TRV
“Measuring the Outer Court Gates”· Ezekiel 40:20–27
Translation
King James Version
¶ 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.
Complete Jewish Bible
The inner courtyard had a gate on the south; he measured from gate to gate toward the south 175 feet.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
American Standard Version
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.
World English Bible Messianic
There was a gate to the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south a hundred cubits.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And there was a gate in the inner court towarde the South, and he measured from gate to gate towarde the South an hundreth cubites.
Young's Literal Translation
and the gate of the inner court is southward, and he measureth from gate unto gate southward, a hundred cubits.
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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Ezekiel 40:27–38.
Passage under commentEzekiel 40:27–38
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.
28And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures;
29And 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.
30And the arches round about were five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad.
31And the arches thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it had eight steps.
32And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.
33And 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.
34And the arches thereof were toward the outward court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.
35And he brought me to the north gate, and measured it according to these measures;
36The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.
37And the posts thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.
38And the chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering.
In these verses we have a delineation of the inner court. The survey of the outer court ended with the south side of it. This of the inner court begins with the south side (Eze 40:27), proceeds to the east (Eze 40:32), and so to the north (Eze 40:35); for here is no gate either of the outer or inner court towards the west. It should seem that in Solomon's temple there were gates westward, for we find porters towards the west, Ch1 9:24; Ch1 26:8. But Josephus says that in the second temple there was no gate on the west side. Observe, 1. These gates into the inner court were exactly uniform with those into the outer court, the dimensions the same, the chambers adjoining the same, the galleries or rows round the court the same, and the very engravings on the posts the same. The work of grace, and its workings, are the same, for substance, in grown Christians that they are in young beginners, only that the former have got so much nearer their perfection. The faith of all the saints is alike precious, though it be not alike strong. There is a great resemblance between one child of God and another; for all they are brethren and bear the same image. 2. The ascent into the outer court at each gate was by seven steps, but the ascent into the inner court at each gate was by eight steps. This is expressly taken notice of (Eze 40:31, Eze 40:34, Eze 40:37), to signify that the nearer we approach to God the more we should rise above this world and the things of it. The people, who worshipped in the outer court, must rise seven steps above other people, but the priests, who attended in the inner court, must rise eight steps above them, must exceed them at least one step more than they exceed other people.
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Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Post-NiceneEarly Medieval
400500600
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He goes through the gate so that he reaches good ground and the grace of the gospel.
(Verse 24 and following) 'And he led me to the south gate, and behold, there was a gate that faced south. And its frontispiece and vestibule were measured according to the upper measurements, and its windows and vestibules all around were like the other windows. It had a length of fifty cubits, and a width of twenty-five cubits, and it was ascended by seven steps, and there was a vestibule in front of its doors, and palm trees were carved on it, one on one side, and the other on the other side in front of it.' And the entrance of the inner court was on the south side, and it measured from entrance to entrance on the south side, one hundred cubits. And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate, and he measured the south gate according to the same measurements, its rooms, its doorway, and its vestibule, with the same measurements. And the vestibules all around the court were fifty cubits in length and twenty-five cubits in width. And a vestibule in a circular shape, with a length of twenty-five cubits and a width of five cubits. And its vestibule was towards the outer court, and its palm trees were on its front, and it had eight steps by which it was ascended. Seventy agree in the same words, except for thee, elau, elamoth, and elam, which in Hebrew is ulam. But thee is interpreted as threshold or front; elau, around it or supports; elamoth, entrance or vestibule; ulam is πρόπυλον, that is, before the doors. But what we have placed next to the Hebrew, that is, the vestibule or πρόπυλον, is not found in the Septuagint. But it should also be noted that in the southern gate it is not called a road according to the Septuagint, but simply 'and he led me to the south,' and behold, a gate that faced south. Therefore, through each entrance, Ezekiel, whose name means 'God strengthens,' is led. And from the northern gate, he goes to the southern gate, whose fronts, thresholds, τροπύλαια, or vestibules, and windows had similar measurements around, twenty-five cubits in length and five cubits in width. And it was ascended by seven steps, that is, to the southern gate and its vestibule, which is called elamoth, in front of its doors. Also, two carved palm trees, which we mentioned in the gate of the northern region. And let this be enough to remind you, that whatever is presented there, according to the more common understanding, that