Also the breadth of the face of the house, and of the separate place toward the east, an hundred cubits.

EZEKIEL 41:14KJV
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Ezekiel 41:14 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 41:14 mean?

Ezekiel 41:14 states that the width of the front of the temple building, along with the separate area facing east, was one hundred cubits. This measurement highlights the size and layout of the temple complex as seen in Ezekiel’s vision.

In this part of Ezekiel, the prophet is being shown detailed measurements of a future temple by a heavenly guide. The verse focuses on the eastern side, which was significant because the east often symbolized the direction of God’s glory entering the temple. The specific mention of both the "house" (the main temple structure) and the "separate place" shows the careful planning and sacred boundaries in the vision.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 41:14

  • "breadth" (רֹחַב, rochav): This word refers to the width or broadness of something. Here, it emphasizes the impressive span of the temple’s eastern face.
  • "face" (פָּנִים, panim): Often meaning "face" or "surface," in this context it points to the front or façade of the temple, the side that would be most visible and significant.
  • "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): This is the standard Hebrew word for "house" or "temple," making clear that the main building is being measured.
  • "place" (גִּזְרָה, gizrah): This term refers to a "separate place" or area set apart, likely a distinct section next to the main building, showing there were designated zones within the temple grounds.
  • "east" (קֶדֶם, qedem): This word means "east," a direction often associated with new beginnings and God’s presence in biblical imagery.
  • "hundred" (מֵאָה, me’ah) and "cubits" (אַמָּה, ammah): These are units of measurement, with a cubit being roughly the length from elbow to fingertip, so one hundred cubits would be a substantial distance.

Why Ezekiel 41:14 matters

  • Ezekiel 41:14 helps clarify the scale and sacred order of the temple in Ezekiel’s vision, showing that every part had a set place and size.
  • The focus on the eastern side connects to earlier moments in Ezekiel where God’s glory departs and returns from the east, underlining the importance of this direction.
  • Understanding these measurements helps readers see that Ezekiel’s vision was not just symbolic but also concerned with real, physical details, reflecting God’s order and holiness.

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 41:13 So he measured the house, an hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with the walls thereof, an hundred cubits long;
  • 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.

“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 40:32 And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.
  • Ezekiel 48:3 And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Naphtali.

“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 41:2 And the breadth of the door was ten cubits; and the sides of the door were five cubits on the one side, and five cubits on the other side: and he measured the length thereof, forty cubits: and the breadth, twenty 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.