Ezekiel 41:12
Now the building that was before the separate place at the end toward the west was seventy cubits broad; and the wall of the building was five cubits thick round about, and the length thereof ninety cubits.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פְּנֵ֨י
that was before
H6440
פְּנֵ֨י
that was before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 21
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַגִּזְרָ֜ה
the separate place
H1508
הַגִּזְרָ֜ה
the separate place
Strong's:
H1508
Word #:
5 of 21
the figure or person (as if cut out); also an inclosure (as separated)
פְּאַ֣ת
at the end
H6285
פְּאַ֣ת
at the end
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
דֶּֽרֶךְ
toward
H1870
דֶּֽרֶךְ
toward
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
7 of 21
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הַיָּ֗ם
the west
H3220
הַיָּ֗ם
the west
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
8 of 21
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
אַמָּֽה׃
cubits
H520
אַמָּֽה׃
cubits
Strong's:
H520
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
אַמָּֽה׃
cubits
H520
אַמָּֽה׃
cubits
Strong's:
H520
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
סָבִ֑יב
round about
H5439
סָבִ֑יב
round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
17 of 21
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
Cross References
Ezekiel 42:1Then 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.Ezekiel 42:10The chambers were in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, over against the separate place, and over against the building.Ezekiel 42:13Then 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.
Historical Context
Solomon's temple had a western boundary structure, but this vision's building is larger and more precisely defined. The 'separate place' maintained ritual purity by preventing common use of sacred space, a concept central to Levitical holiness.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'separate places' does God call you to maintain—boundaries protecting your devotion from worldly contamination?
- How does Christ's work sanctify believers, setting them apart while sending them into the world?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The building that was before the separate place at the end toward the west—this structure faced the gizrah (גִּזְרָה, separate/restricted place), the holy precinct's western boundary. Its substantial dimensions (seventy cubits broad, ninety cubits long) with five-cubit walls demonstrate both magnitude and sacred separation.
The western orientation is significant: the Most Holy Place faced east, so this building formed a protective barrier preventing western approach (the direction of pagan nations and setting sun). It symbolizes how God's holiness requires boundaries against defilement, fulfilled in Christ who sanctifies and separates His people from the world (John 17:14-19).