is, according to the literal sense, we understand at the south gate according to the spiritual sense. For in the same lines, both history and tropology run: but the former is lowly, the latter is sublime: the former clings to the earth, the latter soars to the heavens. And all things were filled with light around through the windows. For each problem has its own limits, and through them the light of faith enters the soul of the believer, especially if the length of his life has been extended to fifty years, that is, to the mystery of jubilee, and he is able to reach the breadth of a more divine understanding. In this latitude and on these streets, wisdom moves confidently, and with a lofty voice she exclaims: she climbs seven steps in order to reach the vestibule, and through the palms of her purpose and efforts, she holds eternal victory. And lest we think there is only one atrium to the south, it is said about the second atrium: And the entrance of the inner atrium is on the southern road: and it is measured from the entrance to the entrance on the southern road one hundred cubits; so that after a week and the sacraments of the old covenant, she may reach the good land and the grace of the Gospel. Not only is there a second atrium in the southern gate, but also a third, which is now called: 'And he brought me to the inner atrium at the southern gate, and he measured the gate according to the upper measurements, etc. For each atrium has its own measurements and arrangement, and in these measurements there is a different grace, as we know the same things differently at the beginning, in progress, and at the end. However, what is not found in the Septuagint, and the vestibule, or πρόπυλον, around twenty-five cubits long and five cubits wide, seems to raise a question, because it was not placed in the ancient interpretation, how twenty-five cubits and five are placed after the progress of the third step.' But it removes the ambiguity that follows: And its vestibule is towards the outer courtyard, and its palms are at the front; so that this courtyard, which had a length of twenty-five cubits and a width of five, belongs not to the inner courtyard but to the outer courtyard, so that the width of the former courtyard, that is, twenty-five cubits, is possessed by the length of the outer courtyard, and it holds a width of five cubits. These measurements, that is, twenty-five and five, we refer to the same senses, namely sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch, which if we ascend to higher things, we double by fivefold and make them spiritual from carnal senses, as it is written: Lift up your eyes and see that the fields are already white for harvest (John 4:35), and: He who has ears to hear, let him hear (Luke 8:8). And: Taste and see, for the Lord is sweet (Psalm 33:8). And: We are the good fragrance of Christ to God among those who believe (2 Corinthians 2:15). And in the Epistle of John it is said: That which we have heard and seen, and our hands have touched, concerning the Word of life (1 John 1:1). And finally, in no way are only seven degrees sufficient in the northern region: but after seven, the number eight is added, as we move from the Synagogue to the Church, from the old covenant to the new, from earthly things to heavenly things.
Now it is said: "And the gate of the inner court toward the South way, and he measured from gate to gate in the South way, one hundred cubits." Now, therefore, we must inquire what these three inner gates are. For the gate of the inner court which was mentioned above is not among these three inner gates, because that one is said to face toward the gate of the East and North, whereas these are recorded as being positioned individually within toward the South or East and North. Hence through that one the inner entrance is rightly designated, because, as was already said in the preceding discussion, it lies open either to Jews and Gentiles, or to those beginning and those persevering in good, or to those falling from good but rising after their faults through repentance. But now, after individual gates have been described in the East and North and South, why are individual gates of the inner court again described in the South and East and North? With the Lord breathing inspiration, great effort is needed to search out the depth of so great a mystery. For if by the name of gates we understand the holy preachers, we should know that the Church is one in the preachers of the Old and New Testament. The gates have seven or eight steps because they harmoniously preach the sevenfold grace of the Holy Spirit, and by the eighth step they announce the reward of eternal retribution. Whence it is written: "Give a portion to seven, and also to eight." What, therefore, can we say the outer gates were, except the ancient fathers, who through the precepts of the law knew how to guard the works of the people rather than their hearts? So that we ought to understand the inner gates as the preachers of holy Church, who by spiritual counsels guard the hearts of their disciples, lest they take delight even in thoughts in the evil things they do not do. For through those gates one is said to ascend by seven steps, but the ascent of these is declared to be of eight steps, because both in the veneration of the law the seventh day was kept, and in the New Testament the eighth day is held in sacrament, namely that which is called the Lord's Day, which is the third from the Passion but the eighth from creation, because it also follows the seventh.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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Summary
Ezekiel 40:27 provides a precise architectural detail within the prophet Ezekiel's grand vision of a future temple, received during the Babylonian exile. This verse specifically describes a gate located in the inner court, facing south, and meticulously records the exact distance of one hundred cubits between this gate and another gate also oriented toward the south. This emphasis on meticulous measurement underscores the divine precision and order inherent in God's future plans for His people and His sacred dwelling place, offering profound hope and reassurance of His faithfulness.
