Ezekiel 40:24
After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof and the arches thereof according to these measures.
Original Language Analysis
וַיּוֹלִכֵ֙נִי֙
H1980
וַיּוֹלִכֵ֙נִי֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
me toward
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
me toward
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
2 of 12
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
me toward
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
me toward
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
6 of 12
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וּמָדַ֤ד
and he measured
H4058
וּמָדַ֤ד
and he measured
Strong's:
H4058
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
אֵילָו֙
the posts
H352
אֵילָו֙
the posts
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
וְאֵ֣ילַמָּ֔ו
thereof and the arches
H361
וְאֵ֣ילַמָּ֔ו
thereof and the arches
Strong's:
H361
Word #:
10 of 12
a pillar-space (or colonnade), i.e., a pale (or portico)
Cross References
Ezekiel 46:9But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it.Ezekiel 40:6Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad.
Historical Context
The south gate would face the wilderness/Negev, the direction from which Israel entered the Promised Land. Jerusalem's actual topography featured valleys on east, west, and south, with access primarily from the north. Ezekiel's visionary temple transcends geographical limitations, presenting an idealized sacred space. The careful measurements mirror ancient Near Eastern temple inscriptions documenting divine building plans.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the systematic, guided tour through the temple vision model the proper approach to understanding Scripture—patient, submissive attention to divine revelation rather than hasty human speculation?
- What does the combination of consistent measurements (God's unchanging character) and unique features (divine mystery) teach you about knowing God truly while accepting the limits of human understanding?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate toward the south—The prophetic tour continues clockwise: east gate (40:6-16), north gate (40:20-23), now south gate. The repetition of measurements—according to these measures (כַּמִּדּוֹת הָאֵלֶּה, kamiddot ha'eleh)—emphasizes that the south gate matches the east and north gates exactly. This threefold witness establishes the pattern; the west side had no gate (40:44-46 describes west chambers differently).
The consistency across three directions but asymmetry on the fourth (west) may symbolize that while God's character is unchanging, His purposes include both accessibility (three gates) and mystery (no western entrance—the direction of the Holy of Holies). The divine tour guide (the man with the measuring rod, 40:3) controls the pace and sequence, teaching that understanding God's house requires submitting to His revelation, not human investigation.