Ezekiel 40:13

Translations

Modern

Then he measured the gateway from the roof of one gate chamber to the roof of the opposite one; the distance was twenty-five cubits from doorway to doorway.

Traditional

He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door.

Literal

And he measured the gateway from the roof of the one chamber to the roof of the, and the width was twenty-five cubits, door over against door.

Latin

Et mensus est portam a tecto thalami usque ad tectum ejus, latitudinem viginti quinque cubitorum, ostium contra ostium.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then he measured the gateway from the roof of one gate chamber to the roof of the opposite one; the distance was twenty-five cubits from doorway to doorway.

Notes

Ezekiel 40:5–16

The exact architectural details of the temple are difficult to translate. Some of the building terms are hard to understand in every language. However, the overall impression of these gates is clear.

The gates looked like fortresses (strong buildings used for defense). They were built to keep out people who did not have permission to enter. These gates protected the holy space of the temple.

The eastern gateway is described first because it was the most important. It stood on the sacred east–west line (a straight line from east to west) on which the whole temple was built. This gateway is also important because the glory of the Lord (God’s visible and powerful presence) would return through it (Ezekiel 43:1–5).

Ezekiel 40:1–46:24

The prophet’s tour of the new temple began outside the building. He then moved step by step toward its center.

After reaching the inside, he walked outward again. The tour ended at the kitchens located in the corners of the outer courtyard (Ezekiel 46:19–24).

Theme notes and profiles

Israel’s Geography as Theology Temple Design as a Picture of God's Truth Temple Legislation as Theology The Church as God’s Temple The New Community