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.
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.
20 From the ground unto above the door were cherubims and palm trees made, and on the wall of the temple.
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.
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.
The book of Ezekiel in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a prophetic book written by the prophet Ezekiel, who was a part of the Jewish exile to Babylon in the 6th Century BC. The 41st chapter of this book is an integral part of a larger section (chapters 40-48) that describes Ezekiel's vision of a restored Temple and a holy city in Jerusalem. This chapter specifically provides a detailed description of the inner sanctuary, or the Holy Place and Most Holy Place, within this imagined temple.
The chapter begins with the man, often interpreted as an angel or God himself, leading Ezekiel into the inner sanctuary of the temple. There, Ezekiel is given specific measurements of various elements of the sanctuary, including the entrance, walls, and side rooms. The attention to detail in these measurements underscores the importance of precision and order in God's design. This order not only reflects the perfection of God but also serves as a stark contrast to the chaos and disorder brought about by Israel's disobedience and subsequent exile.
The detailed architectural description of the temple in Ezekiel 41 gives us an insight into the grandeur and sacredness of the envisioned temple. The meticulous details provided by Ezekiel about the dimensions, the structure, and the ornamentation of the temple indicate the importance of the temple as a place of worship. The elaborate carvings of cherubim and palm trees on the walls of the temple, as described in verse 18 to 20, symbolize the divine presence and the fruitfulness of righteous living. These descriptions not only provide a visual image of the temple but also underline the theological significance of the temple as a dwelling place of God among his people.
The design of the temple, as described in this chapter, also emphasizes the holiness of God and the need for the Israelites to approach Him with reverence and awe. The restricted access to the inner sanctuary, which was limited to priests, symbolizes the separation between the holy God and sinful humanity. This separation underscores the necessity of sanctification and purification in approaching God.
The detailed description of the future temple in Ezekiel 41 is not merely an architectural blueprint but is laden with symbolism and future hope for the Israelites. The vision of the temple serves as a promise of restoration and renewal for the Israelites who were in exile. It assures them that God has not abandoned them and that He would restore their lost glory. The temple, thus, symbolizes God's enduring presence among His people and His unchanging covenant with them.
The future temple also symbolizes the ideal worship that God desires from His people. The precision and care in the design and construction of the temple underscore the reverence and obedience that should characterize the worship of God. The vision of the temple serves as a guide for the Israelites on how to re-establish their relationship with God and how to conduct their worship in a manner that pleases Him.
Ezekiel 41 also carries profound theological implications. The vision of the future temple serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His control over history. Despite the current circumstances of exile and despair, God assures His people of a future restoration. This assurance underscores the faithfulness of God and His ability to fulfill His promises.
Furthermore, the vision of the temple also underscores the holiness of God. The intricate design, the restricted access, and the precise measurements all serve to highlight the sacredness of God's dwelling place and the reverence with which He should be approached. The temple, therefore, serves as a physical representation of the divine-human relationship, characterized by God's holiness and humanity's need for sanctification.
The teachings and revelations in Ezekiel 41 have significant applications to modern life. The vision of the temple serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to restore and renew in times of despair and hopelessness. It encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and His control over their lives and history.
Furthermore, the emphasis on the precision and order in the design of the temple serves as an encouraging reminder of the importance of order and precision in our lives. Just as every measurement and detail in the temple had a purpose, every event and detail in our lives has a purpose in God's plan. This encourages believers to seek God's purpose in their lives and to live according to His plan.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 41, though filled with architectural details and measurements, carries profound spiritual and theological implications. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness, His sovereignty, and His holiness. It also encourages believers to approach God with reverence and awe and to live according to His design and purpose.
Share this page