Ezekiel 41:5
Ezekiel 41:5 in Multiple Translations
Next he measured the wall of the temple to be six cubits thick, and the width of each side room around the temple was four cubits.
After he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of every side chamber, four cubits, round about the house on every side.
Then he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of every side-chamber, four cubits, round about the house on every side.
Then he took the measure of the wall of the house, which was six cubits; and of the side-rooms round the house, which were four cubits wide.
He measured Temple wall as six cubits thick, and each side room around the Temple was four cubits wide.
After, he measured the wall of the house, sixe cubites, and the breadth of euery chamber foure cubites rounde about the house, on euery side.
And he measureth the wall of the house six cubits, and the breadth of the side-chamber four cubits, all round the house round about.
Then he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the width of every side room, four cubits, all around the house on every side.
Afterward he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of every side-chamber, four cubits, round the house on every side.
And he measured the wall of the house six cubits: and the breadth of every side chamber four cubits round about the house on every side.
Then he measured the wall of the temple: It was ◄10-1/2 feet/3.3 meters► thick.There was a row of rooms along the outside wall of the temple. Each of those rooms was ◄7 feet/2.1 meters► wide.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 41:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 41:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּ֥מָד
קִֽיר
הַ/בַּ֖יִת
שֵׁ֣שׁ
אַמּ֑וֹת
וְ/רֹ֣חַב
הַ/צֵּלָע֩
אַרְבַּ֨ע
אַמּ֜וֹת
סָבִ֧יב
סָבִ֛יב
לַ/בַּ֖יִת
סָבִֽיב
וַ/יָּ֥מָד
mâdad
H4058
to measure
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
קִֽיר
qîyr
H7023
wall
N-ms
הַ/בַּ֖יִת
bayith
H1004
place
Art | N-ms
שֵׁ֣שׁ
shêsh
H8337
six
Adj
אַמּ֑וֹת
ʼammâh
H520
cubit
N-fp
וְ/רֹ֣חַב
rôchab
H7341
width
Conj | N-ms
הַ/צֵּלָע֩
tsêlâʻ
H6763
side
Art | N-cs
אַרְבַּ֨ע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Adj
אַמּ֜וֹת
ʼammâh
H520
cubit
N-fp
סָבִ֧יב
çâbîyb
H5439
around
N-cs
סָבִ֛יב
çâbîyb
H5439
around
N-cs
לַ/בַּ֖יִת
bayith
H1004
place
Prep | N-ms
סָבִֽיב
çâbîyb
H5439
around
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 41:5
וַ/יָּ֥מָד
mâdad
H4058
"to measure"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
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.
קִֽיר
qîyr
H7023
"wall"
N-ms
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.
הַ/בַּ֖יִת
bayith
H1004
"place"
Art | N-ms
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.
שֵׁ֣שׁ
shêsh
H8337
"six"
Adj
This Hebrew word means the number six, and is often used in the Bible to describe measurements, like the six days of creation in Genesis 1.
Definition: 1) six 1a) six (cardinal number) 1b) sixth (ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: shet (שֵׁת "six" H8353)
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. See also: Genesis 7:6; 1 Kings 6:6; Proverbs 6:16.
אַמּ֑וֹת
ʼammâh
H520
"cubit"
N-fp
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.
וְ/רֹ֣חַב
rôchab
H7341
"width"
Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word means width or breadth, used to describe physical size or space. It appears in the Bible to describe the width of the earth or a room. In the KJV, it is translated as breadth or broad.
Definition: breadth, width, expanse
Usage: Occurs in 89 OT verses. KJV: breadth, broad, largeness, thickness, wideness. See also: Genesis 6:15; Ezekiel 40:13; Isaiah 8:8.
הַ/צֵּלָע֩
tsêlâʻ
H6763
"side"
Art | N-cs
This word refers to a side or a rib, and it's used to describe parts of the body or objects. It's also used architecturally to describe beams or planks in buildings like the temple.
Definition: 1) side, rib, beam 1a) rib (of man) 1b) rib (of hill, ridge, etc) 1c) side-chambers or cells (of temple structure) 1d) rib, plank, board (of cedar or fir) 1e) leaves (of door) 1f) side (of ark) Aramaic equivalent: a.la (עֲלַע "rib" H5967)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: beam, board, chamber, corner, leaf, plank, rib, side (chamber). See also: Genesis 2:21; Exodus 38:7; Ezekiel 41:26.
אַרְבַּ֨ע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Adj
The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.
Definition: four
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.
אַמּ֜וֹת
ʼammâh
H520
"cubit"
N-fp
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.
