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Translation
King James Version
¶ Now the building that was before the separate place at the end toward the west was seventy cubits broad; and the wall of the building was five cubits thick round about, and the length thereof ninety cubits.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Now the building H1146 that was before H6440 the separate place H1508 at the end H6285 toward H1870 the west H3220 was seventy H7657 cubits H520 broad H7341; and the wall H7023 of the building H1146 was five H2568 cubits H520 thick H7341 round about H5439, and the length H753 thereof ninety H8673 cubits H520.
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Complete Jewish Bible
The building on the west facing the separated yard had a[n interior] width of 1221/2 feet, a[n interior] length of 1571/2 feet and exterior walls eight-and-three-quarters feet thick all the way around.
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Berean Standard Bible
Now the building that faced the temple courtyard on the west was seventy cubits wide, and the wall of the building was five cubits thick all around, with a length of ninety cubits.
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American Standard Version
And the building that was before the separate place at the side toward the west was seventy cubits broad; and the wall of the building was five cubits thick round about, and the length thereof ninety cubits.
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World English Bible Messianic
The building that was before the separate place at the side toward the west was seventy cubits broad; and the wall of the building was five cubits thick all around, and its length ninety cubits.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Nowe the building that was before the separate place toward the West corner, was seuentie cubites broad, and the wall of the building was fiue cubites thick, round about, and ye length ninetie cubites.
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Young's Literal Translation
As to the building that is at the front of the separate place at the corner westward, the breadth is seventy cubits, and the wall of the building five cubits broad all round about, and its length ninety cubits.
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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Ezekiel 41:12 meticulously details the dimensions of a significant structure located to the west of the "separate place" within the prophet's visionary temple complex. This verse is an integral part of an extensive divine blueprint, emphasizing God's profound order, precision, and intentionality in His plans for a future dwelling place, serving as a powerful message of hope and the certainty of divine restoration for His people.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is intricately woven into the fabric of Ezekiel's monumental temple vision, which spans Ezekiel 40-48. Following the detailed descriptions of the outer and inner courts, the temple proper, and various surrounding chambers, Ezekiel 41 specifically focuses on the dimensions and features of the temple's sanctuary and its adjacent structures. Verse 12 describes a substantial building situated to the west of the gizrâh, or "separate place," which is understood to be the highly sacred area immediately surrounding the Holy of Holies or the main temple sanctuary. The preceding verses establish the precise measurements of the temple's porch, nave, and side chambers, creating a comprehensive architectural narrative that underscores the divine origin and meticulous nature of the entire complex. This specific western building contributes to the overall sense of completeness and divine order within the visionary blueprint.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Ezekiel received this extraordinary vision during the Babylonian exile, a period marked by deep national despair, the destruction of the First Temple, and the desolation of Jerusalem. In this context, the vision of a new, glorious temple served as a profound message of hope, divine faithfulness, and the promise of future restoration for the Jewish people. In the ancient Near East, temples were not merely buildings but were considered the terrestrial dwelling places of deities, central to national identity, worship, and cosmic order. The unprecedented level of detail in Ezekiel's vision, far exceeding any known human architectural plans of the era, would have powerfully conveyed its divine origin and the unwavering certainty of God's future actions. The emphasis on specific measurements and the western orientation of this building would have resonated with Israelite understandings of sacred geography and cosmological order, where the west often carried symbolic weight, sometimes associated with the presence of God or the ultimate direction of divine activity.
  • Key Themes: The precise measurements delineated in Ezekiel 41:12 profoundly underscore the theme of Divine Precision and Order. Every cubit, every wall thickness, and every dimension highlights God's absolute control and intentionality in His plans, demonstrating that nothing in His divine blueprint is left to chance. The mention of the "separate place" reinforces the pervasive theme of Holiness and Separation, a recurring motif throughout the temple vision and the broader Old Testament. This separation emphasizes the inherent sacredness of God's presence and the crucial distinction required between the holy and the common, which is foundational for proper worship and communion with the Almighty. Ultimately, the entire temple vision, including the minute details of this verse, points to a Future Hope and Restoration for Israel, promising a renewed era of God's manifest presence and perfect worship, a theme echoed in prophetic literature such as Isaiah 2:2-4 and the promise of a new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • building (Hebrew, binyân', H1146): From the verb "to build," this term refers to a constructed edifice or structure. In Ezekiel's vision, its use underscores the tangible, physical nature of the complex being described, emphasizing the architectural precision and concrete reality of the divine blueprint. This is not a vague concept but a meticulously planned and measurable construction, highlighting God's exactness in His design.
