Ezekiel Chapter 42
Ezekiel 42
Chambers for the Priests
Ezekiel 42 continues the measurement of the future temple complex by focusing on the priestly chambers and the outer dimensions of the sanctuary area. After Ezekiel has been shown the temple building itself, the radiant guide brings him back out to the outer court and shows him rooms connected with priestly service, holy offerings, priestly garments, and separation between the holy and the common. The chapter ends by measuring the entire temple area on all four sides, showing a vast square sanctuary district surrounded by a wall. From a literal, dispensational, premillennial viewpoint, this continues the description of the future millennial temple. The details are not random. The LORD’s future house is ordered, measured, holy, and separated for His presence and worship.
A. Rooms for the priests.
1. Ezekiel 42:1-9, Upper and lower chambers.
Ezekiel 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.
Ezekiel 42:2, Before the length of an hundred cubits was the north door, and the breadth was fifty cubits.
Ezekiel 42:3, 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.
Ezekiel 42:4, And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors toward the north.
Ezekiel 42:5, Now the upper chambers were shorter: for the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and than the middlemost of the building.
Ezekiel 42:6, 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.
Ezekiel 42:7, 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.
Ezekiel 42:8, For the length of the chambers that were in the utter court was fifty cubits: and, lo, before the temple were an hundred cubits.
Ezekiel 42:9, And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the utter court.
Then he brought me forth into the utter court means Ezekiel’s guide now brings him back from the temple building area toward the outer court. The vision continues to move in an orderly way. Ezekiel is not wandering randomly through the temple; he is being guided through measured spaces.
The way toward the north identifies the direction. The northern side of the temple complex now comes into focus.
He brought me into the chamber that was over against the separate place means Ezekiel is shown chambers near the separate place associated with the temple building. These rooms have a defined relationship to the sanctuary and its holy spaces.
Which was before the building toward the north locates the chambers on the north side, opposite the building described in the previous chapter.
Before the length of an hundred cubits was the north door, and the breadth was fifty cubits gives the dimensions of this chamber area. The rooms are substantial and measured.
Over against the twenty cubits which were for the inner court shows the chambers in relation to the inner court space. The measurements connect the chambers with the larger sanctuary design.
Over against the pavement which was for the utter court shows another spatial relationship. The chambers are placed between significant zones of the temple complex.
Was gallery against gallery in three stories means the chambers had galleries or walkways arranged in three levels. This again demonstrates a real architectural structure. Ezekiel is seeing stories, galleries, doors, walls, walks, and measured spaces.
Before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits breadth inward means there was a walkway before the chambers. The temple complex includes movement space, access, and order.
A way of one cubit; and their doors toward the north gives more detail concerning access and orientation.
Now the upper chambers were shorter means the upper level had less space than the lower and middle levels.
For the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and than the middlemost of the building explains why the upper chambers were shorter. The galleries took up space as the structure ascended.
For they were in three stories, but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts means these chambers were not supported in the same way as the court structures. The design affected the shape and space of the upper story.
Therefore the building was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground means the upper story was narrowed more than the lower levels.
The wall that was without over against the chambers, toward the utter court describes an outer wall in front of the chambers.
The length thereof was fifty cubits gives the length of that wall.
The length of the chambers that were in the utter court was fifty cubits clarifies the chamber length toward the outer court.
Before the temple were an hundred cubits gives the larger length facing the temple.
From under these chambers was the entry on the east side means the entrance to these lower chambers was from the east.
As one goeth into them from the utter court shows that access was from the outer court. The priests had specific routes and places for entering these chambers.
The detail of this section reinforces the larger point of Ezekiel 40–48. The future temple is not a vague spiritual idea. It has measured courts, chambers, galleries, walls, doors, levels, and access points. The LORD’s future sanctuary is orderly because His worship is holy and ordered.
2. Ezekiel 42:10-12, Access to the chambers.
Ezekiel 42:10, 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.
Ezekiel 42:11, 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.
Ezekiel 42:12, 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.
The chambers were in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east means some chambers were built into or associated with the thick wall structure. The walls of Ezekiel’s temple complex are substantial enough to contain functional rooms.
Over against the separate place, and over against the building locates these chambers in relation to the separate place and the temple building. Everything has its appointed place.
The way before them was like the appearance of the chambers which were toward the north means the southern or corresponding chambers mirrored the northern chambers in layout and access.
As long as they, and as broad as they shows matching dimensions. Again, symmetry marks the temple.
All their goings out were both according to their fashions, and according to their doors means their exits, entrances, and doorways were all according to plan. The sanctuary is not haphazard.
According to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door in the head of the way gives a further description of access into these chamber areas.
Even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them means entry was arranged in an orderly and direct fashion.
The statement that the exits and entrances were according to their pattern is important. God’s house has design. God is not the author of confusion, and His worship is not careless.
1 Corinthians 14:33, For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
1 Corinthians 14:40, Let all things be done decently and in order.
Though Paul is speaking of church order, the principle agrees with Ezekiel’s temple vision. The LORD’s worship is ordered, holy, and governed by His design.
3. Ezekiel 42:13-14, Holy chambers to the north and south.
Ezekiel 42:13, 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.
Ezekiel 42:14, 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.
The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they be holy chambers identifies the purpose of these rooms. They are not ordinary storage rooms. They are holy chambers connected with priestly service, holy offerings, and holy garments.
