Ezekiel · Chapter 41

V. 1. The breadth-These walls in their thickness took up as much space as the whole breadth of Moses’s tabernacle, Exodus 26:16,22.

Verse 1. To the temple] He had first described the courts and the porch. See Ezekiel 40:5-49.

Verses 1, 2. Afterward he brought me to the temple — “After having described the courts and the porch, the prophet enters into the temple, properly so called, whereof he gives the dimensions and description.” And he measured the posts — By the posts are meant the door-cases on each side of the entrance. These were six cubits thick on the north and south sides; which was the breadth of the tabernacle — These walls, in their thickness, took up as much space as the whole breadth of Moses’s tabernacle, as appears from Exodus 26:16, 22, 23; where the west side of the tabernacle consists of eight boards, each a cubit and a half broad. The breadth of the door was ten cubits, &c. — The entrance itself being ten cubits broad, and the wall on each side five cubits, makes the breadth of the house to be just twenty cubits, as it is expressed in the latter part of the verse, which was the same in Solomon’s temple, 1 Kings 6:2. And the length forty cubits — Namely, the length of the first sanctuary, or holy place, as distinct from the holy of holies, which was twenty cubits in length, verse 4, and made the whole structure sixty cubits long; wherein it agreed with Solomon’s temple.

Verse 1. He brought me to the temple—the tabernacle. See the note on 1 Samuel 3. We now enter on the measurements of the temple. The prophet begins at the centre, by describing the Holy of holies. See then, oh my soul, that thou also begin there.

1-4. The word temple (verse 1) seems to be used for the “holy place” (nave) as distinguished from the “holy of holies” (verses 3 and 4). Tabernacle — LXX., posts. The minute way in which every dimension is given proves its importance as embodying significant religious teaching. The holy place — forty by twenty sacred cubits — and the Holy of Holies — a perfect square, or cube (see 1 Kings 6:20), twenty by twenty sacred cubits — were of the same dimensions as in Solomon’s temple.

Verse 2. The breadth of the door] This was the door, or gate, of the sanctuary, (see gates, 3, in the plan,) See Clarke “Ezekiel 48:35”, and this doorway was filled up with folding gates. The measurements are exactly the same as those of Solomon’s temple. See 1 Kings 6:2, 17.

Verses 1, 2. Afterward he brought me to the temple — “After having described the courts and the porch, the prophet enters into the temple, properly so called, whereof he gives the dimensions and description.” And he measured the posts — By the posts are meant the door-cases on each side of the entrance. These were six cubits thick on the north and south sides; which was the breadth of the tabernacle — These walls, in their thickness, took up as much space as the whole breadth of Moses’s tabernacle, as appears from Exodus 26:16, 22, 23; where the west side of the tabernacle consists of eight boards, each a cubit and a half broad. The breadth of the door was ten cubits, &c. — The entrance itself being ten cubits broad, and the wall on each side five cubits, makes the breadth of the house to be just twenty cubits, as it is expressed in the latter part of the verse, which was the same in Solomon’s temple, 1 Kings 6:2. And the length forty cubits — Namely, the length of the first sanctuary, or holy place, as distinct from the holy of holies, which was twenty cubits in length, verse 4, and made the whole structure sixty cubits long; wherein it agreed with Solomon’s temple.

1-4. The word temple (verse 1) seems to be used for the “holy place” (nave) as distinguished from the “holy of holies” (verses 3 and 4). Tabernacle — LXX., posts. The minute way in which every dimension is given proves its importance as embodying significant religious teaching. The holy place — forty by twenty sacred cubits — and the Holy of Holies — a perfect square, or cube (see 1 Kings 6:20), twenty by twenty sacred cubits — were of the same dimensions as in Solomon’s temple.

V. 3. Went he-From the porch thro’ the body of the temple, to the partition between the body of the temple and the holy of holies. Measured-Either the thickness of that partition wall, or of the pilasters, which stood one on the one side, and the other on the other side of the door. Of the door-Or entrance out of the temple into the oracle. And the door-This door was six cubits broad, and an upright bar or post on which the leaves met, and which was of one cubit’s breadth, make out seven cubits.

Verses 3, 4. Then went he inward — From the outward sanctuary he went forward toward the holy of holies, and measured the thickness of the partition wall to be two cubits, the entrance itself six cubits, and breadth of the wall, on each side of the door, seven cubits: see Ezekiel 40:48; where the breadth of the gate is taken in the same sense. The breadth of the wall, thus computed, making up fourteen cubits, and being added to the breadth of the entrance itself, makes up twenty cubits; the breadth of the inner sanctuary, as it is set down in the next verse. So he measured the length thereof — Of the holy of holies twenty cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits — It was an exact cube, of the same dimensions in length, breadth, and height: see 1 Kings 6:20; before the temple — Or rather, as the words should be rendered, according to the temple; that is, the breadth of it.

Ver. 3. The door six cubits high, and its breadth seven cubits, or three cubits and a half for each leaf. Dr. Lightfoot quotes Kimchi as saying that the cubit by which the temple was measured was six hand-breadths.

1-4. The word temple (verse 1) seems to be used for the “holy place” (nave) as distinguished from the “holy of holies” (verses 3 and 4). Tabernacle — LXX., posts. The minute way in which every dimension is given proves its importance as embodying significant religious teaching. The holy place — forty by twenty sacred cubits — and the Holy of Holies — a perfect square, or cube (see 1 Kings 6:20), twenty by twenty sacred cubits — were of the same dimensions as in Solomon’s temple.

V. 4. Thereof-Of the holy of holies, which was an exact square. Before-Parallel with the breadth of the temple.

Verse 4. The length thereof, twenty cubits] This is the measurement of the sanctuary, or holy of holies. See G in the plan. See Clarke “Ezekiel 48:35”. This also was the exact measurement of Solomon’s temple, see 1 Kings 6:20. This, and the other resemblances here, sufficiently prove that Ezekiel’s temple and that of Solomon were on the same plan; and that the latter temple was intended to be an exact resemblance of the former.

