King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 42:16 Mean?

Ezekiel 42:16 in the King James Version says “He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about. side: Heb. w...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 42:16 · KJV

Context

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.

18

He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about. The repetition with the measuring reed twice in one verse emphasizes the instrument's importance—this wasn't approximate estimation but exact measurement using a standardized qaneh (קָנֶה), approximately 10.5 feet long. Five hundred reeds equals roughly 5,250 feet or nearly a mile per side, creating a temple complex of enormous proportions.

The east side is measured first because it faces the direction of sunrise, of God's glory, and of hope. In Scripture, orientation toward the east carries theological significance: the Garden of Eden had cherubim guarding its eastern entrance (Genesis 3:24), the tabernacle opened eastward (Exodus 27:13), and Christ will return from the east (Matthew 24:27). The temple's eastern orientation meant worshipers faced toward God's glory when entering, and priests serving inside faced east when ministering. This massive eastern wall would serve as the entry point for divine glory in the next chapter (43:1-4), making its measurement critical.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The measuring reed (qaneh) functioned as the ancient Near Eastern equivalent of a surveyor's rod. Ezekiel 40:5 establishes the reed as six cubits long (using the long cubit of approximately 21 inches, making the reed about 10.5 feet). Archaeological excavations of ancient temples—including Herod's later expansion of the second temple—show that sacred architecture followed precise mathematical proportions, but none approached the scale of Ezekiel's vision. The 500-reed measurement per side created a perfect square, symbolizing completeness and perfection. For comparison, Solomon's temple complex was approximately 500 feet × 300 feet—Ezekiel's vision is more than ten times larger in each direction. This speaks not just to physical grandeur but to the comprehensive scope of God's future restoration: space enough for all His covenant people.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the precision of divine measurement teach about God's exacting standards for holiness and worship?
  2. How does the eastern orientation of God's temple challenge our casual, direction-less approach to worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
מָדַ֛ד1 of 11

“He measured”

H4058

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

ר֥וּחַ2 of 11

“side”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

הַקָּדִ֖ים3 of 11

“the east”

H6921

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

בִּקְנֵ֥ה4 of 11

“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)

הַמִּדָּ֖ה5 of 11

“with the measuring”

H4060

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

חֲמֵשׁ6 of 11

“five”

H2568

five

אֵמ֥וֹת7 of 11
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)

בִּקְנֵ֥ה8 of 11

“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)

בִּקְנֵ֥ה9 of 11

“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)

הַמִּדָּ֖ה10 of 11

“with the measuring”

H4060

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

סָבִֽיב׃11 of 11

“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 42:16 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 42:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 40:3Zechariah 2:1Revelation 11:1-2

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