Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 41:13
To measure means to stretch or extend something, like a line or a boundary. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's measurements for the tabernacle and temple. It can also mean to assess or evaluate something.
Definition: 1) to measure, stretch 1a) (Qal) to measure 1b) (Niphal) to be measured 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to extend, continue 1c2) to measure, measure off 1d) (Po) measured 1e) (Hithpolel) to extend oneself, stretch oneself Also means: mid.dad (מָדַד "to extend" H4059)
Usage: Occurs in 49 OT verses. KJV: measure, mete, stretch self. See also: Exodus 16:18; Ezekiel 40:32; Psalms 60:8.
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
Length can refer to physical distance or a long period of time, and also to patience and self-restraint, like waiting forever for something to happen.
Definition: 1) length 1a) physical length 1b) of time 2) forbearance, self-restraint (of patience)
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] forever, length, long. See also: Genesis 6:15; Psalms 93:5; Psalms 21:5.
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
A cubit is a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm, used in the Bible to describe the size of objects like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus. It is also used to describe a foundation or a door-base.
Definition: cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment. Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for H3967 (מֵאָה)), measure, post. See also: Genesis 6:15; 2 Chronicles 3:3; Isaiah 6:4.
This word refers to the act of cutting or polishing something, or a separate place. It involves separating or dividing to make something distinct. The word is used in the Bible to describe a place set apart for a specific purpose.
Definition: 1) a cutting, polishing, separation 1a) cutting, polishing 1b) separation, separate place
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: polishing, separate place. See also: Lamentations 4:7; Ezekiel 41:15; Ezekiel 42:13.
Binyah refers to a building or structure in the Bible, such as a house or temple. It is used to describe physical constructions.
Definition: structure, building
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: building. See also: Ezekiel 41:13.
In the Bible, this word means a wall, often referring to the walls of houses, chambers, or even the altar. It is used to describe structures built for protection or division. The KJV translates it as wall or side.
Definition: 1) wall, side 1a) wall (of house or chamber) 1b) the sides (of the altar)
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] mason, side, town, [idiom] very, wall. See also: Exodus 30:3; 2 Chronicles 3:11; Psalms 62:4.
Length can refer to physical distance or a long period of time, and also to patience and self-restraint, like waiting forever for something to happen.
Definition: 1) length 1a) physical length 1b) of time 2) forbearance, self-restraint (of patience)
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] forever, length, long. See also: Genesis 6:15; Psalms 93:5; Psalms 21:5.
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
A cubit is a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm, used in the Bible to describe the size of objects like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus. It is also used to describe a foundation or a door-base.
Definition: cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment. Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for H3967 (מֵאָה)), measure, post. See also: Genesis 6:15; 2 Chronicles 3:3; Isaiah 6:4.
Context — Outside the Temple
11The side rooms opened into this area, with one entrance on the north and another on the south. The open area was five cubits wide all around.
12Now the building that faced the temple courtyard on the west was seventy cubits wide, and the wall of the building was five cubits thick all around, with a length of ninety cubits.
13Then he measured the temple to be a hundred cubits long, and the temple courtyard and the building with its walls were also a hundred cubits long.
14The width of the temple courtyard on the east, including the front of the temple, was a hundred cubits.
15Next he measured the length of the building facing the temple courtyard at the rear of the temple, including its galleries on each side; it was a hundred cubits. The outer sanctuary, the inner sanctuary, and the porticoes facing the court,
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) |
| 1 |
Ezekiel 40:47 |
Next he measured the court. It was square, a hundred cubits long and a hundred cubits wide. And the altar was in front of the temple. |
Ezekiel 41:13 Summary
Ezekiel 41:13 describes the temple as being a hundred cubits long, with the courtyard and building also being the same length. This shows us that God is a God of order and perfection, who cares about every detail of our lives (as seen in Exodus 25:9 and Hebrews 8:5). Just as the temple was built according to God's precise plans, we can trust that He has a perfect plan for our lives, and we can worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). By following God's plans and seeking His perfection, we can experience unity and harmony in our relationships and service to Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the temple being a hundred cubits long in Ezekiel 41:13?
