King James Version
What Does Ezekiel 42:18 Mean?
“He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.”
Context
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.
19
He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.
20
He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.
Commentary
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary**19. handfuls--**expressing the paltry gain for which they bartered immortal souls (compare Mi 3:5, 11; He 12:16). They "polluted" God by making His name the cloak under which they uttered falsehoods.
**among my people--**an aggravation of their sin, that they committed it "among the people" whom God had chosen as peculiarly His own, and among whom He had His temple. It would have been a sin to have done so even among the Gentiles, who knew not God; much more so among the people of God (compare Pr 28:21).
**slay ... souls that should not die, &c.--**to predict the slaying or perdition of the godly whom I will save. As true ministers are said to save and slay their hearers, according to the spirit respectively in which these receive their message (2Co 2:15, 16), so false ministers imitate them; but they promise safety to those on the broad way to ruin and predict ruin to those on the narrow way of God.
**my people that hear your lies--**who are therefore wilfully deceived, so that their guilt lies at their own door (Joh 3:19).
Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, David Brown. Public Domain.
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 42:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.