How does Ezekiel 42:2 describe the dimensions of the temple's outer court? Setting the Scene Ezekiel has been led by God’s messenger through a visionary tour of a future temple. Chapter 42 focuses on the priestly chambers that flank the temple’s outer court. Verse 2 pauses to give the exact footprint of the structure that borders this court on the north. The Exact Measurements “ ‘The building whose door faced north was a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide.’ ” (Ezekiel 42:2) • Length: 100 cubits • Width: 50 cubits • Using an 18-inch cubit, that equals roughly 150 feet by 75 feet (about 46 meters by 23 meters). • The doorway orientation—facing north—locates it along the northern side of the outer court (compare Ezekiel 40:20–23). Why These Numbers Matter • Precision underscores God’s orderly design (1 Corinthians 14:33). • The 2:1 ratio (100 × 50) mirrors other temple elements, reflecting symmetry and balance (1 Kings 6:2–3). • Literal measurements promise a physical reality, anchoring prophetic hope in concrete terms (Ezekiel 40:4; Hebrews 9:23). Connecting to Other Measurements • Ezekiel 40:17–19 records 100-cubit stretches between gateways in the outer court, matching the length given here. • Revelation 11:1–2 echoes the call to “measure the temple,” linking Ezekiel’s blueprint to end-time expectation. • The priestly chambers in 42:13–14 fit within this 100 × 50-cubit footprint, ensuring sacred activities remain set apart (Leviticus 21:6–8). Summary Takeaway Ezekiel 42:2 describes the northern building of the outer court as 100 cubits long and 50 cubits wide—about 150 by 75 feet—demonstrating God’s precise, purposeful architecture and assuring His people of a tangible future temple. |
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