And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement.

EZEKIEL 40:18KJV
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Ezekiel 40:18 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 40:18 mean?

Ezekiel 40:18 describes a lower paved area next to the gates of the temple’s outer court, running alongside the length of the gates. This verse is part of a detailed vision showing the layout and measurements of a future temple, focusing here on the specific placement of pavement in relation to the gates.

In this vision, the prophet Ezekiel is being shown around a temple complex by a heavenly guide. The guide points out that there is a paved walkway or courtyard area (“the lower pavement”) running beside the gates, emphasizing its position and relationship to the gates’ full length. This detail helps the reader picture the temple’s structure and the careful order in its design.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 40:18

  • "pavement" (רְצוּפָה, rᵊtsuphah): This word refers to a stone-paved surface, highlighting that the area being described is intentionally constructed and set apart from bare ground.
  • "side" (כֶּתֶף, ketef): This word often means "shoulder" or "side," and here it points to the location of the pavement being right next to the gates, not somewhere else in the courtyard.
  • "lower" (תַּחְתּוֹן, takhton): This word means "lower" or "beneath," clarifying that this pavement is not at the same level as another area, but is set lower, possibly indicating a tiered or stepped design.

Why Ezekiel 40:18 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the temple vision is highly detailed and orderly, showing that every part of the structure has a specific place and purpose.
  • By describing the lower pavement next to the gates, Ezekiel 40:18 helps the reader visualize the temple’s outer court and understand the flow of movement and access within the complex.
  • The focus on measurements and placement in this and surrounding verses highlights the care and precision in God’s instructions for worship spaces, which is a recurring theme in Ezekiel’s vision.

Where else these words appear

“pavement” Hebrew H7531 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 7:3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
  • Esther 1:6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
  • Ezekiel 40:17 Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement.

“lower” Hebrew H8481 · used in 13 verses

  • Joshua 16:3 And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:24 (And his daughter was Sherah, who built Bethhoron the nether, and the upper, and Uzzensherah.)
  • Ezekiel 41:7 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.

“against” Hebrew H5980 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 25:27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
  • Ezekiel 3:13 I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.

“side” Hebrew H3802 · used in 58 verses

  • Exodus 27:14 The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
  • Joshua 18:13 And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.
  • Isaiah 46:7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.