Ezekiel Chapter 41 Vs. 12-26

Temple Proper

Ezekiel 41:12-26


Ezekiel then recorded the overall dimensions of the temple proper (Eze. 41:12-15) and described its decorations and furnishings (Eze. 41:16-26). Immediately west of the temple was a structure described as the building facing the temple courtyard on the west side (Eze. 41:12). “The end towards the west”: Beyond the western end of the temple proper was a distinct building with space that serves the temple, possibly housing supplies.

This separate place was 105 feet broad and 135 feet long. The walls around it were 7 1/2 feet thick. The length plus the thickness of the walls was 150 feet. This, including the width of the wall, was 120 feet broad.

The function of this building is not explained. The temple was (100 cubits) long. The house is 150 feet long. The separate place, including the walls, was 150 feet. This is saying they were 150 feet broad.

These were terraced buildings with decorations. This area is 150 feet long also. It appears that each of these designated areas is 100 cubits or 150 feet long.

We see from this, that this main area is definitely three stories tall. This is summarizing all of the measurements by the One who looked like a man to Ezekiel. There was wainscoting from the floor up to the windows.

These measurements must be entirely accurate. This is measured inside and out.

Carved cherubim and palm trees were etched into the wood that covered the interior of the temple building. Not only were all the measurements to be accurate, but the beauty of it all was not overlooked either. The cherubim’s and palm trees were for decorations. The wainscoting was decorated with beautiful carvings.

Figures of angels with palms between them (possibly to depict life and fruitfulness of God’s servants) were on the walls of the temple proper and on the doors, v.25. Each cherub (unlike that of chapter 1:10which had 4 faces of a man and of a lion, possibly to represent the humanity and kingship of Messiah. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He, also, came to this earth in the form of man, to save His creation. These two faces could be looking to that. These faces could symbolize the spiritual and physical Israel.

The carved cherubim represent the guardians of God’s dwelling place (cf. Eze. 1:4-28; 10:1-22). These decorations went just about to the height of man from the floor.

The posts were not round, but square. On both sides of the sanctuary wall, at the face, were the same. The inside matched the outside wall.

Possibly the palm trees represent the fruitfulness and blessing provided by God. These decorations are similar to those Solomon included in his temple (cf. 1Ki. 6:29).

The only piece of furniture in the temple proper Ezekiel described was a wooden altar three cubits (51/4 feet) high and two cubits (3½ feet) square, called the table that is before the Lord (Eze. 41:22). This was the altar of incense.

The altar made of wood was 4 1/2 feet high and 3 feet long. This was all made of wood. "Wood" is symbolic of the world. LORD is Jehovah. This same altar had been made of shittim wood covered with 24 karat gold in the tabernacle in the wilderness. This, to be made of just wood, is strange. This wood could symbolize that all the world will stand before God. Perhaps, it was made of wood, because it was to be built in hard times, when there would be no gold.

Was this the altar of incense in the holy place (cf. Exo. 30:1-3; 1Ki. 7:48) or the table that held the bread of the Presence? (Exo. 25:23-30) The proportions of the piece are closer to those of the altar of incense (cf. Exo. 25:23; 30:1-2). Double doors led to the outer sanctuary of the temple and to the most holy place. The doors to the outer sanctuary had cherubim and palm trees… carved on them (cf. Eze. 41:17-20). These two doors were in the holy place and the most holy place. Each opening of the doors had two small doors, which were hung from the sides, and opened in the middle.

These doors, like the wainscoting, were decorated with palm trees and cherubim’s. These thick planks could be for decoration, or for trimming. They could, also, have made a wooden face for the front.

The facings around the windows were decorated with palm trees.



All of this is describing a very similar area, to the temple and its surroundings that had been in Jerusalem. Some of the details were a little different, but it is very familiar. This was a large complex approximately 750 feet long, and in places, three stories high. It was highly decorated, but there was a noticeable lack of gold and silver.