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Ezekiel 41

1

Afterward he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts, six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the other side, which was the breadth of the tabernacle.

2

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.

3

Then went he inward, and measured the post of the door, two cubits; and the door, six cubits; and the breadth of the door, seven cubits.

4

So he measured the length thereof, twenty cubits; and the breadth, twenty cubits, before the temple: and he said unto me, This is the most holy place.

1
5

After he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of every side chamber, four cubits, round about the house on every side.

6

And the side chambers were three, one over another, and thirty in order; and they entered into the wall which was of the house for the side chambers round about, that they might have hold, but they had not hold in the wall of the house.

7

And there was an enlarging, and a winding about still upward to the side chambers: for the winding about of the house went still upward round about the house: therefore the breadth of the house was still upward, and so increased from the lowest chamber to the highest by the midst.

8

I saw also the height of the house round about: the foundations of the side chambers were a full reed of six great cubits.

9

The thickness of the wall, which was for the side chamber without, was five cubits: and that which was left was the place of the side chambers that were within.

10

And between the chambers was the wideness of twenty cubits round about the house on every side.

11

And the doors of the side chambers were toward the place that was left, one door toward the north, and another door toward the south: and the breadth of the place that was left was five cubits round about.

12

Now the building that was before the separate place at the end toward the west was seventy cubits broad; and the wall of the building was five cubits thick round about, and the length thereof ninety cubits.

13

So he measured the house, an hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with the walls thereof, an hundred cubits long;

14

Also the breadth of the face of the house, and of the separate place toward the east, an hundred cubits.

15

And he measured the length of the building over against the separate place which was behind it, and the galleries thereof on the one side and on the other side, an hundred cubits, with the inner temple, and the porches of the court;

16

The door posts, and the narrow windows, and the galleries round about on their three stories, over against the door, cieled with wood round about, and from the ground up to the windows, and the windows were covered;

17

To that above the door, even unto the inner house, and without, and by all the wall round about within and without, by measure.

18

And it was made with cherubims and palm trees, so that a palm tree was between a cherub and a cherub; and every cherub had two faces;

19

So that the face of a man was toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side: it was made through all the house round about.

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20

From the ground unto above the door were cherubims and palm trees made, and on the wall of the temple.

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21

The posts of the temple were squared, and the face of the sanctuary; the appearance of the one as the appearance of the other.

22

The altar of wood was three cubits high, and the length thereof two cubits; and the corners thereof, and the length thereof, and the walls thereof, were of wood: and he said unto me, This is the table that is before the Lord.

1
23

And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors.

24

And the doors had two leaves apiece, two turning leaves; two leaves for the one door, and two leaves for the other door.

25

And there were made on them, on the doors of the temple, cherubims and palm trees, like as were made upon the walls; and there were thick planks upon the face of the porch without.

26

And there were narrow windows and palm trees on the one side and on the other side, on the sides of the porch, and upon the side chambers of the house, and thick planks.

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Ezekiel 41

Ezekiel is conducted into the inner sanctuary (the holy of holies) and the surrounding structures, receiving detailed measurements of the inner temple, the altar, and the priest's chambers, while noting the glory of the Lord fills the house. The description emphasizes interiority and access; the prophet is conducted progressively deeper into sacred space, experiencing the sanctuary's interior organization. The decoration of the sanctuary—cherubim carved on walls, wooden paneling—emphasizes beauty and holiness; the restored sanctuary will be esthetically as well as theologically significant. The table and lampstand in the sanctuary maintain continuity with the original temple design, establishing that the visionary temple maintains covenant tradition. The priest's chambers adjacent to the sanctuary establish arrangements for ritual personnel and suggest sustained priestly ministry in the restored sanctuary. The emphasis on the Lord's glory filling the house recalls the glory's departure in chapters 10-11; the vision shows the return of divine presence to the sanctuary. The precise measurements continue throughout this chapter, emphasizing ordered, divinely designed sacred space. The architectural detail provides the exilic community with concrete imagery of future restoration; the sanctuary will be rebuilt not randomly but according to precise divine design. This chapter demonstrates the vision's shift from symbolic to technical architectural description; the temple is not merely symbolically important but materially real. The movement through the temple's chambers creates progressive access to holiness, establishing that sacred space maintains gradations of sanctity.

Ezekiel 41:1

He brought me into the nave (the inner sanctuary chamber) and measured the pilasters, which were six cubits wide on each side—transitioning to the measurement of the main sanctuary chamber and establishing the width of its supporting walls. The nave represents the holy place where the altar of incense stood and where priests performed daily liturgical functions. The six-cubit pilasters suggest substantial supporting walls and proportional relationship to the entrance dimensions. This verse begins the measurement of the most sacred interior space.