  • separate place (Hebrew, gizrâh', H1508): This feminine noun denotes an enclosed or separated area, emphasizing distinctness, holiness, and a cutting off or separation. In the temple context, it refers to a sacred zone, likely the most holy precinct, highlighting the divine requirement for distinction between the holy and the common. Its presence underscores the sanctity and protected nature of God's dwelling, a place set apart for His unique presence.
  • cubits (Hebrew, ʼammâh', H520): A standard ancient unit of measurement, typically the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Ezekiel's vision specifies a "long cubit" of "a cubit and an hand breadth" as stated in Ezekiel 40:5, indicating an even greater precision and a divine standard for the temple's dimensions that surpasses common measurements. This consistent and specific measurement underscores the exactness and divine authority underlying the entire architectural blueprint.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Now the building that was before the separate place at the end toward the west was seventy cubits broad": This clause introduces a specific, substantial structure located strategically to the west of the temple's most sacred or distinct area, the "separate place." The stated breadth of seventy cubits indicates a significant dimension, revealing a large and meticulously planned edifice that forms an integral part of the overall temple complex, positioned with intentionality relative to the temple's core sanctuary.
  • "and the wall of the building was five cubits thick round about": This detail highlights the robustness, stability, and protective nature of the building. A five-cubit thick wall suggests a formidable and enduring construction, emphasizing security and the substantial nature of this visionary temple. The phrase "round about" indicates a consistent thickness for all its walls, reinforcing the theme of uniform precision and structural integrity throughout the design.
  • "and the length thereof ninety cubits." The final dimension provided, the length, further defines the building's considerable scale. Ninety cubits denotes a substantial length, completing the comprehensive picture of a large, precisely measured structure. Together with the specified breadth and wall thickness, this measurement contributes to the exhaustive and exact architectural plan, leaving no ambiguity in its divinely ordained design.

Literary Devices

Ezekiel 41:12 is rich in Architectural Detail, providing specific and exact measurements that create a vivid and precise mental image of the visionary temple. This meticulousness serves to underscore the profound Precision of God's plans; every dimension, every cubit, and every wall thickness is divinely ordained, leaving no room for human estimation or error. The repetition of these precise measurements throughout the larger temple vision, including in this verse, functions as Emphasis, reinforcing the divine authority, exactness, and certainty of the blueprint. Furthermore, the entire temple vision, including this specific building, carries profound Symbolism. While literally describing a physical structure, it also symbolizes God's desire for a perfect, holy dwelling among His people, representing future restoration, renewed worship, and the ultimate establishment of His kingdom. The "separate place" itself can be understood as a Metonymy for the sacredness and holiness of God's presence, highlighting the necessary distinction between the divine and the common, and the purity required for divine encounter.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Ezekiel 41:12, with its meticulous architectural details, profoundly illustrates God's nature as a God of order, precision, and intentionality. The divine blueprint for this temple, down to the thickness of its walls and the exact dimensions of its western building, underscores the truth that God's plans are never haphazard but are perfectly conceived and executed. This vision served as a powerful reminder to a displaced people that God remains sovereign over their future, actively planning for their restoration and the re-establishment of His holy presence among them. The emphasis on a "separate place" and distinct dimensions reinforces the enduring theological principle of God's holiness and the necessity of set-apart spaces and lives for communion with Him. This precision speaks to the reliability of God's promises and the certainty of His future kingdom, providing a tangible vision of divine faithfulness in the midst of human despair.

  • 1 Kings 6:1-38 - Details the meticulous construction of Solomon's Temple, echoing the theme of divine architectural precision in the building of God's dwelling place.
