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Ezekiel 40:30

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And the arches round about [were] five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad.

And the arches {H361} round about {H5439} were five {H2568} and twenty {H6242} cubits {H520} long {H753}, and five {H2568} cubits {H520} broad {H7341}.

There was a vestibule around it forty-three-and-three-quarters feet long and eight-and-three-quarters feet wide;

(The porticoes around the inner court were twenty-five cubits long and five cubits deep.)

And there were arches round about, five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad.

Commentary

Ezekiel 40:30 is a highly specific verse detailing architectural measurements within the visionary temple that the prophet Ezekiel saw. It reads, "And the arches round about [were] five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad." This verse, like many others in Ezekiel chapters 40-48, provides precise dimensions for various parts of this future temple complex.

Context

This verse is situated within a lengthy and detailed prophecy given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. Beginning in Ezekiel 40:1, the prophet is transported in a vision to a very high mountain where he sees a man with a measuring rod, who proceeds to show him and measure a magnificent temple complex. This vision came after the destruction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians (2 Kings 25:9), offering a profound message of hope and future restoration to the exiled Israelites. The measurements, such as those for the "arches" (or chambers/porches) in verse 30, emphasize the divine origin and meticulous planning of this sacred structure.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Order: The sheer detail in Ezekiel's temple vision, including specific measurements like those in verse 30, highlights God's meticulousness and His nature as a God of order, not chaos. Every component of this future temple is divinely designed and precisely specified.
  • Symbolism of Holiness: The exact dimensions and structured layout underscore the holiness and sanctity of God's dwelling place. Such precision ensures that everything is set apart and dedicated to Him in a perfect manner.
  • Future Hope and Restoration: For the exiled Israelites, this vision of a grand, meticulously designed temple offered a powerful promise of future restoration and the renewed presence of God among His people, even in the midst of their despair.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version translates the Hebrew word `אֵילִים` ('ayilim) as "arches." This term can also refer to "porches," "doorposts," or "chambers," particularly those associated with the gates or courts of a temple. Given the specified dimensions (25 cubits long by 5 cubits broad), these were likely distinct chambers or recesses within the structure, possibly part of the outer court or gate complex. A cubit was an ancient unit of measurement, typically about 18 inches (or 45 cm), making these structures approximately 37.5 feet long and 7.5 feet broad.

Practical Application

While Ezekiel's temple vision is highly specific and debated as to its literal or symbolic fulfillment, the underlying principles remain powerful:

  • God's Intentional Design: This verse reminds us that God has detailed plans and purposes. Just as He meticulously designed a temple, He has a precise plan for His creation and for the lives of His people.
  • Importance of Order: The emphasis on structure and order in the temple can serve as a spiritual reminder for believers to pursue order and discipline in their own lives and worship, reflecting the character of an orderly God.
  • Reliability of God's Promises: The specificity of the vision underscored the certainty of God's promises to His people, even when circumstances seemed bleak. This encourages us to trust in God's reliable and detailed promises for our own lives, echoing the divine precision seen in the construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness and Solomon's Temple.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 40:21 (4 votes)

    And the little chambers thereof [were] three on this side and three on that side; and the posts thereof and the arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof [was] fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.

  • Ezekiel 40:33 (2 votes)

    And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, [were] according to these measures: and [there were] windows therein and in the arches thereof round about: [it was] fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.

  • Ezekiel 40:36 (2 votes)

    The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length [was] fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.

  • Ezekiel 40:29 (2 votes)

    And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these measures: and [there were] windows in it and in the arches thereof round about: [it was] fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.

  • Ezekiel 40:25 (2 votes)

    And [there were] windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length [was] fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.