Ezekiel 42:6

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

For they were in three stories, and they had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore the uppermost was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground.

Bible in Basic English

For they were on three floors, and they had no pillars like the pillars of the outer square; so the highest was narrower than the lowest and middle floors from the earth level.

Douay-Rheims 1899

For they were of three stories, and had not pillars, as the pillars of the courts: therefore did they appear above out of the lower places, and out of the middle places, fifty cubits from the ground.

Free Bible Version

Since they didn't have pillars like the courtyards, the upper rooms were set farther back than the lower and middle levels.

King James (Authorized) Version

For they were in three stories, but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore the building was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground.

Translation for Translators

The rooms on the upper levels had no pillars to support them like the ones in the courtyard. Instead, each of those row of rooms were supported by the walls of the row of rooms on the level below.

Unlocked Literal Bible

For the halls on the third story had no columns, unlike the courtyards, which did have columns. So the highest level's rooms were smaller in size compared to the rooms in the lowest and middle levels.

Noah Webster Bible

For they were in three stories , but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore the building was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground.

World English Bible

For they were in three stories, and they didn’t have pillars as the pillars of the courts. Therefore the uppermost was set back more than the lowest and the middle from the ground.

Young's Literal Translation

for they [are] threefold, and they have no pillars as the pillars of the court, therefore it hath been kept back — more than the lower and than the middle one — from the ground.

Context

Chambers for the Priests

⁵Now the upper chambers were smaller because the galleries took more space from the chambers on the lower and middle floors of the building.⁶For 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.⁷An outer wall in front of the chambers was fifty cubits long and ran parallel to the chambers and the outer court.

Summary

Ezekiel 42:6 describes the chambers in the temple complex, specifically the chambers that were in the outer court of the temple. These chambers were used by the priests for various purposes related to their service in the temple. The details provided in this verse give insight into the organization and functionality of the temple, highlighting the importance of order and preparation in carrying out the worship and rituals prescribed by God. It underscores the significance of the temple as a place of reverence and service to the Lord.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

For they were in three stories,.... Not only the galleries or posts, but the chambers; they were one over another; there were the lowermost, middlemost, and uppermost; which, as before, may denote the difference in churches, and the different states, conditions, and characters of those that are in them; some being fathers, others young men, and others little children: or their different offices and relations; some being pastors, others deacons, and others private members: or their knowledge of and profession of faith in the doctrine of the Trinity, the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; and their being baptized in the name of the three divine Persons; and their being built on Christ the foundation, a habitation for God through the Spirit: but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts; those which supported the porticos and galleries in the courts of the temple, not pillars so thick and strong as they: so the churches represented by these chambers, though they have Gospel ministers, which are as pillars, and valuable members, which are as such, that shall not go out; yet they have not those external supports from great and rich men, but consist generally of the poor of this world, as churches on a civil establishment have, who are supported by the state: therefore the building was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground; the upper part of it, or the uppermost chambers, were more straitened, and had less room in them, than the middlemost, and the middlemost than the lowest; suggesting, that the more heavenly and spiritual men are, the farther they depart from the men of the world and their conversation, from the sentiments and practices of natural men, the more they are exposed to their scorn and contempt, and are the more afflicted and straitened by them.