  • Hebrews 9:1-10 - Describes the earthly tabernacle and temple as a shadow of heavenly realities, emphasizing the divine origin and symbolic nature of sacred spaces and their limitations.
  • Revelation 21:15-17 - Provides precise, symbolic measurements for the New Jerusalem, paralleling Ezekiel's vision in its emphasis on divine order in the ultimate, eternal dwelling place of God with humanity.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The intricate details of Ezekiel's temple vision, including the specific measurements of the western building in Ezekiel 41:12, invite us to reflect deeply on the nature of God's perfect design and His meticulous care for His creation and His people. In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and seemingly random events, this passage offers profound comfort and reassurance: God is a God of absolute order, precision, and purposeful design. His plans for His people, whether for a physical temple in ancient times or the spiritual building of His Church today, are meticulously laid out and unfailingly executed. This truth should inspire us to trust implicitly in His perfect design for our lives, even when we cannot see the full blueprint or understand His timing. It challenges us to live with intentionality and integrity, recognizing that our lives, both individually and corporately, are meant to be temples of the Holy Spirit, reflecting His order, holiness, and beauty. Just as every cubit mattered in this divine vision, every aspect of our lives matters to God, calling us to a life of precision in our walk, our worship, and our witness to a world in need of divine order.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the meticulous detail in Ezekiel's temple vision, particularly in this verse, challenge or deepen your understanding of God's character and His active involvement in the seemingly small details of your life?
  • In what specific ways can recognizing God as a God of order and precision bring comfort in times of chaos or conviction regarding areas of your life that lack intentionality?
  • Considering that believers are now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), how might the principles of divine precision, holiness, and careful construction from this passage apply to your personal spiritual disciplines and your corporate life within the Church?

FAQ

What is the significance of these precise measurements in Ezekiel's temple vision?

Answer: The precise measurements in Ezekiel's temple vision, including those in Ezekiel 41:12, are profoundly significant for several reasons. First, they powerfully underscore the divine origin and authority of the vision; such meticulous detail points to a supernatural Architect, not a human one, thereby lending immense weight to the prophecy. Second, they emphasize God's immutable character as a God of order, precision, and intentionality. Every aspect of His plan is carefully considered and perfectly designed, demonstrating His sovereignty over all things. Third, for the exiles in Babylon, these details offered a tangible and concrete hope for restoration. The specificity of the blueprint suggested that this was not merely a dream but a concrete promise of a future dwelling for God among His people, a new era of His manifest presence. Finally, the exactness highlights the holiness and sacredness of the space, indicating that God's presence requires a meticulously prepared, consecrated, and set-apart environment, reflecting His own perfect nature.

Is Ezekiel's temple a literal future temple, or is it symbolic of something else?

Answer: The interpretation of Ezekiel's temple vision, including the structures described in Ezekiel 41, is a subject of ongoing and rich theological debate among scholars. There are primarily three main interpretive views:

  • Literal Interpretation: Many dispensationalists and some other scholars believe it describes a literal temple that will be built in Jerusalem during the millennial reign of Christ, serving as the physical center of worship for a restored Israel. In this view, the intricate details are seen as a precise blueprint for this future physical structure.
  • Symbolic Interpretation: Others view the temple as primarily symbolic, representing the Church, the New Covenant community, or the spiritual dwelling of God among His people. In this perspective, the details convey profound spiritual truths about God's holiness, order, and pervasive presence, rather than describing a physical building to be constructed.
  • Idealized/Eschatological Interpretation: Some scholars suggest it represents an idealized or eschatological temple that may not be built literally but points to the ultimate perfect worship and communion with God in the New Heavens and New Earth, as depicted in Revelation 21. Regardless of the precise interpretation, all views generally agree that the vision powerfully speaks to God's desire to dwell among His people in holiness and perfect order, and that it offers a profound message of hope and restoration.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Ezekiel's temple vision describes a future physical or symbolic structure of immense precision and holiness, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The profound longing for God's dwelling place among His people, so vividly portrayed in this detailed blueprint, finds its perfect and eternal realization in Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," clearly referring to the temple of His own body (John 2:19-21). He is the true and ultimate temple, the perfect meeting place between God and humanity, where the fullness of God's presence dwells in bodily form (Colossians 2:9). The meticulous dimensions, the holy separation, and the divine order of Ezekiel's visionary temple foreshadow the absolute perfection, purity, and holiness of Christ, who, through His perfect sacrifice, opened a new and living way into the very presence of God (Hebrews 10:19-20). Furthermore, through Christ, believers are incorporated into a spiritual temple, becoming living stones built into a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5), where God's Spirit now dwells. Thus, the precision and the promise of Ezekiel 41:12 ultimately point to the perfect, holy, and accessible presence of God made manifest and eternally secured in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who is Himself the temple in the New Jerusalem, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple (Revelation 21:22).

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Commentary on Ezekiel 41 verses 12–26

Here is, 1. An account of a building that was before the separate place (that is, before the temple), at the end towards the west (Eze 41:12), which is here measured, and compared (Eze 41:13) with the measure of the house, and appears to be of equal dimensions with it. This stood in a court by itself, which is measured (Eze 41:15) and its galleries, or chambers belonging to it, its posts and windows, and the ornaments of them, Eze 41:15-17. But what use was to be made of this other building we are not told; perhaps, in this vision, it signified the setting up of a church among the Gentiles not inferior to the Jewish temple, but of quite another nature, and which should soon supersede it. 2. A description of the ornaments of the temple, and the other building. The walls on the inside from top to bottom were adorned with cherubim and palm-trees, placed alternately, as in Solomon's temple, Kg1 6:29. Each cherub is here said to have two faces, the face of a man towards the palm tree on one side and the face of a young lion towards the palm-tree on the other side, Eze 41:19. These seem to represent the angels, who have more than the wisdom of a man and the courage of a lion; and in both they have an eye to the palms of victory and triumph which are set before them, and which they are sure of in all their conflicts with the powers of darkness. And in the assemblies of the saints angels are in a special manner present, Co1 11:10. 3. A description of the posts of the doors both of the temple and of the sanctuary; they were squared (Eze 41:21), not round like pillars; and the appearance of the one was as the appearance of the other. In the tabernacle, and in Solomon's temple, the door of the sanctuary, or most holy, was narrower than that of the temple, but here it was fully as broad; for in gospel-times the way into the holiest of all is made more manifest than it was under the Old Testament (Heb 9:8) and therefore the door is wider. These doors are described, Eze 41:23, Eze 41:24. The temple and the sanctuary had each of them its door, and they were two-leaved, folding doors. 4. We have here the description of the altar of incense, here said to be an altar of wood, Eze 41:22. No mention is made of its being over-laid with gold; but surely it was intended to be so, else it would not bear the fire with which the incense was to be burned, unless we will suppose that it served only to put the censers upon. Or else it intimates that the incense to be offered in the gospel-temple shall be purely spiritual, and the fire spiritual, which will not consume an altar of wood. Therefore this altar is called a table. This is the table that is before the Lord. Here, as before, we find the altar turned into a table; for, the great sacrifice being now offered, that which we have to do is to feast upon the sacrifice at the Lord's table. 5. Here is the adorning of the doors and windows with palm-trees, that they might be of a piece with the walls of the house, Eze 41:25, Eze 41:26. Thus the living temples are adorned, not with gold, or silver, or costly array, but with the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–26. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Ezekiel
(Versed. 8 seqq.) 'And I saw in the house a height all around, with foundations of reed measuring six cubits, and the width along the outer wall of the side chamber, five cubits. And the inner part of the house and the space between the storehouses, twenty cubits wide all around the house. And there were doors in the side chambers toward the outer court, one door toward the north, and another door toward the south. And the width of the place for worship, five cubits all around.' And the building, which was separate and facing the road towards the sea, was seventy cubits wide. The wall of the building was five cubits wide all around, and its length was ninety cubits. After he reached the Holy of Holies, of which we spoke earlier, that venerable man measured the wall of the Holy of Holies. It had a height of six cubits because of the structure of the world and all visible creation, which was created in six days, and a width of one side of four cubits, not on one side only, but all around. But the