Ezekiel 42: Chambers for the Priests and Measuring the Temple
Then he brought me forth into the utter court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into the chamber that was over against the separate place, and which was before the building toward the north.
Before the length of an hundred cubits was the north door, and the breadth was fifty cubits.
Over against the twenty cubits which were for the inner court, and over against the pavement which was for the utter court, was gallery against gallery in three stories.
And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors toward the north.
Now the upper chambers were shorter: for the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and than the middlemost of the building.
For they were in three stories, but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore the building was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground.
And the wall that was without over against the chambers, toward the utter court on the forepart of the chambers, the length thereof was fifty cubits.
For the length of the chambers that were in the utter court was fifty cubits: and, lo, before the temple were an hundred cubits.
And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the utter court.
The chambers were in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, over against the separate place, and over against the building.
And the way before them was like the appearance of the chambers which were toward the north, as long as they, and as broad as they: and all their goings out were both according to their fashions, and according to their doors.
And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door in the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them.
Then said he unto me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they be holy chambers, where the priests that approach unto the Lord shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place is holy.
When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the utter court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to those things which are for the people.
Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect is toward the east, and measured it round about.
He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.
He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.
He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.
He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.
He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.
Ezekiel 42 delves into the detailed layout and purpose of the chambers surrounding the millennial temple, emphasizing the importance of holiness and separation in God's presence. This chapter is crucial for understanding the practical aspects of temple worship and the distinct roles designated within its sacred space. It also highlights the ultimate fulfillment of access to God through Jesus Christ.
The Chambers Around the Temple (Ezekiel 42:1-12)
Ezekiel's guide, likely an angel, led him to the outer court of the temple, where he observed a group of chambers or rooms (Ezekiel 42:1). These chambers were connected to the inner court and accessible from the outer court. The structure was built in three tiers, or stories, each level being narrower than the one below (Ezekiel 42:3-5). The first row of rooms, closest to the outer court, measured approximately 87 1/2 feet in length, while those facing the great hall or sanctuary extended to 175 feet (Ezekiel 42:7-8). A matching set of rooms was located on the south side of the temple complex (Ezekiel 42:10-12). The detailed description emphasizes the organized and symmetrical nature of the temple layout.
The Purpose of the Chambers (Ezekiel 42:13-14)
As Ezekiel meticulously recorded the dimensions of these northern and southern chambers, the angel revealed their intended use. These chambers were designated as holy spaces where the priests, those permitted to approach the LORD, would consume the most holy offerings brought as sacrifices by the people (Ezekiel 42:13). This echoes the Mosaic Law, which provided for the priests' sustenance through a portion of the Israelites' offerings, a practice that will be reinstated in the millennial temple.
Furthermore, these rooms served as changing areas for the priests. Before leaving the sacred temple precinct, they would remove their holy garments and change into ordinary attire (Ezekiel 42:14). This protocol served to keep the special garments within the temple's boundaries, further emphasizing the distinction between the holy and the common. This separation was crucial in maintaining the sanctity of the temple and its worship.
Measuring the Temple Complex (Ezekiel 42:15-20)
After completing the tour of the temple complex, the angel escorted Ezekiel outside to measure the temple's external dimensions. The temple formed a perfect square, with each side measuring 875 feet in length (Ezekiel 42:15-19). The wall surrounding the temple shared these same dimensions. Ezekiel clarified that the purpose of this wall was to separate the holy from the common (Ezekiel 42:20). This physical boundary served as a constant reminder of the sacred nature of the temple and its separation from the everyday world.
The Holiness of God: The Central Theme
Ezekiel's vision of the temple, and indeed his entire prophecy, centers on preserving the holiness of God. The temple's design, with its carefully controlled access points and passages leading to the holy areas, reinforces this message. This culminates in the veil that once concealed the Most Holy Place in Solomon's temple and the doors that will guard it in the millennial temple.
However, the temple also provides access to God, either directly in the outer areas or through His appointed representatives. This access finds its ultimate fulfillment in the sacrifice and ministry of Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest. He ministers today in the heavenly sanctuary and will continue to do so eternally as our everlasting High Priest. Ezekiel 42 underscores not only the need for reverence and separation in approaching God but also the provision He has made for us to draw near through Christ.
