Ezekiel 42:4

Verse

In front of the chambers was an inner walkway ten cubits wide and a hundred cubits long. Their doors were on the north.

American Standard Version (1901)

And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits’ breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors were toward the north.

Bible in Basic English

And in front of the rooms was a walk, ten cubits wide and a hundred cubits long; and their doors were facing north.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And before the chambers was a walk ten cubits broad, looking to the inner parts of a way of one cubit. And their doors were toward the north.

Free Bible Version

In front of the rooms was an inside walkway ten cubits wide and a hundred cubits long. Their doors opened to the north.

King James (Authorized) Version

And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors toward the north.

Translation for Translators

Between the two rows of rooms there was a walkway that was ◄17-1/2 feet/5.3 meters► wide and ◄175 feet/53 meters► long. All its doors were on the north side.

Unlocked Literal Bible

A passage ten cubits in width and one hundred cubits in length ran in front of the rooms. The rooms' doors were toward the north.

Noah Webster Bible

And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors towards the north.

World English Bible

Before the rooms was a walk of ten cubits’ width inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors were toward the north.

Young's Literal Translation

And at the front of the chambers [is] a walk of ten cubits in breadth unto the inner part, a way of one cubit, and their openings [are] at the north.

Context

Chambers for the Priests

³Gallery 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. ⁴In front of the chambers was an inner walkway ten cubits wide and a hundred cubits long. Their doors were on the north.

Summary

Ezekiel 42:4 describes a row of chambers surrounding the temple's inner courtyard, serving as lodging for the priests who minister in the house of the Lord. These chambers signify the importance of providing for the spiritual leaders and caretakers of God's sanctuary. The arrangement of these chambers reflects the order and organization required in the service of the Lord, emphasizing the need for structure and reverence in worship. This verse highlights the significance of honoring and supporting those dedicated to the service of God, ensuring that they have a place of rest and preparation for their sacred duties.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

A walk of ten cubits' breadth inward - This seems to have been a sort of parapet.

John Gill Bible Commentary

And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits' breadth inward,.... That is, within side, or between the two rows of chambers, there was a walk of this breadth, for those that lodged in the chambers to walk in for their pleasure and profit, and to converse with one another. Such who by these "chambers" understand places of retirement for private devotion, or the duties of the closet, which fit and prepare for public worship, as these chambers were near and in sight of the temple, so by this walk then Christian conference and conversation is intended; and shows, that the whole of religious time is not to be spent between the church and the chamber; but some part of it should be allotted for spiritual discourse, about gracious experiences, the truths of the Gospel, and the duties of religion; but as chambers design churches, this walk denotes the outward walk and conversation of the saints; which should be according to the rule of God's word, as becomes the Gospel, and worthy of the calling wherewith they are called. Starckius applies this to the decalogue or ten commandments, which is a broad way, Psa 119:32 and the moral law, as in the hands of Christ, is a rule of walk and conversation to believers under the Gospel: and besides, there "was a way of one cubit"; which led into the chambers, and out of them into the broad walk: this is a narrow way, as Christ is said to be, Mat 7:14 and whoever profess faith in him, and in this way enter into a Gospel church state, and into the kingdom of heaven, must be attended with much affliction and persecution, and pass through many tribulations; and there being both a broad walk and a narrow way, and these lying near one another, and a passage from the one to the other, may denote that the churches and people of God are sometimes in prosperity, and sometimes in adversity; one while they walk at liberty, as in a large place; and at other times in great straits and difficulties: and their doors toward the north; that is, the doors of that row of chambers nearest the temple; these opened to the north into the walk of ten cubits; though one would think that the row opposite to them, their doors must be to the south, into the broad walk between them; unless this is to be understood of the doors that opened into the way of one cubit, and were to the north in both rows; but then the way of one cubit could not in both lead into the broad walk.