And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door in the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them.

EZEKIEL 42:12KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 42:12 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 42:12 mean?

Ezekiel 42:12 describes the arrangement of doors for certain chambers in the temple vision, specifically noting that the southern chambers had a doorway at the head of the path, directly facing the eastern wall, where people would enter. The verse gives architectural details about how these rooms were accessed and their orientation within the temple complex.

In this part of Ezekiel, the prophet is being shown a detailed vision of a future temple by a heavenly guide. The focus here is on the layout of the priests’ chambers, explaining how the doors were positioned in relation to the surrounding walls and pathways. This level of detail highlights the order and design intended for the temple’s sacred spaces.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 42:12

  • "doors" (פֶּתַח, pethach): This word refers to entrances or doorways, emphasizing the specific points of access to the chambers.
  • "chambers" (לִשְׁכָּה, lishkah): This term means rooms or chambers, often used for priestly or storage rooms in the temple.
  • "head" (רֹאשׁ, rosh): Here, "head" means the top or beginning of the way, indicating the main entrance point to the pathway.
  • "way" (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh): Used multiple times, this word means path or road, pointing to the routes people would take to enter these rooms.
  • "directly" (מוּל, mul): This word means "directly opposite" or "facing," clarifying the orientation of the door in relation to the wall.

Why Ezekiel 42:12 matters

  • This verse clears up how the temple’s chambers were accessed, showing that the design was intentional and orderly, not random or haphazard.
  • The focus on door placement and orientation helps readers picture the temple’s structure and understand the care given to its sacred spaces.
  • By connecting the chambers’ doors to the eastern wall, the verse ties into the broader theme of the temple’s orientation, which is significant throughout Ezekiel’s vision.

Where else these words appear

“wall” Hebrew H1448 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 32:16 And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
  • 1 Samuel 24:3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
  • Jeremiah 49:3 Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.

“south” Hebrew H1864 · used in 14 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:23 And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south.
  • Ezekiel 20:46 Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;
  • Ezekiel 40:44 And without the inner gate were the chambers of the singers in the inner court, which was at the side of the north gate; and their prospect was toward the south: one at the side of the east gate having the prospect toward the north.

“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.

“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.