Ezekiel 40:27

¶ And [there was] a gate in the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south an hundred cubits.

And there was a gate {H8179} in the inner {H6442} court {H2691} toward {H1870} the south {H1864}: and he measured {H4058} from gate {H8179} to gate {H8179} toward {H1870} the south {H1864} an hundred {H3967} cubits {H520}.

The inner courtyard had a gate on the south; he measured from gate to gate toward the south 175 feet.

The inner court also had a gate facing south, and he measured the distance from gateway to gateway toward the south to be a hundred cubits.

And there was a gate to the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south a hundred cubits.

Commentary

Ezekiel 40:27 is part of a grand prophetic vision given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. This specific verse continues the detailed architectural description of a new, majestic temple, providing precise measurements of its various components.

Context of Ezekiel 40:27

Chapter 40 marks a significant shift in the Book of Ezekiel, moving from prophecies of judgment and restoration of the land to an elaborate, detailed vision of a future temple. This vision, received by Ezekiel in the twenty-fifth year of his exile, is presented by a divine guide who measures the temple's gates, courts, and chambers. The emphasis on measurements, such as the "hundred cubits" mentioned in this verse, underscores the divine precision and order in God's plans. This vision offers a powerful message of hope and future glory for the exiled Israelites, pointing towards a time of renewed worship and God's dwelling among His people, contrasting sharply with the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Precision and Order: The meticulous measurements throughout Ezekiel 40, including the "hundred cubits" between gates, highlight God's exactness and the orderly nature of His future plans. This level of detail signifies that God's restoration is not haphazard but perfectly orchestrated.
  • Future Restoration and Hope: For a people in exile, the vision of a glorious, perfectly measured temple served as a profound promise of restoration and a future where God's presence would once again be central. It speaks to God's faithfulness in bringing about His redemptive purposes, offering hope even in desolate times.
  • Holiness and Access: The temple's design, with its inner and outer courts and specific gates, illustrates the concept of holiness and regulated access to God's presence. The dimensions and structure served to emphasize the sacredness of the divine space and the reverence required to approach it.

Linguistic Insights

The term "cubit" (Hebrew: ammah) was a standard unit of measurement in ancient times, generally understood as the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. However, Ezekiel 40:5 specifies a "cubit and an hand breadth", suggesting a slightly longer cubit than the common one, perhaps emphasizing the divine standard of measurement for this holy structure. The repetition of "toward the south" in this verse grounds the description in a specific direction within the temple complex, indicating a comprehensive and systematic revelation of its layout.

Practical Application

Ezekiel's vision, though highly specific to a future temple, offers timeless principles for believers today:

  • God's Meticulous Care: Just as God has a precise blueprint for His future temple, He has a detailed plan for our lives and the world. This reassures us that nothing is outside His careful design and control.
  • Hope in God's Promises: The vision reminds us to hold onto God's promises of restoration and renewal, even when circumstances seem bleak. His plans will ultimately prevail, leading to a time when God will dwell among His people in perfect harmony.
  • Order and Holiness in Our Lives: The temple's orderliness and the concept of holy space encourage us to pursue order and holiness in our own lives, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 40:23

    And the gate of the inner court [was] over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from gate to gate an hundred cubits.

  • Ezekiel 40:32

    And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.

  • Ezekiel 40:19

    Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward.

  • Ezekiel 40:47

    So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar [that was] before the house.
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