Ezekiel 42:15

KJV

¶ Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect [is] toward the east, and measured it round about.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now when he had made an end {H3615} of measuring {H4060} the inner {H6442} house {H1004}, he brought me forth {H3318} toward {H1870} the gate {H8179} whose prospect {H6440} is toward {H1870} the east {H6921}, and measured {H4058} it round about {H5439}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After he had finished measuring the inner house, he brought me out by way of the gate facing east and measured the whole area.

Berean Standard Bible

Now when the man had finished measuring the interior of the temple area, he led me out by the gate that faced east, and he measured the area all around:

American Standard Version

Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east, and measured it round about.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 42:15 marks a pivotal transition within the prophet's comprehensive vision of the future temple, signaling the meticulous completion of measurements for the inner sanctuary and its immediate surroundings. The divine guide then directs Ezekiel's attention outward, leading him toward the significant east-facing gate of the outer court. This verse initiates the subsequent phase of the vision, focusing on the broader temple precincts and emphasizing the divine order, sacred boundaries, and the profound anticipation of God's glorious return to His purified dwelling place.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the highly detailed architectural blueprint of the future temple, which spans Ezekiel chapters 40-48. The preceding chapters (Ezekiel 40-42:14) have meticulously described the outer court, the inner court, and the various chambers and structures within the temple proper, including the sanctuary and its surrounding areas. Ezekiel 42:15 functions as a crucial narrative hinge, clearly demarcating the conclusion of the inner house's detailed survey and the commencement of the outer perimeter's measurement. The phrase "made an end of measuring" signals a definitive shift, preparing the reader for the subsequent focus on the temple's external boundaries, specifically beginning with the prominent east gate, which holds immense theological significance in the unfolding vision. This systematic, step-by-step revelation underscores the divine origin and precision of the entire temple design.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel received this elaborate vision during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BCE), a period of profound national and spiritual crisis for the Jewish people. Their beloved First Temple had been destroyed, their land desolated, and their monarchy dismantled. In this context of despair and displacement, the temple vision served as a powerful message of hope and divine faithfulness, promising a future restoration of God's presence among His people in a new, purified temple. The meticulous architectural details would have resonated deeply with ancient Near Eastern cultures, where temple construction was often considered a sacred act, a microcosm of cosmic order, and a tangible manifestation of divine will. The orientation of gates, particularly the east gate, held significant symbolic weight across many ancient cultures, often associated with the rising sun, new beginnings, the direction of divine manifestation, or the entrance of glory. For Israel, it was the direction from which God's glory had departed (as seen in [Ezekiel 10:18-19](/ezekiel/10-18-19 "Ezekiel 10:18-19 - The Glory Departs the Temple")) and was prophesied to return.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 42:15 contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Precision and Order**. The exhaustive and meticulous measurements throughout these chapters are not merely architectural details but underscore God's absolute sovereignty, intentionality, and the divine origin of the temple's design. Every dimension and boundary is purposeful, reflecting God's perfect order, a stark contrast to the chaos and destruction that characterized the exile. Secondly, the act of measuring and defining boundaries inherently emphasizes **Holiness and Separation**. The temple, as God's dwelling place, is set apart from the common, underscoring the sacredness of the space and the spiritual purity required for God's presence. This theme is foundational to the entire vision and is explicitly articulated in passages like [Ezekiel 44:23](/ezekiel/44-23 "Ezekiel 44:23 - Distinguishing Between Holy and Common"), which instructs the priests to "teach my people the difference between the holy and the common." Finally, the verse sets the stage for the **Future Temple and God's Renewed Presence**. The specific mention of the "gate whose prospect is toward the east" is profoundly significant, as it directly foreshadows the dramatic and climactic moment when [the glory of the Lord returns to the temple through this very gate](/ezekiel/43-1 "Ezekiel 43:1 - The Glory of the Lord Enters the Temple") in Ezekiel 43:1-5, offering a powerful and tangible promise of God's renewed covenant presence among His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **end (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** From H3615, a primitive root meaning "to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare, consume)." In this context, "made an end" signifies the definitive culmination and completion of a specific phase of the vision—the detailed measuring of the inner house. It denotes a conclusive cessation of one activity before the commencement of another, highlighting the structured, sequential, and divinely ordered nature of God's revelation to Ezekiel.
