King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 40:5 Mean?

Ezekiel 40:5 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.

And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.

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.

Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad. which looketh: Heb. whose face was the way toward the east

And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed.

Read Ezekiel 40 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary

The measuring begins with a wall surrounding the temple complex—physical separation between sacred and profane. The Hebrew גָּדֵר (gader, 'wall') emphasizes boundary and protection. The measuring reed's specification—'six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth' (approximately 10.5 feet using the longer 'royal cubit')—establishes the standard for all subsequent measurements. This precision reflects God's character: exact, unchanging, holy. The wall's dimensions—'one reed' in breadth and height (forming a perfect square in cross-section)—symbolize stability and perfection. Reformed theology sees this wall as representing God's preservation of His church—separated from the world, protected by divine decree. As Paul writes, God has 'set a wall of partition' (Ephesians 2:14) that Christ removes between Jew and Gentile, but maintains between His people and the world (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient temples featured enclosure walls defining sacred precincts. Archaeological excavations of Near Eastern temples reveal outer walls separating holy ground from common areas. Solomon's temple had similar distinctions—outer court, inner court, Holy Place, and Most Holy Place (1 Kings 6-7). The wall's thickness and height prevented unauthorized access, reflecting Levitical regulations about approaching God's presence (Numbers 1:51, 18:7). After the exile, Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem's walls before proper worship resumed (Nehemiah 6-7), demonstrating that security and sanctity go together. The 'cubit and a hand breadth' (approximately 21 inches) was the royal or long cubit used in monumental architecture, distinguishing this from common measurement. This suggests the temple's royal character—God is the ultimate King dwelling among His people.

Reflection Questions

How does the wall's separation between sacred and common challenge cultural pressure to blur distinctions between church and world?
What 'walls' does God establish in your life to protect holiness and prevent compromise?
How do we maintain healthy separation without falling into self-righteous isolation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words

וְהִנֵּ֥ה1 of 23

H2009

lo!

חוֹמָ֛ה2 of 23

“And behold a wall”

H2346

a wall of protection

מִח֥וּץ3 of 23

“on the outside”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

לַבַּ֖יִת4 of 23

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

סָבִ֑יב5 of 23

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

סָבִ֑יב6 of 23

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וּבְיַ֨ד7 of 23

“hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הָאִ֜ישׁ8 of 23

“and in the man's”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

קָנֶ֥ה9 of 23

“reed”

H7070

a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)

הַמִּדָּ֗ה10 of 23

“a measuring”

H4060

properly, extension, i.e., height or breadth; specifically, tribute (as measured)

שֵׁשׁ11 of 23

“of six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

בָּֽאַמָּה֙12 of 23

“cubits”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

בָּֽאַמָּה֙13 of 23

“cubits”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

וָטֹ֔פַח14 of 23

“and an hand breadth”

H2948

a spread of the hand, i.e., a palm-breadth (not 'span' of the fingers); architecturally, a corbel (as a supporting palm)

וַיָּ֜מָד15 of 23

“so he measured”

H4058

properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended

אֶת16 of 23

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רֹ֤חַב17 of 23

“the breadth”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

הַבִּנְיָן֙18 of 23

“of the building”

H1146

an edifice

קָנֶ֥ה19 of 23

“reed”

H7070

a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)

אֶחָֽד׃20 of 23

“one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וְקוֹמָ֖ה21 of 23

“and the height”

H6967

height

קָנֶ֥ה22 of 23

“reed”

H7070

a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)

אֶחָֽד׃23 of 23

“one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

Study Guide

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 40:5 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 40:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 42:20 Isaiah 26:1 Psalms 125:2