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.

And the little chambers {H8372} thereof, and the posts {H352} thereof, and the arches {H361} thereof, were according to these measures {H4060}: and there were windows {H2474} therein 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}.

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.

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.

and the lodges thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, 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.

Commentary

Ezekiel 40:33 is a highly detailed verse, continuing the prophet Ezekiel's meticulous description of the visionary temple. It specifies the dimensions and features of one of the temple's gate complexes, likely an outer gate, emphasizing its "little chambers," "posts," "arches," and "windows," along with its exact length of fifty cubits and breadth of twenty-five cubits.

Context

This verse is part of a grand vision given to Ezekiel in Ezekiel chapters 40-48, which details a new temple, its courts, and the re-allotment of the land of Israel. This profound vision occurred during the Babylonian exile, after the devastating destruction of Solomon's Temple (an event also recounted in 2 Kings 25:9). For a people who had lost their spiritual center and their homeland, this elaborate architectural blueprint served as a powerful message of hope, divine faithfulness, and the promise of future restoration and renewed worship.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Order: The sheer level of detail, down to specific cubit measurements for the chambers, posts, and arches, highlights God's meticulousness. It underscores that His plans are not vague but perfectly ordered and purposeful. This divine blueprint speaks to the intentionality behind God's future actions for His people.
  • Hope and Restoration: For the exiled Israelites, this vision of a magnificent future temple provided profound hope. It signified that despite their present desolation and the loss of their former temple, God had a glorious future for them, including a place where His presence would dwell once more.
  • The Importance of Sacred Space: The detailed design of the temple reinforces the sanctity and importance of the place where God's glory would reside and where proper worship would be conducted according to His divine standards.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated emphasis on "measures" and the specific unit "cubits" (Hebrew: ‘ammah) throughout Ezekiel's temple vision is highly significant. A cubit was an ancient unit of length, roughly equivalent to the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (approximately 18-21 inches). The precise numerical details in this verse and throughout the vision underscore the divine origin and exactness of the plan, suggesting that every element has its divinely appointed place and purpose. This isn't a vague dream but a divinely inspired architectural design, implying the certainty of its future fulfillment and the absolute control God has over His creation and promises.

Practical Application

Even in the seemingly dry architectural details of this verse, there are profound lessons for believers today. God is a God of order and precision; His plans are exact and will be fulfilled. This can encourage believers to trust in God's perfect timing and design, even when personal circumstances or global events seem chaotic. Furthermore, just as God meticulously planned a dwelling place for His presence, He also desires order and reverence in our lives and corporate worship. This vision serves as a powerful reminder that God ultimately desires to dwell among His people, a glorious theme that culminates in the New Testament promise of God dwelling with humanity in the new creation, where He will be our God and we His people.

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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 40:21

    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 40:25

    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 40:36

    The 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.
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