King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 42:20 Mean?

Ezekiel 42:20 in the King James Version says “He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 42:20 · King James Version

Context

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.

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Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
The massive wall—'five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad' (approximately 3,000 feet or over half a mile per side)—creates a perfect square enclosing the entire temple complex. This wall's purpose is explicitly stated: 'to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.' The Hebrew חֹל (chol, 'profane') doesn't mean morally evil but common, ordinary, secular—that which is not consecrated. The wall teaches that God's holiness requires clear boundaries. The perfect square shape echoes the Most Holy Place (1 Kings 6:20) and the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:16), symbolizing perfection, completeness, and divine order. The five hundred measurement (50 x 10) combines jubilee (50, Leviticus 25) and completeness (10), suggesting ultimate, complete restoration. Reformed theology emphasizes believers are 'a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people' (1 Peter 2:9)—set apart from the world while ministering within it.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient temples featured enclosure walls defining sacred precincts. Archaeological excavations reveal temple compounds at Babylon, Nineveh, and Karnak with massive boundary walls separating sacred from profane. However, Ezekiel's dimensions exceed any historical Israelite temple—Solomon's temple mount was considerably smaller. This has prompted interpretative debates: Is this literal (millennial temple), symbolic (spiritual realities), or idealized (divine standards)? Regardless, the principle stands: holiness requires separation. The wall prevented Gentile incursion (a later issue in Herod's temple, Acts 21:28-29) and maintained consecrated ground. For the exiles who had witnessed Jerusalem's walls destroyed and the temple desecrated, this vision promised impenetrable boundaries securing God's dwelling. Ultimately fulfilled in Christ who unites Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14) while maintaining separation from the world (James 4:4).

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'walls' do you maintain separating consecrated from common areas of your life?
  2. How do you balance being 'in the world but not of the world'—maintaining necessary separation without isolationism?
  3. Does the massive wall's size challenge casual approaches to holiness that minimize distinctions between sacred and secular?

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

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לְאַרְבַּ֨ע1 of 17

“it by the four”

H702

four

רוּח֜וֹת2 of 17

“sides”

H7307

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

מְדָד֗וֹ3 of 17

“He measured”

H4058

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

ח֤וֹמָה4 of 17

“it had a wall”

H2346

a wall of protection

לוֹ֙5 of 17
H0
סָבִ֔יב6 of 17

“round about”

H5439

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

סָבִ֔יב7 of 17

“round about”

H5439

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

אֹ֚רֶךְ8 of 17

“reeds long”

H753

length

חֲמֵ֣שׁ9 of 17

“and five”

H2568

five

מֵא֑וֹת10 of 17

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְרֹ֖חַב11 of 17

“broad”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

חֲמֵ֣שׁ12 of 17

“and five”

H2568

five

מֵא֑וֹת13 of 17

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

לְהַבְדִּ֕יל14 of 17

“to make a separation”

H914

to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)

בֵּ֥ין15 of 17
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ16 of 17

“between the sanctuary”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

לְחֹֽל׃17 of 17

“and the profane place”

H2455

properly, exposed; hence, profane

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 42:20 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 42:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 45:2Ezekiel 40:5Ezekiel 22:26Ezekiel 48:15Ezekiel 44:23Zechariah 2:5

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