* **brought me forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** From H3318, a primitive root meaning "to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively." Here, it precisely describes the divine guide's action of actively leading Ezekiel out of the inner complex of the temple. This purposeful movement indicates a clear shift in focus and the initiation of the next stage of the divine tour, emphasizing the active and intentional guidance provided to the prophet throughout the vision.
* **prospect (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** From H6440, a plural noun (but always as singular) meaning "the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)." In this context, "prospect" refers to the specific orientation or direction that the gate faces. It underscores the crucial eastward alignment of this particular gate, an alignment that is central to the subsequent theological events in the vision, particularly the prophesied return of God's glory.
* **round about (Hebrew, _çâbîyb'_):** From H5439, meaning "(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around." This term indicates a comprehensive, circumferential measurement. It implies a thorough and complete survey of the entire perimeter, not merely a partial or linear dimension. This reinforces the pervasive theme of divine precision and the exhaustive nature of the vision, ensuring that every aspect of the restored temple complex is divinely ordained and perfectly proportioned.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house,"**: This opening clause establishes a clear temporal and narrative marker, signifying the definitive completion of the preceding phase of the vision. The "inner house" refers to the temple building itself, including the sanctuary, the inner court, and the various chambers and structures immediately surrounding it, whose intricate dimensions have been meticulously detailed in Ezekiel 40-42:14. The phrase "made an end" emphasizes a conclusive termination of this specific task, indicating that the divine focus is now shifting to a new area of the temple complex.
* **"he brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect [is] toward the east,"**: This segment describes the direct action of Ezekiel's divine guide, leading him out of the inner complex. The destination is highly specific and profoundly significant: the "gate whose prospect is toward the east." This east gate is not merely an architectural feature but a crucial theological focal point within the vision, as it is the very gate through which the glory of the Lord will dramatically return to the temple in Ezekiel 43. Its eastward orientation is therefore not arbitrary but deeply symbolic, pointing to the direction of divine manifestation, new beginnings, and the restoration of God's presence.
* **"and measured it round about."**: This final clause indicates the immediate commencement of a new phase of measurement, now focusing on the outer perimeter of the temple complex. The phrase "round about" emphasizes the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of this survey, suggesting that the entire outer boundary and its surrounding structures are to be meticulously measured. This continues to reinforce the overarching theme of divine precision and order, ensuring that every aspect of the restored temple, from its innermost sanctuary to its outermost limits, is divinely ordained and perfectly proportioned according to God's perfect plan.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 42:15, while appearing to be a straightforward technical description, is rich with several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Prophetic Vision**, as the entire passage is part of a divinely revealed, highly detailed architectural blueprint, transcending mere physical description to convey profound spiritual truths. Within this vision, **Symbolism** is paramount; the "inner house" represents the sacred dwelling place of God, while the "east gate" is not merely a portal but a powerful symbol of the point of God's glorious return and renewed covenant. The meticulous act of "measuring" itself functions as a potent **Symbol** of divine order, precision, and the establishment of sacred boundaries, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and the holiness required for His presence. Furthermore, the verse serves as a crucial **Transition**, marking a clear shift in the narrative focus from the temple's interior to its exterior, guiding the prophet and the reader through the unfolding revelation in a structured and purposeful manner, building anticipation for the climactic return of God's glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 42:15, by marking the completion of the inner temple measurements and the strategic shift to the outer precincts, underscores the comprehensive nature of God's redemptive plan and His meticulous attention to detail in establishing a holy dwelling place among His people. It highlights the divine order that governs sacred space and the anticipation of God's manifest presence. The east gate, in particular, becomes a potent symbol of the direction from which God's glory departed (as seen in [Ezekiel 10:18-19](/ezekiel/10-18-19 "Ezekiel 10:18-19 - The Glory Departs the Temple") and [Ezekiel 11:22-23](/ezekiel/11-22-23 "Ezekiel 11:22-23 - The Glory Departs Jerusalem")) and from which it is prophesied to return ([Ezekiel 43:1-5](/ezekiel/43-1-5 "Ezekiel 43:1-5 - The Glory of the Lord Returns")), signifying restoration, renewed covenant relationship, and the re-establishment of divine fellowship. This divine precision in establishing boundaries also speaks to the holiness of God and the necessity of separation for those who would dwell in His presence, a foundational theme that pervades all of Scripture, from the instructions for the Tabernacle (e.g., [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Pattern for the Tabernacle")) to the descriptions of the earthly sanctuary in the New Testament (e.g., [Hebrews 9:1-5](/hebrews/9-1-5 "Hebrews 9:1-5 - Description of the Earthly Sanctuary")).

