Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryEzekiel 42

Utter court. That is, “outer court” (see on ch. 40:17). Verses 1–14 describe chambers for the priests (p. 716, T, T) to the north and to the south of the temple. The Hebrew of this section is very obscure so that it is difficult to obtain a clear picture of the architectural details. For this reason no attempt has been made to show the exact form of the building in the diagram (see p. 716, note under Key).

Hundred cubits. About 170 ft. (51.9 m.). According to the LXX this is the measurement of the length of the building. The length is the same as that of the temple building (ch. 41:13). These chambers were apparently directly north and south of the temple building and separated from it by the separate place (p. 716, S).

Twenty cubits. About 34 ft. (10.4 m.). This is the width of the separate place (p. 716, S) that surrounded the temple on the north, west, and south (see on ch. 41:12). On “utter” see on v. 1. The pavement. Facing the pavement (p. 716, D) said to belong to the outer court, along the inside of the outer wall (ch. 40:17). Gallery. The meaning of the Hebrew word thus translated is uncertain. In three stories. Heb. bashshelishim, which may also be translated, “In the third [story].” It is not clear whether the three stories are meant or only the top story.

A walk of ten cubits. The LXX reads, “And in front of the chambers was a walk ten cubits [17 ft.; 5.2 m.] in breadth, the length reaching to a hundred cubits [about 200 ft.; 61.5 m.].” This reading is supported by the Syriac.

Were shorter. The reason is that the galleries took up some of the space.

Pillars of the courts. It is not clear which pillars are referred to. The LXX has no word for “courts.” Some think the pillars apply to the 30 chambers (ch. 40:17).

Wall. The exact position of this wall is not clear. Some think that the outside wall of a shorter block of chambers (v. 8) is referred to.

Length of the chambers. Some take this to be the measurement of a shorter block of chambers (85 ft.; 25.9 m.) paralleling the longer block and separated from the longer block by the “walk” mentioned in v. 4. This has not been indicated on the diagram (p. 716) because the description is not full enough to clarify the details of the plan.

Toward the east. The LXX reads “toward the south” (cf. vs. 12, 13). Verses 10– 12 seem to describe another chamber building at the south of the temple identical with the one on the north.

Shall eat. Verses 13, 14 describe the functions of these chambers. Under Levitical law the priests were required to eat certain portions of the sacrifices in “the holy place” (Lev. 10:12, 13; Num. 18:9, 10).

Lay their garments. These holy chambers served as dressing rooms for the priests.

Inner house. The term here refers to the temple area, presumably all that had thus far been measured. Ezekiel now returns to the outer east gate, from where the inspection of the temple area had begun (ch. 40:6).

Five hundred reeds. The LXX has no word for “reeds.” Presumably cubits are meant. Notice that the word “reeds” is supplied in v. 20, and that it does not appear in ch. 45:2. Further, the sum of the measurements of the gateways, courts, etc., is 500 cu. each way.

Wall. See on ch. 40:5.