Verses 3, 4. Then went he inward — From the outward sanctuary he went forward toward the holy of holies, and measured the thickness of the partition wall to be two cubits, the entrance itself six cubits, and breadth of the wall, on each side of the door, seven cubits: see Ezekiel 40:48; where the breadth of the gate is taken in the same sense. The breadth of the wall, thus computed, making up fourteen cubits, and being added to the breadth of the entrance itself, makes up twenty cubits; the breadth of the inner sanctuary, as it is set down in the next verse. So he measured the length thereof — Of the holy of holies twenty cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits — It was an exact cube, of the same dimensions in length, breadth, and height: see 1 Kings 6:20; before the temple — Or rather, as the words should be rendered, according to the temple; that is, the breadth of it.

Ver. 4. Twenty cubits were the length, and twenty the breadth of this most holy place, a figure of the sanctuary prepared above.

1-4. The word temple (verse 1) seems to be used for the “holy place” (nave) as distinguished from the “holy of holies” (verses 3 and 4). Tabernacle — LXX., posts. The minute way in which every dimension is given proves its importance as embodying significant religious teaching. The holy place — forty by twenty sacred cubits — and the Holy of Holies — a perfect square, or cube (see 1 Kings 6:20), twenty by twenty sacred cubits — were of the same dimensions as in Solomon’s temple.

V. 5. After-Having left the holy of holies, now he is come to take the measures of the outer wall. The house-The temple. Six cubits-Three yards thick was this wall from the ground to the first story of the side-chambers. Side-chamber-Of the lowest floor; for there were three stories of these, and they differed in their breadth, as the wall of the temple, on which they rested, abated of its thickness; for the middle chambers were broader than the lowest by a cubit, and the highest as much broader than the middle. Round about-On the north, south, and west parts, on each side of every one of these three gates.

Verses 5, 6. He measured the wall of the house, six cubits — Three yards thick was this wall, from the ground to the first story of the side-chambers. And the breadth of every side-chamber, four cubits — Of the lowest floor; for there were three stories of these, and they differed in their breadth, as the wall of the temple, on which they rested, abated of its thickness; for the middle chambers were broader than the lowest by a cubit, and the highest as much broader than the middle. The side-chambers were three, one over another — They were three stories high; and thirty in order — As in Solomon’s temple, according to Josephus’s description, Antiq., lib. 8. cap. 3, sec. 2, where it appears, that round Solomon’s temple were chambers three stories high, each story consisting of thirty chambers. It is supposed that twelve were placed to the north, twelve to the south, and six to the east. And they entered into the wall — At five cubits height from the ground, the wall which supported these outward chambers, abated of its thickness one cubit, in consequence of which there was a rest, or a ledge, of one cubit’s breadth, on which the ends of each story were fastened: see 1 Kings 6:10. But they had not hold in the wall of the house — They were not fastened into the main wall of the house, but rested on the outside of the wall where it became more narrow.

5-11. Various details in this description of the side chambers (compare 1 Kings 6:5-10; 7:51) are uncertain, but Toy’s rendering makes plain the general meaning: “He measured the wall of the temple six cubits thick. And the interior width of the side structure was four cubits round about the temple. The side cells were in three stories, thirty on each story. There were rebatements all around in the wall of the temple for the joists of the cells to rest on, so that they should not be inserted in the wall of the temple. Thus the interior width of the cells increased as they went up, according to the enlargement of the rebatement upward round about the temple. There was an ascent from the lower story to the middle and from the middle to the upper. And around the temple was a raised platform, the foundation of the side cells, a long rod high — that is, six cubits and six handbreadths. The outer wall of the side structure was five cubits thick and the part of the platform left uncovered was five cubits wide. Between the cells and the chambers was a space of twenty cubits round about. The doors of the side structure opened on the uncovered part of the platform.” We append Dean Plumptre’s plan and measurements: —

I. The breadth of the court — Cubits.

1. Breadth of the house 20

2. Breadth of wall, 6 × 2 cubits 12

3. Breadth of chambers, 4 × 2 cubits 8

4. Breadth of chamber wall, 5 × 2 cubits 10

5. Breadth of corridor, 5×2 cubits 10

6. Breadth of free space, 20×2 cubits 40

— Total 100

II. The length of the court — Cubits.

1. The length of the house — 60

2. The temple wall — 6

3. The chambers — 4

4. The chamber wall — 5

5. The corridor — 5

6. The space toward the west — 20

— Total 100

The “house” was thus one hundred cubits square. The porch of the house was reckoned as belonging to the inner court (Ezekiel 40:48).

V. 6. They might-That the beams of the chambers might have good and firm resting-hold. Had not hold-The ends of the beams were not thrust into the main body of the wall of the temple.

Verse 6. The side chambers were three] We find by Joseph. Antiq. viii. 3, 2, that round Solomon’s temple were chambers three stories high, each story consisting of thirty chambers. It is supposed that twelve were placed to the north of the temple, twelve to the south, and six to the east. Entered into the wall] The beams were admitted into the outer wall, but they rested on projections of the inner wall.

Verses 5, 6. He measured the wall of the house, six cubits — Three yards thick was this wall, from the ground to the first story of the side-chambers. And the breadth of every side-chamber, four cubits — Of the lowest floor; for there were three stories of these, and they differed in their breadth, as the wall of the temple, on which they rested, abated of its thickness; for the middle chambers were broader than the lowest by a cubit, and the highest as much broader than the middle. The side-chambers were three, one over another — They were three stories high; and thirty in order — As in Solomon’s temple, according to Josephus’s description, Antiq., lib. 8. cap. 3, sec. 2, where it appears, that round Solomon’s temple were chambers three stories high, each story consisting of thirty chambers. It is supposed that twelve were placed to the north, twelve to the south, and six to the east. And they entered into the wall — At five cubits height from the ground, the wall which supported these outward chambers, abated of its thickness one cubit, in consequence of which there was a rest, or a ledge, of one cubit’s breadth, on which the ends of each story were fastened: see 1 Kings 6:10. But they had not hold in the wall of the house — They were not fastened into the main wall of the house, but rested on the outside of the wall where it became more narrow.

