Ezekiel 40:20

KJV

And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the gate {H8179} of the outward {H2435} court {H2691} that looked {H6440} toward {H1870} the north {H6828}, he measured {H4058} the length {H753} thereof, and the breadth {H7341} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

Next he measured the length and width of the outer courtyard gate that faced north.

Berean Standard Bible

He also measured the length and width of the gateway of the outer court facing north.

American Standard Version

And the gate of the outer court whose prospect is toward the north, he measured the length thereof and the breadth thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 40:20 provides a meticulous detail within the prophet's grand vision of a new temple, specifically describing the dimensions of the gate leading to the outward court on the north side. This verse, like many others in Ezekiel 40-48, emphasizes the divine precision and order inherent in God's future plans for His people and His dwelling place among them, serving as a profound message of hope and restoration to the exiles.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 40 marks a pivotal shift in the book of Ezekiel, moving from pronouncements of judgment and destruction (chapters 1-39) to elaborate visions of restoration and future glory (chapters 40-48). The prophet, in exile, is transported in a vision to the land of Israel, where a divinely appointed guide, described as having the appearance of bronze, begins to show him a meticulously detailed blueprint of a new temple complex. Chapters 40-42 are dedicated to the architectural specifics of this visionary temple, with an overwhelming emphasis on measurements—length, breadth, height, and various structural components. Verse 20 fits directly into this detailed architectural tour, focusing on one of the many gates that control access and define the sacred space. The repetitive nature of these measurements underscores the precision and divine origin of the vision, setting the stage for the return of God's glory in [Ezekiel 43](/ezekiel/43 "Ezekiel 43 - The Return of God's Glory").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel received this vision in the 25th year of his exile, approximately 573 BC, well after the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The Jewish people were in despair, having lost their land, their temple, and their sense of national identity and divine presence. The temple was the heart of Israelite worship and the symbol of God's dwelling among His people. Its destruction was a profound theological crisis. In this context, a vision of a new, perfect, and divinely measured temple offered immense hope, signifying God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His intention to restore His people and His presence among them. The meticulous details would have resonated with ancient Near Eastern architectural practices, where temple designs often reflected cosmic order and divine presence, but here, the precision is divinely revealed, not humanly conceived.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in Ezekiel 40-48, prominently displayed in verse 20, is **Divine Order and Precision**. Every measurement, every gate, every court speaks to God's meticulous planning and His absolute sovereignty over all things, including the future of His people and His dwelling. This vision also profoundly emphasizes **Holiness and Separation**, as the various courts and gates define increasingly sacred spaces, controlling access and underscoring the purity required to approach a holy God. The temple's design is a physical manifestation of God's holiness. Furthermore, the vision serves as a powerful message of **Restoration and Future Glory**. For a people in exile, the promise of a new temple, where the [glory of the Lord would return](/ezekiel/43-4 "Ezekiel 43:4 - The Glory of the Lord Returns"), was a tangible symbol of God's enduring covenant and His commitment to dwelling with His people once more, culminating in the declaration, "[The Lord is There](/ezekiel/48-35 "Ezekiel 48:35 - The Lord is There")" at the very end of the book.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **gate (Hebrew, _shaʻar'_):** From H8179, meaning "an opening, i.e. door or gate." In the context of the temple vision, gates are not merely entry points but significant architectural features that control access, define boundaries, and symbolize the transition between different levels of holiness. The detailed measurement of this gate underscores its importance in the overall divine blueprint.
* **outward (Hebrew, _chîytsôwn'_):** From H2435, meaning "properly, the (outer) wall side; hence, exterior; figuratively, secular (as opposed to sacred)." This word clearly distinguishes the court described as the outermost, accessible to a broader range of people, yet still part of the sacred complex, emphasizing the concentric circles of holiness within the temple.
* **measured (Hebrew, _mâdad'_):** From H4058, a primitive root meaning "to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended." The repeated use of this verb throughout Ezekiel 40-42 highlights the divine authority and exactness behind every detail of the temple vision. It signifies that the blueprint is not approximate but a precise, divinely ordained plan, leaving no room for human alteration or interpretation of its dimensions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the gate of the outward court":** This phrase immediately establishes the specific architectural feature being described—a gate, which serves as an entrance and boundary, and its location within the "outward court," the most accessible of the temple's sacred spaces. This outer court would have been the first major area encountered by those entering the temple complex.
* **"that looked toward the north":** This specifies the orientation of the gate, indicating its precise position within the overall layout of the temple. The north gate is one of several gates mentioned in the vision, each with specific dimensions and functions, contributing to the comprehensive and orderly design.
* **"he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof":** This final clause highlights the action taken by the angelic guide and the specific dimensions being recorded. The act of measuring ("he measured") signifies the divine precision and the importance of every detail in God's architectural blueprint. The focus on "length" and "breadth" provides the fundamental two-dimensional parameters of the gate, essential for its construction and for understanding its scale within the larger complex.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 40:20, and indeed the entire section of Ezekiel 40-48, is rich in **Symbolism** and **Precision**. The temple itself is a powerful symbol of God's presence, holiness, and His covenant faithfulness, especially in a time when the physical temple lay in ruins. The meticulous measurements, including those of the gate, symbolize the divine order and the absolute certainty of God's plans for restoration. This is not a vague promise but a detailed blueprint, emphasizing God's control and His intention to perfectly fulfill His word. The repeated act of measuring and the detailed descriptions create a sense of **Divine Blueprint**, portraying God as the ultimate architect whose designs are flawless and purposeful. The specific orientation "toward the north" also contributes to the symbolic order, as directions often held significance in ancient Israelite cosmology and temple orientation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 40:20, with its emphasis on precise measurements and the orderly structure of the visionary temple, underscores the profound theological truth that God is a God of order, precision, and intentionality. His plans are not haphazard but meticulously designed, reflecting His sovereignty and His commitment to fulfilling His covenant promises. This divine precision extends beyond architecture to His redemptive plan for humanity, demonstrating that every detail, no matter how small, has significance in His grand design. The vision of a restored temple offered hope to a dispirited people, assuring them that God's presence would return and His dwelling among them would be re-established according to His perfect will.

* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Instructions for the Tabernacle") - Just as God gave Moses precise instructions for the Tabernacle, so too does He provide exact details for the future temple, emphasizing His divine authorship of sacred spaces.
* [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Heavenly Sanctuary") - This verse highlights that the earthly tabernacle (and by extension, the temple) served as a "copy and shadow of what is in heaven," reinforcing the idea that divine architectural plans reflect a greater, heavenly reality.
* [Revelation 21:15](/revelation/21-15 "Revelation 21:15-17 - Measurements of New Jerusalem") - The New Jerusalem is also described with precise measurements, echoing the divine precision seen in Ezekiel's temple vision and signifying the perfect order of God's eternal dwelling with humanity.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous details of Ezekiel 40:20, and the broader temple vision, serve as a profound reminder that God is a God of intricate detail and perfect order. In a world often characterized by chaos and uncertainty, this vision offers immense comfort: God's plans are not vague or subject to human whim, but are precise, purposeful, and ultimately good. For believers, this translates into an assurance that God is actively working out His perfect will in our lives and in the world, even when we cannot see the full blueprint. It encourages us to trust in His sovereign design, recognizing that every circumstance, every challenge, and every blessing is part of His larger, meticulously crafted plan. This vision also calls us to consider the "measurements" of our own lives – how we align our actions, thoughts, and spiritual disciplines with God's revealed will, striving for a life that reflects the order and holiness of His divine presence within us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine precision in Ezekiel's temple vision challenge or affirm your understanding of God's involvement in the details of your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's "blueprint" more, even when you don't understand all the measurements?**
* **How can the concept of "holiness and separation" as seen in the temple's design apply to your personal walk with God today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "outward court" in Ezekiel's temple vision?**

Answer: The "outward court" (also known as the outer court) is significant because it represents the most accessible area of the temple complex, serving as a transitional space between the common world and the more sacred inner courts. Its detailed measurement, as seen in [Ezekiel 40:20](/ezekiel/40-20 "Ezekiel 40:20 - The Gate of the Outward Court"), emphasizes that even the less sacred, more public areas of God's dwelling are meticulously designed and subject to His divine order. It likely served as a place for the general populace to gather, reflecting God's desire for His people to draw near, while still maintaining the necessary boundaries of holiness as one approached the inner sanctuary.

**Is Ezekiel's temple vision meant to be a literal blueprint for a future temple?**

Answer: The interpretation of Ezekiel's temple vision (chapters 40-48) is a subject of ongoing scholarly debate. Some interpret it literally, believing it describes a future physical temple that will be built during a millennial reign of Christ. Others view it symbolically, seeing it as a representation of the Church, the New Jerusalem, or the perfect spiritual dwelling of God among His people in the eschatological age, emphasizing its theological principles rather than its architectural specifics. Regardless of the literal or symbolic interpretation, the vision powerfully conveys themes of God's enduring presence, His holiness, and His meticulous plan for restoration, as seen in the precise measurements of components like the gate in [Ezekiel 40:20](/ezekiel/40-20 "Ezekiel 40:20 - The Gate of the Outward Court").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 40:20 describes a gate in a visionary temple, its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual significance are found in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament temple, with its precise measurements and distinct courts, foreshadowed the perfect dwelling of God among humanity, which is fully realized in Christ. Jesus declared Himself to be the true temple, stating, "[Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the True Temple")," referring to His body. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ opened the way for all believers to have direct access to God, tearing down the veil that separated humanity from the Most Holy Place ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Veil Torn")). The meticulous measurements of Ezekiel's temple, including its gates, speak to the divine precision of God's redemptive plan, a plan perfectly executed in Christ. He is the "gate" or "door" through whom we enter into salvation and fellowship with God ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Door")). Furthermore, the New Testament speaks of believers as living stones, being built into a spiritual house, with Christ as the cornerstone ([1 Peter 2:5-6](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5-6 - Living Stones")). Thus, the vision of a perfectly measured temple ultimately points to Christ, who embodies God's perfect dwelling, and through whom we become part of God's spiritual temple, where His glory truly resides.

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.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 40:6

Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, [which was] one reed broad; and the other threshold [of the gate, which was] one reed broad.