Ezekiel 40:25

KJV

And [there were] windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length [was] fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.

KJV (with Strong's)

And there were windows {H2474} in it and in the arches {H361} thereof round about {H5439}, like those windows {H2474}: the length {H753} was fifty {H2572} cubits {H520}, and the breadth {H7341} five {H2568} and twenty {H6242} cubits {H520}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There were windows in it and all around its vestibule like the other windows; the length was eighty-seven-and-a-half feet and the width forty-three-and-three-quarters feet.

Berean Standard Bible

Both the gateway and its portico had windows all around, like the other windows. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.

American Standard Version

And there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 40:25 is a precise architectural detail within the prophet Ezekiel's grand vision of a future temple, given during the Babylonian exile. This verse specifically describes the dimensions of windows and arches within the temple complex, noting their consistent design and exact measurements of fifty cubits in length and twenty-five cubits in breadth. It contributes to the overall impression of divine order, meticulous planning, and the symbolic significance of God's renewed presence among His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 40 marks a significant shift in the book of Ezekiel, moving from pronouncements of judgment and destruction (chapters 1-39) to a detailed vision of restoration and future glory (chapters 40-48). The immediate literary context of Ezekiel 40:25 is the meticulous description of the temple's outer court, specifically focusing on the various gates and their associated guard chambers. Chapters [40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Temple Vision Begins") through [42](/ezekiel/42 "Ezekiel 42 - Further Temple Details") provide an exhaustive architectural blueprint, detailing measurements, materials, and functions of different parts of the temple. Verse 25, with its specific mention of windows and dimensions, likely refers to the features of the guard chambers within the gates, building on the descriptions of the east and north gates found in [Ezekiel 40:6-23](/ezekiel/40-6 "Ezekiel 40:6-23 - Descriptions of the Temple Gates"). The repetition of "like those windows" suggests a uniformity of design across various parts of the complex.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision of the temple was given to Ezekiel in the twenty-fifth year of the Babylonian exile, approximately 573 BC ([Ezekiel 40:1](/ezekiel/40-1 "Ezekiel 40:1 - The Date of the Temple Vision")). At this time, Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple had been utterly destroyed by the Babylonians ([2 Kings 25:8-10](/2_kings/25-8 "2 Kings 25:8-10 - Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple")), and the people of Judah were living in despair in a foreign land. The vision served as a profound source of hope and reassurance, reminding the exiles that God had not abandoned them and that a future restoration, including a renewed place of worship and divine presence, was certain. The use of "cubits" as a unit of measurement was standard in ancient Near Eastern architecture, reflecting the practical building practices of the time, even within a visionary context. Temples were central to ancient cultures, serving as the dwelling place of deities and the locus of national identity and worship.

