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Ezekiel 40:12
Bible Versions
The space also before the little chambers [was] one cubit [on this side], and the space [was] one cubit on that side: and the little chambers [were] six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side.
There was a partition in front of the guardrooms [on one side] twenty-one inches [wide] and a partition on the other side twenty-one inches [wide], with the guardrooms themselves being ten-and-a-half feet square.
In front of each gate chamber was a wall one cubit high, and the gate chambers were six cubits square.
and a border before the lodges, one cubit on this side, and a border, one cubit on that side; and the lodges, six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side.
No cross-references found for this verse.
Ezekiel 40:12 is part of the detailed architectural blueprint for the visionary temple that the prophet Ezekiel sees. This specific verse provides precise measurements for the spaces and "little chambers" (or guardrooms) associated with the temple complex, particularly within the gate structures described earlier in the chapter.
Context of Ezekiel 40:12
The book of Ezekiel contains one of the most elaborate and extensive prophetic visions in the Old Testament, particularly concerning the future temple (chapters 40-48). Given to Ezekiel while he was in exile in Babylon around 573 BC, this vision offered a powerful message of hope and restoration to the Jewish people. They had lost their temple in Jerusalem, and this detailed blueprint signified God's enduring presence and His plan for a future dwelling place among His people. Chapter 40 specifically begins the description of the temple's outer court, gates, and various chambers, with meticulous attention paid to every dimension. The "cubit" mentioned throughout this vision is likely the "long cubit" of six handbreadths, as specified in Ezekiel 40:5, which was slightly longer than the common cubit.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "cubit" is 'ammah (אַמָּה), a standard unit of measurement based on the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. The "little chambers" are often understood as guardrooms or gatehouses (Hebrew: ta'), which were integral parts of ancient city and temple gate complexes, providing security and housing for temple personnel.
Practical Application
While the exact fulfillment of Ezekiel's temple vision remains a subject of theological discussion (whether literal, symbolic, or fulfilled spiritually in the church or the New Jerusalem), the principles embedded in these meticulous measurements are timeless. This verse reminds us that God is a God of order and precision. It encourages believers to approach God's worship and service with reverence and careful attention to His revealed will. Just as God meticulously planned His dwelling place, He also has a precise and perfect plan for our lives and for the future of His kingdom, leading ultimately to the promise of God dwelling with humanity in the new heaven and new earth.