Ezekiel 42:8

KJV

For the length of the chambers that [were] in the utter court [was] fifty cubits: and, lo, before the temple [were] an hundred cubits.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the length {H753} of the chambers {H3957} that were in the utter {H2435} court {H2691} was fifty {H2572} cubits {H520}: and, lo, before {H6440} the temple {H1964} were an hundred {H3967} cubits {H520}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the length of the rooms toward the outer courtyard was eighty-seven-and-a-half feet, whereas [the length of] the side facing the sanctuary was 175 feet.

Berean Standard Bible

For the chambers on the outer court were fifty cubits long, while those facing the temple were a hundred cubits long.

American Standard Version

For the length of the chambers that were in the outer court was fifty cubits: and, lo, before the temple were a hundred cubits.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 42:8 provides precise measurements for specific architectural elements within the visionary temple complex, detailing the length of chambers in the outer court as fifty cubits and the open space before the temple as one hundred cubits. This verse contributes to the meticulous blueprint of the future temple, emphasizing the divine precision and order inherent in God's plan for His dwelling place and the worship of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 42:8 is embedded within a highly detailed prophetic vision of a new temple, which begins in [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Temple Vision Begins") and extends through [Ezekiel 48](/ezekiel/48 "Ezekiel 48 - Division of the Land and the Temple's River"). Specifically, chapters 40-42 meticulously describe the temple's physical structure, including its gates, courts, chambers, and the main sanctuary. Chapter 42 focuses on the chambers surrounding the inner and outer courts, particularly those designated for the priests. Verse 8, with its precise dimensions, contributes to the overall architectural blueprint, ensuring that every detail of this divine design is accounted for, underscoring the sacredness and functionality of each component within the larger complex. The preceding verses detail the layout of the chambers and their access points, while subsequent verses continue to describe their purpose and further dimensions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel received this vision during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound despondency for the Jewish people who had lost their temple, their land, and their king. The first temple, Solomon's Temple, had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. In this context of national trauma and spiritual displacement, Ezekiel's vision of a new, glorious temple offered a powerful message of hope, restoration, and the enduring presence of God among His people. The detailed architectural specifications, including the use of cubits as a standard unit of measurement, would have been familiar to the original audience, grounding the visionary blueprint in tangible, understandable terms. The emphasis on precise measurements also reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of sacred architecture, where divine presence was often associated with order, symmetry, and specific dimensions.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous measurements in Ezekiel 42:8 contribute to several overarching themes in the book of Ezekiel. First, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Order**, demonstrating that God's plans are precise and perfectly orchestrated, even in the midst of human chaos and exile. The detailed blueprint underscores God's meticulous attention to every aspect of His future dwelling and the worship associated with it. Second, the verse reinforces the theme of **Holiness and Separation**, as the specific dimensions and layout of the temple complex served to delineate sacred space from common space, emphasizing the purity required for God's presence. This is a recurring theme throughout Ezekiel, from the defilement of the former temple in [Ezekiel 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - Abominations in the Temple") to the future restoration of holiness. Finally, the vision, including these architectural details, powerfully conveys the theme of **Future Restoration and God's Dwelling Presence**. It offers a tangible promise of God's renewed covenant with Israel and His ultimate desire to dwell among His people, a hope that transcends the immediate suffering of exile and points to a glorious future where His glory returns, as described in [Ezekiel 43:1-5](/ezekiel/43-1 "Ezekiel 43:1-5 - The Glory of the Lord Returns").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **temple (Hebrew, _hêykâl'_):** From H1964, this word refers to a large public building, specifically a palace or temple. In Ezekiel's vision, it denotes the central sanctuary, the most sacred part of the complex where God's presence is manifested. Its inclusion here emphasizes that the measurements are specifically related to the structure that houses the divine presence.
* **utter (Hebrew, _chîytsôwn'_):** From H2435, meaning the (outer) wall side, hence exterior; figuratively, secular (as opposed to sacred). In this context, "utter court" refers to the outermost court, distinguishing it from the inner court and the temple proper. It signifies the boundary between the sacred core and the more accessible, yet still consecrated, areas of the complex.
* **cubits (Hebrew, _ʼammâh'_):** From H520, this is a standard ancient unit of measure, typically the length of the forearm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Its consistent use throughout Ezekiel's temple vision underscores the concrete, measurable, and divinely ordained nature of the architectural instructions, providing a tangible blueprint for the future structure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the length of the chambers that [were] in the utter court [was] fifty cubits:"** This clause specifies the dimensions of the chambers located in the outer court. These chambers, likely used for various priestly functions, storage, or lodging, had a length of fifty cubits. This precise measurement highlights the meticulous detail of the divine blueprint, ensuring specific functionality and order within the complex.
* **"and, lo, before the temple [were] an hundred cubits."** This second clause describes a significant open space directly in front of the main temple building. This area, measuring one hundred cubits, likely served as a grand plaza or a large open court, providing ample space for assembly, movement, or ceremonial activities leading up to the sanctuary. The "lo" ("behold") draws attention to the significance of this particular dimension, perhaps indicating its prominence or importance in the overall layout.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Ezekiel 42:8, and indeed throughout the temple vision in Ezekiel 40-42, is **Meticulous Detail**. The prophet records exact measurements and specific dimensions for every part of the visionary temple. This precision serves as a form of **Symbolism**, conveying God's absolute order, His meticulous planning, and the certainty of His future restoration. The sheer volume of numerical data also creates a sense of **Verisimilitude**, making the vision feel concrete and real, even if its ultimate fulfillment might have both literal and spiritual dimensions. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of units like "cubits" reinforces the architectural nature of the prophecy, emphasizing that this is a divine blueprint, not merely an abstract idea.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 42:8, with its precise measurements, underscores the theological truth that God is a God of order, precision, and intentionality. His plans are not haphazard but meticulously designed, reflecting His perfect wisdom and sovereignty. This detailed blueprint for a future temple speaks to God's unwavering commitment to dwell among His people, providing a tangible hope for restoration and renewed communion. The emphasis on specific dimensions also highlights the sacredness of God's presence and the necessity of order in worship, principles that transcend the physical structure and apply to the spiritual reality of God's dwelling among His people.

* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - The Pattern of the Tabernacle")
* [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Heavenly Pattern of the Sanctuary")
* [Revelation 21:16](/revelation/21-16 "Revelation 21:16 - Dimensions of the New Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed measurements in Ezekiel 42:8, while describing a physical structure, offer profound spiritual lessons for believers today. They remind us that God is a God of order and purpose, and His plans, whether for a grand temple or for our individual lives, are carefully conceived. This encourages us to trust in His sovereign design, even when we cannot see the full blueprint. Just as every cubit in the temple contributed to a holy dwelling place, so too does every detail of our lives, when surrendered to God, contribute to His greater purpose. The meticulousness also calls us to a life of intentionality and discipline, reflecting the divine order in our own walk with God. It challenges us to consider how we are building our spiritual lives, ensuring that our foundations are firm and our structures align with God's design for holiness and worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine precision in Ezekiel's temple vision encourage your trust in God's detailed plans for your own life?**
* **In what ways can we, as spiritual temples, reflect God's order and holiness in our daily lives and worship?**
* **What practical steps can you take to align your life more closely with God's intentional design for you?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "cubit" as a unit of measurement in Ezekiel's temple vision?**

Answer: The cubit (`H520`, _ʼammâh'_) was an ancient unit of length, typically based on the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, roughly 18-21 inches (45-53 cm). Its significance in Ezekiel's temple vision lies in its concrete, measurable nature. By using familiar units, God provided a tangible and precise blueprint for the future temple, emphasizing the literalness and divine authority of the instructions. This meticulous detail underscores God's order and the certainty of His plans, even if the ultimate fulfillment may also hold symbolic or spiritual dimensions. The consistent use of the cubit throughout the vision (e.g., [Ezekiel 40:5](/ezekiel/40-5 "Ezekiel 40:5 - The Measuring Reed")) reinforces the divine precision.

**Why are such detailed measurements given for a temple that may or may not be literally built in the future?**

Answer: The detailed measurements serve multiple purposes, regardless of a literal future construction. Theologically, they emphasize God's absolute precision, order, and sovereignty, assuring the exiles that God's plans for restoration are certain and meticulously designed. Spiritually, they highlight the holiness and sacredness required for God's dwelling place, instructing His people on the purity and order necessary for true worship. Prophetically, the vision provides a tangible hope for a future where God's glory returns and dwells among His people, contrasting sharply with the destruction of the first temple. The detail itself is part of the message, signifying the divine origin and perfect nature of the blueprint for God's renewed relationship with His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel's visionary temple, with its meticulous measurements in Ezekiel 42:8, ultimately points to the greater reality of Christ and the new covenant. While the physical temple symbolized God's dwelling among His people, its ultimate fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ, who declared, "[Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")" referring to the temple of His body. Christ is the true and perfect temple, the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity, where God's full glory dwells bodily ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")). Furthermore, through Christ, believers become living stones built into a spiritual house, a "holy temple in the Lord" ([Ephesians 2:21](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21 - Built into a Holy Temple")), indwelt by the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). The precise dimensions in Ezekiel's vision foreshadow the perfect order and divine design of God's ultimate dwelling place, which is not confined to physical structures but is realized in the person of Christ and extended through His Church, culminating in the New Jerusalem where God's presence is fully and eternally with His people, and "[the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - God and the Lamb are the Temple")."

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 41:13

So he measured the house, an hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with the walls thereof, an hundred cubits long;

Ezekiel 41:14

Also the breadth of the face of the house, and of the separate place toward the east, an hundred cubits.