King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 42:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 42:11 in the King James Version says “And the way before them was like the appearance of the chambers which were toward the north, as long as they, and as bro...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the way before them was like the appearance of the chambers which were toward the north, as long as they, and as broad as they: and all their goings out were both according to their fashions, and according to their doors.”

Ezekiel 42:11 · King James Version

Context

9

And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the utter court. from under: or, from the place the entry: or, he that brought me as: or, as he came

10

The chambers were in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, over against the separate place, and over against the building.

11

And the way before them was like the appearance of the chambers which were toward the north, as long as they, and as broad as they: and all their goings out were both according to their fashions, and according to their doors.

12

And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door in the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them.

13

Then said he unto me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they be holy chambers, where the priests that approach unto the LORD shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place is holy.

Read Ezekiel 42 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And the way before them was like the appearance of the chambers which were toward the north, as long as they, and as broad as they: and all their goings out were both according to their fashions, and according to their doors. The emphasis on symmetry—as long as they, and as broad as they—reflects the divine order and perfection in God's ideal temple. The Hebrew mishpatehen (מִשְׁפְּטֵיהֶן, "their fashions" or "their ordinances") and petachehem (פִּתְחֵיהֶם, "their doors") stress that both northern and southern chambers followed identical specifications, with nothing arbitrary or asymmetrical.

This architectural symmetry carries theological weight: God's ways are consistent, His justice impartial, His design perfect. The temple, as microcosm of God's ordered creation, displayed harmony and proportion. All their goings out refers to the exits and access points—priests entering from either north or south experienced the same progression toward holiness, neither having advantage nor disadvantage. This anticipates the New Testament truth that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free—all access God through the same mediator (Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 2:18).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern temples often featured asymmetry reflecting chaotic polytheistic cosmologies or pragmatic additions over time. In contrast, the tabernacle (Exodus 25-40) and Solomon's temple (1 Kings 6-7) emphasized symmetry and order, reflecting the one true God's perfection. Ezekiel's vision perfects this symmetry even further—every measurement is exact, every chamber has its counterpart. For the exiles who had seen the temple destroyed, this vision assured them that God's future restoration would surpass even Solomon's glory. The symmetry also had practical import: priests serving on different sides of the temple performed identical functions, reinforcing that holiness requirements were universal, not variable based on circumstance or clan. This divine order contrasted sharply with the chaos and injustice of Babylonian exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the symmetry and order of God's temple challenge the chaos and relativism of modern culture?
  2. What does identical access from north and south teach about God's impartiality in providing access to His presence?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
דֶּ֣רֶךְ1 of 14

“And the way”

H1870

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

לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם2 of 14

“before”

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

כְּמַרְאֵ֣ה3 of 14

“them was like the appearance”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

הַלְּשָׁכ֗וֹת4 of 14

“of the chambers”

H3957

a room in a building (whether for storage, eating, or lodging)

אֲשֶׁר֙5 of 14
H834

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

דֶּ֣רֶךְ6 of 14

“And the way”

H1870

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

הַצָּפ֔וֹן7 of 14

“the north”

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

כְּאָרְכָּ֖ן8 of 14

“as long as”

H753

length

כֵּ֣ן9 of 14

“they and as broad as”

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

רָחְבָּ֑ן10 of 14
H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

וְכֹל֙11 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מוֹצָ֣אֵיהֶ֔ן12 of 14

“they and all their goings out”

H4161

a going forth, i.e., (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence, a source or product; specifically, dawn, the rising of the sun (the east), ex

וּכְמִשְׁפְּטֵיהֶ֖ן13 of 14

“were both according to their fashions”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וּכְפִתְחֵיהֶֽן׃14 of 14

“and according to their doors”

H6607

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

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 42:11 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 42:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 42:4

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