Ezekiel 41:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 41:10 describes a specific architectural dimension within the prophet Ezekiel's visionary temple, detailing a uniform twenty-cubit wide space located between the ancillary chambers and the main temple structure, encompassing it on all sides. This precise measurement underscores the divine order, meticulous planning, and sacred demarcation inherent in God's ideal dwelling place, offering a profound message of hope and future restoration to the exiled Israelites by envisioning a perfectly designed sanctuary for God's renewed presence among His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 41:10 is situated within the highly detailed temple vision that spans chapters 40-48 of the book of Ezekiel. Following the initial measurements of the outer and inner courts in [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Temple Vision Begins"), chapter 41 shifts focus to the dimensions and architectural features of the temple building itself. This particular verse, along with others in the chapter, meticulously outlines the various components, including the Holy Place, the Most Holy Place, and the surrounding side chambers. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 41:5-9) describe the construction and dimensions of these side chambers, which were built against the temple wall. Verse 10 then specifies the precise width of the open space *between* these chambers and the main temple structure, emphasizing the deliberate design and separation within the sacred complex. The subsequent verses continue to detail other aspects of the temple's interior and exterior, maintaining the vision's consistent emphasis on exactitude and divine blueprint.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision of the new temple was given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound despair and displacement for the Jewish people (c. 593-571 BC). The first temple, Solomon's Temple, had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, leaving the Israelites without their central place of worship and a tangible symbol of God's presence. In this context of national trauma and spiritual desolation, Ezekiel's vision served as a powerful source of hope and reassurance. The meticulous architectural details, including specific measurements like the "twenty cubits," would have resonated with ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, where precise dimensions often carried symbolic significance related to divine order and cosmic harmony. The concept of a "cubit" (`H520`) was a standard unit of measurement, typically the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (approximately 18-21 inches or 45-53 cm), making the vision's details relatable and concrete for its original audience, even if the temple itself was visionary.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 41:10 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Precision and Order**. The exact measurements throughout the temple vision, including the "wideness of twenty cubits," underscore God's meticulous attention to detail and the perfect order of His divine plan. This precision signifies a sanctuary designed according to His exact specifications, leaving no room for human error or improvisation, as seen in the detailed instructions for the tabernacle in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle"). Secondly, the verse reinforces the theme of **Sacred Space and Separation**. The specified "wideness" or open space between the chambers and "round about the house" suggests a clear demarcation, emphasizing the distinctness and holiness of the central temple structure from its surrounding auxiliary buildings. This separation is crucial for maintaining the sanctity of God's dwelling, a concept deeply rooted in Old Testament theology, as evidenced in the laws concerning purity and access to the tabernacle and temple in [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Distinguishing between Holy and Common"). Finally, the vision, including this verse, powerfully conveys **Hope and Restoration**. For the exiles, the detailed blueprint of a magnificent, perfectly measured temple offered a tangible promise of God's future presence and the restoration of true worship, even when their earthly temple lay in ruins. This points to an ideal future where God's presence is perfectly accommodated and His glory returns, a promise explicitly made in [Ezekiel 43:4-5](/ezekiel/43-4 "Ezekiel 43:4-5 - The Glory of the Lord Returns").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **chambers (Hebrew, _lishkâh'_):** (`H3957`) This term refers to a room within a building, which could be used for various purposes such as storage, eating, or lodging. In the context of the temple vision, these "chambers" are specifically the side rooms built against the temple walls, likely for priests to store holy garments, tithes, or for their use during service. The presence of these functional rooms around the main sanctuary highlights the comprehensive nature of the temple complex and its supporting infrastructure for worship.
* **wideness (Hebrew, _rôchab'_):** (`H7341`) Derived from a root meaning "to be wide," this word denotes breadth, largeness, or thickness. In Ezekiel 41:10, it precisely describes the horizontal dimension of the space. The emphasis on "wideness" here indicates a deliberate and significant open area, not merely a narrow passageway, which contributes to the overall sense of order, spaciousness, and perhaps even a buffer zone around the core sacred structure.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** (`H1004`) This is a broad term for a building, encompassing various applications from a family dwelling to a palace or, as in this context, a temple. Here, "the house" specifically refers to the main temple building itself, the central sanctuary where God's presence would dwell. The phrase "round about the house" emphasizes that the specified twenty-cubit wideness uniformly encircled this primary structure, reinforcing its centrality and the sacred perimeter established around it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And between the chambers was the wideness of twenty cubits":** This clause establishes the precise measurement and location of a significant architectural feature. It describes a substantial open space, approximately 30 feet or 9.1 meters wide, situated specifically between the auxiliary side chambers and the main temple building. This detail highlights the meticulous planning of the visionary temple, indicating that every dimension and spatial relationship was divinely ordained, ensuring both functionality for priestly service and proper reverence for the sanctuary.
