He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.

EZEKIEL 42:17KJV
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Ezekiel 42:17 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 42:17 mean?

Ezekiel 42:17 describes how the north side of a specific area was measured, totaling five hundred reeds using a measuring reed, and this measurement was taken all around. This verse is part of a detailed account of the dimensions of a temple complex seen in Ezekiel’s vision.

In this section, the prophet Ezekiel is being shown the measurements of the temple area by a heavenly guide. The focus here is on the exact size of the northern boundary, emphasizing the precision and orderliness of the temple’s design. This careful measurement is part of a larger vision that outlines the restored temple and its surroundings.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 42:17

  • "measured" (מָדַד, madad): This word means to measure or determine length. Its use here highlights the deliberate and precise process of marking out the temple area.
  • "reeds" (קָנֶה, qaneh): A "reed" was a standard unit of length, often about 10 feet or 3 meters. Mentioning "five hundred reeds" shows the large scale of the area being measured.
  • "about" (סָבִיב, saviv): This word means "all around" or "surrounding." Its inclusion clarifies that the measurement was not just a straight line but covered the entire perimeter of the north side.

Why Ezekiel 42:17 matters

  • Ezekiel 42:17 helps clear up that the measurements in Ezekiel’s vision are not symbolic but are meant to be understood as literal dimensions, showing the importance of order and structure in the restored temple.
  • The verse emphasizes the completeness of the measurement, indicating that every side and detail of the temple area was carefully considered in the vision.
  • This detail connects to the broader passage by showing that the temple’s design was not random or approximate, but carefully planned, which reflects the seriousness and holiness of the space in Ezekiel’s vision.

Where else these words appear

“reeds” Hebrew H7070 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 41:5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
  • Exodus 37:22 Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold.
  • Isaiah 46:6 They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.

“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.

“measuring” Hebrew H4060 · used in 53 verses

  • Exodus 26:2 The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure.
  • Nehemiah 3:20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
  • Ezekiel 40:24 After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof and the arches thereof according to these measures.

“north” Hebrew H6828 · used in 141 verses

  • Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
  • Ezekiel 20:47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.