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 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.
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
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: