TRV
“Measuring the Inner Court Gates”· Ezekiel 40:28–37
Translation
King James Version
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.
KJV (with Strong's)
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.
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 therein and in the arches thereof round about; it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.
World English Bible Messianic
and its lodges, and its posts, and its arches, according to these measures: and there were windows therein and in its arches all around; it was fifty cubits long, and twenty-five cubits broad.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the chambers thereof, and the postes thereof, and the arches thereof were according to these measures, and there were windowes therein, and in the arches thereof round about, it was fiftie cubites long, and fiue and twentie cubites broade.
Young's Literal Translation
and its little chambers, and its posts, and its arches are according to these measures: and windows are to it and to its arches all round about, the length fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty 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
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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(Versed. 28 seqq.) And he led me into the inner courtyard by the eastern way: and he measured the gate according to the upper measurements; its chamber and its front and its vestibule as before, and its windows and its vestibules all around, with a length of fifty cubits and a width of twenty-five cubits. And its vestibule, that is, the outer courtyard (which the Septuagint and Symmachus have placed as the inner courtyard); and carved palm trees on its front, both here and there, and with eight steps leading up to it. » From the Northern region, into whose courtyard only seven steps were ascended, one passes to the Southern gate and courtyard of the same region, to which not only seven, as mentioned above, but eight steps are ascended: namely, so that we may pass from the Old to the New; and to speak more clearly, through the patriarchs and prophets, we come to the apostles: so that in one week there is an octet in the other. But now it comes to the last, or rather to the highest, and introduces the prophet through the way of the inner gate, or through the courtyard, to which one goes through the Eastern gate. In this place, according to the Septuagint, the way is only mentioned; in the Northern and Southern regions, it is completely silent, so that we can understand that in the Eastern region only is that way to be understood, which says: I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). For through Him we come to the Father, and it is written about Him: Blessed are the undefiled in the way (Psalm 119:1), who think nothing left of Christ, but their faith is pure and not in any way polluted by the stain of heretics. Likewise, the number of rooms, facades, entrances, windows, and the amount of light in them, as well as the same measurement of length and width: fifty by twenty-five cubits, preserving the sacredness, and the vestibule of its gate or inner courtyard, which is placed outside according to the Hebrew, so that everything is enclosed by the Eastern light, according to what is written: 'There is no one who can hide from its heat' (Psalm 19:7). But if we understand the atrium both externally and internally: thus it must be understood that God is both encompassing and indwelling, saying through the prophet: He who holds the heavens in the palm of his hand, and the earth in his fist (Isaiah XL, 12): so that everything may be seen as included in him. And again: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is the footstool of my feet (Isaiah LXVI, 1), so that he is believed to exist within all things: according to that verse from Virgil's Aeneid (Book VI).
In the beginning, the sky and the earth, and the liquid fields, And the shining globe of the moon, and the Astra of Titania, A Spirit nourishes them within: and infused throughout their limbs, The Mind moves the whole mass, and mingles itself with the great body.
And when, through the weapons of justice, on the right and left, through glory and disgrace, through good and bad reputation, through praise and blame, we have obtained victory over this world (2 Cor. 6): then palms are given to us on both sides, which neither joys have changed, nor sorrow, nor prosperity, nor adversity have overcome: and not by seven (or eight) degrees, as in the region of the North, nor by seven and eight, as in the South, are we contained, but by only eight (or seven) degrees do we ascend to the highest: because the number eight is sufficient for us, that is, the sacrament of the Gospel; so that we may say with the Apostle: And though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him no more (2 Cor. 5:16), it is understood, according to the flesh.
"And its windows, and its vestibules round about, fifty cubits in length, and twenty-five cubits in width." But if the Gentile world is designated by the name of the North, it is clear to all who read carefully that the Gentile world existed before the Synagogue. For Heber himself, from whom the Hebrews are named, was chosen from among the Gentiles. Let the Eastern gate therefore be mentioned before the gate of the North and of the South, because in His divinity the Lord was born before the Gentile world and Judea, He who also exists before all ages. But in the subsequent narration let the gate of the South, of the East and of the North be mentioned, because our Redeemer deigned to be born in human nature between Judea and the Gentile world, because He came both at the end of the Synagogue and before the beginning of the Church, which He gathered from the Gentiles.
