He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.

EZEKIEL 42:18KJV
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Ezekiel 42:18 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 42:18 mean?

Ezekiel 42:18 describes how the south side of a specific area was measured as five hundred reeds using a measuring reed. This is part of a detailed account of measurements given by Ezekiel as he is shown a vision of a future temple complex.

In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel is being led by a heavenly guide who measures the boundaries of the temple area. The measurement of the south side matches the measurements given for the other sides, emphasizing the symmetry and order of the space. This careful recording of dimensions highlights the importance of structure and holiness in the vision Ezekiel receives.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 42:18

  • "measured" (מָדַד, madad): This word means to measure or to determine length, showing that the action is deliberate and precise.
  • "side" (רוּחַ, ruach): While often meaning "spirit" or "wind," here it refers to a direction or side, indicating the southern boundary.
  • "reeds" (קָנֶה, qaneh): A reed was a standard unit of measurement, longer than a cubit, so five hundred reeds would be a very large distance, underlining the scale of the temple area.
  • "measuring" (מִדָּה, middah): This word refers to the act or tool of measuring, pointing to the careful, official nature of the process.

Why Ezekiel 42:18 matters

  • Ezekiel 42:18 helps clarify that the temple vision is not just symbolic but includes specific, measurable dimensions, suggesting a real or idealized space.
  • The matching measurements on each side reveal the order and perfection intended in God's design, which is a theme throughout Ezekiel's temple vision.
  • Understanding the use of "reed" as a unit helps modern readers grasp the impressive scale of the vision, which would have stood out to Ezekiel's original audience.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“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.