Ezekiel 40:29

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the little chambers {H8372} thereof, and the posts {H352} thereof, and the arches {H361} thereof, according to these measures {H4060}: and there were windows {H2474} in it and in the arches {H361} thereof round about {H5439}: it was fifty {H2572} cubits {H520} long {H753}, and five {H2568} and twenty {H6242} cubits {H520} broad {H7341}.

Complete Jewish Bible

its guardrooms, supports and vestibule were the same size; it had windows and a vestibule surrounding it; it was eighty-seven-and-a-half feet long and forty-three-and-three-quarters feet wide.

Berean Standard Bible

Its gate chambers, side pillars, and portico had the same measurements as the others. Both the gateway and its portico had windows all around; it was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.

American Standard Version

and the lodges 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 40:29 continues the prophet's meticulously detailed vision of a new temple, focusing on the precise architectural specifications of one of its gate structures. This verse delineates the dimensions and features of the gate's "little chambers" (guardrooms), "posts" (doorjambs), and "arches" (porticoes), emphasizing the presence of windows and providing exact measurements of its overall length and breadth. The minute detail underscores the divine origin and perfect order of this visionary blueprint for God's future dwelling place.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 40:29 is embedded within a lengthy and highly detailed prophetic vision of a new temple, beginning in [Ezekiel 40:1](/ezekiel/40-1 "Ezekiel 40:1 - The Vision Begins") and extending through [Ezekiel 48](/ezekiel/48 "Ezekiel 48 - Division of the Land"). This particular verse is part of the initial description of the outer court's gates, following the general overview of the temple complex. Chapters 40-42 provide an exhaustive architectural tour, moving from the outer court to the inner court and the temple building itself. The preceding verses in chapter 40 have already established the pattern of detailed measurement for the various gate components, and verse 29 continues this pattern by specifying the dimensions of yet another gate, including its ancillary structures like chambers, posts, and arches, along with their windows. The consistent repetition of "according to these measures" throughout the chapter reinforces the divine precision and the prophet's careful recording of every detail.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision of the temple was given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound despair for the Jewish people. Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple had been destroyed, leading to questions about God's presence and covenant faithfulness. Against this backdrop of ruin and displacement, Ezekiel's vision offered a powerful message of hope and restoration. The meticulous architectural details, while perhaps challenging to visualize fully, served to establish the absolute reality and divine origin of this future temple. Ancient Near Eastern temples were central to religious and civic life, often built with great precision and symbolism. The concept of "cubits" (H520, _ʼammâh_) was a standard unit of measurement, typically the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, varying slightly but generally around 18-21 inches. The emphasis on specific measurements would have resonated with a culture that understood the importance of order and exactitude in sacred architecture, contrasting starkly with the desolation they had experienced.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in Ezekiel 40-48, and particularly evident in verse 29, is **Divine Precision and Order**. The exhaustive measurements of every component, from the gates to the chambers and posts, underscore God's meticulous planning and His desire for absolute order in His dwelling place and in the worship conducted there. This precision points to the **Holiness of God** and the sacredness of His presence, requiring a perfectly ordered environment. Another key theme is the **Restoration of God's Presence** among His people. After the Shekinah glory departed the first temple in [Ezekiel 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - The Departure of God's Glory"), this vision offers the promise of its return, symbolizing renewed covenant relationship and divine favor. The gates, with their chambers and controlled access, also highlight the theme of **Accessibility and Separation**, signifying that while God desires to dwell among His people, there remains a necessary distinction between the holy and the common, ensuring reverence and proper approach, a concept found throughout the Old Testament temple regulations (e.g., [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Distinguishing Between Holy and Common")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **little chambers (Hebrew, _tâʼ'_):** This term (H8372) refers to a room or cell, specifically a circumscribed space. In the context of the temple gates, these were likely guardrooms or side rooms within the gate complex, used for various purposes such as housing guards, storing priestly vestments, or for specific cultic functions. Their inclusion highlights the functional and administrative aspects of the temple complex, ensuring security and order.
* **posts (Hebrew, _ʼayil'_):** The word (H352) primarily denotes strength, and in an architectural context, refers to a pilaster, a strong support, or a doorjamb. These were the sturdy pillars or frames that flanked the entrance of the gate, providing structural integrity and marking the passage point. Their presence underscores the solidity and permanence of the temple structure.
* **arches (Hebrew, _ʼêylâm'_):** This term (H361) describes a pillar-space, a colonnade, or a portico. It refers to a grand entrance, vestibule, or a covered walkway, often supported by pillars. In the gate complex, these arches would have formed impressive entryways, serving as gathering or waiting areas before entering the inner courts. Their design contributes to the overall grandeur and functionality of the temple's entrance points.
* **measures (Hebrew, _middâh'_):** This word (H4060) signifies extension, height, breadth, or a standard of measurement. Its repeated use throughout Ezekiel 40 emphasizes the divine precision and exactitude of the temple's blueprint. It indicates that every component, including the chambers, posts, and arches, was to be constructed according to a divinely ordained, unalterable standard, leaving no room for human improvisation or error.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these measures:"** This clause specifies the architectural components of the gate structure being described. The "little chambers" (guardrooms or side rooms), "posts" (strong doorjambs or pillars), and "arches" (porticoes or vestibules) are all explicitly stated to conform to the precise, divinely given measurements that have been, and continue to be, detailed throughout the chapter. This reinforces the theme of exactitude and divine blueprint.
* **"and [there were] windows in it and in the arches thereof round about:"** This part of the verse adds another specific feature: the presence of windows. These windows would have provided light and ventilation to the gate structure itself and specifically within the porticoes or arched areas. The phrase "round about" indicates that these windows were strategically placed on all sides of these sections, ensuring adequate illumination and visibility within these important transitional spaces.
* **"[it was] fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad."** This final clause provides the overall external dimensions of the specific gate structure being described. It states that the entire gate complex measured fifty cubits (approximately 87.5 feet) in length and twenty-five cubits (approximately 43.75 feet) in breadth. These precise measurements are characteristic of the entire vision, highlighting the grand scale and exact proportions of the future temple.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Ezekiel 40:29, and indeed throughout much of Ezekiel 40-42, is **Detailed Description**. The prophet meticulously records every dimension and architectural feature, creating a vivid, almost technical blueprint. This exhaustive enumeration serves to emphasize the divine origin and absolute authority of the vision, leaving no doubt as to the exactness of God's design. The repetition of phrases like "according to these measures" functions as **Anaphora** (though not strictly at the beginning of clauses, it's a recurring motif) and **Emphasis**, underscoring the theme of divine precision. Furthermore, the entire vision can be seen as **Symbolism**, where the physical temple represents God's renewed presence, holiness, and the ordered nature of His future kingdom, even if the specific dimensions are not always fully understood literally.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 40:29, with its emphasis on meticulous architectural detail, speaks profoundly to God's character as a God of order, precision, and intentionality. This divine blueprint for a future temple signifies God's unwavering commitment to dwelling among His people, even after judgment and exile. The detailed measurements are not merely architectural specifications; they are theological statements about the perfect holiness and exact standards required for God's presence. This vision anticipates a time of ultimate restoration when God's glory will return to a purified people in a perfectly ordered sanctuary. It underscores that God's plans are not haphazard but are executed with absolute precision, reflecting His sovereign control over all things, from the grand cosmic plan to the minutiae of a gate's dimensions.

