Ezekiel 41:11

And the doors of the side chambers [were] toward [the place that was] left, one door toward the north, and another door toward the south: and the breadth of the place that was left [was] five cubits round about.

And the doors {H6607} of the side chambers {H6763} were toward the place that was left {H3240}, one {H259} door {H6607} toward {H1870} the north {H6828}, and another {H259} door {H6607} toward the south {H1864}: and the breadth {H7341} of the place {H4725} that was left {H3240} was five {H2568} cubits {H520} round about {H5439}.

The doors of the side-rooms opened toward an empty space, one door facing north and the other facing south; the empty space was eight-and-three-quarters feet [wide] all around.

The side rooms opened into this area, with one entrance on the north and another on the south. The open area was five cubits wide all around.

And the doors of the side-chambers were toward the place that was left, one door toward the north, and another door toward the south: and the breadth of the place that was left was five cubits round about.

Ezekiel 41:11 (KJV) continues the detailed description of the visionary temple shown to the prophet Ezekiel, specifically focusing on the layout and access points of the side chambers. This verse provides minute architectural specifications, detailing the orientation of the doors and the consistent five-cubit breadth of the surrounding space.

Context of Ezekiel's Temple Vision

This verse is part of an extensive vision given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, spanning Ezekiel chapters 40-48. After the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem, this detailed blueprint for a new temple served as a profound message of hope and restoration for the exiled Israelites. It signified God’s enduring presence among His people and the promise of future worship and order. The vision is highly symbolic, emphasizing God's holiness, His meticulous order, and the future glory of His dwelling place.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Precision and Order: The sheer level of detail in Ezekiel's temple vision, including the exact placement and dimensions mentioned in verse 11, underscores God's meticulous planning and His desire for perfect order in all things related to His presence and worship.
  • Holiness and Separation: The temple's intricate design, with specific chambers and defined spaces, highlights the sacredness of God's dwelling. Every element is intentional, contributing to an environment suitable for divine interaction, emphasizing the need for separation and purity in approaching God.
  • Future Hope and Restoration: For a people in exile, this vision offered a powerful promise of restoration—not just of a physical building, but of God's covenant relationship with Israel and the re-establishment of proper worship. It points to a time of spiritual and national renewal.

Architectural Detail and Symbolism

The "side chambers" (Hebrew: tsela'ot) were structures built against the temple walls, likely serving various functions such as storage for priestly garments, sacred vessels, or provisions, and possibly as lodging for priests. The mention of doors facing "north" and "south" indicates specific access points, suggesting an orderly flow within the temple complex. The phrase "the breadth of the place that was left was five cubits round about" describes a consistent walkway or open space surrounding these chambers. A "cubit" was an ancient unit of measurement, roughly the length of a forearm (about 18 inches or 45 cm), making five cubits approximately 7.5 feet. This consistent dimension emphasizes uniformity and careful design, ensuring proper access and separation around these vital temple components.

Practical Application

While this vision is highly specific to a future temple, its underlying principles offer timeless lessons:

  • God's Attention to Detail: This verse reminds us that God is a God of order and precision. He cares about the smallest details of His creation and His plans. This should encourage believers to be diligent and orderly in their own lives and service to Him.
  • Intentionality in Worship: The precise design of the temple reflects God's intentionality in establishing a place for His presence. For believers today, who are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit, this implies the importance of intentionality, reverence, and purity in our personal and corporate worship.
  • Hope in God's Promises: The entire temple vision, including these detailed measurements, served as a tangible promise to a disheartened people. It reminds us that even in times of despair or displacement, God has a perfect plan for restoration and ultimate glory, and He is faithful to fulfill His word.
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 41:9

    The thickness of the wall, which [was] for the side chamber without, [was] five cubits: and [that] which [was] left [was] the place of the side chambers that [were] within.

  • Ezekiel 42:4

    And before the chambers [was] a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors toward the north.
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