Ver. 6. The side-chambers were three stories high, as the English version intimates, and thirty in order; that is, three times ten; whereas the Hebrew text is thirty three times, which the rabbins confirm by the adduction of “eleven in each row.” They ascended by a circular staircase, as is the manner in all our towers. The Hebrews qyta attick, a word now in use, and is applied here to the three chambers, though now confined to the third, or upper story.

5-11. Various details in this description of the side chambers (compare 1 Kings 6:5-10; 7:51) are uncertain, but Toy’s rendering makes plain the general meaning: “He measured the wall of the temple six cubits thick. And the interior width of the side structure was four cubits round about the temple. The side cells were in three stories, thirty on each story. There were rebatements all around in the wall of the temple for the joists of the cells to rest on, so that they should not be inserted in the wall of the temple. Thus the interior width of the cells increased as they went up, according to the enlargement of the rebatement upward round about the temple. There was an ascent from the lower story to the middle and from the middle to the upper. And around the temple was a raised platform, the foundation of the side cells, a long rod high — that is, six cubits and six handbreadths. The outer wall of the side structure was five cubits thick and the part of the platform left uncovered was five cubits wide. Between the cells and the chambers was a space of twenty cubits round about. The doors of the side structure opened on the uncovered part of the platform.” We append Dean Plumptre’s plan and measurements: —

I. The breadth of the court — Cubits.

1. Breadth of the house 20

2. Breadth of wall, 6 × 2 cubits 12

3. Breadth of chambers, 4 × 2 cubits 8

4. Breadth of chamber wall, 5 × 2 cubits 10

5. Breadth of corridor, 5×2 cubits 10

6. Breadth of free space, 20×2 cubits 40

— Total 100

II. The length of the court — Cubits.

1. The length of the house — 60

2. The temple wall — 6

3. The chambers — 4

4. The chamber wall — 5

5. The corridor — 5

6. The space toward the west — 20

— Total 100

The “house” was thus one hundred cubits square. The porch of the house was reckoned as belonging to the inner court (Ezekiel 40:48).

V. 7. An enlarging-Of the side chambers, so much of breadth added to the chamber, as was taken from the thickness of the wall; that is, two cubits in the uppermost, and one cubit in the middle-most, more than in the lowest chambers. A winding about-Winding stairs, which enlarged as the rooms did, and these run up between each two chambers from the bottom to the top; so there were two doors at the head of each pair of stairs, one door opening into one chamber, and the other into the opposite chamber. For the winding about-These stairs, as they rose in height, enlarged themselves too. Round about-On all sides of the house where these chambers were. The breadth-Of each chamber. Increased-Grew broader by one cubit in every upper chamber. From five in the lowest to six in the middle, and to seven in the highest chamber.

Verse 7. An enlarging, and a winding about] Perhaps a winding staircase that-widened upward as the inner wall decreased in thickness; this wall being six cubits thick; as high as the first story, five from the floor of the second story to that of the third, and four from the floor to the ceiling of the third story: and thus there was a rest of one cubit in breadth to support the stories.—Newcome.

Verses 7, 8. And there was an enlarging — Namely, of the side-chambers; so much of breadth added to the chambers as was taken from the thickness of the wall: see the preceding note; and a winding about still upward — Winding stairs, which enlarged as the rooms did, went up between each two chambers from the bottom to the top; and there were two doors at the top of each pair of stairs, one door opening into one chamber, and the other into the opposite one. For the winding about, &c. — The stairs, as they rose in height, enlarged themselves too; round about the house — On all sides of the house, where these chambers were. Therefore the breadth was still upward — It became broader by one cubit in every upper chamber. I saw also the height of the house — Of the chambers which rose to three stories high. The foundations, &c., were a full reed of six great cubits — The lowest chamber had properly a foundation laid on the earth, but the floor of the middle and the highest story must be accounted here a foundation; so from the ground to the ceiling of the first room were six great cubits; from the first to the second, six great cubits; and from the third floor to the roof of the chamber, a like number; to which if we add one cubit for the thickness of each of the three floors, you have twenty-one cubits, or ten yards and a half for height.

5-11. Various details in this description of the side chambers (compare 1 Kings 6:5-10; 7:51) are uncertain, but Toy’s rendering makes plain the general meaning: “He measured the wall of the temple six cubits thick. And the interior width of the side structure was four cubits round about the temple. The side cells were in three stories, thirty on each story. There were rebatements all around in the wall of the temple for the joists of the cells to rest on, so that they should not be inserted in the wall of the temple. Thus the interior width of the cells increased as they went up, according to the enlargement of the rebatement upward round about the temple. There was an ascent from the lower story to the middle and from the middle to the upper. And around the temple was a raised platform, the foundation of the side cells, a long rod high — that is, six cubits and six handbreadths. The outer wall of the side structure was five cubits thick and the part of the platform left uncovered was five cubits wide. Between the cells and the chambers was a space of twenty cubits round about. The doors of the side structure opened on the uncovered part of the platform.” We append Dean Plumptre’s plan and measurements: —

I. The breadth of the court — Cubits.

1. Breadth of the house 20

2. Breadth of wall, 6 × 2 cubits 12

3. Breadth of chambers, 4 × 2 cubits 8

4. Breadth of chamber wall, 5 × 2 cubits 10

5. Breadth of corridor, 5×2 cubits 10

6. Breadth of free space, 20×2 cubits 40

— Total 100

II. The length of the court — Cubits.

1. The length of the house — 60

2. The temple wall — 6

3. The chambers — 4

4. The chamber wall — 5

5. The corridor — 5

6. The space toward the west — 20

— Total 100

The “house” was thus one hundred cubits square. The porch of the house was reckoned as belonging to the inner court (Ezekiel 40:48).

V. 8. The foundations-The lowest chamber had properly a foundation laid on the earth, but the floor of the middle, and highest story must be accounted here a foundation; so from the ground to the ceiling of the first room, was six great cubits; from the first to the second, six great cubits; and from the third floor to the roof of the chamber, a like number; to which add we one cubit for thickness of each of the three floors, you have twenty-one cubits for height, ten yards and a half high.