Where the priests that approach unto the LORD shall eat the most holy things means these chambers are places where priests eat portions of the offerings assigned to them. This eating was not casual. It was part of holy service and fellowship connected with sacrifice.
Under the law, priests ate portions of certain holy offerings.
Leviticus 6:16, And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it.
Leviticus 6:17, It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it unto them for their portion of my offerings made by fire; it is most holy, as is the sin offering, and as the trespass offering.
Leviticus 6:18, All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the LORD made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy.
The priests also ate of certain sin offerings in a holy place.
Leviticus 6:25, Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the LORD: it is most holy.
Leviticus 6:26, The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.
There shall they lay the most holy things means the chambers also served as places to store or place the offerings connected with priestly service.
The meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering names specific offerings. In KJV language, the meat offering refers to the grain offering. These offerings, in a future millennial temple setting, must be understood in light of Christ’s finished work. They do not take away sin. They serve a ceremonial, memorial, and instructional function, pointing back to the perfect sacrifice of Messiah.
Hebrews makes clear that animal sacrifices never truly removed sin.
Hebrews 10:4, For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Christ’s sacrifice alone is final and sufficient.
Hebrews 10:10, By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:12, But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Hebrews 10:14, For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
For the place is holy gives the reason for the regulations. These chambers are holy because they are connected with the LORD’s worship and priestly service.
When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the utter court means priests are not to move directly from holy service into the common area without changing garments. There is a separation between priestly service before the LORD and ordinary interaction with the people.
There they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy means the priestly garments used in holy service must remain in the holy chambers. The garments themselves are set apart for ministry.
The law also treated priestly garments as holy.
Exodus 28:2, And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
Exodus 28:3, And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that-they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Exodus 28:4, And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe,-and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy-brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Shall put on other garments, and shall approach to those things which are for the people means the priests must change garments before going out to the people. Holy service is not to be mixed carelessly with common activity.
This principle is developed later in Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 44:19, And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they-shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put-on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.
The point is separation. The LORD’s holiness must be honored. Access to God is gracious, but it is never casual.
B. Outer dimensions of the new temple.
1. Ezekiel 42:15-19, The measure on each side.
Ezekiel 42:15, 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.
Ezekiel 42:16, He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.
Ezekiel 42:17, He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.
Ezekiel 42:18, He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.
Ezekiel 42:19, He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.
When he had made an end of measuring the inner house means the guide has completed the measurement of the temple building and associated chambers. The tour now widens to the larger sanctuary area.
He brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect is toward the east means Ezekiel is brought out toward the east gate, the direction by which the glory of the LORD will later return.
Ezekiel 43:1, Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:
Ezekiel 43:2, And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
Measured it round about means the entire sanctuary district is now measured.
He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds gives the eastern measurement.
He measured the north side, five hundred reeds gives the northern measurement.
He measured the south side, five hundred reeds gives the southern measurement.
He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds gives the western measurement.
The repeated measurement of five hundred reeds on each side shows a vast square sanctuary area. This is far larger than the old temple mount. The size points to the transformed conditions of the kingdom age and the enlarged sanctuary district of restored Israel.
Zechariah speaks of dramatic geographical changes connected with the LORD’s future reign.
Zechariah 14:4, And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on-the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the-west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north,-and half of it toward the south.
Zechariah 14:9, And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD,-and his name one.
Zechariah 14:10, All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it-shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate,-unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king’s winepresses.
The large measurements in Ezekiel fit a future transformed Jerusalem and land, not the old topography as it stood in Ezekiel’s day or the present temple mount.
2. Ezekiel 42:20, The purpose of the wall.
Ezekiel 42:20, 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.
He measured it by the four sides summarizes the complete measurement of the sanctuary area. Nothing is left vague. The temple area is measured on every side.
It had a wall round about means the entire area is enclosed. The wall marks the boundary of sacred space.
Five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad describes the sanctuary district as a large square. The KJV supplies “reeds” from the preceding verses, and that fits the context of the measuring reed.
To make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place gives the purpose of the wall. The wall is not mainly for military defense. It is for holiness. It separates the holy sanctuary from the common place.
This is one of the major themes of Ezekiel’s temple vision. God is holy, and His sanctuary must be treated as holy. Israel’s earlier temple was defiled by idolatry and abomination. The future temple will be ordered to preserve holiness.
Ezekiel had seen the former temple profaned.
Ezekiel 8:5, Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So-I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar-this image of jealousy in the entry.
Ezekiel 8:6, He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that-the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again,-and thou shalt see greater abominations.
The glory departed from that defiled temple.
Ezekiel 10:18, Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
But the future temple will be separated, measured, ordered, and holy. This separation between the sanctuary and the common anticipates the return of the glory in Ezekiel 43.
Ezekiel 43:4, And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.
Ezekiel 43:5, So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.
Ezekiel 42 teaches that priestly service in the future temple will be ordered around holiness. The priests will have holy chambers where they eat the most holy offerings, store the offerings, and leave their holy garments before going out to the people. The temple complex itself will be measured on all four sides, forming a vast square sanctuary area surrounded by a wall. That wall exists to separate the sanctuary from the profane place. The chapter continues the literal, measured, ordered character of Ezekiel’s temple vision. God’s future house will not be polluted like the former temple. It will be structured around His holiness, priestly service, proper worship, and the separation necessary for the return and abiding presence of the glory of the LORD.
