And he brought me to the porch of the house, and measured each post of the porch, five cubits on this side, and five cubits on that side: and the breadth of the gate was three cubits on this side, and three cubits on that side.

EZEKIEL 40:48KJV
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Ezekiel 40:48 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 40:48 mean?

Ezekiel 40:48 describes the prophet Ezekiel being brought to the porch of a temple building, where specific measurements are taken: each post of the porch is five cubits wide, and the gate’s width is three cubits on each side. This verse is part of a detailed vision showing the exact dimensions of a future temple.

In this scene, Ezekiel is guided by a heavenly messenger through a vision of a new temple, carefully measuring each part. The focus on measurements and architectural details highlights the importance of order and design in this vision. These specifics would have helped Ezekiel’s original audience picture the temple’s structure and understand its significance in their hopes for restoration.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 40:48

  • The word for “porch” is אוּלָם (’ulam), which refers to a vestibule or entryway. This term signals that Ezekiel is describing the entrance area to the temple, not just any part of the building.
  • The word for “post” is עֵץ (’ets), which often means “wood” or “tree,” but here refers to the structural pillars or supports at the porch. This detail emphasizes the strength and stability of the temple’s entrance.
  • The word for “cubit” is אַמָּה (’ammah), a standard unit of length in ancient Israel, roughly the length of a forearm (about 18 inches or 45 centimeters). Knowing this helps modern readers picture the actual size of the features being described.

Why Ezekiel 40:48 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that Ezekiel’s vision is not just symbolic but includes very concrete and detailed plans for a physical structure, which would have been meaningful to people longing for the restoration of their temple.
  • The careful measurement of each part of the entrance shows the importance of order and precision in worship and in the community’s relationship with God.
  • By describing the porch and its posts in such detail, Ezekiel 40:48 connects to the larger theme of chapters 40–48, where the prophet records a vision of hope and renewal for a people in exile.

Where else these words appear

“porch” Hebrew H197 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.
  • 2 Chronicles 8:12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,
  • Ezekiel 40:39 And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering.

“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;

“breadth” Hebrew H7341 · used in 89 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 6:20 And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar.
  • Ezekiel 41:3 Then went he inward, and measured the post of the door, two cubits; and the door, six cubits; and the breadth of the door, seven cubits.

“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.