The chambers were in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, over against the separate place, and over against the building.

EZEKIEL 42:10KJV
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Ezekiel 42:10 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 42:10 mean?

Ezekiel 42:10 describes how certain rooms or chambers were built within the thick wall on the eastern side of the temple’s outer court, directly across from a separate area and another building. The verse gives a specific detail about the temple’s layout as seen in Ezekiel’s vision.

In this part of Ezekiel, the prophet is being shown a detailed vision of a future temple by a heavenly guide. The verse focuses on the precise placement of these chambers, which were likely used by priests, showing their location in relation to other important temple structures. This attention to detail highlights the order and purpose built into the temple’s design.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 42:10

  • "chambers" (לִשְׁכָּה, lishkah): This word refers to rooms or chambers, often used for storage or priestly activities. Here, it points to specific functional spaces within the temple complex.
  • "thickness" (רֹחַב, rokhav): This term means the width or thickness, emphasizing that these chambers were set within the substantial wall of the court, not just alongside it.
  • "court" (חָצֵר, chatser): This word means an open area or courtyard, clarifying that the chambers are part of the outer areas of the temple, not the inner sanctuary.
  • "separate place" (גִּזְרָה, gizrah): This refers to a distinct or set-apart area, possibly a sacred or restricted section, showing the careful organization of holy spaces.

Why Ezekiel 42:10 matters

  • Ezekiel 42:10 helps clarify the careful planning and structure of the temple vision, showing that every part had a designated place and purpose.
  • The verse emphasizes the separation and organization within the temple, which reflects the importance of order and holiness in worship practices described by Ezekiel.
  • Understanding the layout described here helps readers make sense of the larger vision in Ezekiel 40–48, where the prophet details a future, ideal temple meant to restore hope and order for the exiled people of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“wall” Hebrew H1444 · used in 2 verses

  • Proverbs 24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

“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 41:12 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 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.

“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 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;

“chambers” Hebrew H3957 · used in 41 verses

  • 1 Samuel 9:22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.
  • Nehemiah 13:5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
  • Ezekiel 40:46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.