Ezekiel 41:1

¶ Afterward he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts, six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the other side, [which was] the breadth of the tabernacle.

Afterward he brought {H935} me to the temple {H1964}, and measured {H4058} the posts {H352}, six {H8337} cubits {H520} broad {H7341} on the one side {H6311}, and six {H8337} cubits {H520} broad {H7341} on the other side {H6311}, which was the breadth {H7341} of the tabernacle {H168}.

He brought me to the sanctuary and measured at ten-and-a-half feet the thickness of the walls on either side of its entrance, which was [also] the thickness of [the walls surrounding] the "tent" [that is, the sanctuary together with the Especially Holy Place].

Then the man brought me into the outer sanctuary and measured the side pillars to be six cubits wide on each side.

And he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts, six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the other side, which was the breadth of the tabernacle.

Commentary

Ezekiel 41:1 marks a continuation of the prophet Ezekiel's detailed vision of a magnificent new temple, a central theme in the latter part of his book. This verse focuses on the initial measurements of the temple proper, specifically its entrance, emphasizing divine precision and grandeur.

Context

Following extensive descriptions of the outer and inner courts in Ezekiel chapters 40 and 41, the angelic guide leads Ezekiel to the entrance of the temple building itself. The prophet, exiled in Babylon, receives this elaborate blueprint for a future sanctuary, believed by many to represent either a literal future temple, a symbolic depiction of God's presence among His people, or a spiritual reality in the new covenant.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Order: The meticulous measurements throughout Ezekiel's vision, including the "six cubits broad" posts, highlight God's orderliness and the divine blueprint for His dwelling place. Every detail is significant, reflecting God's perfect design for worship and relationship.
  • Continuity with Past Sanctuaries: The phrase "which was the breadth of the tabernacle" is highly significant. It explicitly links this future temple to the wilderness tabernacle, the portable sanctuary commanded by God to Moses (Exodus 25:8). This connection suggests a continuity of God's dwelling among His people, even as the scale and glory evolve. It underscores that while forms may change, God's desire to be present with humanity remains constant.
  • Holiness and Access: The entrance measurements define the gateway to the most holy parts of the temple. The breadth of the posts emphasizes the substantial nature of this sacred space, setting it apart as a place of profound holiness and controlled access, reflecting the reverence due to God's presence.

Linguistic Insights

The unit of measurement used, "cubit," was a standard ancient measurement based on the length of a forearm (from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger). While its exact length varied slightly, it was approximately 18-21 inches (45-53 cm). The repetition of "six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the other side" underscores the symmetrical and exact nature of the architectural plan.

Practical Application

While the literal interpretation of Ezekiel's temple vision is debated, its spiritual principles offer profound application. This vision reminds us of God's desire for an ordered and holy dwelling place. For believers today, this can be understood as:

  • God's Presence in the Church: The Church, as the body of Christ, is often described as a spiritual temple where God dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16). The vision encourages us to maintain order, holiness, and intentionality in our corporate worship and community life.
  • God's Presence in the Individual Believer: Each believer is also a "temple of the Holy Ghost" (1 Corinthians 6:19). The meticulous design in Ezekiel's vision can inspire us to live lives of precision and purpose, honoring God with our bodies and spirits.
  • The Promise of God's Enduring Presence: The link to the tabernacle assures us that God's commitment to dwelling with His people is eternal, culminating in the ultimate reality where God tabernacles with humanity in the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:3).

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 40:2

    In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which [was] as the frame of a city on the south.

  • Ezekiel 40:3

    And he brought me thither, and, behold, [there was] a man, whose appearance [was] like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.

  • Ezekiel 41:23

    And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors.

  • Ezekiel 40:17

    Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, [there were] chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers [were] upon the pavement.

  • 1 Kings 6:2

    And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof [was] threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty [cubits], and the height thereof thirty cubits.

  • Ezekiel 41:21

    The posts of the temple [were] squared, [and] the face of the sanctuary; the appearance [of the one] as the appearance [of the other].

  • Revelation 21:15

    And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
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