What does Ezekiel 40:5 mean?
"And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed." - Ezekiel 40:5
Ezekiel 40:5 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed." This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Ezekiel that describes the prophet's vision of a new temple.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning and significance. The book of Ezekiel was written during a time of great turmoil and suffering for the people of Israel. The nation had been conquered and many of its people were taken into captivity in Babylon. In the midst of this hardship, Ezekiel received a series of visions and prophecies from God, many of which focused on the future restoration of Israel and the establishment of a new temple.
In Ezekiel's vision, he is taken to a high mountain where he sees a new temple being built. The temple is described in great detail, with measurements and specifications for various features and structures. The man with the measuring reed in this verse is likely an angel or a divine messenger, and his purpose is to measure and record the dimensions of the temple.
The symbolism in this verse and the larger passage is rich and meaningful. The temple itself is a symbol of God's presence and dwelling among his people. In the Old Testament, the tabernacle and later the temple were the focal points of Israel's worship and the physical representations of God's covenant with his people. The vision of a new temple in Ezekiel's prophecy is a powerful symbol of God's faithfulness and his intention to restore and renew his relationship with Israel.
The measuring reed in the man's hand is also symbolic. In ancient times, a measuring reed was used to ensure that something was built according to a specific standard or plan. In this vision, the reed represents God's precise and intentional design for the new temple. It signifies that everything about the temple, from its dimensions to its construction, is ordained by God and will come to pass according to his will.
The measurements given in this verse (one reed in breadth and one reed in height) further emphasize the precision and perfection of God's plan. The use of the number six (six cubits long) is also significant in biblical numerology. In the Bible, the number six is often associated with mankind and human labor, as well as imperfection and incompleteness. The fact that the measuring reed is six cubits long may highlight the contrast between human efforts and divine perfection in the construction of the temple.
Overall, this verse in Ezekiel 40 is a powerful symbol of God's faithfulness to his people and his plan to restore and renew their relationship with him. It speaks to the promise of a new beginning and a fresh start for Israel, even in the midst of their exile and suffering. The precise measurements and divine design of the temple emphasize God's sovereignty and the certainty of his promises. This vision would have been a source of hope and encouragement for the people of Israel, reminding them that God had not abandoned them and that he had a glorious future in store for them.
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Ezekiel 40:5 - "And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed."
"And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed." - Ezekiel 40:5
Ezekiel 20:40
Ezekiel 20:40
Ezekiel 20:40
Ezekiel 20:40
Ezekiel 40:40 - "And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, were two tables; and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables."
Ezekiel 40:35 - "¶ And he brought me to the north gate, and measured it according to these measures;"
Ezekiel 40:8 - "He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed."
Ezekiel 40:18 - "And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement."
Ezekiel 40:38 - "And the chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering."
Ezekiel 40:30 - "And the arches round about were five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad."
Ezekiel 40:11 - "And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits."
Ezekiel 40:20 - "¶ And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof."
Ezekiel 40:43 - "And within were hooks, an hand broad, fastened round about: and upon the tables was the flesh of the offering."
Ezekiel 40:15 - "And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face of the porch of the inner gate were fifty cubits."
Ezekiel 40:32 - "¶ And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures."
Ezekiel 40:14 - "He made also posts of threescore cubits, even unto the post of the court round about the gate."
Ezekiel 40:28 - "And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures;"
Ezekiel 40:45 - "And he said unto me, This chamber, whose prospect is toward the south, is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house."
Ezekiel 40:9 - "Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits; and the porch of the gate was inward."
John 5:40 - "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
Ezekiel 40:47 - "So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar that was before the house."
Ezekiel 40:41 - "Four tables were on this side, and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate; eight tables, whereupon they slew their sacrifices."
Ezekiel 40:27 - "And there was a gate in the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south an hundred cubits."
Ezekiel 16:40 - "They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords."
Ezekiel 40:19 - "Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward."
Ezekiel 40:25 - "And there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits."
Ezekiel 40:39 - "¶ And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering."
Ezekiel 40:13 - "He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door."