King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 40:6 Mean?

Ezekiel 40:6 in the King James Version says “Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 40:6 · KJV

Context

4

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.

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.

6

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

7

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.

8

He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The eastern gate receives priority in the vision—directionally and theologically significant. The 'gate which looketh toward the east' recalls where God's glory departed (Ezekiel 10:18-19, 11:23) and must return (Ezekiel 43:1-4). Stairs ascending to the gate emphasize approaching God requires elevation—physically and spiritually. The threshold (Hebrew סַף, saph) marked transition from common to sacred space. Its measurement—'one reed broad'—indicates substantial separation. In Scripture, thresholds hold significance: the Passover blood marked doorposts (Exodus 12:7), priests guarded temple thresholds (2 Kings 22:4), and judgment befell those treating God's threshold with contempt (1 Samuel 5:5, Zephaniah 1:9). The double threshold ('the threshold... and the other threshold') suggests progressive stages of approach to God's presence, reflecting Reformed emphasis on reverent, mediated access through Christ our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern gates served military, commercial, and judicial functions. Temple gates controlled access to sacred space. Solomon's temple had elaborate gate structures (1 Kings 6). Archaeological discoveries at Megiddo, Hazor, and Gezer reveal multi-chambered gates from Solomon's era, providing context for Ezekiel's vision. The eastern orientation held cosmological significance—sunrise symbolized divine presence and new creation. Many ancient temples faced east toward the rising sun, but Israel's eastward orientation uniquely anticipated YHWH's glory returning from the east. The stairs ascending to gates appear in both archaeological remains and biblical texts (Ezekiel 40:6, 22, 26), indicating elevated sacred precincts. For exiles familiar with Babylonian temple architecture, these details would have resonated while maintaining distinctly Israelite theological emphases.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'stairs' of spiritual discipline and preparation must you ascend to approach God in worship?
  2. How does the eastern gate's significance (where glory departed and must return) speak to personal or corporate spiritual restoration?
  3. In what ways do we trivialize 'thresholds' between sacred and secular in contemporary Christian life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיָּב֗וֹא1 of 22

“Then came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל2 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַשַּׁ֗עַר3 of 22

“he unto the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

אֲשֶׁ֤ר4 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

פָּנָיו֙5 of 22

“which looketh”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

דֶּ֣רֶךְ6 of 22

“toward”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הַקָּדִ֔ימָה7 of 22

“the east”

H6921

the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)

וַיַּ֖עַל8 of 22

“and went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בְּמַֽעֲלוֹתָ֑ו9 of 22

“the stairs”

H4609

elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o

וַיָּ֣מָד׀10 of 22

“thereof and measured”

H4058

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

אֶת11 of 22
H853

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

סַ֣ף12 of 22

“the threshold”

H5592

a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)

הַשַּׁ֗עַר13 of 22

“he unto the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

קָנֶ֥ה14 of 22

“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)

אֶחָ֖ד15 of 22

“and the other”

H259

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

רֹֽחַב׃16 of 22

“broad”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

וְאֵת֙17 of 22
H853

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

סַ֣ף18 of 22

“the threshold”

H5592

a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)

אֶחָ֖ד19 of 22

“and the other”

H259

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

קָנֶ֥ה20 of 22

“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)

אֶחָ֖ד21 of 22

“and the other”

H259

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

רֹֽחַב׃22 of 22

“broad”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

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 40:6 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 40:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 43:1Ezekiel 8:16Ezekiel 40:20Ezekiel 11:11 Chronicles 9:181 Chronicles 9:24

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