width of the house, measured around, was four cubits, to represent the four elements from which all things are composed, especially human bodies. Against these, the holy ones fight and subject themselves to the power of the soul, so that they may deserve to enter the inner regions and know the secrets of the Lord. The sides of the house, which were around it and were separated from the walls of the temple by a space of four cubits, were joined together. So that one side touched another side, and it had a length not of thirty-three cubits, but of sixty-six, that is, sixty-six. In the book of Leviticus, it is said that after one week in the birth of a male child, the mother and the child must wait for thirty-three days in order to undergo purification (Lev. XII). However, if the child is female, the waiting period is doubled to sixty-six days. And because, in order to enter the holy of holies, we need not only the first birth, but also the second, to be born in the flesh and be reborn in the spirit: therefore, the number is not sixty-six, but twice thirty and three, so that both births are owed to God the creator and his mercy, and the two sides of the house that support the structure of the temple are enclosed by a double wall. And what follows according to the Hebrew: 'And there were certain heights that would go out through the wall of the house on the sides all around, to contain, and not touch the wall of the temple,' signifies this: that holy men, amidst the multitude of believers, burst forth through the wall of the temple, through all the sides all around, and uphold the foundations of the Church, and yet do not touch the wall of the temple: content with having seen only, and from afar, worship the indescribable mysteries. Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Corinthians 13:12-13) But through the circular and spiral ascent we reach the upper room of the temple, which, among all shapes, is also approved by philosophers of this age as the most beautiful: for both the sky, the sun, the moon, and the other stars, and the earth, in human bodies as well, the eyes are like other stars, and the shape of the head, which is the receptacle of all the senses, and the rounded fingers, and women, and arms, exhibit this roundness. Moreover, I think that the upper room of the temple, which we ascend from the lower to the higher, is the same one that Elijah and Elisha had, as mentioned in the book of Kings, and also Tabitha had it in the Acts of the Apostles, which means 'the gazelle' in Greek, and our damsel who had reached the highest through good works (3 Kings 17; 4 Kings 4; Acts 9; Acts 10). But the Apostle Peter, on whom the Lord established the foundations of the Church, surpasses the upper room and comes to the roof, which is more significantly called 'dorma' in Greek, that is, the solarium of the roof, and he came to know the mysteries of the Church, previously unknown to the world. The Savior also made the Pasch in the upper room, and in a large and wide upper room, and after all impurity had been cleansed and the bed prepared, and the spiritual feast prepared, where he delivered the mystery of his body and blood to his disciples, and left to us the eternal celebration of the immaculate Lamb. And he added: And from the middle to the saddest, that is, the third upper room and Thrael, it seems to me that it should be marked with a note. For why do we need to discuss doubtful and unwritten things when we should devote ourselves to the books held by the Hebrews? It follows: 'And I saw in the house a height encompassed by sides, measured by a reed, a space of six cubits; and a width by the outer wall of the side of five cubits; and between the treasuries' (which Symmachus calls 'exedrae') 'a width of twenty cubits around the house.' By these measurements it is shown that we are deserving of ascending not only into the Holy of Holies, but also into their upper room, and that we should always remember that through the six days of our earthly condition, and through the five senses, and through the twenty cubits of width, we ascend to the upper room of the temple, leaving behind earthly humility and the sense of the letter, and we pass over to the summit of the Church, and rejoice in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.' And the entrance, he says, of the side toward the north (Jer. 1:14), from which evil spreads over all the earth, and which the Lord promises to drive away from us, saying: 'And I will drive away from you him who is from the north' (Joel 2:20). And it is a beautiful place for prayer at the entrance opposite the north, so that, according to the Apostle, we may pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5), and say with Jeremiah: 'Let not the apple of my eye be silent' (Lam. 2:18), whether we desire to avoid present evils or give thanks for the past. For as long as we are in the tent of this body, we groan and say: Wretched me, who will set me free from this body of death? (Rom. VII, 24). But there was also a door to the South, which had a place of prayer nearby according to the Hebrew custom, and it extended five cubits around. For after the cold of the North, we pass through the heat of the South, and yet we still seek a place for prayer, in the door of the North, in order to escape dangers; in the South, to give thanks for the past and to have a secure possession of victory. But five cubits, and in this place they indicate divine senses, through which we ascend from earthly things to higher things. And the building, he says, which was separated and turned toward the road facing the sea, was seventy cubits wide: so that after labors and dangers, and the waves and shipwrecks of this world, and seventy years, of which Jeremiah, Daniel, and Zechariah write (Jer. 25 and 29; Dan. 9, Zech. 9); but also the legitimate sabbath of seven decades we may attain: so that we may have eternal rest, and through the width of five cubits we may come to a length of ninety cubits: in which age Sarah gave birth to a son according to the promise, who, at the age of ninety, that is, at the end of nine decades, was born to Abraham, who was one hundred years old (Gen. 21), that is, having the mystery of ten decades. The following Scripture will show what the number signifies.

