Eze 42:7 | KingComments | STEP | The prophet has already received much detailed information, and we with him, but there is more to come. In this chapter, Ezekiel receives information about the priestly chambers of the temple ( ), the purpose of these chambers ( ), and the measurements of the area surrounding the temple complex ( ). Again, of this section, the translation is not universally certain. This has been noted before (see the introduction to the explanation of Ezekiel 40-48), but it is good to point it out again here. This requires caution in interpretation and application. It also requires extra vigilance on the part of the reader. He will do well to imitate the believers in Berea, who received “with great eagerness” what they heard from Paul, “examining the Scriptures daily [to see] whether these things were so” ( ). The Man brings Ezekiel out of the porch again outside the temple into the outer court, into the north side of it ( ). With his back turned to the north side of the temple house, Ezekiel looks north and sees a building with chambers. The length of the building is a hundred cubits and the width fifty cubits ( ). The building is on the other side of the pavement of the inner court twenty cubits north of the temple. It has three stories or galleries ( ). Before the chambers runs a wide corridor or space ten cubits wide ( ). This probably divides the building into two parts. The entrances to the building face north. The stories of the building are shorter or narrower toward the top ( ). The first or middle story is narrower than the ground story and the second or top story is again narrower than the middle story. This is because of the stability of the building, for it does not rest on pillars ( ). The idea is probably that each story is the foundation of the next story. The design of the three stories of this building is the reverse of the way the three stories of the side chambers on the outside of the temple are built ( ). If we try to consider what the spiritual application might be here, it is obvious to think of the reverse here as well. There is spiritual growth, an increase “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” ( ), when we study in God’s Word. As we do so, there will be a growing awareness of how great He is and how small we are in comparison to Him, how little we know in relation to Him Who is the Omniscient. We may immerse ourselves in His love, to know it, and at the same time we will realize that this love is beyond our knowledge ( ; ), so that we will strongly feel our littleness. Paul, who has been taught by God in a special way about spiritual blessings, says this aptly of himself thus: “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ” ( ). In front of the chambers facing the outer court runs a wall fifty cubits long ( ). This length corresponds to the length of the chambers belonging to the outer court ( ). It has been assumed that this wall serves to hide the priests, when they change their clothes, from the view of those who are in the outer court. The building of chambers that stands on the side of the temple is a hundred cubits long. The chambers have an entrance on the east, so that they can be entered from the outer court ( ). On the south side of the temple, in the same arrangement and with the same dimensions, are chambers similar to those on the north side ( ). Their sizes, exits, furnishings, and entrances are similar to the northern chambers.

‏ Ezekiel 42:7

Introduction

The prophet has already received much detailed information, and we with him, but there is more to come. In this chapter, Ezekiel receives information about the priestly chambers of the temple (Eze 42:1-12), the purpose of these chambers (Eze 42:13-14), and the measurements of the area surrounding the temple complex (Eze 42:15-20).

Again, of this section, the translation is not universally certain. This has been noted before (see the introduction to the explanation of Ezekiel 40-48), but it is good to point it out again here. This requires caution in interpretation and application. It also requires extra vigilance on the part of the reader. He will do well to imitate the believers in Berea, who received “with great eagerness” what they heard from Paul, “examining the Scriptures daily [to see] whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

The Priests’ Chambers of the Temple

The Man brings Ezekiel out of the porch again outside the temple into the outer court, into the north side of it (Eze 42:1). With his back turned to the north side of the temple house, Ezekiel looks north and sees a building with chambers. The length of the building is a hundred cubits and the width fifty cubits (Eze 42:2). The building is on the other side of the pavement of the inner court twenty cubits north of the temple. It has three stories or galleries (Eze 42:3).

Before the chambers runs a wide corridor or space ten cubits wide (Eze 42:4). This probably divides the building into two parts. The entrances to the building face north. The stories of the building are shorter or narrower toward the top (Eze 42:5). The first or middle story is narrower than the ground story and the second or top story is again narrower than the middle story. This is because of the stability of the building, for it does not rest on pillars (Eze 42:6). The idea is probably that each story is the foundation of the next story.

The design of the three stories of this building is the reverse of the way the three stories of the side chambers on the outside of the temple are built (Eze 41:6-7). If we try to consider what the spiritual application might be here, it is obvious to think of the reverse here as well. There is spiritual growth, an increase “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pet 3:18), when we study in God’s Word. As we do so, there will be a growing awareness of how great He is and how small we are in comparison to Him, how little we know in relation to Him Who is the Omniscient.

We may immerse ourselves in His love, to know it, and at the same time we will realize that this love is beyond our knowledge (Eph 3:19; Rom 11:33-36), so that we will strongly feel our littleness. Paul, who has been taught by God in a special way about spiritual blessings, says this aptly of himself thus: “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ” (Eph 3:8).

In front of the chambers facing the outer court runs a wall fifty cubits long (Eze 42:7). This length corresponds to the length of the chambers belonging to the outer court (Eze 42:8). It has been assumed that this wall serves to hide the priests, when they change their clothes, from the view of those who are in the outer court. The building of chambers that stands on the side of the temple is a hundred cubits long. The chambers have an entrance on the east, so that they can be entered from the outer court (Eze 42:9).

On the south side of the temple, in the same arrangement and with the same dimensions, are chambers similar to those on the north side (Eze 42:10-12). Their sizes, exits, furnishings, and entrances are similar to the northern chambers.