Then he brought me forth into the utter court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into the chamber that was over against the separate place, and which was before the building toward the north.
Before the length of an hundred cubits was the north door, and the breadth was fifty cubits.
Over against the twenty cubits which were for the inner court, and over against the pavement which was for the utter court, was gallery against gallery in three stories.
And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors toward the north.
Now the upper chambers were shorter: for the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and than the middlemost of the building.
For they were in three stories, but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore the building was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground.
And the wall that was without over against the chambers, toward the utter court on the forepart of the chambers, the length thereof was fifty cubits.
For the length of the chambers that were in the utter court was fifty cubits: and, lo, before the temple were an hundred cubits.
And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the utter court.
The chambers were in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, over against the separate place, and over against the building.
And the way before them was like the appearance of the chambers which were toward the north, as long as they, and as broad as they: and all their goings out were both according to their fashions, and according to their doors.
And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door in the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them.
Then said he unto me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they be holy chambers, where the priests that approach unto the Lord shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place is holy.
When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the utter court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to those things which are for the people.
Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect is toward the east, and measured it round about.
He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.
He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.
He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.
He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.
He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.
Ezekiel 42 delves into the detailed layout and purpose of the chambers surrounding the millennial temple, emphasizing the importance of holiness and separation in God's presence. This chapter is crucial for understanding the practical aspects of temple worship and the distinct roles designated within its sacred space. It also highlights the ultimate fulfillment of access to God through Jesus Christ.
The Chambers Around the Temple (Ezekiel 42:1-12)
Ezekiel's guide, likely an angel, led him to the outer court of the temple, where he observed a group of chambers or rooms (Ezekiel 42:1). These chambers were connected to the inner court and accessible from the outer court. The structure was built in three tiers, or stories, each level being narrower than the one below (Ezekiel 42:3-5). The first row of rooms, closest to the outer court, measured approximately 87 1/2 feet in length, while those facing the great hall or sanctuary extended to 175 feet (Ezekiel 42:7-8). A matching set of rooms was located on the south side of the temple complex (Ezekiel 42:10-12). The detailed description emphasizes the organized and symmetrical nature of the temple layout.
The Purpose of the Chambers (Ezekiel 42:13-14)
As Ezekiel meticulously recorded the dimensions of these northern and southern chambers, the angel revealed their intended use. These chambers were designated as holy spaces where the priests, those permitted to approach the LORD, would consume the most holy offerings brought as sacrifices by the people (Ezekiel 42:13). This echoes the Mosaic Law, which provided for the priests' sustenance through a portion of the Israelites' offerings, a practice that will be reinstated in the millennial temple.
Furthermore, these rooms served as changing areas for the priests. Before leaving the sacred temple precinct, they would remove their holy garments and change into ordinary attire (Ezekiel 42:14). This protocol served to keep the special garments within the temple's boundaries, further emphasizing the distinction between the holy and the common. This separation was crucial in maintaining the sanctity of the temple and its worship.
Measuring the Temple Complex (Ezekiel 42:15-20)
After completing the tour of the temple complex, the angel escorted Ezekiel outside to measure the temple's external dimensions. The temple formed a perfect square, with each side measuring 875 feet in length (Ezekiel 42:15-19). The wall surrounding the temple shared these same dimensions. Ezekiel clarified that the purpose of this wall was to separate the holy from the common (Ezekiel 42:20). This physical boundary served as a constant reminder of the sacred nature of the temple and its separation from the everyday world.
The Holiness of God: The Central Theme
Ezekiel's vision of the temple, and indeed his entire prophecy, centers on preserving the holiness of God. The temple's design, with its carefully controlled access points and passages leading to the holy areas, reinforces this message. This culminates in the veil that once concealed the Most Holy Place in Solomon's temple and the doors that will guard it in the millennial temple.
However, the temple also provides access to God, either directly in the outer areas or through His appointed representatives. This access finds its ultimate fulfillment in the sacrifice and ministry of Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest. He ministers today in the heavenly sanctuary and will continue to do so eternally as our everlasting High Priest. Ezekiel 42 underscores not only the need for reverence and separation in approaching God but also the provision He has made for us to draw near through Christ.