King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 42:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 42:13 in the King James Version says “Then said he unto me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they be holy chamb...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 42:13 · KJV

Context

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.

14

When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the utter court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to those things which are for the people.

15

Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect is toward the east, and measured it round about.

Read Ezekiel 42 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse specifies the 'holy chambers' threefold purpose: (1) eating most holy things, (2) storing offerings, (3) maintaining ritual purity. The phrase 'priests that approach unto the LORD' (Hebrew קְרֵבִים אֶל־יְהוָה, qerebim el-YHWH) emphasizes privileged access requiring special consecration. Three offering types appear: meat/grain offering (תִּנְחָה, minchah—tribute to God), sin offering (חַטָּאת, chatat—purification from ritual impurity), and trespass offering (אָשָׁם, asham—restitution for wrongs). Eating these offerings sacramentally united priests with the sacrifice, symbolizing fellowship with God through substitutionary atonement. The repeated emphasis 'for the place is holy' teaches that holiness isn't merely moral uprightness but consecration to God's purposes. Reformed theology sees Christ our High Priest who 'entered once into the holy place' (Hebrews 9:12) and believers who 'eat' Christ spiritually through faith (John 6:51-58).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Levitical law precisely defined which portions priests could eat and where (Leviticus 6:16, 26; 7:6; 10:12-13). Most holy things could only be consumed within the sanctuary precincts by male priests—not taken home or shared with family. The grain offering accompanied many sacrifices, representing dedicating life's labor to God. The sin offering addressed ritual impurity and unintentional sins, with specific portions burned on the altar and others eaten by priests (Leviticus 6:24-30). The trespass offering required restitution plus 20% for offenses against God or neighbor (Leviticus 5:14-6:7). These offerings together addressed comprehensive dimensions of covenant relationship. The chambers' storage function protected sacred items from profanation—mixing holy with common incurred divine judgment (Leviticus 10:1-3).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does priestly 'eating' of offerings inform your understanding of communion—spiritual feeding on Christ's sacrifice?
  2. What does the distinction between holy chambers and common areas teach about maintaining spiritual separation in daily life?
  3. As a believer-priest who 'approaches God,' how seriously do you guard the 'place' (your heart, home, church) as holy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 32

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֗י2 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לִֽשְׁכ֣וֹת3 of 32

“chambers”

H3957

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

הַצָּפ֜וֹן4 of 32

“he unto me The north”

H6828

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

לִֽשְׁכ֣וֹת5 of 32

“chambers”

H3957

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

הַדָּרוֹם֮6 of 32

“and the south”

H1864

the south; poet. the south wind

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 32
H834

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

אֶל8 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פְּנֵ֣י9 of 32

“which are 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

הַגִּזְרָה֒10 of 32

“the separate place”

H1508

the figure or person (as if cut out); also an inclosure (as separated)

הֵ֣נָּה׀11 of 32
H2007

themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)

לִֽשְׁכ֣וֹת12 of 32

“chambers”

H3957

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

הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים13 of 32

“holy things”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

אֲשֶׁ֨ר14 of 32
H834

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

יֹאכְלוּ15 of 32

“shall eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

שָׁ֧ם16 of 32
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים17 of 32

“where the priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֲשֶׁר18 of 32
H834

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

קְרוֹבִ֥ים19 of 32

“that approach”

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

לַֽיהוָ֖ה20 of 32

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים21 of 32

“holy things”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים22 of 32

“holy things”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

שָׁ֞ם23 of 32
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

יַנִּ֣יחוּ׀24 of 32

“there shall they lay”

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים25 of 32

“holy things”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים26 of 32

“holy things”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְהַמִּנְחָה֙27 of 32

“and the meat offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וְהַחַטָּ֣את28 of 32

“and the sin offering”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

וְהָאָשָׁ֔ם29 of 32

“and the trespass offering”

H817

guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering

כִּ֥י30 of 32
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הַמָּק֖וֹם31 of 32

“for the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

קָדֹֽשׁ׃32 of 32

“is holy”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

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 42:13 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 42:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 7:6Leviticus 10:17Ezekiel 40:46Leviticus 6:29Numbers 18:9-10Exodus 29:31

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