* **"round about the house on every side."**: This concluding phrase clarifies the extent and uniformity of the specified "wideness." It indicates that the twenty-cubit space was not limited to one area but consistently encircled the entire main temple structure. This continuous perimeter reinforces the idea of a sacred boundary and a perfectly symmetrical design, emphasizing the comprehensive and holistic nature of God's architectural blueprint for His dwelling place.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 41:10, like much of the temple vision, primarily employs **Detailed Description** and **Symbolism**. The meticulous enumeration of measurements and spatial relationships serves as a form of **Architectural Blueprint**, providing an almost hyper-realistic depiction of a structure that is both physical and deeply spiritual. The precision of "twenty cubits" and "round about the house on every side" creates a sense of **Order** and **Perfection**, symbolizing God's absolute control and the flawless nature of His divine plan. This detailed imagery also functions as a powerful **Visionary Prophecy**, offering a tangible representation of future hope and restoration to a people in exile. The very act of describing such an elaborate and perfect temple serves as a **Metaphor** for the ideal relationship between God and His people, characterized by holiness, order, and God's dwelling presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 41:10, with its emphasis on precise measurements and sacred space, points to a fundamental theological truth: God is a God of order, intentionality, and holiness. The meticulously designed temple, even if visionary, underscores the reverence due to His presence and the need for proper boundaries in approaching the divine. This precision speaks to the divine blueprint for all creation and redemption, where every detail serves a purpose in His overarching plan. The concept of a designated space, set apart and measured with divine exactitude, foreshadows the ultimate setting apart of a people for God's glory and the establishment of a new covenant where His presence indwells believers.

* [Exodus 25:8-9](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8-9 - The Command to Build the Tabernacle")
* [Hebrews 9:1-5](/hebrews/9-1 "Hebrews 9:1-5 - Description of the Earthly Sanctuary")
* [Revelation 21:16](/revelation/21-16 "Revelation 21:16 - The Dimensions of the New Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous detail in Ezekiel 41:10, describing the precise "wideness of twenty cubits round about the house," invites us to consider the profound intentionality behind God's designs, both in ancient temples and in our lives today. This divine precision reminds us that God is not haphazard; His plans are purposeful, ordered, and perfect. For believers, this translates into a call for intentionality and order in our own spiritual lives, our worship, and our communal life as the church. Just as a physical space was carefully measured to accommodate God's glory, so too should our lives be intentionally structured to honor Him, creating a "space" for His Spirit to dwell and work. This verse challenges us to consider the boundaries we set in our lives to maintain holiness and reverence for God's presence, understanding that our lives, individually and corporately, are meant to be a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. It encourages us to strive for excellence, order, and purity, reflecting the divine blueprint in all we do.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine precision in Ezekiel's temple vision challenge my own approach to order and intentionality in my spiritual life?**
* **In what ways can I, as an individual or as part of the church, create "sacred space" that honors God's presence and maintains appropriate boundaries?**
* **What does God's meticulous attention to detail in this vision reveal about His character, and how does that impact my trust in His plans for my life?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "twenty cubits" measurement in Ezekiel 41:10?**

Answer: The "twenty cubits" (approximately 30 feet or 9.1 meters) signifies divine precision and order. In a vision given during the Babylonian exile when the earthly temple lay in ruins, such exact measurements conveyed a sense of reality and divine authority to the blueprint of a future, ideal temple. It emphasizes that God's plans are meticulously detailed and perfectly executed, leaving no room for human improvisation. This specific width likely served as a passageway or a buffer zone, maintaining a clear separation between the main sanctuary and the surrounding chambers, thus reinforcing the holiness and distinctness of God's dwelling place. It speaks to the sacred architecture designed by God himself, where every dimension has purpose and meaning, much like the detailed instructions for the tabernacle given to Moses in [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Building the Tabernacle According to the Pattern").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 41:10 describes a physical dimension of a visionary temple, its ultimate fulfillment is found in Christ and the new covenant reality. The meticulous measurements and sacred boundaries of the temple point forward to the perfect order and holiness established by Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate "house" or dwelling place of God, in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of God in Christ")). The twenty-cubit wideness, symbolizing a sacred space and separation, foreshadows the new and living way opened by Christ's sacrifice, which allows believers to draw near to God not through physical proximity to a temple, but through faith in Him ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ")). Moreover, the Church, as the body of Christ, becomes the spiritual temple where God's Spirit dwells ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You Are God's Temple")), fulfilling the longing for God's presence among His people that the temple vision represented. Just as the visionary temple was perfectly designed, so too is the spiritual temple of believers being built together into a holy dwelling place for God by the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - The Church as a Holy Temple")). Ultimately, the precision of Ezekiel's vision finds its eschatological climax in the New Jerusalem, where there is no temple because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple ([Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - No Temple in the New Jerusalem")), signifying the complete and unmediated presence of God with His redeemed people, a reality perfectly established and secured by Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.