Ezekiel 42:11

KJV

And the way before them [was] like the appearance of the chambers which [were] toward the north, as long as they, [and] as broad as they: and all their goings out [were] both according to their fashions, and according to their doors.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the way {H1870} before {H6440} them was like the appearance {H4758} of the chambers {H3957} which were toward {H1870} the north {H6828}, as long as {H753} they, and as broad as {H3651}{H7341} they: and all their goings out {H4161} were both according to their fashions {H4941}, and according to their doors {H6607}.

Complete Jewish Bible

with a passageway in front of them, similar to the rooms on the north. They were the same length and width and had similarly made exits and entrances.

Berean Standard Bible

with a passageway in front of them, just like the chambers that were on the north. They had the same length and width, with similar exits and dimensions.

American Standard Version

And the way before them was like the appearance of the way of the chambers which were toward the north; according to their length so was their breadth: and all their egresses were both according to their fashions, and according to their doors.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 42:11 meticulously describes the architectural uniformity of the visionary temple's chambers, specifically noting that the "way" or passage before the southern chambers mirrored the appearance, length, breadth, and exit designs of those located toward the north. This verse emphasizes the divine precision and symmetrical order inherent in God's blueprint for His future sanctuary, highlighting a consistent and perfectly planned design where every detail adheres to a singular, divinely ordained pattern.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 42:11 is embedded within a lengthy and highly detailed architectural vision of a new temple, spanning from [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Vision of the New Temple") to [Ezekiel 48](/ezekiel/48 "Ezekiel 48 - Division of the Land and the City"). This particular verse falls within the description of the chambers surrounding the outer court, specifically detailing the southern chambers (implied by "the way before them") in relation to the northern ones. Chapters [Ezekiel 40-42](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40-42 - Detailed Temple Measurements") are dedicated to the precise measurements and layout of the temple complex, including its gates, courts, and various structures. Verse 11, by emphasizing the identical nature of the southern and northern chambers in terms of their dimensions and exits, reinforces the overarching theme of divine order and meticulous design that permeates the entire vision. It serves as a specific point of comparison, ensuring the reader understands the symmetrical perfection of the envisioned sanctuary.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision of this magnificent temple was given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC). For the exiled Israelites, who had witnessed the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem and the desolation of their homeland, this vision was a profound message of hope, restoration, and God's enduring presence. The temple was the central place of worship and the symbol of God's dwelling among His people. The meticulous details, including the precise dimensions and symmetrical layout described in [Ezekiel 42](/ezekiel/42 "Ezekiel 42 - The Chambers of the Temple"), would have conveyed a sense of divine certainty and a promise of future glory that transcended their current despair. In a culture where temples were central to national and religious identity, a divinely designed and perfectly ordered temple vision offered immense comfort and a tangible promise of a restored relationship with Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Ezekiel's prophecy. First, it underscores the theme of **Divine Precision and Order**. The repeated emphasis on exact measurements and the mirroring of structures (southern chambers like northern ones) highlights God's meticulous planning and the perfect, unblemished nature of His future dwelling place. This contrasts sharply with the defilement and disorder that led to the destruction of the first temple. Second, the **Symmetry and Uniformity** described in the verse points to the unchanging character of God and the consistent principles governing His holy presence. This architectural harmony symbolizes the spiritual harmony and justice that will characterize God's restored kingdom. Finally, the entire temple vision, including these architectural specifics, serves as a powerful message of **Future Hope and Restoration** for a people in despair. It promises a time when God's glory will return to a perfectly ordered sanctuary, signifying the renewal of His covenant with Israel and the ultimate dwelling of God among His people, as foreshadowed in passages like [Ezekiel 37:26-28](/ezekiel/37-26 "Ezekiel 37:26-28 - God's Covenant of Peace and Dwelling").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **way (Hebrew, _derek'_):** This word (H1870) refers to a road or path, but figuratively it can also mean a course of life or mode of action. In the context of Ezekiel 42:11, it denotes the passage or access point leading to or between the chambers. The "way before them" indicates the path or corridor adjacent to the southern chambers, emphasizing its direct correspondence to the northern side's layout.
* **appearance (Hebrew, _mar'eh'_):** This term (H4758) signifies a view or the thing seen, an outward manifestation or shape. Here, it highlights that the visual aspect and form of the southern "way" and chambers were identical to those of the northern chambers, underscoring the precise replication of design and dimensions. It's not just functionally similar, but visually indistinguishable.
* **fashions (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** This crucial word (H4941) primarily means "judgment" or "ordinance," but in an architectural context, it refers to prescribed patterns, customary arrangements, or detailed specifications. When the text states "according to their fashions," it means that the exits and overall design of the chambers adhered strictly to a predetermined, authoritative standard or blueprint, reinforcing the idea of divine order and exactitude in the temple's construction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the way before them [was] like the appearance of the chambers which [were] toward the north":** This clause establishes a direct comparison between the "way" or passage adjacent to the southern chambers (implied by "them") and the visual form or layout of the chambers situated on the northern side of the temple complex. It immediately introduces the theme of architectural mirroring and symmetry, indicating that the southern structures were designed to be visually identical to their northern counterparts.
* **"as long as they, [and] as broad as they":** This part specifies the exact nature of the resemblance, confirming that the "way" and the southern chambers matched the northern ones in both length and breadth. This emphasis on precise dimensions highlights the meticulous detail of God's architectural plan, leaving no room for variation or human improvisation in the sacred space.
* **"and all their goings out [were] both according to their fashions, and according to their doors":** This final clause extends the uniformity to the exits of these chambers. "Goings out" refers to the exits or doorways. The phrase "according to their fashions" (Hebrew _mishpatim_) indicates that these exits conformed to established patterns or prescribed designs, not arbitrary choices. "According to their doors" further specifies that even the very entrances and exits were identical in their construction and arrangement, solidifying the concept of a perfectly symmetrical and divinely ordained structure down to the smallest detail.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Precision** and **Repetition/Parallelism** as its key literary devices. The meticulous enumeration of identical features ("as long as they, and as broad as they," "according to their fashions, and according to their doors") underscores the divine architect's absolute control and the perfect, unvarying nature of the temple's design. This **Detailing** serves to convey a sense of divine order and immutability, contrasting with the chaos and defilement of the pre-exilic temple. The **Parallelism** between the southern and northern chambers, explicitly stating their identical "appearance," length, breadth, and "goings out," reinforces the theme of symmetry and completeness, suggesting a sacred space where every element is harmoniously aligned according to a single, perfect blueprint. This literary technique not only aids in the visualization of the complex but also imbues it with theological significance, pointing to God's inherent order and faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 42:11, with its emphasis on precise measurements and symmetrical design, speaks profoundly to the theological character of God as a God of order, perfection, and intentionality. The visionary temple is not a haphazard construction but a meticulously planned divine dwelling, reflecting God's holiness and His desire for an ordered relationship with His people. This divine blueprint underscores that God's presence demands a sacred space characterized by absolute purity, harmony, and adherence to His prescribed ways. The uniformity of the chambers signifies that divine standards are consistent and unchanging, applicable equally to all aspects of His sacred domain. This vision served as a tangible promise of restoration, assuring the exiled Israelites that God's covenant faithfulness would lead to a renewed dwelling place, perfectly suited for His glory and presence.

* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - The Pattern for the Tabernacle")
* [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Heavenly Pattern for Earthly Worship")
* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is a God of Order")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous details of Ezekiel 42:11, describing the precise and symmetrical nature of the temple chambers, offer profound spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as God's visionary temple was built with divine precision and order, our lives as His spiritual temples (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) are called to reflect His intentional design. This verse reminds us that God is not a God of chaos, but of order, purpose, and beauty. It challenges us to consider the "architecture" of our own lives: are we living with intentionality, aligning our "ways" and "goings out" with God's "fashions" or divine blueprint? Do we strive for consistency and integrity in all areas, mirroring the unchanging character of Christ? This passage encourages us to pursue spiritual discipline, orderly worship, and a life that reflects the harmonious beauty of God's kingdom. It also instills hope, reminding us that God's ultimate plan for restoration and dwelling with His people is perfectly designed and will surely come to pass, providing comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on divine precision in Ezekiel's temple vision challenge my own approach to spiritual disciplines and daily living?**
* **In what areas of my life or community do I need to invite God's "fashions" or divine order to bring greater harmony and purpose?**
* **How does the promise of God's perfectly designed dwelling place in this vision inspire hope for the future of the Church and the new creation?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the chambers being "as long as they, and as broad as they"?**

Answer: This phrase emphasizes the perfect symmetry and identical dimensions of the temple chambers, specifically stating that the southern chambers (and the "way" before them) were precisely the same length and breadth as the northern chambers. This detail highlights the divine precision and meticulous planning involved in the temple's design. It underscores that every part of God's sacred dwelling was to be built according to an exact, unvarying standard, symbolizing the perfection and unchangeable nature of God's presence and His holy requirements. This contrasts with any human imperfection or arbitrary design, reinforcing the divine origin and authority of the entire vision.

**What does "according to their fashions, and according to their doors" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "according to their fashions" translates the Hebrew word _mishpatim_ (H4941), which typically means "judgments" or "ordinances." In an architectural context, it refers to prescribed patterns, customary arrangements, or detailed specifications. Therefore, "according to their fashions" means that the design and construction of the chambers, particularly their exits, adhered strictly to a divinely established blueprint or standard. "According to their doors" further specifies that even the doorways themselves were identical in their design and placement. Together, these phrases reinforce the idea that every element of this visionary temple was not arbitrary but built with absolute precision and conformity to a singular, divine blueprint, emphasizing God's established order and consistency in His holy dwelling place.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel's temple vision describes a literal, future sanctuary, its profound emphasis on divine order, meticulous design, and God's dwelling finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament temple, with its precise measurements and sacred spaces, was a shadow and a type pointing to the greater reality of God's presence. Jesus declared Himself to be the true temple, stating, "[Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the True Temple")" (John 2:19), referring to His body. Through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, Christ became the ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity, embodying the divine presence that the earthly temple could only symbolize. The perfect "fashions" and "goings out" of Ezekiel's temple find their spiritual reality in Christ, who is the "way" (John 14:6), the "door" (John 10:9), and the very embodiment of God's perfect order and justice. Furthermore, the New Testament teaches that believers, united with Christ, are collectively built into a "spiritual house" and a "holy priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")), forming the body of Christ, which is the church ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - The Church, a Holy Temple")). Thus, the meticulous design of Ezekiel's temple foreshadows the perfect, ordered, and holy nature of God's dwelling in Christ and, by extension, in His redeemed people, who are being conformed to the image of the Son ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to Christ's Image")). The ultimate fulfillment culminates in the New Jerusalem, where there is no physical temple, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" ([Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - The Lamb as the Temple")), signifying God's direct and unmediated presence with His people.

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 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.