סָבִ֧יב
çâbîyb
H5439
"around"
N-cs
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
סָבִ֛יב
çâbîyb
H5439
"around"
N-cs
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
לַ/בַּ֖יִת
bayith
H1004
"place"
Prep | N-ms
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.
סָבִֽיב
çâbîyb
H5439
"around"
N-cs
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 41:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 41:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 41:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 41:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 41:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 41:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 41:5
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 41:5
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 41:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 41:5
Context — Outside the Temple
3And he went into the inner sanctuary and measured the side pillars at the entrance to be two cubits wide. The entrance was six cubits wide, and the walls on each side were seven cubits wide.
4Then he measured the room adjacent to the inner sanctuary to be twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide. And he said to me, “This is the Most Holy Place. ”
5Next he measured the wall of the temple to be six cubits thick, and the width of each side room around the temple was four cubits.
6The side rooms were arranged one above another in three levels of thirty rooms each. There were ledges all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side rooms, so that the supports would not be fastened into the wall of the temple itself. 7The side rooms surrounding the temple widened at each successive level, because the structure surrounding the temple ascended by stages corresponding to the narrowing of the temple wall as it rose upward. And so a stairway went up from the lowest story to the highest, through the middle one.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 6:5–6 | Against the walls of the temple and the inner sanctuary, Solomon built a chambered structure around the temple, in which he constructed the side rooms. The bottom floor was five cubits wide, the middle floor six cubits, and the third floor seven cubits. He also placed offset ledges around the outside of the temple, so that nothing would be inserted into its walls. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 42:3–14 | 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. In front of the chambers was an inner walkway ten cubits wide and a hundred cubits long. Their doors were on the north. Now the upper chambers were smaller because the galleries took more space from the chambers on the lower and middle floors of the building. 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. An outer wall in front of the chambers was fifty cubits long and ran parallel to the chambers and the outer court. For the chambers on the outer court were fifty cubits long, while those facing the temple were a hundred cubits long. And below these chambers was the entrance on the east side as one enters them from the outer court. On the south side along the length of the wall of the outer court were chambers adjoining the courtyard and opposite the building, 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. 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. Then the man said to me, “The north and south chambers facing the temple courtyard are the holy chambers where the priests who approach the LORD will eat the most holy offerings. There they will place the most holy offerings—the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings—for the place is holy. Once the priests have entered the holy area, they must not go out into the outer court until they have left behind the garments in which they minister, for these are holy. They are to put on other clothes before they approach the places that are for the people.” |
| 3 | Ezekiel 41:6–9 | The side rooms were arranged one above another in three levels of thirty rooms each. There were ledges all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side rooms, so that the supports would not be fastened into the wall of the temple itself. The side rooms surrounding the temple widened at each successive level, because the structure surrounding the temple ascended by stages corresponding to the narrowing of the temple wall as it rose upward. And so a stairway went up from the lowest story to the highest, through the middle one. I saw that the temple had a raised base all around it, forming the foundation of the side rooms. It was the full length of a rod, six long cubits. The outer wall of the side rooms was five cubits thick, and the open area between the side rooms of the temple |
Ezekiel 41:5 Summary
[The wall of the temple was six cubits thick, which shows us that God values strength and security, just like a strong foundation for a building (Matthew 7:24-25). The side rooms around the temple were four cubits wide, which might have been used for storage or as living quarters for the priests, and they add to the overall grandeur of the temple complex. This verse reminds us that God cares about the details of our lives and our worship, just like He cared about the details of the temple (1 Chronicles 28:11-19).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the wall of the temple being six cubits thick in Ezekiel 41:5?
The thickness of the wall may represent the strength and security of God's presence, as seen in other biblical structures like the tabernacle (Exodus 26:15-30), and it also serves as a reminder of God's protection and care for His people, as mentioned in Psalm 91:2.
Why are the side rooms around the temple important in this verse?
The side rooms, which are four cubits wide, may have been used for storage or as living quarters for the priests, similar to the rooms described in Nehemiah 13:4-5, and they add to the overall grandeur and functionality of the temple complex.
How does the measurement of the temple wall in Ezekiel 41:5 relate to other parts of the Bible?
The measurement of the temple wall is part of a larger description of the temple's architecture, which is reminiscent of other biblical descriptions of sacred spaces, such as Solomon's temple in 1 Kings 6:1-38, and it highlights God's attention to detail and care for His people's worship.
What can we learn about God's character from the details in Ezekiel 41:5?
The attention to detail in the measurements and construction of the temple reveals God's character as a God of order, precision, and beauty, as seen in other creations like the universe (Psalm 19:1-6) and the human body (Psalm 139:13-14).
Reflection Questions
- As I reflect on the temple's wall and side rooms, what does this reveal to me about God's desire for order and beauty in my own life?