Context
Literary Context
Ezekiel 40 marks a significant turning point in the book, shifting from prophecies of judgment and the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple (as seen in earlier chapters like Ezekiel 8) to a detailed vision of restoration and a new, magnificent temple. This chapter initiates the final major section of the book (Ezekiel 40-48), which is entirely dedicated to this elaborate architectural blueprint. The vision is presented by a divine guide who systematically measures every part of the temple complex, beginning with the outer court gates, then progressing to the inner court, and eventually the temple building itself. Verse 27 fits seamlessly within this meticulous survey, specifically detailing an aspect of the inner court's southern access. It follows descriptions of the outer court's southern gate in Ezekiel 40:24 and precedes further measurements of the inner court, such as those found in Ezekiel 40:28-31. The repetitive and exhaustive nature of the measurements throughout Ezekiel 40 underscores the divine origin, exactness, and authoritative nature of the revelation.
Historical & Cultural Context
The vision in Ezekiel 40 was received in 573 BC, during the twenty-fifth year of Ezekiel's exile in Babylon, a mere fourteen years after Jerusalem and its sacred temple had been utterly destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar's forces (587/586 BC). For the exiled Israelites, the destruction of the temple, which served as the very center of their worship, national identity, and the perceived dwelling place of God, was an unparalleled spiritual and psychological catastrophe. The detailed vision of a new, majestic temple offered immense hope and profound reassurance. It directly countered the despair of exile by powerfully demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His clear intention to restore His presence among His people. The emphasis on precise measurements and structured architecture would have deeply resonated with ancient Near Eastern cultures, where temple designs often conveyed profound theological meaning, divine order, and cosmic harmony. The concept of a "gate" was far more than a mere entrance; in ancient cities and sacred spaces, gates were often places of judgment, public assembly, and significant communal activity, symbolizing controlled access and authority.
Key Themes
This verse, like the broader vision of Ezekiel 40-48, contributes to several overarching themes foundational to the book. Firstly, it highlights Divine Precision and Order. The meticulous measurements, detailed down to the cubit, emphasize God's exactness and the perfectly orchestrated nature of His redemptive plans, standing in stark contrast to the chaos and destruction previously experienced. This divine order ensures the certainty of His promises. Secondly, it powerfully conveys Future Restoration and Hope. For a people in despair over their destroyed temple and desolated land, this vision served as a tangible and vivid promise of God's future dwelling among them, a renewed center of worship, and a glorious return to holiness. This points to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel, as seen in earlier promises of spiritual and physical restoration in passages like Ezekiel 36:24-28 and Ezekiel 37:26-28. Lastly, the architectural details, including the numerous gates and courts, underscore the theme of Holiness and Regulated Access. The various sections of the temple, with their specific dimensions and carefully delineated entry points, serve to define sacred space and emphasize the reverence, purity, and order required to approach God's holy presence, preparing the way for the dramatic return of God's glory described in Ezekiel 43:1-5.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H8179) refers to an opening, specifically a door or gate. In the context of a temple or city, gates were not merely points of entry but significant architectural features that controlled access and often served as places of public gathering. In Ezekiel's vision, the gates are crucial for defining the sacred boundaries and regulating movement within the temple complex, emphasizing the holiness of the inner court and the ordered approach to God's presence.
This primitive root (H4058) properly means "to stretch" and, by implication, "to measure (as if by stretching a line)." The repeated use of this verb throughout Ezekiel 40 underscores the divine precision and exactness of the vision. It signifies that the temple's design is not arbitrary but divinely ordained and perfectly proportioned, reflecting God's meticulous planning and sovereign control over His creation and His redemptive work.
This term (H520) refers to a unit of measure, specifically the fore-arm (below the elbow), from which the measurement "cubit" is derived. It can also refer to a "door-base" as a "bond of the entrance." In the context of Ezekiel's vision, it denotes a precise, divinely ordained standard of measurement, emphasizing the exactness and divine scale of the temple's dimensions, indicating its extraordinary nature.
Verse Breakdown
"And [there was] a gate in the inner court toward the south:"
This initial clause establishes both the presence and the precise location of a specific architectural feature. The "inner court" signifies a more sacred and restricted area of the temple complex, closer to the sanctuary itself, implying a heightened level of holiness. Its orientation "toward the south" provides a crucial directional reference within the overall meticulous blueprint, indicating a systematic and comprehensive description of the temple's layout from the perspective of the divine guide.
"and he measured from gate to gate toward the south an hundred cubits."
This second clause details a precise linear measurement. The divine guide, who possesses the measuring reed, is depicted as carefully determining the distance between two distinct gates, both of which are situated on the southern side of the temple complex. The repetition of "gate to gate" and the directional qualifier "toward the south" reinforces the exactness and directional consistency of the measurement, leaving no ambiguity. The specific dimension of "an hundred cubits" provides a concrete, divinely revealed standard, highlighting the grand scale, order, and perfect proportionality of the visionary temple.
