Now the building that was before the separate place at the end toward the west was seventy cubits broad; and the wall of the building was five cubits thick round about, and the length thereof ninety cubits.

EZEKIEL 41:12KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 41:12 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 41:12 mean?

Ezekiel 41:12 describes the measurements of a specific building located at the western end of the temple complex, stating it was seventy cubits wide, with walls five cubits thick all around, and ninety cubits long. This verse gives precise dimensions for this structure as part of Ezekiel’s detailed vision of a future temple.

In this part of the book, the prophet Ezekiel is being shown a vision by God, where an angelic guide leads him through a detailed tour of a temple. The verse focuses on the westernmost building, which stood in front of a separate area within the temple grounds. These specific measurements highlight the careful planning and grandeur of the envisioned temple, emphasizing order and significance in its design.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 41:12

  • "building" (בִּנְיָן, binyan): This word refers to a constructed structure, here specifically the large building at the west end of the temple area. Its use marks the importance of this particular structure within the temple vision.
  • "separate place" (גִּזְרָה, gizrah): This term means a distinct or set-apart area, suggesting that the building faced a special, possibly more sacred, section of the temple complex.
  • "cubit" (אַמָּה, ammah): The ancient measurement, roughly 18 inches or 45 centimeters, helps modern readers understand the actual size being described—making the building quite large.
  • "wall" (קִיר, qir): The mention of a five-cubit-thick wall (over seven feet thick) emphasizes the strength and security of the building, underlining its significance in the vision.

Why Ezekiel 41:12 matters

  • Ezekiel 41:12 clarifies that the temple vision is not just spiritual but includes very concrete, physical details, showing God’s interest in order and structure.
  • The verse helps readers picture the scale and layout of the temple, which is important for understanding the rest of Ezekiel’s vision and its symbolic meaning.
  • By specifying the location and measurements, the verse connects this building to the overall design, showing its relationship to other parts of the temple and hinting at its possible purpose or importance.

Where else these words appear

“building” Hebrew H1146 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezekiel 40:5 And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.
  • Ezekiel 41:15 And he measured the length of the building over against the separate place which was behind it, and the galleries thereof on the one side and on the other side, an hundred cubits, with the inner temple, and the porches of the court;
  • Ezekiel 42:5 Now the upper chambers were shorter: for the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and than the middlemost of the building.

“place” Hebrew H1508 · used in 8 verses

  • Lamentations 4:7 Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:
  • Ezekiel 41:14 Also the breadth of the face of the house, and of the separate place toward the east, an hundred cubits.
  • Ezekiel 42:1 Then he brought me forth into the utter court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into the chamber that was over against the separate place, and which was before the building toward the north.

“ninety” Hebrew H8673 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 5:9 And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:
  • 1 Samuel 4:15 Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.
  • Nehemiah 7:21 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

“end” Hebrew H6285 · used in 59 verses

  • Exodus 25:26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
  • Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
  • Ezekiel 48:1 Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.