- How can I apply the concept of God's strength and security, represented by the thick wall, to my own life and challenges?
- What are some ways I can create spaces in my life for worship, reflection, and service, just as the side rooms around the temple served various purposes?
- As I consider the measurements and details in Ezekiel 41:5, what does this teach me about the importance of precision and attention to detail in my own work and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 41:5
After he measured the wall of the house six cubits,.... Or a reed, three yards and a half thick: this was the wall of the holy of holies, or which divided that from the holy place, and was not in the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 41:5
After he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of every side chamber, four cubits, round about the house on every side. The breadth of every side chamber - the singular used collectively for the plural.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 41:5
Having left the holy of holies measured in the 3rd verse, now he is come to take the measures of the outer wall. The house; the temple itself, Six cubits; three yards thick was this wall from the ground to the first story of the side chambers. Every side chamber of the lowest floor; for there were three stories of these, and they differed in their breadth, as the wall of the temple on which they rested abated of its thickness; for the middle chambers were broader than the lowest by a cubit, and the highest as much broader than the middle. Round about; on the north, south, and west parts. On every side; on each side of every one of these three gates. The east gate, and buildings about that, were not faced with such facings.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 41:5
Ezekiel 41:5 After he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of [every] side chamber, four cubits, round about the house on every side.Ver. 5. He measured the wall.] With the counterforts added to it for strength and ornament; these are commonly called pilasters or pillars. Six cubits,] scil., In breadth.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 41:5
(5) The wall of the house, six cubits.—The thickness of the wall is the same with that of the wall of the outer court (Ezekiel 40:5), about ten feet. Great massiveness is characteristic of Oriental architecture, but is carried to excess in this vision, to set forth the firmness and security of the things symbolised. Every side chamber.—Every is not in the original, and is unnecessary. He measured the range of side rooms, the word being used collectively. These (J J [Ezekiel 40:44-49]) entirely surrounded the house, except on the front or east side where the porch stood.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 41:5
Ch. Ezekiel 41:5-11. The side chambers or annexe to the house The text in some places is confused, but the general meaning is clear. Round about the wall of the house on three sides (N., W. and S.) were built side-chambers in three stories, thirty chambers in each story, Fig. 2, D. The chamber on the ground floor was 4 cubits wide (N. to S.), but in the second story the width was greater than in the first, and in the third story greater than in the second. The reason of this greater wideness of the upper stories was that the wall of the house on which the chambers were built diminished in thickness as it ascended. This wall was 6 cubits thick at the base (Ezekiel 41:5), but it was let in at two points as it ascended. The same arrangement had place in Solomon’s temple—“on the outside he made rebatements in the wall of the house round about” (1 Kings 6:6). The effect of this decrease in the thickness of the wall (in Solomon’s temple a cubit each time) was that the chambers in the second and third stories became so much broader. In consequence of this narrowing of the wall of the house at two points two ledges ran round the wall on three sides, and on these ledges the beams that supported the second and third stories of the side-chambers rested, without being let into the wall (Ezekiel 41:6).
The wall of the side-chambers was thus on one side the wall of the house; on the other side they had a wall of their own, 5 cubits thick (Ezekiel 41:9). The whole structure, house and side chambers, was built upon a raised platform, 6 cubits higher than the level of the inner court (Ezekiel 41:8). The buildings, however (temple and side-chambers), did not quite cover the platform: a margin of 5 cubits (“that which was left,” Ezekiel 41:9; Ezekiel 41:11) remained free outside the side-chambers, on two sides (N. and S.), Fig. 2, E; and from this free space the doors into the side-chambers opened, one on the N. and another on the S., Fig. 2, g (Ezekiel 41:11). Further, on the walls of the inner court, N. and S., were chambers for the priests, Fig. 3, GG´, and between the temple-platform and these cells ran a passage or court of 20 cubits (“the separate place,” Ezekiel 41:12). This court ran round the house-platform on three sides (N. W. S.), Fig. 3, H. The way in which one story of the side-chambers communicated with another is described only generally (Ezekiel 41:7); in Solomon’s temple the communication is supposed to have been by a spiral staircase, or more probably by a ladder and trap-doors. It is evident that the prophet reproduces in the main the arrangements of the temple, hence he refers to the several things, even when first mentioning them, as the so and so, assuming that they are well known.
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 41:5
The wall of the house - This was the outer wall of the temple itself. Its thickness of six cubits corresponds with the colossal proportions of the architecture of the east. Every side chamber - the side-chambers (D).
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 41:5
5-11. Various details in this description of the side chambers (compare 1 Kings 6:5-10; 1 Kings 7:51) are uncertain, but Toy’s rendering makes plain the general meaning: “He measured the wall of the temple six cubits thick.