Verses 7, 8. And there was an enlarging — Namely, of the side-chambers; so much of breadth added to the chambers as was taken from the thickness of the wall: see the preceding note; and a winding about still upward — Winding stairs, which enlarged as the rooms did, went up between each two chambers from the bottom to the top; and there were two doors at the top of each pair of stairs, one door opening into one chamber, and the other into the opposite one. For the winding about, &c. — The stairs, as they rose in height, enlarged themselves too; round about the house — On all sides of the house, where these chambers were. Therefore the breadth was still upward — It became broader by one cubit in every upper chamber. I saw also the height of the house — Of the chambers which rose to three stories high. The foundations, &c., were a full reed of six great cubits — The lowest chamber had properly a foundation laid on the earth, but the floor of the middle and the highest story must be accounted here a foundation; so from the ground to the ceiling of the first room were six great cubits; from the first to the second, six great cubits; and from the third floor to the roof of the chamber, a like number; to which if we add one cubit for the thickness of each of the three floors, you have twenty-one cubits, or ten yards and a half for height.

Ver. 8. The height of the house, seen but not named. The thicker part of the wall at the foundation was one reed.

5-11. Various details in this description of the side chambers (compare 1 Kings 6:5-10; 7:51) are uncertain, but Toy’s rendering makes plain the general meaning: “He measured the wall of the temple six cubits thick. And the interior width of the side structure was four cubits round about the temple. The side cells were in three stories, thirty on each story. There were rebatements all around in the wall of the temple for the joists of the cells to rest on, so that they should not be inserted in the wall of the temple. Thus the interior width of the cells increased as they went up, according to the enlargement of the rebatement upward round about the temple. There was an ascent from the lower story to the middle and from the middle to the upper. And around the temple was a raised platform, the foundation of the side cells, a long rod high — that is, six cubits and six handbreadths. The outer wall of the side structure was five cubits thick and the part of the platform left uncovered was five cubits wide. Between the cells and the chambers was a space of twenty cubits round about. The doors of the side structure opened on the uncovered part of the platform.” We append Dean Plumptre’s plan and measurements: —

I. The breadth of the court — Cubits.

1. Breadth of the house 20

2. Breadth of wall, 6 × 2 cubits 12

3. Breadth of chambers, 4 × 2 cubits 8

4. Breadth of chamber wall, 5 × 2 cubits 10

5. Breadth of corridor, 5×2 cubits 10

6. Breadth of free space, 20×2 cubits 40

— Total 100

II. The length of the court — Cubits.

1. The length of the house — 60

2. The temple wall — 6

3. The chambers — 4

4. The chamber wall — 5

5. The corridor — 5

6. The space toward the west — 20

— Total 100

The “house” was thus one hundred cubits square. The porch of the house was reckoned as belonging to the inner court (Ezekiel 40:48).

V. 9. The place-The walk and wall.

Verse 9. The thickness of the wall] See LLL in the plan. See Clarke “Ezekiel 48:35”.

The place of the side chambers] A walk, or gallery of communication along the chambers, five cubits broad, Ezekiel 41:11.

Verses 9-11. The thickness of the wall, &c. — This is supposed to be meant of an outward wall enclosing the side-chambers. And that which was left — Or, the space which was left, as Bishop Newcome translates it, judging it to be intended of a space allowed for a walk, or gallery of communication, before the chambers, which space was five cubits broad, verse 11. And between the chambers was the wideness of twenty cubits — A word being here used for chambers different from that which occurs before, it is supposed that another row of buildings, parallel with the side-chambers, but at twenty yards’ distance from them, is intended, and that there was a passage of twenty cubits between these buildings. The description, however, is very obscure, and the interpretations of commentators, of course, different. The doors of the side-chambers were toward the place that was left — Or, toward the void space. The doors of the lower rooms opened into this void space before the chambers.

5-11. Various details in this description of the side chambers (compare 1 Kings 6:5-10; 7:51) are uncertain, but Toy’s rendering makes plain the general meaning: “He measured the wall of the temple six cubits thick. And the interior width of the side structure was four cubits round about the temple. The side cells were in three stories, thirty on each story. There were rebatements all around in the wall of the temple for the joists of the cells to rest on, so that they should not be inserted in the wall of the temple. Thus the interior width of the cells increased as they went up, according to the enlargement of the rebatement upward round about the temple. There was an ascent from the lower story to the middle and from the middle to the upper. And around the temple was a raised platform, the foundation of the side cells, a long rod high — that is, six cubits and six handbreadths. The outer wall of the side structure was five cubits thick and the part of the platform left uncovered was five cubits wide. Between the cells and the chambers was a space of twenty cubits round about. The doors of the side structure opened on the uncovered part of the platform.” We append Dean Plumptre’s plan and measurements: —

I. The breadth of the court — Cubits.

1. Breadth of the house 20

2. Breadth of wall, 6 × 2 cubits 12

3. Breadth of chambers, 4 × 2 cubits 8

4. Breadth of chamber wall, 5 × 2 cubits 10

5. Breadth of corridor, 5×2 cubits 10

6. Breadth of free space, 20×2 cubits 40

— Total 100

II. The length of the court — Cubits.

1. The length of the house — 60

2. The temple wall — 6

3. The chambers — 4

4. The chamber wall — 5

5. The corridor — 5

6. The space toward the west — 20

— Total 100

The “house” was thus one hundred cubits square. The porch of the house was reckoned as belonging to the inner court (Ezekiel 40:48).

Verses 9-11. The thickness of the wall, &c. — This is supposed to be meant of an outward wall enclosing the side-chambers. And that which was left — Or, the space which was left, as Bishop Newcome translates it, judging it to be intended of a space allowed for a walk, or gallery of communication, before the chambers, which space was five cubits broad, verse 11. And between the chambers was the wideness of twenty cubits — A word being here used for chambers different from that which occurs before, it is supposed that another row of buildings, parallel with the side-chambers, but at twenty yards’ distance from them, is intended, and that there was a passage of twenty cubits between these buildings. The description, however, is very obscure, and the interpretations of commentators, of course, different. The doors of the side-chambers were toward the place that was left — Or, toward the void space. The doors of the lower rooms opened into this void space before the chambers.

5-11. Various details in this description of the side chambers (compare 1 Kings 6:5-10; 7:51) are uncertain, but Toy’s rendering makes plain the general meaning: “He measured the wall of the temple six cubits thick. And the interior width of the side structure was four cubits round about the temple. The side cells were in three stories, thirty on each story. There were rebatements all around in the wall of the temple for the joists of the cells to rest on, so that they should not be inserted in the wall of the temple. Thus the interior width of the cells increased as they went up, according to the enlargement of the rebatement upward round about the temple. There was an ascent from the lower story to the middle and from the middle to the upper. And around the temple was a raised platform, the foundation of the side cells, a long rod high — that is, six cubits and six handbreadths. The outer wall of the side structure was five cubits thick and the part of the platform left uncovered was five cubits wide. Between the cells and the chambers was a space of twenty cubits round about. The doors of the side structure opened on the uncovered part of the platform.” We append Dean Plumptre’s plan and measurements: —

I. The breadth of the court — Cubits.

1. Breadth of the house 20

2. Breadth of wall, 6 × 2 cubits 12

3. Breadth of chambers, 4 × 2 cubits 8

4. Breadth of chamber wall, 5 × 2 cubits 10

5. Breadth of corridor, 5×2 cubits 10

6. Breadth of free space, 20×2 cubits 40

— Total 100

II. The length of the court — Cubits.

1. The length of the house — 60

2. The temple wall — 6

3. The chambers — 4

4. The chamber wall — 5

5. The corridor — 5

6. The space toward the west — 20

— Total 100

The “house” was thus one hundred cubits square. The porch of the house was reckoned as belonging to the inner court (Ezekiel 40:48).

V. 11. The doors-The doors of the lowest row opened into this void paved space.

Verse 11. And the doors] See the plan, aa. bb. See Clarke “Ezekiel 48:35”.

Verses 9-11. The thickness of the wall, &c. — This is supposed to be meant of an outward wall enclosing the side-chambers. And that which was left — Or, the space which was left, as Bishop Newcome translates it, judging it to be intended of a space allowed for a walk, or gallery of communication, before the chambers, which space was five cubits broad, verse 11. And between the chambers was the wideness of twenty cubits — A word being here used for chambers different from that which occurs before, it is supposed that another row of buildings, parallel with the side-chambers, but at twenty yards’ distance from them, is intended, and that there was a passage of twenty cubits between these buildings. The description, however, is very obscure, and the interpretations of commentators, of course, different. The doors of the side-chambers were toward the place that was left — Or, toward the void space. The doors of the lower rooms opened into this void space before the chambers.

5-11. Various details in this description of the side chambers (compare 1 Kings 6:5-10; 7:51) are uncertain, but Toy’s rendering makes plain the general meaning: “He measured the wall of the temple six cubits thick. And the interior width of the side structure was four cubits round about the temple. The side cells were in three stories, thirty on each story. There were rebatements all around in the wall of the temple for the joists of the cells to rest on, so that they should not be inserted in the wall of the temple. Thus the interior width of the cells increased as they went up, according to the enlargement of the rebatement upward round about the temple. There was an ascent from the lower story to the middle and from the middle to the upper. And around the temple was a raised platform, the foundation of the side cells, a long rod high — that is, six cubits and six handbreadths. The outer wall of the side structure was five cubits thick and the part of the platform left uncovered was five cubits wide. Between the cells and the chambers was a space of twenty cubits round about. The doors of the side structure opened on the uncovered part of the platform.” We append Dean Plumptre’s plan and measurements: —

I. The breadth of the court — Cubits.

1. Breadth of the house 20

2. Breadth of wall, 6 × 2 cubits 12

3. Breadth of chambers, 4 × 2 cubits 8

4. Breadth of chamber wall, 5 × 2 cubits 10

5. Breadth of corridor, 5×2 cubits 10

6. Breadth of free space, 20×2 cubits 40

— Total 100

II. The length of the court — Cubits.

1. The length of the house — 60

2. The temple wall — 6

3. The chambers — 4

4. The chamber wall — 5

5. The corridor — 5

6. The space toward the west — 20

— Total 100

The “house” was thus one hundred cubits square. The porch of the house was reckoned as belonging to the inner court (Ezekiel 40:48).

V. 12. The building-This is a new building not yet mentioned, but now measured by itself.

Verse 12. The length thereof ninety cubits.] The temple, with the buildings which surrounded it, was eighty-one cubits long; add ten cubits for the vestibule, or five for the breadth of the separate place, and five for its wall; in all, ninety cubits. See the plan, LHIL. See Clarke “Ezekiel 48:35”. By the separate place I suppose the temple itself is meant.

Verses 12-14. Now the building, &c. — This seems to be another building not before mentioned, but now measured by itself. So he measured the house — The whole temple, oracle, sanctuary, and porch, with the walls, which were in length a hundred cubits from east to west, which may be thus computed:

CUBITS.

The thickness of the wall of the east porch 5

The passage through the porch 11

The wall between the porch and the temple 6

The outward sanctuary 40

The partition wall 2

The holy of holies 20

The thickness of the west wall 6

The side-chambers at the west end 5

The outer wall of those chambers 5

Also the breadth of the face of the house — The front of the temple eastward was a hundred cubits.

THE “SEPARATE PLACE” DESCRIBED, 12-15.

12. At the end — R.V., “at the side.”

V. 13. The house-The whole temple, oracle, sanctuary and porch, with the walls. The building-On both the north and south-side of the temple.

Verse 13. So he measured the house] The temple, taken from the wall which encompassed it from the western side to the vestibule, was one hundred and one cubits; five for the separate place, nine for the wall and the chambers attached to the temple, sixty for the sanctuary and the holy place, ten for the vestibule, and twelve for the two great walls on the west and east of the temple; in all, one hundred and one cubits, See the plan, GHI. See Clarke “Ezekiel 48:35”.

Verses 12-14. Now the building, &c. — This seems to be another building not before mentioned, but now measured by itself. So he measured the house — The whole temple, oracle, sanctuary, and porch, with the walls, which were in length a hundred cubits from east to west, which may be thus computed:

CUBITS.

