EzekielStudy Guide

Chapter 42

Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.

Just read this chapter →

Scripture

KJV

1Then he brought me forth into the utter court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into the chamber that was over against the separate place, and which was before the building toward the north.

2Before the length of an hundred cubits was the north door, and the breadth was fifty cubits.

3Over against the twenty cubits which were for the inner court, and over against the pavement which was for the utter court, was gallery against gallery in three stories.

4And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors toward the north.

5Now the upper chambers were shorter: for the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and than the middlemost of the building.

6For they were in three stories, but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore the building was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground.

7And the wall that was without over against the chambers, toward the utter court on the forepart of the chambers, the length thereof was fifty cubits.

8For the length of the chambers that were in the utter court was fifty cubits: and, lo, before the temple were an hundred cubits.

9And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the utter court.

10The chambers were in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, over against the separate place, and over against the building.

11And 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.

12And 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.

13Then 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.

14When 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.

15Now 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.

16He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.

17He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.

18He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.

19He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.

20He 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.

Key VerseEzekiel 42:20

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.

Overview

The angel shows Ezekiel the chambers used by the priests who approach the Lord, where they eat the most holy things and change their garments before going out to the people. The entire temple complex is measured on all four sides, and the wall around it separates the holy from the common. The distinct spaces for priestly ministry emphasize that those who serve God must be set apart and prepared before ministering to others.

Key Themes

1

Holy Chambers for Holy Ministers

The priests' chambers provide a space for eating the holy offerings and changing garments — those who serve God must prepare themselves and approach Him with reverence.

2

Separation of Holy and Common

The wall around the entire temple complex makes a distinction between the holy and the profane — God's holiness requires clear boundaries.

3

Garments of Ministry

The priests must change clothes when moving between the holy space and the common area — what touches the holy must not casually mix with the ordinary.

Study Questions

1.

Why must priests change garments when transitioning between the holy and common areas (v. 14)?

2.

What does the wall separating holy from common (v. 20) teach about the nature of holiness?

3.

How do the priests' chambers for eating holy things reflect the intimacy of priestly service?

4.

What principles about approaching God emerge from the architecture of this temple?

5.

How do these detailed provisions for priestly preparation apply to all believers as a royal priesthood?

Connection to Christ

The priestly garments changed between holy and common service point to Christ, who is our High Priest robed in garments of glory (Revelation 1:13) and who clothes believers in His righteousness so they may approach the holy God. Through Christ, all believers are made a kingdom of priests (Revelation 1:6).

Personal Reflection

Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Ezekiel 42. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?

Ezekiel

42 of 48