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.

The little chambers {H8372} thereof, the posts {H352} thereof, and the arches {H361} thereof, and the windows {H2474} to it round about {H5439}: the length {H753} was fifty {H2572} cubits {H520}, and the breadth {H7341} five {H2568} and twenty {H6242} cubits {H520}.

it had guardrooms, supports and a vestibule with windows all around; the length was eighty-seven-and-a-half feet and the width forty-three-and-three-quarters feet.

as did its gate chambers, side pillars, and portico. It also had windows all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.

the lodges thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof: and there were windows therein round about; the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.

Ezekiel 40:36 is a detailed description of architectural elements within the vast and intricate temple vision given to the prophet Ezekiel. This specific verse, "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," focuses on the precise dimensions and features of one of the temple's gate structures or surrounding chambers.

Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's extensive vision of a new temple, spanning chapters 40-48. Given to Ezekiel while he was in exile in Babylon (around 573 BC), this vision provided a profound message of hope and future restoration for the disheartened Jewish people. The prophet is transported in vision to a very high mountain in the land of Israel, where he encounters a man with a measuring rod, who meticulously guides him through every part of the temple complex, detailing its gates, courts, chambers, and outer walls. The precision of the measurements, including those in Ezekiel 40:36, underscores the divine origin and significance of this blueprint.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Order: The meticulous measurements and detailed descriptions throughout Ezekiel 40, including verse 36, emphasize God's perfect order, design, and attention to detail. This reflects His sovereignty and the exactness of His plans for His people and His dwelling place.
  • Future Hope and Restoration: For the exiles, the vision of a glorious, perfectly ordered temple symbolized God's unwavering faithfulness and His promise of future restoration and renewal for Israel, a time when His presence would return among His people.
  • Holiness and Sacred Space: The intricate design, with its various courts and chambers, highlights the concept of holiness and the separation required for God's presence. Every dimension and feature served to define a sacred space set apart for the worship of the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The primary measurement unit used throughout Ezekiel's temple vision, including in verse 36, is the "cubit." An cubit (Hebrew: אמה - 'ammah') was an ancient unit of length, typically defined by the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. In Ezekiel's vision, a special cubit is mentioned (Ezekiel 40:5) that was "a cubit and an hand breadth," likely indicating a longer cubit of about 20.6 inches (or 52.3 cm), rather than the common 18 inches. This larger cubit further emphasizes the grandeur and precise scale of the visionary temple.

Significance and Application

Ezekiel 40:36, in its specificity, invites readers to consider the profound implications of God's detailed plans. While the temple vision has been interpreted in various ways—as a literal future temple, a symbolic representation of the church, or a spiritual ideal—its immediate impact on the exiles was a profound assurance of God's future dwelling among them. The fact that God concerns Himself with such minute architectural details speaks volumes about the importance of His presence and the reverence due to Him.

For believers today, this passage reminds us that God is a God of order, and His purposes are meticulously planned. It foreshadows a time when the glory of the Lord will return to fill His dwelling place. Spiritually, it can also point to the New Testament understanding of believers as God's spiritual temple (1 Corinthians 3:16), emphasizing the call to holiness and order in our lives as individuals and as the gathered church.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 40:29

    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.

  • 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 40:7

    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.

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