And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from gate to gate an hundred cubits.

EZEKIEL 40:23KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 40:23 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 40:23 mean?

Ezekiel 40:23 describes how the inner court of the temple had a gate directly across from the outer gates on the north and east sides, and the distance measured from one gate to the other was one hundred cubits. This verse gives a specific architectural detail about the temple vision Ezekiel is describing.

In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel is being shown a vision of a future temple by a heavenly guide. The guide is carefully measuring the temple’s layout and sharing these measurements with Ezekiel. The verse highlights the symmetry and precise planning of the temple’s design, emphasizing the orderly arrangement of its gates and courtyards.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 40:23

  • "gate" (שַׁעַר, sha'ar): This word refers to an entrance or gateway, an important feature in ancient city and temple architecture. Its repetition in the verse stresses the significance of these entry points in the temple’s structure.
  • "measured" (מָדַד, madad): This verb means to measure or determine length. The act of measuring here underlines the careful, intentional design of the temple, not left to chance but set out with exact dimensions.
  • "hundred" (מֵאָה, me'ah) and "cubits" (אַמָּה, ammah): These terms specify the distance between the gates. A cubit was a common unit of length in ancient Israel, roughly the length of a forearm (about 18 inches or 45 cm), so one hundred cubits would be about 150 feet or 45 meters.

Why Ezekiel 40:23 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the layout of the temple vision, showing that the gates were aligned and spaced with precision, which reflects order and intentionality in God’s instructions.
  • By describing the exact measurements, the verse connects to the larger theme in Ezekiel 40–48 of God’s holiness and the importance of structure in worship.
  • Understanding these details can clear up confusion about the temple’s design and shows that Ezekiel’s vision is not just symbolic but also includes real, physical dimensions.

Where else these words appear

“inner” Hebrew H6442 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:27 And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.
  • Ezekiel 8:16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.
  • Ezekiel 41:17 To that above the door, even unto the inner house, and without, and by all the wall round about within and without, by measure.

“measured” Hebrew H4058 · used in 49 verses

  • Exodus 16:18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.
  • Ezekiel 40:11 And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits.
  • Ezekiel 41:13 So he measured the house, an hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with the walls thereof, an hundred cubits long;

“east” Hebrew H6921 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 41:6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
  • Ezekiel 40:44 And without the inner gate were the chambers of the singers in the inner court, which was at the side of the north gate; and their prospect was toward the south: one at the side of the east gate having the prospect toward the north.
  • Ezekiel 48:3 And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Naphtali.

“cubits” Hebrew H520 · used in 132 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • 1 Kings 6:16 And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.
  • Ezekiel 40:9 Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits; and the porch of the gate was inward.