Ezekiel 40:24

And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof. The different approaches corresponded in plan. In the case of these two other gates, however, no mention is made of a building with 30 chambers, such as was found on the east side. Only one was needed, and it was assigned to the east, as being the sacred quarter, and that most conveniently situated for the officiating priests. Verse 23 THE GATE OF THE INNER COURT WAS OVER AGAINST THE GATE TOWARD THE NORTH AND TOWARD THE EAST - Verse 23. THE GATE OF THE INNER COURT WAS OVER AGAINST THE GATE TOWARD THE NORTH, AND TOWARD THE EAST - an elliptical expression for "the gate of the inner court was over against the (outer) gate toward the north (just as the inner gate was over against the outer gate) toward the east." THE INNER COURT AND ITS GATES...

Verse Ezekiel 40:24. _ACCORDING TO THESE MEASURES._] The same measures that had been used at the eastern court....

EXPOSITION The magnificent temple-vision, as it is usually styled, a description of which forms the closing section of this book (Ezekiel 40-48.), was the last extended" word" communicated to the prophet, and was given him in the five and twentieth year of the Captivity, _i.e. _about B.C. 575. Two years later he received a brief revelation concerning Egypt, which, in compiling his volume, he incorporated with the other prophecies relating to the same subject (Ezekiel 29:17). Of the present oracle as a whole the significance will be best understood when its several parts have been examined in detail. Meanwhile it may suffice to note that it manifestly connects itself with the promise in Ezekiel 37:27,...

AFTER THAT HE BROUGHT ME TOWARD THE SOUTH,.... Having taken the dimensions of the east and north gates, the prophet was had on the south side of the building: AND BEHOLD A GATE TOWARD THE SOUTH; that led to the southern part of this fabric, and to the outward court there, exactly like the other two; there was no difference in them, which raised the prophet's wonder and attention; for, as Lipman k says, there was no outward court in the second temple, but to the east of the inward; and it did not encompass the other sides; and so the more wonderful: AND HE MEASURED THE POSTS THEREOF, AND THE ARCHES THEREOF, ACCORDING, TO THESE MEASURES; the measures of the east and north gates, which were just alike; for these all signified but one gateway or door into the church below, into heaven above, or into the presence of God here and hereafter, which is Christ, John 14:6

Chapter s 40-48. The final nine Chapter s of this book form the climax of the great prophecies of Ezekiel; they belong to the most difficult in the entire prophetic Word. Once more the hand of the Lord rests upon the seer and in the visions of God he is brought into the land of Israel. In the very beginning of this grand finale we learn therefore that the visions concern the land of Israel. Let us remember, that after the fall of Jerusalem had been announced to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 33:21), his prophetic utterances and visions concern the future when Israel is to be regathered and restored to the land. The previous two Chapter s dealt with the last invasion of the land of Israel and the complete overthrow of Gog and its hordes. The vision contained in this last section follows after Israel's final deliverance. So much is clear as to the time when the prophecies of these eight Chapter s will b...

Through this he came into the great outer court, round which ran a pavement, with thirty chambers fronting on the pavement probably for the use of the people in their celebration of the festal meals. On the northern and southern sides of the court there were gateways and guard-rooms similar to those on the east side....

THESE MEASURES. This phrase is repeated in verses: Ezekiel 40:28; Ezekiel 40:29; Ezekiel 40:32, Eze 28:33, Eze 28:35. showing the conformity of the whole plan....

Ezekiel 40:1-27. The outer gateway and court In the 25th year of Jehoiachin's captivity, which was the 14th year after the fall of the city (b.c. 572), the prophet fell into a prophetic trance (Ezekiel 40:1); he seemed transported to the land of Israel and set down upon a high mountain, on which was a great building (Ezekiel 40:2). At the gate of the building there stood a man with a line of flax in his hand and a measuring reed (Ezekiel 40:3). The prophet is commanded closely to observe all that is shewn him, and to declare it to the house of Israel....

ACCORDING TO THESE MEASURES— _According to the same measure:_ that is to say, the same which had been used in the eastern court. See Wall's Critical Notes, and Houbigant....

B. DESCRIPTION OF THE OUTER COURT AND ITS GATEWAYS 40:5-27 TRANSLATION[502] [502] At this point the American Standard Version of 1901 has been followed with only slight modification. (5) And behold, a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed six cubits long, of a cubit and a handbreadth each: so he measured the thickness of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed. (6) Then came he unto the gate which looks toward the east, and went up the steps thereof: and he measured the threshold of the gate, one reed broad; and the other threshold, one reed broad. (7) And every lodge was one reed long, and one reed broad; and the space between the lodges was five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate toward the house was one reed. (8) He measured also the porch of the gate toward the house, one reed. (9) Then measured he...