Literary Devices
Ezekiel 40:27, like the entire chapter, is primarily characterized by Detailed Description, a pervasive literary device that provides an exhaustive, almost architectural blueprint of the visionary temple. Every dimension, orientation, and feature is meticulously enumerated, creating a profound sense of divine precision and tangible reality for the exiled audience. The Repetition of phrases such as "toward the south" and "gate to gate" serves to emphasize the exactness of the measurements and the systematic, methodical nature of the divine revelation, ensuring clarity and reinforcing the divine order that God is establishing. Furthermore, the entire temple vision, of which this verse is an integral part, functions as profound Symbolism. While described with literal dimensions, the temple ultimately symbolizes God's renewed and glorious presence among His people, the restoration of true and pure worship, and the establishment of a holy community. The gates themselves, with their precise measurements and controlled access, symbolize the boundaries of holiness, the ordered entry into God's sacred space, and the pathway to His presence.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Ezekiel 40:27, with its precise measurements and architectural specificity, profoundly underscores God's meticulous nature and His unwavering commitment to order in His redemptive plan. For the exiled Israelites, this vision of a perfectly measured temple was an incredibly powerful symbol of hope, signaling that God had not abandoned them but was actively preparing for a glorious future where His presence would once again dwell among His people in perfect order and holiness. It speaks to the enduring truth that God's promises are not vague or arbitrary but are rooted in a divine blueprint, ensuring their certain and precise fulfillment. The emphasis on gates and courts also highlights the theological concept of holiness and the necessity for regulated, reverent access to God's sacred presence, a theme that pervades Old Testament worship and finds its ultimate, perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Reflection and Application
The meticulous detail in Ezekiel 40:27 and the broader temple vision serves as a profound reminder of God's intentionality and precision in all His dealings, especially concerning His people and His dwelling place. In times of chaos, uncertainty, or despair, this vision offers immense comfort: God's plans are never haphazard but are perfectly designed and will be perfectly executed according to His sovereign will. Just as He had a precise blueprint for this future temple, He has a detailed and sovereign plan for our individual lives and for the grand unfolding of history. This truth should inspire deep trust and patient endurance, knowing that even when we cannot fully see or comprehend the full picture, God is working according to His perfect, wise, and good design. Furthermore, the concept of a holy, ordered space, with its carefully defined access, reminds us of the profound importance of cultivating order, reverence, and holiness in our own lives. As believers, we are called to recognize that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that our lives, both individually and corporately, should reflect the divine order, beauty, and purity of God's character, honoring His sacred presence within us and among us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is the temple described in Ezekiel 40-48 meant to be a literal, physical temple built in the future, or is it primarily symbolic?
This question represents a long-standing and complex debate among biblical scholars. Some interpret the vision literally, believing that a physical temple matching these precise dimensions will be built in Jerusalem during a future millennial reign of Christ. They often point to the extreme detail of the measurements, the lack of explicit allegorical language, and the historical precedent of literal temple structures. Others view the vision primarily as symbolic, representing the spiritual reality of God's renewed presence among His people in the New Covenant era, fulfilled in the church, or ultimately in the New Jerusalem. They argue that the descriptions of sacrifices and rituals in later chapters of Ezekiel's vision seem to contradict the finished, once-for-all work of Christ on the cross. A third view suggests it is a combination: a literal blueprint with profound spiritual significance, perhaps fulfilled in a way that transcends our current understanding, or a vision that emphasizes the principles of God's holy presence and ordered worship, even if the exact physical structure is not literally replicated. Regardless of the precise interpretation, the vision powerfully communicates God's unwavering faithfulness, His deep desire to dwell with His people, and the ultimate restoration of His glory and order.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The meticulously measured temple of Ezekiel's vision, with its precise gates and courts, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment not in a building of stone and mortar, but supremely in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the true and ultimate "gate" through whom humanity gains access to God, declaring, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved". Just as the temple was the earthly dwelling place of God's glory, Christ is the very embodiment of God, in whom "all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily" (Colossians 2:9). The precise measurements and ordered structure of Ezekiel's temple foreshadow the divine order and perfection found in Christ's atoning sacrifice, which perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the Law and opened a "new and living way" into the holiest of holies, tearing the temple veil from top to bottom (Hebrews 10:19-20). Furthermore, the vision's promise of God dwelling with His people is realized in the New Covenant, where individual believers collectively become the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19) and the church is built up as a "spiritual house" with Christ as the chief cornerstone (1 Peter 2:5-6). Ultimately, the grand vision of God's dwelling among His people finds its final, glorious consummation in the New Jerusalem, where there is no longer any need for a physical temple, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (Revelation 21:22). Thus, Ezekiel 40:27 points beyond itself to the perfect and eternal reality of God's presence fully realized in Christ and His redeemed people.