Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

EZEKIEL - CHAPTER 42

TEMPLE AREA FOR HOLY WORKERS

Verses 1-14:

Verse 1 certifies that when the survey of the house was completed the survey-man conducted Ezekiel into the outer court. (Ezekiel 40:17), by the way toward the north, by the inner north gate, Ezekiel 40:23, into the chamber over against the separate place, before the building to the north, Ezekiel 41:12; Ezekiel 41:15.

Verses 2-12 restate parts, dimensions, and priestly usages of the three story structure of 30 chambers to each floor of the building, adjoining the temple toward the east, north, and south.

Verse 12 begins by locating the north door (entrance) at a distance of 100 cubits, before the "separate place" which was that length, Ezekiel 41:13. Ezekiel had previously discussed the chambers of the officiating priests, located on the north and south gates of the inner court, Ezekiel 40:44-46. He now turns to a more exact view and description of them as there were many chambers, described v. 3-12. So are there many mansions in the Father’s House, John 14:1-3; with much room left, Luke 14:2.

Verse 13 certifies that the "holy chambers" were sanctified for two purposes: First, for the priests to store and eat their holy portion of sacrifices, not eaten at the altar, of the a) meat offering, b) the sin offering, and c) the trespass offering. And second, the assigned chambers for the officiating priests were places for them to store and change their officiating garments; Leviticus 6:16; Leviticus 6:26; Leviticus 24:9; See also Leviticus 2:3; Leviticus 2:10; Leviticus 6:14; Leviticus 6:17; Leviticus 6:25; Leviticus 6:29; Leviticus 7:13-14; Numbers 18:9-10; Leviticus 16:23.

Verse 14 specifically instructs the priests concerning difference between the officiating garments, "holy garments," and those to be worn when among the people on social occasions, in the outer court.

THE TEMPLE PRECINCTS

Verses 15-20:

Verse 15 indicates that when the angelic surveyor had completed measuring the inner house, the temple and its courts and chambers, Ezekiel 40:5, he led Ezekiel to the east gate, from which he proceeded to measure the outer walls of the surrounding enclosure of the temple and court of the Gentiles.

Verse 16,17,18,19 certify that the east, north, south and western walls were measured to be 500 reeds in length each; or a distance of 2,000 reeds around the quadrangle wall enclosure. The activities to be conducted within the entire walled enclosure were to be held as sacred, holy, in contrast with the profane without, within the world.

Verse 20 describes the summary dimensions of the four walls about the sanctuary, temple, and other buildings within, were all for Holy purposes associated with Divine worship. The 500 reeds of the quadrangle were equivalent to 3,000 cubits, times 3,000 cubits, making 9,000,000 square cubits, equivalent to 2,225,000 square yards. Heaven’s new place of worship will be much more adequate, as described Revelation ch. 21, 22.

HERE IN THE HARDBOUND COMMENTARY IS A “GROUND PLAN” OF THE TEMPLE