The thickness of the wall of the east porch 5

The passage through the porch 11

The wall between the porch and the temple 6

The outward sanctuary 40

The partition wall 2

The holy of holies 20

The thickness of the west wall 6

The side-chambers at the west end 5

The outer wall of those chambers 5

Also the breadth of the face of the house — The front of the temple eastward was a hundred cubits.

Ver. 13-15. A hundred cubits was the height; the length and the breadth were the same. The apostle John also has described the new Jerusalem as a perfect cube, a city of equal dimensions, lying foursquare. Revelation 21:16.

THE “SEPARATE PLACE” DESCRIBED, 12-15.

12. At the end — R.V., “at the side.”

V. 14. The breadth-The whole front of the house eastward.

Verse 14. The breadth of the face of the house] That is, the front. See the plan, FRR. See Clarke “Ezekiel 48:35”.

Verses 12-14. Now the building, &c. — This seems to be another building not before mentioned, but now measured by itself. So he measured the house — The whole temple, oracle, sanctuary, and porch, with the walls, which were in length a hundred cubits from east to west, which may be thus computed:

CUBITS.

The thickness of the wall of the east porch 5

The passage through the porch 11

The wall between the porch and the temple 6

The outward sanctuary 40

The partition wall 2

The holy of holies 20

The thickness of the west wall 6

The side-chambers at the west end 5

The outer wall of those chambers 5

Also the breadth of the face of the house — The front of the temple eastward was a hundred cubits.

Ver. 13-15. A hundred cubits was the height; the length and the breadth were the same. The apostle John also has described the new Jerusalem as a perfect cube, a city of equal dimensions, lying foursquare. Revelation 21:16.

THE “SEPARATE PLACE” DESCRIBED, 12-15.

12. At the end — R.V., “at the side.”

Verses 15-17. And he measured the length, &c. — Noldius translates this sentence more clearly thus: And he measured the length of the building which was before the separate place, [and] that which was behind it, or opposite to it; by which he understands the north and south porch, the east and west sides having been measured before, verses 12, 14. And the galleries thereof on one side, &c., a hundred cubits, with [or and] the inner temple, and the porches thereof — As the temple, and the area wherein it stood, made a square of a hundred cubits; so the courts and buildings thereto belonging were of the same dimensions. By the galleries are meant the side-chambers, described verses 6, 7. Within the inner temple — Called the inner house, verse 17, Ezekiel 42:15, to distinguish it from the courts and buildings which were about it. The door-posts and the narrow windows, &c. — He measured also the thickness of the walls on each side of the porch, and the thickness of the door-cases at the entrance into the temple; as also the narrow windows belonging to the three stories of chambers, which were placed on the outside of the temple. From the ground up to the windows — He measured from the ground up to the windows which were placed above the side-chambers. And the windows were covered — With lattices or curtains, or both. To that above the door — It seems this verse is connected with the preceding, and signifies that the windows were made in exact proportion, both over the porch, and through every part of the temple and the buildings adjoining to it.

Ver. 13-15. A hundred cubits was the height; the length and the breadth were the same. The apostle John also has described the new Jerusalem as a perfect cube, a city of equal dimensions, lying foursquare. Revelation 21:16.

15. Over against — R.V., “before the separate place which was at the back thereof,” etc. 1. The breadth of the area from west to east: (1) The separate place (including walls), 100 cubits; (2) the “house” (with free space behind), 100 cubits; (3) the inner court, 100 cubits; (4) the outer court (the two gates with space between them), 200 cubits; total, 500 cubits. 2. The length of the area from north to south: (1) The outer court (the two northern gates with spaces between them), 200 cubits; (2) the “house” (with free space on both sides), 100 cubits; (3) the outer court (the two southern gates with distance between them), 200 cubits; total, 500 cubits. (See Plumptre.)

THE EXACT INTERIOR MEASUREMENTS OF THE TEMPLE ARE GIVEN AND ITS ORNAMENTS DESCRIBED, WHICH WERE LIKE THOSE IN SOLOMON’S TEMPLE (1 Kings 6:29), 16-26.

Verses 15-17. And he measured the length, &c. — Noldius translates this sentence more clearly thus: And he measured the length of the building which was before the separate place, [and] that which was behind it, or opposite to it; by which he understands the north and south porch, the east and west sides having been measured before, verses 12, 14. And the galleries thereof on one side, &c., a hundred cubits, with [or and] the inner temple, and the porches thereof — As the temple, and the area wherein it stood, made a square of a hundred cubits; so the courts and buildings thereto belonging were of the same dimensions. By the galleries are meant the side-chambers, described verses 6, 7. Within the inner temple — Called the inner house, verse 17, Ezekiel 42:15, to distinguish it from the courts and buildings which were about it. The door-posts and the narrow windows, &c. — He measured also the thickness of the walls on each side of the porch, and the thickness of the door-cases at the entrance into the temple; as also the narrow windows belonging to the three stories of chambers, which were placed on the outside of the temple. From the ground up to the windows — He measured from the ground up to the windows which were placed above the side-chambers. And the windows were covered — With lattices or curtains, or both. To that above the door — It seems this verse is connected with the preceding, and signifies that the windows were made in exact proportion, both over the porch, and through every part of the temple and the buildings adjoining to it.

16. The doorposts — R.V., “threshold” and “galleries.” Probably both inner and outer temples and porch were thus wainscoted with wood. It is difficult to tell what is meant by the “closed windows.” It may mean that they were protected by a latticework, or that they also were wainscoted as well as the space from the ground up to them (verse 16). Toy renders, “The nave and the inner room and the porch were paneled, and all three had latticed windows round about.”

