And he brought me to the north gate, and measured it according to these measures;
EZEKIEL 40:35KJVWhat does Ezekiel 40:35 mean?
Ezekiel 40:35 describes how Ezekiel is brought to the north gate of the temple area, where the gate is measured using the same measurements as before. This verse shows the careful, repeated process of examining and recording the temple’s structure during Ezekiel’s vision.
In this part of Ezekiel’s vision, an angelic guide is leading Ezekiel around a future temple, showing him each entrance and measuring them in detail. The focus on the north gate and the act of measuring highlight the order and precision in the temple’s design, which is being revealed to Ezekiel step by step.
The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 40:35
- בּוֹא (bo, “brought”): This word means to bring or lead someone to a place. Here, it emphasizes that Ezekiel is not wandering on his own but is being purposefully guided through the vision.
- צָפוֹן (tsafon, “north”): This word specifies the direction of the gate. Mentioning the north gate shows that every part of the temple is being accounted for, not just the main or most obvious entrances.
- שַׁעַר (shaʿar, “gate”): This is the common word for a gate or entrance. Its use here underlines the importance of each entry point in the temple’s overall design.
- מָדַד (madad, “measured”): This verb means to measure or determine the size of something. The act of measuring shows the attention to detail and the importance of exactness in the vision.
- מִדָּה (middah, “measures”): This noun refers to the standard or pattern of measurement. The phrase “according to these measures” means that the same standard is being used throughout, stressing consistency and order.
Why Ezekiel 40:35 matters
- Ezekiel 40:35 clears up any idea that only certain parts of the temple were important; every gate, including the north gate, is measured with the same care.
- The verse emphasizes the theme of order and precision in God’s instructions for worship spaces, which runs through these chapters.
- This careful measurement connects to the larger vision in Ezekiel 40–48, where the restored temple is described in detail, symbolizing a new beginning for the people.