Ezekiel 41:5

After he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of [every] side chamber, four cubits, round about the house on every side.

After he measured {H4058} the wall {H7023} of the house {H1004}, six {H8337} cubits {H520}; and the breadth {H7341} of every side chamber {H6763}, four {H702} cubits {H520}, round about {H5439} the house {H1004} on every side {H5439}.

[On his way out,] he measured the thickness of the wall of the house at ten-and-a-half feet [at ground level], and the width of all the side-rooms surrounding the house, seven feet [at ground level].

Next he measured the wall of the temple to be six cubits thick, and the width of each side room around the temple was four cubits.

Then he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of every side-chamber, four cubits, round about the house on every side.

Context

Ezekiel 41:5 is part of the prophet Ezekiel's extensive and highly detailed vision of a future temple, described from Ezekiel chapter 40 through 48. This particular verse, like many others in these chapters, focuses on the precise architectural dimensions of this divine structure. Given to Ezekiel while he was in Babylonian exile, this vision served as a profound message of hope and a comprehensive blueprint for God's renewed presence among His people, distinct from the first (Solomon's) or second (Zerubbabel's) temples. The meticulous detail underscores the divine origin and immense significance of this prophetic edifice.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Order: The exact measurements—"six cubits" for the temple wall and "four cubits" for the breadth of the side chambers—highlight God's meticulous nature and His perfect blueprint for holiness. Every detail of this temple is divinely ordained, signifying perfection, purpose, and an absolute standard.
  • God's Dwelling Place: The detailed description of the temple's structure emphasizes the centrality of God's presence. The temple, even in its visionary form, represents the sacred space where God condescends to dwell among His people, a consistent theme throughout Scripture, from the Tabernacle in the wilderness to the ultimate promise of God dwelling with humanity in the new heavens and new earth.
  • Symbolism of Structure: The substantial thickness of the walls suggests security, separation, and divine strength, protecting the sacred space within. The surrounding side chambers imply functionality and support, integral to the temple's operations, perhaps for priests, storage, or access, all contributing to the overall sanctity and order.

Linguistic Insights

The primary unit of measurement mentioned, the "cubit" (Hebrew: ʼammah), was a common ancient standard. It typically referred to the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, roughly 18 inches (or 45 cm). The consistent and precise use of this unit throughout Ezekiel's temple vision emphasizes the tangible, yet divinely proportioned, nature of the structure. The phrase "round about the house on every side" further highlights the comprehensive and encircling nature of these architectural features, ensuring that the entire sacred building is properly defined and enclosed.

Significance and Application

Ezekiel's vision, including these precise measurements, serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign plan and His deep desire for fellowship with humanity. While the exact fulfillment of this temple vision is a subject of theological debate (some see it as a literal future temple, others as symbolic of the Church, or eternal realities), the underlying principles remain highly relevant:
  • God is a God of Order: He pays attention to details, and His plans are precise and purposeful. This encourages believers to seek order and intentionality in their own lives, reflecting God's nature.
  • Holiness Requires Separation: The thick walls and clearly defined sacred spaces speak to the sanctity of God's presence and the necessity for separation from the profane. This can be applied to our personal lives, calling for a commitment to holiness and purity.
  • Divine Blueprint for Life: Just as God provided a meticulous blueprint for the temple, He provides principles and guidance for our lives through His Word. We are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit, built according to His divine design and purpose.
This verse encourages us to consider the divine architecture of God's grand purposes, both in prophetic revelation and in the careful construction of our spiritual lives.
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 42:3

    Over against the twenty [cubits] which [were] for the inner court, and over against the pavement which [was] for the utter court, [was] gallery against gallery in three [stories].

  • Ezekiel 42:14

    When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy [place] into the utter court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they [are] holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to [those things] which [are] for the people.

  • 1 Kings 6:5

    And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, [against] the walls of the house round about, [both] of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:

  • 1 Kings 6:6

    The nethermost chamber [was] five cubits broad, and the middle [was] six cubits broad, and the third [was] seven cubits broad: for without [in the wall] of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that [the beams] should not be fastened in the walls of the house.

  • Ezekiel 41:6

    And the side chambers [were] three, one over another, and thirty in order; and they entered into the wall which [was] of the house for the side chambers round about, that they might have hold, but they had not hold in the wall of the house.

  • 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.
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