King James Version
What Does Ezekiel 40:31 Mean?
“And the arches thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it had eight steps.”
Context
29
And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these measures: and there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.
30
And the arches round about were five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad. broad: Heb. breadth
31
And the arches thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it had eight steps.
32
And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.
33
And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, were according to these measures: and there were windows therein and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(31) **Utter** = Outer, and so in Ezekiel 40:37; Ezekiel 42:1; Ezekiel 42:3; Ezekiel 42:7; Ezekiel 42:14; Ezekiel 44:19; Ezekiel 46:20-21. In old English *utter* and *outer* appear to have been often interchanged.
**Eight steps.—**All the gates of the inner court (see Ezekiel 40:34; Ezekiel 40:37) had one more step than those of the outer, the inner court being raised so much more above the outer than the outer was above the precincts. The two sets together made up fifteen steps, the same number as led up in the later Temple from the court of the women to the court of Israel, and on which, according to Jewish tradition, the Levites stood to chant the fifteen Psalms (Psalms 120-134) called “Songs of Degrees.”
Ezekiel 40:32-34 describe the east gate, and Ezekiel 40:35-37 the north gate, both exactly like the one already described.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Ezekiel 40:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Ezekiel 40:31
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge