significantly to the overall symbolic and theological significance of the visionary temple as a place of perfect order, divine holiness, and regulated access.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 40:11, like the entirety of the temple vision, is characterized by its pervasive use of **Precision and Detail**. The meticulous enumeration of measurements, specified down to the exact cubit, is the primary literary technique employed. This extreme specificity serves to powerfully convey the divine origin and absolute authority of the vision, implying that the blueprint is not a human invention but a divinely revealed design—perfect, unalterable, and purposeful. The numbers themselves, "ten" and "thirteen," while seemingly mundane, contribute significantly to the sense of **Verisimilitude**, making the visionary temple feel tangible, real, and potentially constructible, despite its profound prophetic and symbolic nature. Furthermore, the gate itself functions as a potent **Symbol**, representing controlled access, the critical boundaries between the sacred and the profane, and the divinely ordered approach to God's holy presence. The very act of measuring, performed by a divine figure, can be interpreted as a **Ritualistic Act**, underscoring the profound sacredness of the space being defined and the divine authority behind its design.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 40:11, with its precise measurements of the temple gate, profoundly underscores the theological truth that God is a God of absolute order, meticulous precision, and unapproachable holiness. The extraordinary detail of the visionary temple speaks volumes about the divine architect's comprehensive and perfect plan for restoration and the re-establishment of His glorious presence among His people. This divine attention to every minute detail implies that God's dwelling place, whether a physical sanctuary in the past or a spiritual reality in the present, is not haphazard or chaotic but perfectly designed to facilitate worship and communion in a manner that fully honors His absolute sanctity. The gate's dimensions, therefore, transcend mere architectural notes; they are profound theological statements about the nature of access to God and the sacredness inherent in His presence.

* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Pattern for the Tabernacle") - God gives Moses precise instructions for building the Tabernacle, emphasizing divine design for sacred spaces.
* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is a God of Order") - "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people."
* [Revelation 21:15-17](/revelation/21-15-17 "Revelation 21:15-17 - Measurements of the New Jerusalem") - The New Jerusalem is also described with precise, symbolic measurements, indicating divine perfection and order in the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 40:11, despite its seemingly technical and architectural nature, offers profound spiritual insights and practical applications for contemporary believers. The meticulous measurements of the gate serve as a powerful reminder that God is a God of intentionality and perfect order, caring deeply about every detail of His creation and His grand redemptive plan. This truth encourages us to approach our faith, our worship, and our daily lives with a similar level of care, diligence, and intentionality, recognizing that even the seemingly small details matter profoundly to God. The gate, functioning as a point of controlled access, also prompts deep reflection on the reverence and holiness required to approach God. While we no longer worship in a physical temple, the underlying principle remains: our spiritual lives and corporate worship should reflect a profound awe and respect for God's holy presence, acknowledging that access to Him is an undeserved and sacred privilege. This verse ultimately reinforces our trust in God's comprehensive blueprint for our individual lives and for the unfolding of history, assuring us that His promises of restoration and His desire to dwell with His people will be perfectly fulfilled, even when our present circumstances may seem chaotic or uncertain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the temple vision challenge or affirm your current understanding of His character and providence?**
* **In what specific areas of your life might you be called to exhibit greater intentionality, precision, or order, thereby reflecting God's character?**
* **How can the concept of "controlled access" to the ancient temple inform your approach to worship and deepen your understanding of God's holiness today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the specific measurements (ten and thirteen cubits) in Ezekiel 40:11?**

Answer: The exact numbers, "ten cubits" for the breadth and "thirteen cubits" for the length, are significant primarily for their contribution to the overarching theme of divine precision and order that permeates Ezekiel's entire temple vision. While specific symbolic meanings for these particular numbers in this precise context are not explicitly stated within the text, their very presence emphasizes that this is not a vague, metaphorical, or impressionistic description, but rather a divinely revealed and highly detailed blueprint. The exactness underscores God's meticulousness in planning and His desire for perfection in His dwelling place. It also serves to ground the visionary hope in tangible, concrete details, assuring the exiled Israelites that God's plan for restoration is real and substantial, not merely an abstract idea. The consistent repetition of precise measurements throughout [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Temple Vision Begins") highlights the divine authority and the unchangeable nature of the temple's design, signifying a future reality that is both certain and perfectly ordered by God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 40:11, with its depiction of a precisely measured gate, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The meticulously designed gate of the visionary temple symbolizes the ordered, holy, and divinely appointed access to God's sacred presence, a spiritual reality that is perfectly embodied and fully realized in Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the [door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Door")" and profoundly stated, "I am the [way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")". He is, therefore, the divinely appointed and perfectly "measured" gate through whom humanity gains true and holy access to God the Father. Furthermore, the temple itself, with its precise dimensions and sacred boundaries, foreshadows Christ as the ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity. As [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") beautifully states, "The Word became flesh and [dwelt among us](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation of Christ"), and we saw His glory." Jesus is the new and living temple, a concept He powerfully alluded to when He spoke of [destroying and raising the temple in three days](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection"), referring specifically to His own body. Through His perfect life, sacrificial death on the cross, and glorious resurrection, Christ opened a new and living way into the holiest place, making direct, unhindered access to God possible for all believers, as richly described in [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through Christ's Blood"). Thus, the precise, divinely ordained gate of Ezekiel's prophetic vision finds its spiritual, redemptive, and ultimate reality in the perfectly ordered and holy person of Jesus Christ, our sole and sufficient access to the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.