Keraia
Ezekiel 41

Ezekiel 41:2

Inside the Temple · Ezekiel 41:1–4
Read Ezekiel 41

Translations

Modern
The width of the entrance was ten cubits, and the sides of the entrance were five cubits on each side. He also measured the length of the outer sanctuary to be forty cubits, and the width to be twenty cubits.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And the width of the entryway was ten cubits; and the side walls of the entrance were five cubits on this side, and five cubits on this side. And he measured its length, forty cubits, and its width, twenty cubits.
Latin
Et latitudo portæ decem cubitorum erat: et latera portæ, quinque cubitis hinc, et quinque cubitis inde: et mensus est longitudinem ejus quadraginta cubitorum, et latitudinem viginti cubitorum.

Original

Hebrew
English
The width of the entrance was ten cubits, and the sides of the entrance were five cubits on each side. He also measured the length of the outer sanctuary to be forty cubits, and the width to be twenty cubits.

Notes

Ezekiel 41:1–2

The temple walls were about 3.2 meters thick (10.5 feet). These thick walls showed strength and protection. At this point, the gates were replaced by a doorway. Only the priests were allowed to enter the inner court around the temple, so a heavy gate was not needed.

The sanctuary was the most important room in the new temple. For this reason, the vision describes it in greater detail than the other rooms. It also gives more exact measurements for this space.

Ezekiel 40:48–41:3

The temple stood at the protected center of the temple complex. It was next to the inner court. This location showed its importance.

The temple also stood at the highest point in the complex. It was ten steps higher than the inner court. The inner court itself was eight steps higher than the outer court. This rising height showed increasing holiness as a person moved inward.

Like Solomon’s temple before it, this temple had three main areas. These were:

  • the entry room,

  • the sanctuary (the main holy room), and

  • the Most Holy Place (the most sacred room).

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).

Events

Measurements

  • ten cubits: About 17.5 ft (5.3 m)
  • five cubits: About 8.75 ft (2.7 m)
  • twenty cubits: About 70 ft x 35 ft (21.3 m x 10.7 m)

Glossary

Book of Revelation Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Judaism Laver New Jerusalem Sadducees Son of Man Temple Theocracy