(Verses 13 and following) And the house was measured in length a hundred cubits. And the separate building, and its walls, were also a hundred cubits in length. The width before the face of the house, and that which was separate against the East, was a hundred cubits. And the length of the building over against the face thereof, which was separated at the back, was also a hundred cubits. And there were chambers exceeding in height on either side a hundred cubits; and the inner temple, and the porches of the court. Doorways and slanted windows were set outward, in a perimeter on three sides against the threshold of each, and a wooden floor went all the way around. And the earth was up to the windows: and the windows were closed. Above the doors, and up to the inner house; and on the outside, through every wall on the inside; and on the outside, to the measurement. And cherubs and palm trees were carved: and a palm tree was between cherub and cherub: and each cherub had two faces: the face of a man next to the palm tree on one side, and the face of a lion next to the palm tree on the other side; carved throughout the whole house on the inside. From the ground up to the upper gates, there were carved cherubim and palm trees on the wall of the temple. The threshold was square. The sanctuary faced the shape of the wooden altar, its height being three cubits. Its length was two cubits. Its corners, length, and walls were all made of wood. Seventy: It measured against the length of the house, one hundred cubits. And the remaining and separating walls, in the length of one hundred cubits. And the width against the face of the temple, and the remaining opposite one hundred cubits. And he measured the length of the separating wall facing the back of the house, and the remaining width of one hundred cubits. And the temple and the corners, and the outer Aelam covered with wood, and three windows made like a net, for light to shine through, that one could look through them. And the house and the adjacent structures, all covered with wood around. And the floor, and from the floor to the windows. And the windows were opened threefold, so that one could look through them: both into the inner and outer house, and through every wall around inside and outside the measurement, and carved cherubim, and palm trees between cherub and cherub. Two faces of cherub: the face of a man towards the palm tree on one side, and the face of a lion towards the palm tree on the other side: the entire wall was carved all around from the floor to the rafters with cherubim and carved palm trees. And the sanctuary and the temple were opened on four corners towards the face of the saints: a vision as if the appearance of a wooden altar: its height being three cubits, and its length two cubits: and its width two cubits: and it had horns, and its bases and walls were wooden.» The word 'contra', which the LXX translated at the beginning of the testimony, where it is written: 'And he measured against the house', is not found in Hebrew, and therefore it must be marked with an obelus, in order for it to be correct and true, and he measured the house with a length of one hundred cubits, and so on. The Holy of Holies and the inner sanctuary are described, which is said to have a perfect number of ten decades, after ninety cubits, with three sides having one hundred cubits each: so that we may serve the Lord with our mind, speech, and deeds, remembering that Apostolic example in which it is said: 'That we may know the breadth, and length, and depth, and height' (Ephesians 3:18). But what is said in Hebrew, the separate structure and its walls, the Septuagint translates as separating and not clinging to the walls of the temple, but having their own nearby walls. The temple itself, as well as its corners and the porch or entrance hall (propylon), were covered with wood, a symbol of wisdom, as the Scripture records the tree of life being located in paradise (Gen. II). The windows were made in the form of a net, similar to lattice screens, so that they were not covered with stone or glass, but with wooden lattices woven with twists and turns. In Hebrew, they have diagonal windows, which were only present in three parts of the temple: on the right, on the left, and at the back, that is, to the South, North, and West. The eastern part, however, did not have windows because the entrance itself let in bright light from within, and all the interior of the temple was filled with the light of the doors, so that someone could look inside through each window and opening. And not only were the exterior areas covered with wood, but there was such an abundance of wood all around that the floor and everything up to the windows were connected with wood. The windows were opened in three ways according to the Seventy, so that when they were opened, a