* **Key Themes:** The meticulous architectural details in [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Vision of the New Temple") contribute to several overarching themes. Firstly, **Divine Precision and Order** is paramount; the exact measurements for windows, arches, and other features underscore God's meticulous nature and the perfect order inherent in His redemptive plans. This contrasts sharply with the chaos and destruction experienced by the exiles. Secondly, the vision embodies **Hope and Restoration** for a people in despair. The promise of a rebuilt temple, culminating in the glorious return of God's presence ([Ezekiel 43:4](/ezekiel/43-4 "Ezekiel 43:4 - The Glory of God Fills the Temple")), offered a tangible assurance of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Thirdly, the very existence of such a detailed blueprint emphasizes the **Holiness and Sacredness** of God's dwelling place, designed to facilitate proper worship and the maintenance of ritual purity, essential for a renewed relationship between God and His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **windows (Hebrew, _challôwn'_):** This term refers to an opening or perforation, specifically designed to admit light and air. In the context of a temple, windows are not merely functional but can also carry symbolic weight, suggesting channels for divine light or revelation. The repetition of "like those windows" emphasizes a consistent, perhaps divinely ordained, design standard throughout the visionary temple.
* **arches (Hebrew, _ʼêylâm'_):** While translated as "arches" in the KJV, the Hebrew term more accurately denotes a "pillar-space" or "portico," often referring to a colonnade or vestibule. This suggests a covered walkway or a structured entry area, indicating the architectural sophistication and grandeur of the envisioned temple. The presence of windows in these areas suggests light and visibility even in transitional spaces.
* **cubits (Hebrew, _ʼammâh'_):** This is the standard ancient unit of length, typically measured from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Its consistent use throughout Ezekiel's vision underscores the precise and literal nature of the architectural blueprint being conveyed. The specific dimensions of "fifty cubits" and "five and twenty cubits" highlight the immense scale and exactitude of the divine design.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows:"** This clause sets the scene, indicating the presence of windows not just in the main structure ("in it") but also in the surrounding porticoes or colonnades ("in the arches thereof round about"). The phrase "like those windows" implies a uniformity in their design, suggesting a consistent aesthetic and functional standard throughout the temple complex, perhaps referring back to windows mentioned in earlier descriptions of the gates. This consistency emphasizes the divine order and meticulous planning behind the entire structure.
* **"the length was fifty cubits,"** This specifies the first dimension of the windows or the chambers associated with them. Fifty cubits (approximately 75-87.5 feet or 23-26.7 meters) indicates a substantial length, contributing to the grand scale of the visionary temple. This precision underscores the literal and detailed nature of the architectural plans revealed to Ezekiel.
* **"and the breadth five and twenty cubits."** This provides the second dimension, indicating the width or depth. Twenty-five cubits (approximately 37.5-43.75 feet or 11.5-13.35 meters) is exactly half of the length, suggesting a deliberate proportion. This exactitude in measurement reinforces the theme of divine order and the purposeful design of every element within God's sacred dwelling.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 40:25 primarily employs **Architectural Description** and **Numerical Precision**. The entire chapter, and this verse within it, is a meticulous blueprint, detailing the dimensions and features of the visionary temple. This exhaustive enumeration of measurements (fifty cubits, five and twenty cubits) serves to emphasize the **Divine Order** and the exactitude of God's plans. The repetition of "like those windows" is a subtle form of **Anaphora** or **Parallelism**, reinforcing the consistency and uniformity of the design throughout the temple complex. While not overtly symbolic in this specific verse, the overall context of the temple vision is rich with **Symbolism**, where the physical structure represents God's renewed presence, holiness, and the future restoration of Israel. The very act of providing such detailed measurements for a visionary structure suggests a profound reality and certainty behind God's promises, grounding the spiritual hope in concrete, albeit visionary, terms.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 40:25, with its emphasis on precise dimensions and consistent architectural features, underscores a fundamental theological truth: God is a God of order, detail, and intentionality. His plans are not haphazard but are meticulously crafted, reflecting His perfect wisdom and sovereignty. This divine precision in the temple's design points to the profound holiness required for His dwelling place and the orderly worship of His people. The vision itself, given during a time of national devastation and exile, served as a powerful symbol of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, offering hope for a future restoration where His presence would once again dwell among His people in a structured and glorious manner. This detailed blueprint foreshadows the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity, characterized by perfect order and divine presence.

* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Pattern for the Tabernacle") - God instructs Moses to build the tabernacle according to a precise pattern shown to him.
* [1 Kings 6:4](/1_kings/6-4 "1 Kings 6:4 - Windows in Solomon's Temple") - Describes "narrowed windows" in Solomon's Temple, indicating the historical precedent for windows in sacred structures.
* [Revelation 21:15-17](/revelation/21-15 "Revelation 21:15-17 - Measurements of the New Jerusalem") - The New Jerusalem is described with precise measurements, mirroring the divine precision seen in Ezekiel's temple vision.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous details of Ezekiel 40:25, describing windows and their exact dimensions, invite us to reflect on the nature of God's providence and His involvement in every aspect of His creation and redemptive plan. Just as every cubit and every window in this visionary temple held a specific purpose and place within God's perfect design, so too does every detail of our lives and the unfolding of history fit into His sovereign will. This verse encourages us to trust in God's meticulous care, knowing that He is a God of order who works all things according to the counsel of His will, even when circumstances seem chaotic or uncertain. For the exiles, this vision was a tangible promise of future restoration; for us, it is a reminder that God's ultimate plan for His people and His dwelling place is one of perfect beauty, order, and glory, inspiring us to live lives that reflect His holiness and precision in our own spiritual "architecture."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine precision in Ezekiel's temple vision encourage your trust in God's detailed plans for your life?**
* **In what ways can a sense of divine order bring hope and stability during times of personal or collective chaos?**
* **How might the concept of "windows" in a sacred space symbolize opportunities for divine revelation or spiritual insight in your own life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the specific measurements in Ezekiel's temple vision?**

Answer: The specific measurements, such as the fifty and twenty-five cubits for the windows and arches in [Ezekiel 40:25](/ezekiel/40-25 "Ezekiel 40:25 - Dimensions of Temple Windows"), are highly significant. They underscore God's meticulous nature and the divine precision of His plans. For the exiled Israelites, these exact details provided a tangible, concrete vision of future restoration, demonstrating that God's promises were not vague but were rooted in a divine blueprint. The precision also emphasizes the holiness and order required for God's dwelling place, indicating that every aspect of worship and divine presence is carefully orchestrated by God. It contrasts sharply with the destruction they experienced, pointing to a future of perfect order.

**Is Ezekiel's temple a literal structure to be built, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: The interpretation of Ezekiel's temple vision, including verses like [Ezekiel 40:25](/ezekiel/40-25 "Ezekiel 40:25 - Dimensions of Temple Windows"), has been debated among scholars. Some interpret it as a literal temple to be built in the future, perhaps during the millennium, due to the extreme architectural detail. Others view it as primarily symbolic, representing the ideal spiritual reality of God's presence among His people, the restored community of Israel, or even the church. A third perspective sees it as an eschatological blueprint, containing both literal and symbolic elements that point to the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity in the New Jerusalem, as described in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Jerusalem"). Regardless of the precise interpretation, the vision's core message of divine presence, holiness, and restoration remains profoundly significant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel's temple vision, with its meticulous details and emphasis on God's dwelling among His people, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Ezekiel 40:25 describes physical windows and arches, the broader vision points to the reality of God's presence. In the New Testament, Jesus declares, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to [the temple of His body](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple") ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus and the Temple")). Christ Himself is the true and ultimate temple, the perfect dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). All the precise measurements and intricate designs of Ezekiel's temple foreshadow the perfect and complete work of Christ, who, as the great High Priest, entered [the true tabernacle not made with human hands](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11 - Christ, the High Priest of the True Tabernacle") ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Furthermore, through Christ, believers are incorporated into this spiritual temple, becoming [living stones](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones") in a spiritual house, a dwelling place for God by the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Believers as God's Dwelling")). Ultimately, the vision culminates in the New Jerusalem, where there is [no temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - God and the Lamb are the Temple"), signifying the direct and unmediated presence of God with His redeemed people, a reality perfectly secured by Christ.

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 40:33

And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, [were] according to these measures: and [there were] windows therein and in the arches thereof round about: [it was] fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.

Ezekiel 40:21

And the little chambers thereof [were] three on this side and three on that side; and the posts thereof and the arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof [was] fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.

Ezekiel 40:22

And their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees, [were] after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof [were] before them.

Ezekiel 40:29

And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these measures: and [there were] windows in it and in the arches thereof round about: [it was] fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.

Ezekiel 40:16

And [there were] narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and windows [were] round about inward: and upon [each] post [were] palm trees.

1 Corinthians 13:12

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

2 Peter 1:19

¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: