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.
2 Before the length of an hundred cubits was the north door, and the breadth was fifty cubits.
3 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.
4 And before the chambers was a walk to ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors toward the north.
5 Now the upper chambers were shorter: for the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and than the middlemost of the building.
6 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.
7 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.
8 For the length of the chambers that were in the utter court was fifty cubits: and, lo, before the temple were an hundred cubits.
9 And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the utter court.
10 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.
11 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.
12 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.
13 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.
14 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.
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.
16 He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.
17 He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.
18 He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.
19 He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.
20 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.
The 42nd chapter of the book of Ezekiel in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible continues the prophet Ezekiel's vision of a new temple in Jerusalem, which began in chapter 40. This chapter specifically deals with the description of the priestly chambers in the outer court of the temple. Ezekiel's vision is highly symbolic, and the chapter is rich in details that serve to underscore the holiness and sanctity of the temple and its rituals.
The chapter begins with the man, often interpreted as a divine figure, leading Ezekiel to the outer court where there were chambers facing north. These chambers were for the priests who were in charge of the temple and the altar. The southern chambers were for the priests in charge of the people. The chambers were long and had entrances from the north and south.
The priestly chambers are of crucial importance in the temple's design. The priests play a vital role in the temple's functioning, acting as intermediaries between God and His people. These chambers, therefore, are not just rooms; they are sacred spaces where the priests prepare themselves for their holy duties. They are places of sanctification and separation from the secular world.
The design and layout of these chambers are described in great detail in this chapter, reflecting their importance. The chambers are situated close to the Holy of Holies, the most sacred part of the temple, signifying the proximity of the priests to God. Yet, they are also separate, underlining the need for purity and sanctification before entering God's presence.
Ezekiel's vision is filled with symbolic and metaphorical language. The temple's design, the measurements, the materials used - all carry symbolic meaning. The repeated emphasis on measurements, for instance, suggests precision and order, qualities associated with God's nature. The chambers' location and design underscore the holiness required of the priests and the sacredness of their duties.
The detailed description of the temple and its chambers also serves as a visual representation of God's dwelling place among His people. It is a tangible symbol of God's presence and His desire for a relationship with His people.
The priests in Ezekiel's vision are given a significant role. They are the ones who perform the sacrifices, maintain the temple's purity, and teach the people God's laws. The chambers are their sacred spaces, where they prepare for their duties and keep their holy garments. The priests' role underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and the need for those who lead to be holy and pure.
The priests' duties also highlight the need for atonement and reconciliation with God. The sacrifices they perform are not just rituals; they are symbolic acts of repentance and atonement for the people's sins. The priests, therefore, are not just religious functionaries; they are mediators between God and His people.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 42 is a detailed description of the priestly chambers in the new temple envisioned by Ezekiel. The chapter is rich in symbolism and imagery, underscoring the holiness and sanctity of the temple and its rituals. The priestly chambers, their design, and their purpose highlight the crucial role of the priests as mediators between God and His people, emphasizing the need for purity, sanctification, and atonement.
The chapter serves as a reminder of God's presence among His people and His desire for a relationship with them. It also underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and the need for those who lead to be pure and holy. Ultimately, Ezekiel 42 is a vivid picture of God's dwelling place among His people, a place of sanctity, holiness, and divine presence.
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