9 And from under these chambers H3957 was the entry H3996 H935 on the east side, H6921 as one goeth H935 into them H2007 from the utter H2435 court. H2691
After he brought H935 me through the entry, H3996 which was at the side H3802 of the gate, H8179 into the holy H6944 chambers H3957 of the priests, H3548 which looked H6437 toward the north: H6828 and, behold, there was a place H4725 on the two sides H3411 westward. H3220
And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto me, Son H1121 of man, H120 mark H7760 well, H3820 and behold H7200 with thine eyes, H5869 and hear H8085 with thine ears H241 all that I say H1696 unto thee concerning all the ordinances H2708 of the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 and all the laws H8451 thereof; and mark H7760 well H3820 the entering in H3996 of the house, H1004 with every going forth H4161 of the sanctuary. H4720
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Ezekiel 42
Commentary on Ezekiel 42 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 42
Eze 42:1-20. Chambers of the Priests: Measurements of the Temple.
2. Before the length of an hundred cubits—that is, before "the separate place," which was that length (Eze 41:13). He had before spoken of chambers for the officiating priests on the north and south gates of the inner court (Eze 40:44-46). He now returns to take a more exact view of them.
5. shorter—that is, the building became narrower as it rose in height. The chambers were many: so "in My Father's house are many mansions" (Joh 14:2); and besides these there was much "room" still left (compare Lu 14:22). The chambers, though private, were near the temple. Prayer in our chambers is to prepare us for public devotions, and to help us in improving them.
16. five hundred reeds—the Septuagint substitutes "cubits" for "reeds," to escape the immense compass assigned to the whole, namely, a square of five hundred rods or three thousand cubits (two feet each; Eze 40:5), in all a square of one and one-seventh miles, that is, more than all ancient Jerusalem; also, there is much space thus left unappropriated. Fairbairn rightly supports English Version, which agrees with the Hebrew. The vast extent is another feature marking the ideal character of the temple. It symbolizes the great enlargement of the kingdom of God, when Jehovah-Messiah shall reign at Jerusalem, and from thence to the ends of the earth (Isa 2:2-4; Jer 3:17; Ro 11:12, 15).
20. wall … separation between … sanctuary and … profane—No longer shall the wall of partition be to separate the Jew and the Gentile (Eph 2:14), but to separate the sacred from the profane. The lowness of it renders it unfit for the purpose of defense (the object of the wall, Re 21:12). But its square form (as in the city, Re 21:16) is the emblem of the kingdom that cannot be shaken (Heb 12:28), resting on prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone.