Ezekiel 42:20

So he measured the area on all four sides. It had a wall all around, five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide, to separate the holy from the common.

Study Bible

So he measured the area on all four sides
The act of measuring in biblical terms often signifies the establishment of boundaries and order. In Hebrew, the word for "measured" is "מָדַד" (madad), which implies a careful and deliberate action. This measurement signifies God's precision and intentionality in setting apart sacred spaces. The four sides indicate completeness and universality, suggesting that God's holiness encompasses all directions and aspects of life. This act of measuring is reminiscent of the divine order seen in the creation narrative, where God brings order out of chaos.

It had a wall around it
Walls in ancient times were symbols of protection and separation. The Hebrew word for "wall" is "חוֹמָה" (chomah), which denotes a barrier that provides security and defines a space. In the context of the temple, the wall serves to protect the sanctity of the holy area from the profane. Spiritually, this can be seen as a metaphor for the boundaries that believers are called to maintain in their lives to preserve holiness and purity, separating themselves from worldly influences.

five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide
The specific measurement of "five hundred cubits" (approximately 750 feet or 230 meters) indicates a large, square area, symbolizing perfection and completeness. The use of the number five hundred, a multiple of ten, often represents completeness in biblical numerology. The square shape is significant in biblical architecture, as it reflects the perfection and symmetry of God's design. This measurement underscores the vastness and grandeur of the sacred space, inviting believers to reflect on the immensity of God's holiness and the comprehensive nature of His divine order.

to separate the holy from the common
The Hebrew word for "separate" is "בָּדַל" (badal), which means to divide or distinguish. This separation is a central theme in the holiness code found in Leviticus, where God calls His people to be distinct from the nations around them. The "holy" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh) refers to that which is set apart for God, while the "common" (חֹל, chol) refers to the ordinary or profane. This distinction emphasizes the call for believers to live lives that are set apart for God's purposes, maintaining a clear boundary between the sacred and the secular. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God's presence, which sanctifies and elevates the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel receives visions from God, including the detailed vision of the new temple.

2. The Temple
The vision of the temple in Ezekiel chapters 40-48 represents a future restoration and the presence of God among His people.

3. The Wall
The wall described in Ezekiel 42:20 serves as a boundary to separate the holy from the common, emphasizing the sanctity of the temple area.

Teaching Points

Holiness and Separation
God calls His people to be holy and set apart, just as the temple was separated from the common. This separation is not just physical but spiritual, requiring a lifestyle that honors God.

Order and Precision in Worship
The detailed measurements of the temple remind us that God values order and precision in worship. Our worship should be intentional and reverent, reflecting God's nature.

The Presence of God
The temple symbolizes God's presence among His people. As believers, we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we must live in a way that honors His indwelling presence.

Boundaries in the Christian Life
Just as the wall separated the holy from the common, Christians are called to establish boundaries that protect their spiritual lives from worldly influences.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the concept of holiness in Ezekiel 42:20 apply to our daily lives as Christians today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our worship is orderly and reverent, reflecting the precision seen in the temple's design?

3. How does understanding that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit influence our actions and decisions?

4. What practical steps can we take to establish boundaries that help us maintain holiness in a world that often blurs the lines between the sacred and the secular?

5. How do the themes of separation and holiness in Ezekiel 42:20 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament about being in the world but not of it?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 26
The construction of the Tabernacle, which also had specific measurements and separations, reflects God's desire for order and holiness in worship.

Revelation 21
The New Jerusalem is described with precise measurements, symbolizing God's perfect order and the separation of the holy city from the profane world.

Leviticus 10
The importance of distinguishing between the holy and the common is highlighted in the laws given to the priests, underscoring the need for holiness in service to God.