Verses 15-17. And he measured the length, &c. — Noldius translates this sentence more clearly thus: And he measured the length of the building which was before the separate place, [and] that which was behind it, or opposite to it; by which he understands the north and south porch, the east and west sides having been measured before, verses 12, 14. And the galleries thereof on one side, &c., a hundred cubits, with [or and] the inner temple, and the porches thereof — As the temple, and the area wherein it stood, made a square of a hundred cubits; so the courts and buildings thereto belonging were of the same dimensions. By the galleries are meant the side-chambers, described verses 6, 7. Within the inner temple — Called the inner house, verse 17, Ezekiel 42:15, to distinguish it from the courts and buildings which were about it. The door-posts and the narrow windows, &c. — He measured also the thickness of the walls on each side of the porch, and the thickness of the door-cases at the entrance into the temple; as also the narrow windows belonging to the three stories of chambers, which were placed on the outside of the temple. From the ground up to the windows — He measured from the ground up to the windows which were placed above the side-chambers. And the windows were covered — With lattices or curtains, or both. To that above the door — It seems this verse is connected with the preceding, and signifies that the windows were made in exact proportion, both over the porch, and through every part of the temple and the buildings adjoining to it.

V. 18. Cherubim-Generally taken for the portrait of angels, or young men with wings: yet is the description of them very different in different places; in Ezekiel’s vision, Ezekiel 1:5-14 10:14, Isaiah’s vision, Isaiah 6:2, John’s vision, Revelation 4:6-8, and in Solomon’s temple, 1 Kings 6:23-26.

Verse 18. A palm tree was between a cherub and a cherub] That is, the palm trees and the cherubs were alternated; and each cherub had two faces, one of a lion, and the other of a man; one of which was turned to the palm tree on the right, the other to the palm tree on the left.

Verses 18-20. And it was made with cherubims and with palm-trees — On the inside of the house the walls were adorned with carved work of cherubim and palm-trees, as Solomon’s temple was, 1 Kings 6:29. The cherubs and palm-trees were placed alternately; and according to the different ways of counting them, you might reckon a palm-tree placed between two cherubs, or a cherubim placed between two palm-trees. So the face of a man was toward a palm-tree, &c. — The cherubim had four faces, or appearances, but only two of these appeared plainly in this carved work; the two other faces, namely, that of an ox and an eagle, being supposed to be hid in the plain or surface of the wall. From the ground unto above the door — Up to the windows, as it is expressed verse 16, or up to the ceiling, as the LXX. explain it.

18-20. The symbolic meaning of the carving upon the wainscoting was doubtless the same as the similar carving in Solomon’s temple. The palm represented life and fruitfulness in Babylon as in Palestine (compare Psalm 92:12), and the double-faced cherub was the guardian of life, having lion-like strength united with human intelligence. The living cherubim previously described had a larger significance than these old and ornamental forms. (Compare “cherubim,” Ezekiel 10:20.)

V. 19. Through all the house-And thus it was through the whole house round about.

Verses 18-20. And it was made with cherubims and with palm-trees — On the inside of the house the walls were adorned with carved work of cherubim and palm-trees, as Solomon’s temple was, 1 Kings 6:29. The cherubs and palm-trees were placed alternately; and according to the different ways of counting them, you might reckon a palm-tree placed between two cherubs, or a cherubim placed between two palm-trees. So the face of a man was toward a palm-tree, &c. — The cherubim had four faces, or appearances, but only two of these appeared plainly in this carved work; the two other faces, namely, that of an ox and an eagle, being supposed to be hid in the plain or surface of the wall. From the ground unto above the door — Up to the windows, as it is expressed verse 16, or up to the ceiling, as the LXX. explain it.

18-20. The symbolic meaning of the carving upon the wainscoting was doubtless the same as the similar carving in Solomon’s temple. The palm represented life and fruitfulness in Babylon as in Palestine (compare Psalm 92:12), and the double-faced cherub was the guardian of life, having lion-like strength united with human intelligence. The living cherubim previously described had a larger significance than these old and ornamental forms. (Compare “cherubim,” Ezekiel 10:20.)

Verse 20. From the ground unto above the door] The temple was thirty cubits high, 1 Kings 6:2, the gate was fourteen cubits, Ezekiel 40:48. The palm trees and the cherubim were the same height as the gate or door. The windows were above the door.

Verses 18-20. And it was made with cherubims and with palm-trees — On the inside of the house the walls were adorned with carved work of cherubim and palm-trees, as Solomon’s temple was, 1 Kings 6:29. The cherubs and palm-trees were placed alternately; and according to the different ways of counting them, you might reckon a palm-tree placed between two cherubs, or a cherubim placed between two palm-trees. So the face of a man was toward a palm-tree, &c. — The cherubim had four faces, or appearances, but only two of these appeared plainly in this carved work; the two other faces, namely, that of an ox and an eagle, being supposed to be hid in the plain or surface of the wall. From the ground unto above the door — Up to the windows, as it is expressed verse 16, or up to the ceiling, as the LXX. explain it.

20, 21. Read, “And as for the wall of the temple, the doorposts were squared; and in front of the sanctuary was the appearance as the appearance of an altar of wood, three cubits high,” etc. (Compare Exodus 30:1, and 1 Kings 7:48.)

V. 21. The face-The door or gate of the temple was square, not arched. As the appearance-As was the form of the gate of the temple in its larger, so was the form of the gate of the oracle in its lesser dimensions.

Verses 21, 22. The posts of the temple were squared, &c. — The lintels, or door-posts, both of the temple and inner sanctuary, were not arched, but square, with a flat beam, or upper lintel, laid upon the top of the side-posts: compare the margin of 1 Kings 6:33. The altar of wood was three cubits high, and the length thereof two cubits — The LXX. add, by way of explication, kai to eurov phcwn duo, and the breadth thereof two cubits; that it might be foursquare, as Moses’s altar of incense was, Exodus 30:2. The altar here described is a cubit higher, and double the breadth to that of Moses, which is supposed to be agreeable to the dimensions of the altar made by Solomon, who did not exactly observe the proportions prescribed to Moses, in making the cherubim and the other furniture of the temple; God having given a new model to David of all the parts and ornaments of the temple, 1 Chronicles 28:12, 19. This altar was made of wood, but overlaid with gold, Exodus 30:3, and therefore is called the golden altar. And the corners thereof, &c., were of wood — The corners are the same with the horns, mentioned Exodus 30:2, being made out of the four posts which supported each corner of the altar. The surface, or top of it, is called the length, and the sides the walls. This is the table that is before the Lord — The words altar and table are used promiscuously; and this table, or altar, is said to be before the Lord, as being in the place of his peculiar presence: compare Exodus 30:8. In the same sense the burnt-offering is said to be made at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord, that is, in the place dedicated to his worship, Exodus 29:42; and the lamp is said to burn before the Lord, chap. 27:21, though the candlestick stood in the outward sanctuary.