* [1 Kings 6:2-6](/1_kings/6-2 "1 Kings 6:2-6 - Dimensions of Solomon's Temple")
* [Haggai 2:7-9](/haggai/2-7 "Haggai 2:7-9 - The Glory of the Latter Temple")
* [Revelation 21:15-17](/revelation/21-15 "Revelation 21:15-17 - Measurements of New Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The overwhelming precision of Ezekiel's temple vision, exemplified by the specific measurements in verse 29, serves as a powerful reminder of God's character. He is a God who pays attention to every detail, whose plans are meticulously laid out, and whose purposes are executed with perfect order. For believers today, this can inspire a profound sense of trust in God's sovereign plan for our lives and for the world. Just as He had a precise blueprint for His dwelling place, He has a perfect design for our redemption and sanctification. This encourages us to approach our own lives, our worship, and our service with intentionality, diligence, and excellence, knowing that God values order and precision. It challenges us to consider if our spiritual lives reflect the same dedication to detail and adherence to divine standards that God Himself demonstrates. Ultimately, it points us to the glorious future when God's presence will fully dwell among His people, a reality far surpassing any earthly temple.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Ezekiel's temple vision, including the precise measurements in this verse, shape your understanding of God's character?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be inviting you to embrace greater intentionality and precision, reflecting His own nature?**
* **How does the concept of a divinely designed dwelling place for God inspire your reverence and approach to worship today?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the detailed measurements in Ezekiel's temple vision?**

Answer: The detailed measurements, such as the "fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad" in Ezekiel 40:29, are profoundly significant. They emphasize God's absolute precision, order, and intentionality in His plans. Unlike human designs, which may contain flaws or approximations, this divine blueprint is perfect and exact, underscoring the holiness and sacredness of God's presence. It also serves to authenticate the vision's divine origin, as such intricate detail would be impossible for a human to conjure accurately. Furthermore, the exactitude points to the reality and certainty of the future restoration of God's dwelling among His people, providing hope and assurance during the Babylonian exile. The consistent use of "according to these measures" throughout [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Temple Vision Begins") reinforces this theme of divine exactitude.

**Is Ezekiel's temple a literal structure to be built in the future?**

Answer: The interpretation of Ezekiel's temple as a literal future structure (often associated with the millennial reign of Christ) or a symbolic representation (of the church, heaven, or a spiritual reality) is a subject of ongoing theological debate. Those who hold to a literal interpretation point to the extreme detail of the measurements and features, arguing that such specificity implies a physical reality. They believe it will be a literal temple on earth during a future period. Others view it as highly symbolic, representing the perfect order, holiness, and presence of God among His people in the new covenant era or in the new heavens and new earth. They emphasize that the New Testament shifts the focus from a physical temple to Christ's body and the community of believers as God's dwelling place (e.g., [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the Temple") and [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - Believers as God's Temple")). Both perspectives agree that the vision points to a future reality of God's glorious presence among His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 40:29, with its meticulous description of the gate's chambers, posts, and arches, points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God's dwelling among humanity, not in a physical edifice, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament temple was a shadow, a temporary dwelling place for God's presence, Christ is the perfect and eternal reality. He declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking of the temple of [His body](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the Temple"). Just as the gates in Ezekiel's vision controlled access to God's holy presence, Jesus is the [only "gate" or "door" through whom humanity can access the Father](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Door"). His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection constitute the ultimate "measures" by which humanity can draw near to a holy God. Furthermore, through Christ, believers become the [living stones of a spiritual temple](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones"), collectively forming the dwelling place of God's Spirit ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone")). The precision of Ezekiel's vision foreshadows the perfect, unblemished sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), which perfectly fulfills all the requirements of God's holiness and establishes an eternal, unshakeable access to His presence, culminating in the New Jerusalem where God's glory is the temple itself ([Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - God and the Lamb are the Temple")).

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 40:25

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.

Ezekiel 40:7

And [every] little chamber [was] one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers [were] five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within [was] one reed.

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.

Ezekiel 40:10

And the little chambers of the gate eastward [were] three on this side, and three on that side; they three [were] of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side.

1 Chronicles 28:11

¶ Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,

1 Chronicles 28:12

And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:

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.