The precise measurements of the temple in Ezekiel 41:13 signify God's attention to detail and His desire for order and perfection, as seen in Exodus 25:9 and Hebrews 8:5, where the earthly tabernacle was a copy of the heavenly one.
Why are the temple courtyard and the building with its walls also a hundred cubits long?
The uniformity in measurements emphasizes the unity and harmony of God's design, reflecting the beauty and perfection of His creation, as described in Psalm 19:1 and Isaiah 66:1-2.
How does this verse relate to the rest of Ezekiel's vision of the temple?
Ezekiel 41:13 is part of a detailed description of the temple's dimensions and layout, highlighting God's plan for the restoration of His people and the rebuilding of the temple, as prophesied in Ezekiel 40:1-4 and fulfilled in part in Ezra 6:1-18.
What spiritual lessons can we learn from the precise measurements in this verse?
The attention to detail in Ezekiel 41:13 teaches us about God's care for His people and His desire for us to worship Him in spirit and truth, as Jesus emphasized in John 4:24, and to strive for excellence in our service to Him, as encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24.
Reflection Questions
- As you reflect on the precise measurements of the temple, what does this reveal to you about God's character and His plans for your life?
- How can you apply the principles of unity and harmony seen in the temple's design to your relationships with others and your service to God?
- What are some areas in your life where you need to seek God's perfection and order, and how can you surrender them to Him?
- In what ways can you worship God in spirit and truth, as Jesus taught, and how can you strive for excellence in your service to Him?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 41:13
So he measured the house, an hundred cubits long,.... The whole temple, the parts of which he had measured; and this is the sum total: and the separate place, and the building, with the walls
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 41:13
Now the building that was before the separate place at the end toward the west was seventy cubits broad; and the wall of the building was five cubits thick round about, and the length thereof ninety cubits.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 41:13
The house; the whole temple, oracle, sanctuary, and porch, with the walls. An hundred cubits long, from east to west, thus: Stairs of the east porch or the thickness of the wall six cubits, the passage through the porch eleven, wall of the temple within the porch six cubits, the temple itself forty cubits, partition wall two cubits, the oracle twenty cubits, west wall thick six cubits, the chambers at bottom of the west wall four cubits, and the outer wall of the chambers five cubits. The separate place: see . The building, on both the north and south side of the temple. An hundred cubits long; which is thus reckoned: The breadth of the temple twenty cubits, thickness of both walls twelve cubits, the bottom chambers on both sides eight cubits, the outer walls of these chambers five cubits a piece, the breadth of the place left out on each side five, on both sides ten, (i.e. five each,) and then the wideness between this on either side twenty cubits.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 41:13
Ezekiel 41:13 So he measured the house, an hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with the walls thereof, an hundred cubits long;Ver. 13. An hundred cubits.] The temple of Ephesus was 245 feet long, and 220 feet broad. Howbeit for spiritual employment, mystical signification, none ever came near this edifice.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 41:13
Verse 13. So he measured the house] The temple, taken from the wall which encompassed it from the western side to the vestibule, was one hundred and one cubits; five for the separate place, nine for the wall and the chambers attached to the temple, sixty for the sanctuary and the holy place, ten for the vestibule, and twelve for the two great walls on the west and east of the temple; in all, one hundred and one cubits, See the plan, GHI. See Clarke on Ezekiel 48:35.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 41:13
13–15. General measurements of length and breadth of buildings.—These measurements form three squares of 100 cubits. First, the inner court forms a square of 100 cubits when lines are drawn along the front of the house and in front of the inner ends of the gates, Fig. 3, iklm. Secondly, the house buildings form a square of 100 cubits, when the 20 cubits of “separate place” N. and S. of them are included, Fig. 3, lmno. And thirdly, the building W. of the house buildings forms a square of 100 cubits when the twenty cubits of “separate place” are added to its dimensions from E. to W., Fig. 3, nopq.