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.

EZEKIEL 42:7KJV
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Ezekiel 42:7 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 42:7 mean?

Ezekiel 42:7 describes a wall outside the chambers in the temple vision, specifically facing the outer court, and states that this wall was fifty cubits long. The verse gives a measurement and location detail about the temple complex Ezekiel is shown in his vision.

In this part of Ezekiel, the prophet is being guided by a heavenly figure through a detailed tour of a future temple. The verse focuses on the layout of the chambers (rooms) and their relationship to the outer court, emphasizing the structure and boundaries within the temple area. These details help paint a precise picture of the temple’s design.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 42:7

  • "wall" (גָּדֵר, gader): This word refers to a physical barrier or fence, highlighting the separation between different areas of the temple.
  • "without" (חִיצוֹן, ḥiṣon): This means "outside" or "external," clarifying that the wall is on the exterior side of the chambers, not within the inner areas.
  • "utter" (חִיצוֹן, ḥiṣon): Used again for "outer," this word emphasizes that the court mentioned is the outermost one, not the inner court closer to the sanctuary.
  • "cubits" (אַמָּה, ammah): A cubit is an ancient measurement, roughly the length of a forearm (about 18 inches or 45 centimeters), so fifty cubits would be about 75 feet or 22.5 meters.

Why Ezekiel 42:7 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the physical boundaries and organization of the temple vision, showing the careful planning and separation of spaces.
  • The detailed measurements and descriptions in Ezekiel’s vision underline the importance of order and holiness in the temple’s design.
  • Understanding these structural details helps the reader follow the flow of Ezekiel’s vision and see how each part of the temple relates to the others, which is important for grasping the larger message of restoration and worship in the book.

Where else these words appear

“wall” Hebrew H1447 · used in 11 verses

  • Numbers 22:24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
  • Psalms 80:12 Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?
  • Ezekiel 13:5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.

“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 42:3 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.

“against” Hebrew H5980 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 25:27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
  • Ezekiel 3:13 I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.

“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.