20, 21. Read, “And as for the wall of the temple, the doorposts were squared; and in front of the sanctuary was the appearance as the appearance of an altar of wood, three cubits high,” etc. (Compare Exodus 30:1, and 1 Kings 7:48.)

V. 22. The altar-Of incense. The corners-The horns framed out of the four posts at each angle on the top of the altar. The walls-The sides. Before the Lord-In the temple, not in the holy of holies.

Verse 22. The altar of wood] This was the altar of incense, and was covered with plates of gold.

Verses 21, 22. The posts of the temple were squared, &c. — The lintels, or door-posts, both of the temple and inner sanctuary, were not arched, but square, with a flat beam, or upper lintel, laid upon the top of the side-posts: compare the margin of 1 Kings 6:33. The altar of wood was three cubits high, and the length thereof two cubits — The LXX. add, by way of explication, kai to eurov phcwn duo, and the breadth thereof two cubits; that it might be foursquare, as Moses’s altar of incense was, Exodus 30:2. The altar here described is a cubit higher, and double the breadth to that of Moses, which is supposed to be agreeable to the dimensions of the altar made by Solomon, who did not exactly observe the proportions prescribed to Moses, in making the cherubim and the other furniture of the temple; God having given a new model to David of all the parts and ornaments of the temple, 1 Chronicles 28:12, 19. This altar was made of wood, but overlaid with gold, Exodus 30:3, and therefore is called the golden altar. And the corners thereof, &c., were of wood — The corners are the same with the horns, mentioned Exodus 30:2, being made out of the four posts which supported each corner of the altar. The surface, or top of it, is called the length, and the sides the walls. This is the table that is before the Lord — The words altar and table are used promiscuously; and this table, or altar, is said to be before the Lord, as being in the place of his peculiar presence: compare Exodus 30:8. In the same sense the burnt-offering is said to be made at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord, that is, in the place dedicated to his worship, Exodus 29:42; and the lamp is said to burn before the Lord, chap. 27:21, though the candlestick stood in the outward sanctuary.

V. 23. Two doors-Each had one.

Verses 23-25. And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors — Each of them had a double, or folding-door. And the doors had two leaves apiece — The two doors being exceedingly large, that of the outward sanctuary ten cubits broad, and that of the inner six, (see verses 2, 3,) and of a height proportionable; each of them had two leaves, that they might be more easily opened, and each leaf had a wicket in it. And there were made on them, &c., cherubims and palm-trees — Namely, on the doors both of the outward and inward sanctuary. And there were thick planks upon the face of the porch without — There was a wainscot work of boards fastened to the end of the great beams, which came out beyond the wall of the porch. These were laid so as to make a frieze-work over the entrance of the eastern porch.

23-26. The temple and inner sanctuary had folding doors (1 Kings 6:31) carved with cherubs and palms (see verses 18, 20), and “there was a wooden ab (an unknown construction) in front of the porch without, and there were closed windows and palm trees on both side walls of the porch” (verses 25, 26, Toy). The closing words of the verse are very obscure. Professor John P. Peters thinks them to be a marginal note indicating the general contents of the passage.

Verses 23-25. And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors — Each of them had a double, or folding-door. And the doors had two leaves apiece — The two doors being exceedingly large, that of the outward sanctuary ten cubits broad, and that of the inner six, (see verses 2, 3,) and of a height proportionable; each of them had two leaves, that they might be more easily opened, and each leaf had a wicket in it. And there were made on them, &c., cherubims and palm-trees — Namely, on the doors both of the outward and inward sanctuary. And there were thick planks upon the face of the porch without — There was a wainscot work of boards fastened to the end of the great beams, which came out beyond the wall of the porch. These were laid so as to make a frieze-work over the entrance of the eastern porch.

23-26. The temple and inner sanctuary had folding doors (1 Kings 6:31) carved with cherubs and palms (see verses 18, 20), and “there was a wooden ab (an unknown construction) in front of the porch without, and there were closed windows and palm trees on both side walls of the porch” (verses 25, 26, Toy). The closing words of the verse are very obscure. Professor John P. Peters thinks them to be a marginal note indicating the general contents of the passage.

V. 25. Them-The doors of both temple and oracle. The temple-Including the holy of holies also.

Verse 25. There were thick planks] The wood, or planks, were thick and strong; for the cherubim and palm trees were carved in relief, out of their substance, and unless they had been of considerable thickness, this could not have been done.

EZEKIEL

Verses 23-25. And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors — Each of them had a double, or folding-door. And the doors had two leaves apiece — The two doors being exceedingly large, that of the outward sanctuary ten cubits broad, and that of the inner six, (see verses 2, 3,) and of a height proportionable; each of them had two leaves, that they might be more easily opened, and each leaf had a wicket in it. And there were made on them, &c., cherubims and palm-trees — Namely, on the doors both of the outward and inward sanctuary. And there were thick planks upon the face of the porch without — There was a wainscot work of boards fastened to the end of the great beams, which came out beyond the wall of the porch. These were laid so as to make a frieze-work over the entrance of the eastern porch.

23-26. The temple and inner sanctuary had folding doors (1 Kings 6:31) carved with cherubs and palms (see verses 18, 20), and “there was a wooden ab (an unknown construction) in front of the porch without, and there were closed windows and palm trees on both side walls of the porch” (verses 25, 26, Toy). The closing words of the verse are very obscure. Professor John P. Peters thinks them to be a marginal note indicating the general contents of the passage.

23-26. The temple and inner sanctuary had folding doors (1 Kings 6:31) carved with cherubs and palms (see verses 18, 20), and “there was a wooden ab (an unknown construction) in front of the porch without, and there were closed windows and palm trees on both side walls of the porch” (verses 25, 26, Toy). The closing words of the verse are very obscure. Professor John P. Peters thinks them to be a marginal note indicating the general contents of the passage.