* [Ezekiel 43:1-5](/ezekiel/43-1-5 "The Glory of the Lord Returns to the Temple")
* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Instructions for the Tabernacle Pattern")
* [Hebrews 9:1-5](/hebrews/9-1-5 "Description of the Earthly Sanctuary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 42:15, though deeply rooted in an ancient prophetic vision of a physical structure, offers profound and timeless insights for contemporary believers. The meticulous measurements and precise architectural details remind us that God is a God of absolute order, intentionality, and divine purpose. Just as He possessed a detailed blueprint for His dwelling place, He possesses a divine design for our individual lives and for the collective body of His church. This should inspire profound confidence in His sovereign plan, even when our circumstances appear chaotic or uncertain. Furthermore, the emphasis on boundaries and the sacredness of the temple space calls us to a deep reflection on the holiness required for God's presence. As believers, we are declared to be living temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and this verse powerfully encourages us to live with intentionality, setting spiritual and moral boundaries that honor God, maintain purity, and facilitate His indwelling presence. The anticipation of God's glory returning through the east gate also serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises and the ultimate, glorious hope of His full and eternal dwelling among His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine precision evident in the temple's measurements deepen or challenge your understanding of God's character and His active involvement in the details of your life?**
* **In what practical ways can you, as a "living temple" of the Holy Spirit, apply the principle of "holiness and separation" to your daily choices and relationships?**
* **What "east gates" or points of anticipated divine encounter and glorious manifestation are you looking forward to in your personal spiritual journey or in the broader unfolding of God's redemptive plan?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "east gate" in Ezekiel's vision?**

Answer: The east gate holds profound theological significance in Ezekiel's temple vision. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the east was often associated with new beginnings, the rising sun, and the direction from which divine glory or judgment might appear. For Ezekiel's temple, it is particularly crucial because it is the gate through which the glory of the Lord, which had previously departed from the old temple (as recounted in [Ezekiel 10:18-19](/ezekiel/10-18-19 "Ezekiel 10:18-19 - The Glory Departs the Temple") and [Ezekiel 11:22-23](/ezekiel/11-22-23 "Ezekiel 11:22-23 - The Glory Departs Jerusalem")), is prophesied to return and re-enter the new, purified temple (as described in [Ezekiel 43:1-5](/ezekiel/43-1-5 "Ezekiel 43:1-5 - The Glory of the Lord Returns")). Thus, the east gate symbolizes the restoration of God's presence, the renewal of His covenant with His people, and the promise of a glorious future where God once again dwells among humanity. It represents the very point of divine manifestation and the re-establishment of intimate communion.

**Does this verse imply a literal future temple, or is it purely symbolic?**

Answer: The interpretation of Ezekiel's temple vision, including Ezekiel 42:15, is a subject of ongoing scholarly debate. Some interpreters understand it as a literal blueprint for a physical temple that will be constructed in Jerusalem during a future millennial kingdom, often citing the extreme architectural detail as evidence for its literal nature. Others view it as primarily symbolic, representing the ideal spiritual reality of God's dwelling among His people, the perfection and growth of the church, or the New Jerusalem described in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heaven and New Earth"). A third perspective suggests a combination of both, where the physical details point to deeper spiritual truths about God's presence, holiness, and the ultimate consummation of His kingdom. Regardless of the precise interpretation, the verse undeniably emphasizes God's meticulous design for His dwelling and His profound desire for intimate communion with His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 42:15, with its detailed measurements and profound focus on God's meticulously designed dwelling place, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Ezekiel's temple vision points to an ideal future reality, Christ Himself is revealed as the true and ultimate temple of God. As Jesus declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring specifically to [the temple of His body](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection"). In Him, the fullness of God's divine nature dwells bodily ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")), making Him the perfect and complete meeting place between a holy God and fallen humanity. The meticulous measurements of Ezekiel's temple, signifying divine order, sacred boundaries, and holiness, are perfectly embodied in Christ, who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness and established the new covenant through His sacrificial life, death, and resurrection. Furthermore, the east gate, through which God's glory returns to the temple, can be seen as foreshadowing Christ Himself, who is the "door" through whom we enter into salvation and gain access to the Father ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus is the Door")). His crucifixion and resurrection represent the ultimate "measuring" and establishment of a new, spiritual temple—His body, the Church—where believers, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, become living stones built into a spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). Ultimately, the vision culminates in the New Jerusalem, where there is no longer a need for a physical temple, for [the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - God and the Lamb are the Temple"), signifying the perfect, eternal, and unmediated dwelling of God with His redeemed people, fully realized in and through Christ.

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 43:1

¶ Afterward he brought me to the gate, [even] the gate that looketh toward the east:

Ezekiel 41:15

And he measured the length of the building over against the separate place which [was] behind it, and the galleries thereof on the one side and on the other side, an hundred cubits, with the inner temple, and the porches of the court;

Ezekiel 41:2

And the breadth of the door [was] ten cubits; and the sides of the door [were] five cubits on the one side, and five cubits on the other side: and he measured the length thereof, forty cubits: and the breadth, twenty cubits.

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.

Ezekiel 40:6

Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, [which was] one reed broad; and the other threshold [of the gate, which was] one reed broad.

Ezekiel 40:16

And [there were] narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and windows [were] round about inward: and upon [each] post [were] palm trees.