Ezekiel 41:2

The entrance was ten cubits wide, and the sides of the entrance were five cubits on each side, and he measured the length of the nave, which was forty cubits, and the width was twenty cubits—providing overall dimensions of the main sanctuary chamber. The forty-cubit length and twenty-cubit width establish the nave as a rectangular space with length-to-width proportion of 2:1. The ten-cubit entrance suggests a significant opening providing access to the holy place. These dimensions are double those of Solomon's temple, suggesting a proportionally enlarged restoration. This verse establishes the primary dimensions of the inner sanctuary.

Ezekiel 41:3

Then he went into the inner room and measured the pilasters on the entrance, which were two cubits, and the entrance was six cubits, and the walls on the entrance were seven cubits wide on each side—measuring the entrance to the holy of holies. The progressively narrower entrance (from twenty cubits at the outer sanctuary to ten cubits at the entrance to the inner sanctuary to six cubits at the holy of holies) emphasizes the progression toward increasing holiness. The seven-cubit walls on each side of the holy of holies entrance suggest substantial supporting walls. This verse provides dimensions of the entrance to the most holy space.

Ezekiel 41:4

And he measured the length of the inner room, which was twenty cubits, and the width was twenty cubits, making it a perfect cube—identifying the holy of holies as a perfect cube. The twenty-cubit cube represents perfect proportion and symbolizes the transcendent holiness of God's dwelling place. The cube shape recalls the holy of holies in Solomon's temple and emphasizes divine transcendence and wholeness. The smaller size (compared to the nave) emphasizes restriction and holiness; access is limited and the space is reserved for the most sacred presence. This verse provides the dimensions of the holy of holies and emphasizes its perfect, cubical form.

Ezekiel 41:5

And he measured the wall of the temple, which was six cubits, and the width of the side chambers around the temple was four cubits all around—describing supporting structures around the main temple building. The side chambers suggest the tripartite structure of the temple; supporting chambers flank the main structure. The six-cubit thickness of the temple wall suggests substantial construction. The four-cubit width of side chambers allows space for storage and support functions. This verse describes the architectural framework supporting the main sanctuary.

Ezekiel 41:6

The side chambers were arranged in three stories, one above another, thirty chambers in each story, and the side chambers rested on ledges which were part of the temple walls, so that they were not inserted into the walls of the temple—describing the multi-story arrangement of supporting chambers and their structural support. The three stories suggest vertical development and substantial supporting space. The thirty chambers per story provide capacity for priestly storage and administrative functions. The specification that chambers rest on ledges rather than being inserted into walls preserves the integrity of the main walls. This verse describes the structural arrangement of supporting chambers.

Ezekiel 41:7

The side chambers became wider as they went up, because the structure of the temple had a narrowing ledge all around it, so the width increased as one went up from the lowest to the highest story—explaining the structural arrangement where upper chambers project further than lower ones due to the narrowing profile of the main temple structure. This architecture suggests that the main temple walls taper as they ascend, creating a pyramidal profile. The widening of side chambers compensates for the tapering, ensuring consistent chamber width across stories. This verse explains the dynamic structural relationship between main walls and supporting chambers.

Ezekiel 41:8

I saw that the temple had a raised base all around it, which was the foundation of the side chambers, six cubits wide—identifying the raised base or platform on which the temple structure stands. The six-cubit height of the raised base provides elevation and emphasizes the temple's position as the highest and most sacred structure in the complex. The base serves both as the foundation for side chambers and as a podium elevating the temple above the surrounding courtyard. This verse describes the elevated foundation of the temple.

Ezekiel 41:9

The thickness of the outer wall of the side chambers was five cubits, and the space between the side chambers of the temple and the outer chambers—identifying the wall thickness and indicating gaps between the side chambers and outer structures. The five-cubit wall thickness suggests substantial supporting structure. The gaps between chambers suggest separation of functions and possibly allow for circulation. This verse describes structural spacing within the temple complex.

Ezekiel 41:10

And the width of the space between the temple and the chambers was twenty cubits all around the temple—providing the width of the ambulatory or processional space surrounding the temple on all sides. The twenty-cubit width matches the nave's width and suggests proportional relationship. This processional space allows circulation around the sacred building. This verse establishes the circulation space surrounding the temple.

Ezekiel 41:11

The entrance to the side chambers was from the open space on one side, and the entrance to the side chambers was from the open side—indicating that the side chambers have access through the surrounding open space. This verse suggests practical access arrangements for the support structures.

Ezekiel 41:12

And the building that was to the west of the temple in the corner of the courtyard had a width of seventy cubits, and the wall of the building had a thickness of five cubits all around, and its length was ninety cubits—describing a substantial separate building to the west of the temple. The large dimensions (seventy cubits wide, ninety cubits long) suggest an important structure serving major functions. This may be a building for priestly housing, storage, or other temple functions. This verse introduces a significant auxiliary building.

Ezekiel 41:13

And he measured the temple and found it was a hundred cubits long, and the courtyard and the building with its walls were a hundred cubits long—providing the overall length measurement of the temple complex including the supporting structure. The hundred-cubit dimension matches the courtyard dimensions and suggests unified proportions across the complex. This verse establishes overall spatial relationships.

Ezekiel 41:14

And the width of the temple facing east, including the courtyard, was a hundred cubits—providing the overall width of the eastern side of the complex. This verse establishes the eastern dimension of the complex.

Ezekiel 41:15

And he measured the length of the building to the west of the temple, including the chambers on both sides, and it was a hundred cubits—reiterating the overall length and confirming proportional unity. This verse confirms the dimensional consistency across the complex.

Ezekiel 41:16

The nave and the inner room and the outer vestibule were paneled with wood all around, and all three had windows shuttered with gratings—describing the interior finish and lighting arrangements. The wooden paneling suggests richness and permanence; wood was a precious material in ancient Near Eastern temples. The windows with shuttered gratings provide controlled light and ventilation while maintaining privacy and security. This verse describes the interior finishes and environmental controls.

Ezekiel 41:17

Above the entrance to the inner room and as far as the walls of the interior, paneling was set on the walls all around, inside and outside—indicating that wooden paneling extends throughout the interior. The paneling serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, including temperature regulation and acoustic properties. This verse confirms the comprehensive use of wooden interior finishes.

Ezekiel 41:18

The paneling was decorated with carvings of cherubim and palm trees, with a palm tree between each cherub, and each cherub had two faces—describing the decorative carvings that adorn the wooden paneling. Cherubim represent God's transcendence and guardianship; their presence emphasizes the holy character of the space. Palm trees symbolize life, righteousness, and divine blessing. The alternating pattern (cherub-palm-cherub) creates visual rhythm and theological meaning. The faces on cherubim may suggest the four-faced cherubim of earlier chapters or the human faces of beings encountering the divine. This verse describes the symbolic decoration of the interior.

Ezekiel 41:19

One face was the face of a human being toward the palm tree on one side, and the face of a lion toward the palm tree on the other side, and so it was made for all around the temple—explaining the specific faces (human and lion) on the cherubim alternating with palm trees. The human face represents rationality and covenant relationship; the lion face represents power and divine majesty. The combination emphasizes both God's intimate relationship with humanity and God's transcendent power. The repetition around the entire temple emphasizes comprehensive sanctification through symbolic imagery. This verse explains the specific cherub faces and their theological significance.

Ezekiel 41:20

From the floor up to above the entrance was carved with cherubim and palm trees, and the wall of the nave was decorated—confirming that the decorative program extends from floor to ceiling and throughout the walls. The floor-to-ceiling coverage emphasizes that the entire space is sanctified through symbolic decoration. This verse confirms the comprehensive nature of the decorative program.

Ezekiel 41:21

The doorposts of the nave were squared, and in front of the holy place was an appearance like the likeness of the altar made of wood—describing the doorposts and introducing the wooden altar structure. The squared doorposts emphasize order and proportion. The wooden altar suggests a cultic focus within the sanctuary space. The specification as wooden parallels the wooden construction throughout the interior. This verse describes the entrance to the holy place and interior furnishings.

Ezekiel 41:22

The altar was three cubits high, two cubits long, and two cubits wide, with corners, a base, and sides of wood, and it was the table before the Lord—providing dimensions of the wooden altar. The three-cubit height suggests visibility and prominence. The two-cubit dimensions (2x2) create a square surface, emphasizing symmetry. The specification as the 'table before the Lord' indicates its role as the place where showbread and incense are presented to God. The wooden construction suggests permanence and craftsmanship. This verse describes the altar of incense in the holy place.

Ezekiel 41:23

The nave and the holy place had double doors, and each door had two leaves, folding doors—describing the doors controlling access to the inner sanctuary. The double doors suggest significant barriers and controlled access. The folding construction allows opening and closing as needed for rituals and ceremonies. This verse describes the entrances to the inner sanctuary.

Ezekiel 41:24

And on each door were carved cherubim and palm trees like those carved on the walls, and a wooden canopy was on the front of the vestibule outside—describing the carved doors matching the interior decoration and introducing a canopy structure. The matching decoration (cherubim and palms) unifies the interior design program. The wooden canopy on the front of the vestibule provides an external crown to the entrance. This verse describes the exterior entrance decoration.

Ezekiel 41:25

And there were recessed windows and palm trees on one side and on the other side, on the sides of the vestibule, and the side chambers of the temple, and the canopies—indicating that the decorative program extends to windows and exterior details. The recessed windows suggest controlled light and architectural interest. The continued use of palm tree imagery throughout unifies the aesthetic program. This verse describes the exterior decorative details.

Ezekiel 41:26

And there were latticed windows and palm trees on one side and on the other side, on the sides of the vestibule, and the side chambers of the temple, and the canopies—a reiteration of the latticed window and palm tree decoration on the exterior. The latticed design allows light and air circulation while maintaining privacy. The palm trees continue the life-giving, blessing symbolism throughout the building. This verse confirms the exterior decorative program, completing the description of the temple structure with its interior sanctity and exterior beauty.