Ezekiel 41:10

And between the chambers [was] the wideness of twenty cubits round about the house on every side.

And between the chambers {H3957} was the wideness {H7341} of twenty {H6242} cubits {H520} round about {H5439} the house {H1004} on every side {H5439}.

On all sides around the house itself was a space thirty-five feet wide between it and the [block of] rooms [for the cohanim].

and the outer chambers was twenty cubits wide all around the temple.

And between the chambers was a breadth of twenty cubits round about the house on every side.

Ezekiel 41:10 KJV: "And between the chambers [was] the wideness of twenty cubits round about the house on every side."

Context of Ezekiel 41:10

This verse is part of the prophet Ezekiel's extensive vision of a new temple, meticulously described in chapters 40-48. Given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, this vision provided a powerful message of hope and future restoration for the exiled Israelites. Chapter 41 specifically details the measurements and architectural layout of the temple building itself, including the Holy Place, the Most Holy Place, and the surrounding structures like the side chambers. The precise dimensions, like the "wideness of twenty cubits" mentioned here, underscore the divine origin and perfect order of God's future dwelling place. This vision served as a blueprint, symbolizing God's faithfulness to His covenant and His desire to dwell among His people once again, a theme beautifully introduced at the start of the temple vision in Ezekiel chapter 40.

Key Themes and Meaning

  • Divine Precision and Order: The emphasis on exact measurements, like the "twenty cubits" (approximately 30 feet or 9.1 meters), highlights God's meticulous attention to detail. This precision signifies a perfectly ordered divine plan and a sanctuary designed according to His exact specifications, leaving no room for human error or improvisation.
  • Sacred Space and Separation: The "wideness" or open space between the "chambers" (likely referring to the side chambers built against the temple wall) and "round about the house" suggests a clear demarcation. This space could serve as a passageway, a protective buffer, or an area emphasizing the distinctness and holiness of the central temple structure from its surrounding auxiliary buildings. It reinforces the theme of separation between the sacred and the common.
  • Hope and Restoration: For the exiles, the detailed vision of a magnificent, perfectly measured temple offered profound hope. It was a tangible promise of God's future presence and the restoration of true worship, even when their earthly temple lay in ruins. This vision points to an ideal future where God's presence is perfectly accommodated.

Linguistic Insights

The term "cubit" (Hebrew: ammah) was a standard ancient unit of length, typically the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, roughly 18-21 inches (45-53 cm). The consistency of its use throughout Ezekiel's temple vision, often in multiples, underscores the literal and exact nature of the architectural blueprint presented. The phrase "round about the house on every side" (Hebrew: saviv saviv labbayith) further emphasizes the encompassing nature of this specified width, indicating a uniform design element surrounding the main temple structure.

Practical Application and Significance

While Ezekiel's temple vision has various interpretations (literal future temple, symbolic ideal, blueprint for the church), the principles revealed in verses like Ezekiel 41:10 remain significant. They remind us:

  • God is a God of Order: His plans are precise and purposeful. This encourages us to seek order and intentionality in our own lives and spiritual practices.
  • Reverence for God's Presence: The meticulous design of the temple underscores the holiness of God and the reverence due to His presence. This translates into how we approach worship, prayer, and our relationship with Him.
  • The Church as God's Dwelling: The New Testament often reinterprets the temple theme, identifying believers and the church as the spiritual dwelling place of God (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:21-22). Just as the physical temple was perfectly designed, so too should the spiritual temple (the church) strive for divine order, unity, and holiness, reflecting God's glorious presence among His people.
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 40:17

    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.
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