King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 42:15 Mean?

Ezekiel 42:15 in the King James Version says “Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect is toward t...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 42:15 · KJV

Context

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.

16

He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about. side: Heb. wind

17

He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.

Read Ezekiel 42 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The bayit hapenimiy (בַּיִת הַפְּנִימִי, "inner house") refers to the temple proper—the holy place and most holy place, now fully measured. The angelic guide now leads Ezekiel to measure the outer perimeter, moving toward the gate whose prospect is toward the east, the main entrance where God's glory would enter (43:1-4).

The verb kalah (כָּלָה, "made an end") signals completion of the interior measurements—every detail recorded, nothing overlooked. God's concern for precision teaches that worship according to divine specifications matters. The phrase measured it round about (saviv saviv, סָבִיב סָבִיב—emphatic repetition) indicates comprehensive measurement of the entire temple complex perimeter. This extensive measuring demonstrated the temple's vast scale, dwarfing even Solomon's temple, signaling the eschatological glory of God's future dwelling among His people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel's temple vision (chapters 40-48) far exceeds Solomon's temple in size and glory. The measurements given here (500 reeds × 500 reeds, approximately 3,000 feet per side if using the long cubit) would create a temple complex larger than the entire ancient city of Jerusalem. This has led interpreters to see the vision as either idealized (showing what the second temple should have been), eschatological (the millennial temple), or symbolic (representing the church or new creation). Regardless, the exiles would understand: God's future dwelling with His people will be greater than anything in the past. The eastern gate's prominence connects to God's glory departing eastward before judgment (10:18-19, 11:23) and returning from the east in restoration (43:1-5). The same direction Babylon lay—God would return from the direction of exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the transition from measuring the inner house to the outer perimeter teach about God's holistic concern for His dwelling?
  2. How does the vastness of this temple complex shape your vision of God's ultimate plan for dwelling with His people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְכִלָּ֗ה1 of 15

“Now when he had made an end”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

אֶת2 of 15
H853

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

מִדּוֹת֙3 of 15

“of measuring”

H4060

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

הַבַּ֣יִת4 of 15

“house”

H1004

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

הַפְּנִימִ֔י5 of 15

“the inner”

H6442

interior

וְהוֹצִיאַ֙נִי֙6 of 15

“he brought me forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

דֶּ֣רֶךְ7 of 15

“is toward”

H1870

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

הַשַּׁ֔עַר8 of 15

“the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

אֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 15
H834

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

פָּנָ֖יו10 of 15

“whose prospect”

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

דֶּ֣רֶךְ11 of 15

“is toward”

H1870

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

הַקָּדִ֑ים12 of 15

“the east”

H6921

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

וּמְדָד֖וֹ13 of 15

“and measured”

H4058

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

סָבִֽיב׃14 of 15

“it round about”

H5439

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

סָבִֽיב׃15 of 15

“it round about”

H5439

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

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 42:15 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 42:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 43:1Ezekiel 40:6-16Ezekiel 41:15Ezekiel 41:2-5

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