King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 41:3 Mean?

Ezekiel 41:3 in the King James Version says “Then went he inward, and measured the post of the door, two cubits; and the door, six cubits; and the breadth of the doo...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 41 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then went he inward, and measured the post of the door, two cubits; and the door, six cubits; and the breadth of the door, seven cubits.”

Ezekiel 41:3 · KJV

Context

1

Afterward he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts, six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the other side, which was the breadth of the tabernacle.

2

And the breadth of the door was ten cubits; and the sides of the door were five cubits on the one side, and five cubits on the other side: and he measured the length thereof, forty cubits: and the breadth, twenty cubits. door: or, entrance

3

Then went he inward, and measured the post of the door, two cubits; and the door, six cubits; and the breadth of the door, seven cubits.

4

So he measured the length thereof, twenty cubits; and the breadth, twenty cubits, before the temple: and he said unto me, This is the most holy place.

5

After he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of every side chamber, four cubits, round about the house on every side.

Read Ezekiel 41 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The guide 'went... inward' to the Most Holy Place—the innermost sanctum where God's glory dwelt. The decreasing door dimensions (six cubits) and narrowing breadth (seven cubits) as one progresses inward teach that access to God's immediate presence is most restricted. Only the high priest entered once yearly (Leviticus 16), and here even the guide hesitates—Ezekiel himself doesn't enter. This reverence reflects God's transcendent holiness: 'our God is a consuming fire' (Hebrews 12:29). The two-cubit posts and specific measurements aren't arbitrary but divinely prescribed, teaching that approach to God's throne must follow His terms. The veil separating Holy Place from Most Holy Place (implied here) was torn at Christ's death (Matthew 27:51), granting believers direct access (Hebrews 10:19-20). Reformed theology celebrates this dramatic shift: what was once restricted to one man once yearly is now open to all believers always through Christ's blood.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Most Holy Place in both tabernacle and Solomon's temple was a perfect cube (Exodus 26:33-34, 1 Kings 6:20), containing the Ark of the Covenant. Only the high priest entered on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) with blood for the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:2-34). Unauthorized entry meant death (Leviticus 16:2, Numbers 3:10). When Solomon's temple was completed, God's glory filled it so densely that priests couldn't stand to minister (1 Kings 8:10-11). The Babylonians plundered the temple in 586 BC, and the Ark's location afterward remains unknown—Jewish tradition suggests Jeremiah hid it (2 Maccabees 2:4-8), but the second temple's Holy of Holies stood empty. This vision promised God's return to dwell among His people, fulfilled ultimately in Christ ('the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,' John 1:14) and the church as God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding the restricted access to the Most Holy Place deepen your appreciation for Christ opening 'a new and living way' (Hebrews 10:20)?
  2. What reverence should characterize your approach to God's presence, even though you now have 'boldness' through Christ (Hebrews 10:19)?
  3. In what ways do you treat casual access to God's presence as license for irreverence rather than motivation for deeper awe?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וּבָ֣א1 of 14

“Then went”

H935

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

לִפְנִ֔ימָה2 of 14

“he inward”

H6441

faceward, i.e., indoors

וַיָּ֥מָד3 of 14

“and measured”

H4058

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

אֵֽיל4 of 14

“the post”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

הַפֶּ֖תַח5 of 14

“and the door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

שְׁתַּ֣יִם6 of 14

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אַמּֽוֹת׃7 of 14

“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)

הַפֶּ֖תַח8 of 14

“and the door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

שֵׁ֣שׁ9 of 14

“six”

H8337

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

אַמּֽוֹת׃10 of 14

“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)

וְרֹ֥חַב11 of 14

“and the breadth”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

הַפֶּ֖תַח12 of 14

“and the door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

שֶׁ֥בַע13 of 14

“seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

אַמּֽוֹת׃14 of 14

“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)

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 41:3 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 41:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 40:16

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