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 40:33 offers a precise architectural rendering of a specific gate complex within the visionary temple revealed to the prophet Ezekiel. This verse meticulously details the dimensions and features of one of the gate's inner chambers, including its "little chambers," structural "posts," and "arches," alongside the presence of "windows." It specifies the structure's exact length of fifty cubits and breadth of twenty-five cubits, thereby underscoring the divine precision, order, and grandeur inherent in God's future plans for Israel's restoration and worship.
Context
Literary Context
Ezekiel 40:33 is embedded within the extensive prophetic vision of a new temple, its surrounding courts, and the re-allotment of the land of Israel, which spans Ezekiel chapters 40-48. The immediate focus of chapter 40 is the detailed description and measurement of the outer and inner gates of this visionary sanctuary. The prophet, guided by a divine messenger, meticulously records the dimensions of various architectural components. While verses 1-27 delineate the outer court and its gates, verses 28-47 provide intricate details of the inner court and its features. Specifically, verses 32-37 describe the inner gate facing east, with verse 33 providing the precise measurements for its "little chambers," "posts," and "arches." This level of detail echoes and reinforces the descriptions of other gates, such as the outer east gate detailed in Ezekiel 40:6-16, emphasizing the divine origin and exactness of the blueprint.
Historical & Cultural Context
This profound and detailed vision was granted to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national and spiritual devastation for the Israelites. Their capital, Jerusalem, had been destroyed, and Solomon's Temple, the very heart of their worship and national identity, lay in ruins (2 Kings 25:9). In this context of despair, displacement, and the apparent absence of God's dwelling, the vision of a future, glorious temple served as a powerful message of hope, divine faithfulness, and the promise of future restoration. The meticulous architectural blueprint, given to a people who had lost their spiritual center, was not merely an abstract dream but a tangible assurance that God had not abandoned them. It underscored the enduring importance of sacred space and proper worship, even when such practices were impossible in their current circumstances of exile.
Key Themes
The detailed measurements in Ezekiel 40:33 contribute significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the book of Ezekiel. Firstly, it highlights Divine Precision and Order. The sheer level of detail, down to specific cubit measurements for every component, underscores God's meticulousness and the perfect order of His plans. This divine blueprint speaks to the intentionality and certainty behind God's future actions for His people, demonstrating that His will is exact and purposeful, contrasting sharply with the chaos of the exile. Secondly, the vision embodies Hope and Restoration. For the exiled Israelites, this magnificent future temple 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. This promise of renewed worship and divine indwelling is a recurring motif in Ezekiel, particularly in passages like Ezekiel 37:26-28. Finally, the emphasis on the detailed design reinforces the Importance of Sacred Space and Proper Worship. The temple is not merely a building but the designated place for God's glory to reside and where proper worship is to be conducted according to His divine standards, a theme that resonates throughout the Old Testament's emphasis on the tabernacle and temple as the locus of God's presence among His people (e.g., Exodus 25:8).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H8372) refers to a room or a circumscribed space. In the context of the temple vision, it denotes the specific, enclosed compartments within the gate structure. These "little chambers" likely served various functions, such as guardrooms, storage, or perhaps even areas for priests to prepare for service, highlighting the functional and organized nature of the visionary temple. The detail implies a highly structured and purposeful design for every part of the sacred complex, ensuring order and efficiency.
Derived from a root meaning "strength" (H352), this word refers to a pilaster or a strong support, often a doorpost or a robust column. In architectural terms, these are the upright supports that frame openings or provide structural integrity to a building. Their inclusion in the precise measurements emphasizes the solidity, permanence, and robust construction of the gate, underscoring the divine strength and enduring nature associated with the future temple.
This term (H4060) signifies extension, height, breadth, or a standard of measurement. Its use here, "according to these measures," underscores the exactness and precision of the divine blueprint. It implies that every dimension and feature of the temple is divinely ordained and not subject to human alteration or approximation. This concept of precise measurement reinforces the divine origin and absolute authority of the entire vision, demonstrating God's meticulous attention to detail.
Verse Breakdown
"And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, [were] according to these measures:"
This initial clause establishes that the specific architectural components of the gate—the small, enclosed rooms, the strong upright supports, and the curved structural elements—conformed precisely to the standards and dimensions previously or implicitly given by the divine guide. This reiterates the overarching theme of divine precision and the non-negotiable nature of God's architectural blueprint, emphasizing that nothing in His design is arbitrary.
"and [there were] windows therein and in the arches thereof round about:"
This part of the verse adds further functional detail, indicating the presence of windows within both the chambers and the arches of the gate structure. The phrase "round about" suggests that these windows were strategically placed to provide ample light and possibly ventilation throughout the gate complex. The inclusion of windows, even in such a detailed architectural vision, points to the practical and functional aspects of the temple design, ensuring that it was not merely a symbolic structure but a usable, well-lit, and accessible space.
"[it was] fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad."
This final clause provides the overall dimensions of the specific gate complex being described. The length of fifty cubits (approximately 75-87.5 feet) and the breadth of twenty-five cubits (approximately 37.5-43.75 feet) give a clear sense of the substantial size and grandeur of this gate. These precise numerical details are characteristic of the entire vision in Ezekiel 40-48, emphasizing the tangible reality, divine planning, and impressive scale of the future temple.
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezekiel 40:33, and indeed throughout Ezekiel chapters 40-48, is Detailed Description. The meticulous enumeration of dimensions, architectural features, and specific components serves to create a vivid and tangible image of the visionary temple. This level of detail elevates the vision beyond a mere spiritual impression to a concrete divine blueprint, emphasizing the certainty and reality of God's future plans. Another significant device is Symbolism, though not explicitly detailed in this single verse, the entire temple vision is highly symbolic. The precise measurements and the very existence of a new temple symbolize God's renewed presence, perfect order, and unwavering covenant faithfulness to His people after their exile. The architectural exactness itself can be seen as a Metaphor for divine order and the unwavering nature of God's promises, demonstrating that God's plans are unchangeable and perfectly executed.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Ezekiel 40:33, with its emphasis on meticulous measurements and divine blueprint, underscores a profound theological truth: God is a God of order, precision, and intentional design. This vision, given to a people in chaos and exile, served as a powerful reminder that God's plans are not vague or arbitrary but are perfectly ordered and will be fulfilled with absolute certainty. The detailed architecture of the temple points to the sanctity and importance of the space where God's glory would reside, reflecting His desire for a holy people and a holy place for worship. This divine blueprint speaks to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel and His ultimate purpose to dwell among His people, a theme that finds its ultimate expression in the New Covenant and the eternal dwelling of God with humanity.
Reflection and Application
The seemingly dry architectural details of Ezekiel 40:33 hold profound spiritual lessons for believers today. The meticulous precision with which God outlines His future temple speaks volumes about His character: He is a God of order, intentionality, and perfect design. In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and brokenness, this verse reminds us that God's plans are exact and will be fulfilled according to His perfect timing and purpose. This should instill deep trust and confidence in His sovereignty, even when our personal circumstances or global events seem to unravel. Just as God meticulously planned a dwelling place for His presence, He also desires order, reverence, and intentionality in our individual 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, perfectly ordered and eternally present with Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is there so much architectural detail in Ezekiel's vision?
The extensive architectural detail in Ezekiel's vision, as seen throughout Ezekiel 40, serves multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the vision; such precise measurements and intricate designs could only come from God, assuring the prophet and the exiles of its supernatural source. Secondly, for the exiled Israelites who had lost their temple and homeland, these details provided a tangible, concrete promise of future restoration and renewed worship, offering immense hope and a vision for their future. Thirdly, the meticulousness underscores God's character as a God of order, precision, and holiness, indicating that His dwelling place and the worship conducted there must reflect His perfect, unblemished standards. Finally, while some scholars interpret these details as a literal blueprint for a future temple, others view them primarily as symbolic, representing God's perfect order, His renewed covenant with Israel, and the ideal relationship between God and His people.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Ezekiel 40:33 describes a physical temple, its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual significance are profoundly found in Christ. The meticulously measured temple, envisioned as a perfect dwelling place for God's presence among His people, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. Just as the temple was the locus of divine presence and worship in the Old Covenant, Jesus declares Himself to be greater than the temple (Matthew 12:6), and He is the true tabernacle where God dwells among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). The precise dimensions of the gate chambers, posts, and arches in Ezekiel's vision point to the perfect order, divine design, and unwavering stability embodied in Christ's redemptive work. He is the very cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20) upon whom the true spiritual temple, the Church, is built—a living edifice where God's Spirit dwells. Ultimately, the vision of God dwelling with His people, initiated in the Old Testament temple and fully realized in Christ, culminates in the New Jerusalem, where God's presence is direct and unmediated, and there is no longer a need for a physical temple because "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (Revelation 21:22). Thus, Ezekiel's architectural blueprint finds its most profound and enduring meaning in the person and work of Christ, who perfectly embodies God's presence and establishes the new covenant community as His eternal dwelling place.