Ezekiel 40:11
And he measured the width of the gateway entrance to be ten cubits, and its length was thirteen cubits.
Then he measured
The act of measuring in this context is significant, as it reflects God's order and precision. The Hebrew root for "measured" is "מָדַד" (madad), which implies a careful and deliberate action. This measurement is not arbitrary but divinely ordained, symbolizing God's sovereignty and the meticulous nature of His plans. In a broader biblical context, measuring often signifies judgment or preparation, as seen in other prophetic books like Zechariah and Revelation.

the width of the gateway entrance
The "gateway entrance" serves as a symbolic threshold between the profane and the sacred. In ancient Near Eastern architecture, gateways were not only physical structures but also held spiritual significance, representing access to divine presence. The width being specified underscores the inclusivity and accessibility of God's kingdom, yet it also implies a standard that must be met to enter.

to be ten cubits
The "cubit" is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly equivalent to the length of a forearm, about 18 inches or 45 centimeters. The number ten in biblical numerology often represents completeness or divine order. Thus, the ten cubits could symbolize the completeness of God's law and the perfect order of His kingdom, inviting believers to reflect on the fullness of God's provision and the perfection of His ways.

and the length of the gateway
The "length" of the gateway further emphasizes the grandeur and majesty of the entrance to the temple. Length, in this context, can also symbolize the endurance and eternal nature of God's covenant with His people. The gateway is not just a point of entry but a passage that signifies a journey into deeper communion with God.

was thirteen cubits
The number thirteen, while often associated with rebellion or apostasy in secular contexts, can also be seen as a number of transition or change in biblical terms. Here, it may suggest a transition from the old to the new, from exile to restoration, as Ezekiel's vision is one of hope and renewal for Israel. The specific measurement underscores the precision of God's plan and the assurance that His promises will be fulfilled exactly as He has decreed.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel receives visions from God, including the detailed vision of a new temple in chapters 40-48.

2. The Man with the Measuring Rod
A heavenly figure, possibly an angel, who guides Ezekiel through the vision and measures the temple, symbolizing divine order and precision.

3. The Temple
The vision of the temple represents God's presence among His people and the restoration of worship. It serves as a symbol of hope and future restoration for Israel.

4. The Gateway
The specific measurement of the gateway signifies the importance of access to God's presence and the orderliness of His divine plan.

5. The Vision
This vision occurs during the Babylonian exile, offering hope and a future promise of restoration and divine presence among the people of Israel.
Teaching Points
Divine Order and Precision
God's plans are precise and intentional. The detailed measurements of the temple remind us that God is a God of order, and His plans for our lives are meticulously crafted.

Access to God's Presence
The gateway symbolizes access to God. In our lives, Jesus is the gateway through which we enter into a relationship with God. We should cherish and prioritize this access.

Hope and Restoration
The vision of the temple was given during a time of exile, offering hope for restoration. In our own times of difficulty, we can trust in God's promises for future restoration and renewal.

Symbolism of Measurements
The specific measurements in the vision symbolize the perfection and holiness of God's dwelling. We are called to pursue holiness in our own lives as we prepare to dwell with God eternally.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the detailed measurement of the temple gateway in Ezekiel 40:11 reflect God's character and His plans for His people?

2. In what ways does the vision of the temple provide hope and encouragement during times of personal "exile" or difficulty?

3. How can we apply the concept of Jesus as the "gateway" to our daily walk with God, as seen in John 10:9?

4. What parallels can we draw between the temple vision in Ezekiel and the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21, and how do these visions impact our understanding of God's eternal plan?

5. How can the order and precision seen in God's instructions for the temple inspire us to seek order and intentionality in our spiritual lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25-27
The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle, which also emphasize God's desire for order and His presence among His people.

Revelation 21
The vision of the New Jerusalem, where precise measurements are given, symbolizing God's perfect and eternal dwelling with His people.

John 10:9
Jesus refers to Himself as the gate, highlighting the importance of access to God through Him, paralleling the significance of the temple gateway.
God's Kingdom Divinely OrganizedJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 40:5-27
Entrance to the KingdomW. Clarkson Ezekiel 40:6-11
People
Ezekiel, Levi, Levites, Zadok
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Breadth, Cubits, Doorway, Entrance, Entry, Gate, Gateway, Length, Measure, Measured, Measureth, Opening, Ten, Thirteen, Wide, Width
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 40:11

     4832   length

Ezekiel 40:1-49

     5207   architecture

Library
The Parts of the City. Sion. The Upper City: which was on the North Part.
There is one who asserts Jerusalem to stand on seven hills; but whether upon a reason more light, or more obscure, is not easy to say. "The whale showed Jonah (saith he) the Temple of the Lord, as it is said, 'I went down to the bottom of the mountains': whence we learn that Jerusalem was seated upon seven mountains." One may sooner almost prove the thing itself, than approve of his argument. Let him enjoy his argument to himself; we must fetch the situation elsewhere. "The city itself (saith Josephus)
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness.
^A Matt. IV. 1-11; ^B Mark I. 12, 13; ^C Luke IV. 1-13. ^c 1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, ^b 12 And straightway the Spirit driveth him forth ^c and ^a 1 Then [Just after his baptism, with the glow of the descended Spirit still upon him, and the commending voice of the Father still ringing in his ears, Jesus is rushed into the suffering of temptation. Thus abrupt and violent are the changes of life. The spiritually exalted may expect these sharp contrasts. After being
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Millennium in Relation to Israel.
"And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In that same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land" (Gen. 15:17, 18). Here the two great periods of Israel's history was made known to Abram in figure. The vision of the smoking furnace and the burning lamp intimated that the history of Abraham's descendants was to be a checkered one. It was a prophecy in
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Ezekiel 40:11 NIV
Ezekiel 40:11 NLT
Ezekiel 40:11 ESV
Ezekiel 40:11 NASB
Ezekiel 40:11 KJV

Ezekiel 40:11 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Ezekiel 40:10
Top of Page
Top of Page