Ezekiel 42:1-12 | The Way of Scripture

Ezekiel 42:1-12

Where are the priests’ chambers?

Berean Standard Bible

1 Then the man led me out northward into the outer court, and he brought me to the group of chambers opposite the temple courtyard and the outer wall on the north side. 2 The building with the door facing north was a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide. 3 Gallery faced gallery in three levels opposite the twenty cubits that belonged to the inner court and opposite the pavement that belonged to the outer court. 4 In front of the chambers was an inner walkway ten cubits wide and a hundred cubits long. Their doors were on the north. 5 Now the upper chambers were smaller because the galleries took more space from the chambers on the lower and middle floors of the building. 6 For they were arranged in three stories, and unlike the courts, they had no pillars. So the upper chambers were set back further than the lower and middle floors.
7 An outer wall in front of the chambers was fifty cubits long and ran parallel to the chambers and the outer court. 8 For the chambers on the outer court were fifty cubits long, while those facing the temple were a hundred cubits long. 9 And below these chambers was the entrance on the east side as one enters them from the outer court. 10 On the south side along the length of the wall of the outer court were chambers adjoining the courtyard and opposite the building, 11 with a passageway in front of them, just like the chambers that were on the north. They had the same length and width, with similar exits and dimensions. 12 And corresponding to the doors of the chambers that were facing south, there was a door in front of the walkway that was parallel to the wall extending eastward.

What is the context?

The guide takes Ezekiel back into the outer court to inspect a group of chambers beside the temple courtyard. These rooms rise in three levels, with galleries facing one another and a walkway in front.

The upper chambers are smaller because the galleries occupy more of the available space. Entrances connect the rooms with the surrounding court.

A corresponding arrangement stands on the south side. The passage describes matching spaces on either side of the temple before explaining how the priests use them.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Henry understands this chapter as describing the priests’ chambers, their uses and the surrounding area. Wesley emphasizes the matching arrangement of the northern and southern groups.

The rooms are part of the ordered provision for service near the sanctuary. Their particular use is explained in the next two verses.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

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