triple understanding of God's temple would be revealed, according to what is said elsewhere: 'But you, write down these things in three ways' (Prov. 22:20). And through them, both the interior and the exterior are seen: so that we may know the invisible things that are within, and the visible things that are without; so that one thing may show the mind, another the flesh, another the spiritual understanding, and another the simple historical account; and through all the surrounding walls, internally and externally, their measurements were consistent. For nothing is done in the temple of God without reason and measure, especially in the holy of holies made by God. The Cherubim were also carved, no doubt in wood, extending from the floor to the windows, and the carvings were so finely made that they appeared not sculpted, but applied. Cherubim are interpreted as a multitude of knowledge. Therefore, within the innermost part of the temple, after the multitude of knowledge, there are carvings and palm trees, in which the sign of victory is, as the Apostle says: But I press on to the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God, in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Which palms were between the Cherub and the Cherub, so that one Cherub was surrounded on both sides by two palms: which Cherub did not, as we read at the beginning of this prophet, have four faces, namely, of a man, a lion, a calf, and an eagle; but only two, that is, of a man and a lion, of which the first pertains to reason, and the second to fury, which is more significantly called θυμὸς in Greek. By fury, however, we mean not that which is close to disturbance and vice, but that which consolidates the softness of the mind and makes the soul of the combatant stronger. For in the beginning, we are subject to concupiscence, which pertains to the earthly works; and some are carnal, others are spiritual, of which the ultimate is attributed to eagles. But when we enter the innermost sanctuary, and possess the inner parts of the temple, we have no need for anything else except reason and strength, of which one pertains to perception and prudence, the other to the perseverance of the soul. Therefore, every wall around the temple, from the floor to the ceiling, had Cherubim and palms skillfully carved: after which the sanctuary and the temple were opened from the four corners opposite the faces of the holy ones. First, we have a multitude of knowledge, through which we achieve victory over the enemy, and then a sanctuary and temple are opened to us, which has four angles, and a very strong position, and which is inclined in no direction. For it has the nature of a square measure, so that it may stand on a stable base, and it possesses, in a mystical number that is clear to the wise reader, four elements from which all things consist, solid and everlasting. And they looked at everything opposite the face of the sanctuary: before which was the sanctuary, or in which was the image of the wooden altar three cubits high, and two cubits long, and two cubits wide, which together make seven cubits. This altar had horns; and both its bases and its walls, that is, its sides, were made of wood, in which the holy Scriptures mysteries, human speech cannot explain: how the altar, in which the fire was to be kindled, namely the incense offering, should suffer nothing from the fire, but, so to speak, becomes more pure through the fire. For just as the works of the saints, of which the Apostle writes, 'The work of each will be made manifest; for the Day will disclose it' (1 Corinthians 3:13), do not perish, but are made even more pure through fire, so too the wood of the altar, which is from the trees of paradise, is not consumed by nearby fire, but is made even more pure. It is not surprising to believe this about the sanctuary and the inner parts of the temple and the altar of incense, since even linen, which is a type of flax, or something with a similar appearance to linen, is found to be cleaner the more it is burned. Forgive, reader, the difficulty, and grant pardon to the impoverished understanding. For through slanted and net-like windows, which are always closed, we can barely allow our eye to enter into the inner chamber of our heart, so that all that we see, we see in shadow and in image, and with the Apostle, we cry out: O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways (Rom. XI, 13)! And: Who has known the mind of God (Isaiah XL, 13), except the one who is the angel of great counsel, and who has the power to reveal worthy mysteries? And in Rome, they call the projections on the walls of dining rooms 'solaria,' or 'Meniana' from the one who first invented them, which some Greeks call 'exōstras.'
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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