So he measured the house, an hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with the walls thereof, an hundred cubits long;

EZEKIEL 41:13KJV
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Ezekiel 41:13 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 41:13 mean?

Ezekiel 41:13 describes the measuring of the temple structure in Ezekiel’s vision, stating that the main building, the separate area, and the adjoining building with its walls were each one hundred cubits long. This verse highlights the precise and significant dimensions of the temple complex as seen by Ezekiel.

In this part of Ezekiel’s vision, an angelic figure is showing the prophet Ezekiel detailed measurements of a future temple. The focus here is on the length of the main temple building and its surrounding structures, emphasizing their symmetry and order. This careful measurement reflects the importance of structure and design in the vision God gives to Ezekiel.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 41:13

  • "measured" (מָדַד, madad): This word points to the act of careful, deliberate measuring, showing that every part of the temple was intentionally planned.
  • "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): In this context, "house" refers specifically to the temple, the central place of worship.
  • "hundred" (מֵאָה, me’ah) and "cubits" (אַמָּה, ammah): These terms together specify the length, with a cubit being an ancient unit of measurement roughly equal to 18 inches or 45 centimeters. The repeated use of "hundred cubits" underlines the scale and uniformity of the design.
  • "separate place" (גִּזְרָה, gizrah): This word is often understood as a distinct or set-apart area within the temple complex, possibly a sacred or restricted section.

Why Ezekiel 41:13 matters

  • Ezekiel 41:13 helps the reader see that the temple vision is not just symbolic but includes detailed, concrete plans, suggesting order and intentionality in God’s design.
  • The verse connects to the larger passage by showing that every part of the temple—main building, separate area, and adjoining structures—was measured equally, highlighting symmetry and completeness.
  • Understanding these measurements can clear up confusion for readers who might think the temple vision is vague or purely figurative; instead, it is presented with architectural precision.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“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 41:5 After he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of every side chamber, four cubits, round about the house on every side.

“walls” Hebrew H7023 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • Ezekiel 8:8 Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.

“long” Hebrew H753 · used in 90 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 6:3 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.
  • Ezekiel 40:33 And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, were according to these measures: and there were windows therein and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.