Ezekiel 42

King James Version

Full text for Ezekiel Chapter 42

1¶ 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.

2Before the length of an hundred cubits [was] the north door, and the breadth [was] fifty cubits.

3Over 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].

4And before the chambers [was] a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors toward the north.

5Now the upper chambers [were] shorter: for the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and than the middlemost of the building.

6For 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.

7And 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.

8For the length of the chambers that [were] in the utter court [was] fifty cubits: and, lo, before the temple [were] an hundred cubits.

9And from under these chambers [was] the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the utter court.

10The chambers [were] in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, over against the separate place, and over against the building.

11And 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.

12And 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.

13Then 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.

14When 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.

15¶ 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.

16He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.

17He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.

18He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.

19He turned about to the west side, [and] measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.

20He 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Ezekiel is shown the chambers on the north and south sides of the temple, detailing their structure and dimensions. These are identified as holy chambers where priests are to eat sacred offerings and change their holy garments before entering the outer court. Finally, the entire temple complex is measured, revealing a square enclosure of five hundred reeds on each side, designed to separate the holy sanctuary from the profane.

Medium Summary

The vision in Ezekiel 42 continues with a detailed description of the chambers situated on the north side of the temple, opposite the separate place. These chambers are presented in three stories with galleries, and their dimensions and access points are meticulously outlined. Similar chambers are also noted on the south side. The divine guide then reveals the sacred purpose of these chambers: they are designated as "holy chambers" for the priests to consume the most holy offerings, such as the meat, sin, and trespass offerings. Furthermore, a strict protocol is established, requiring priests to remove their holy ministering garments within these chambers and don other attire before proceeding to the outer court, underscoring the sanctity of the priestly vestments and the holy space. The chapter concludes with the measurement of the entire outer perimeter of the temple complex. It is found to be a perfect square, five hundred reeds on each of its four sides, with a surrounding wall explicitly intended to delineate the sacred sanctuary from the common, or profane, area.

Long Summary

Ezekiel 42 commences with the prophet being led to the utter court, specifically to chambers situated toward the north, adjacent to the separate place and before the main building. These chambers are described with precise dimensions, noting a length of one hundred cubits and a breadth of fifty cubits for the north door area. The structure includes galleries arranged in three stories, positioned over against the inner and utter courts. A walk of ten cubits breadth is detailed before the chambers, with their doors facing north. It is noted that the upper chambers are shorter due to the height of the galleries, and the building lacks pillars like those of the courts, leading to a more straitened structure in the upper levels. The outer wall opposite these chambers is fifty cubits long. Entry to these chambers from the utter court is specified on the east side, with their appearance and exits mirroring those on the north. The text then indicates similar chambers toward the south. The divine instruction clarifies that both the north and south chambers are "holy chambers." Their primary function is for the priests who approach the LORD to eat the "most holy things," including the meat, sin, and trespass offerings, as the place itself is holy. A critical regulation is given: priests, upon entering these holy chambers, must not exit directly into the utter court while wearing their ministering garments. Instead, they are to lay aside their holy vestments within these chambers and put on other garments before engaging with the people, emphasizing the distinction between sacred and common attire and spaces. The chapter concludes with the measurement of the entire outer precinct of the temple. The guide measures all four sides—east, north, south, and west—each found to be five hundred reeds in length. This comprehensive measurement establishes a square enclosure, with the surrounding wall serving the explicit purpose of creating a clear "separation between the sanctuary and the profane place," thereby defining the sacred boundaries of the entire temple complex.

Core Concepts

  • Priestly ChambersThe chapter details specific chambers on the north and south sides of the temple complex, outlining their dimensions and multi-story structure. These rooms are designated as "holy chambers" for the priests.
  • Consumption of Holy OfferingsWithin these holy chambers, priests are commanded to eat the "most holy things," including the meat, sin, and trespass offerings. This practice reinforces the sanctity of the offerings and the designated space.
  • Priestly Garment ProtocolPriests are instructed to change their holy ministering garments within these chambers before going out to the utter court. This ritual ensures that their sacred attire does not come into contact with the common areas, maintaining its holiness.
  • Separation of Holy and ProfaneThe entire temple complex is measured, revealing a surrounding wall five hundred reeds square. This wall's explicit purpose is "to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place," establishing clear boundaries for sacred space.
  • Architectural DetailThe chapter provides intricate architectural details of the chambers, including their length, breadth, three-story galleries, and the specific arrangement of walks and doors. This highlights the precise design of the visionary temple.
  • Dimensions of the Outer PrecinctThe final section meticulously records the measurement of the outer wall, confirming a square enclosure of five hundred reeds on each of its four sides. This establishes the grand scale and defined perimeter of the future temple.