Over against the twenty cubits which were for the inner court, and over against the pavement which was for the utter court, was gallery against gallery in three stories.

EZEKIEL 42:3KJV
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Ezekiel 42:3 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 42:3 mean?

Ezekiel 42:3 describes a part of the temple vision where there are three-story galleries facing both the inner court and the outer pavement, showing the arrangement of rooms and walkways in the temple complex. The verse highlights the architectural layout, with galleries stacked above each other and positioned between the inner and outer areas of the temple.

In this vision, the prophet Ezekiel is being shown detailed measurements and features of a future temple by a heavenly guide. The verse specifically focuses on the side chambers or galleries that overlook both the inner court (closer to the temple sanctuary) and the outer court (the more public area), emphasizing the structured and layered design of the temple’s side buildings.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 42:3

  • "gallery" (תָּא ta, transliterated "ta"): This word refers to a chamber or a small room, often understood here as a series of rooms or galleries built one above another. The repetition suggests a tiered or multi-level structure, which is important for picturing the temple’s complexity.
  • "inner" (פְּנִימִי penimi): This word means "inner" and points to the part of the court closer to the temple’s most sacred areas, helping to clarify which side of the building is being described.
  • "utter" (חִיצוֹן chitzon): This means "outer," referring to the more external court, which was accessible to more people. This contrast with "inner" helps the reader visualize the building’s position between two distinct temple areas.
  • "against" (פָּנִים panim): Often translated as "facing" or "opposite," this word shows that the galleries directly overlook or are aligned with both the inner court and the outer pavement, not just nearby but purposefully oriented.

Why Ezekiel 42:3 matters

  • Ezekiel 42:3 helps clarify the detailed and orderly nature of the temple vision, showing that every part of the structure had a specific place and purpose.
  • The verse emphasizes the separation and connection between different temple areas, which is a recurring theme in Ezekiel’s vision—showing both access and boundaries within sacred space.
  • Understanding the architectural terms and layout in this verse helps readers follow the larger description of the temple, which is important for grasping Ezekiel’s message about restoration and holiness.

Where else these words appear

“gallery” Hebrew H862 · used in 4 verses

  • 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;
  • Ezekiel 41:16 The door posts, and the narrow windows, and the galleries round about on their three stories, over against the door, cieled with wood round about, and from the ground up to the windows, and the windows were covered;
  • Ezekiel 42:5 Now the upper chambers were shorter: for the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and than the middlemost of the building.

“pavement” Hebrew H7531 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 7:3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
  • Esther 1:6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
  • Ezekiel 40:17 Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement.

“utter” Hebrew H2435 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • Ezekiel 10:5 And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.
  • Ezekiel 42:7 And the wall that was without over against the chambers, toward the utter court on the forepart of the chambers, the length thereof was fifty cubits.

“inner” Hebrew H6442 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:27 And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.
  • Ezekiel 8:16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.
  • 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;