Ezekiel 42:12
New International Version
were the doorways of the rooms on the south. There was a doorway at the beginning of the passageway that was parallel to the corresponding wall extending eastward, by which one enters the rooms.

New Living Translation
So there was an entrance in the wall facing the doors of the inner block of rooms, and another on the east at the end of the interior walkway.

English Standard Version
as were the entrances of the chambers on the south. There was an entrance at the beginning of the passage, the passage before the corresponding wall on the east as one enters them.

Berean Standard Bible
And corresponding to the doors of the chambers that were facing south, there was a door in front of the walkway that was parallel to the wall extending eastward.

King James Bible
And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door in the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them.

New King James Version
And corresponding to the doors of the chambers that were facing south, as one enters them, there was a door in front of the walk, the way directly in front of the wall toward the east.

New American Standard Bible
Corresponding to the openings of the chambers which were toward the south was an opening at the head of the way, the way in front of the wall toward the east, as one enters them.

NASB 1995
Corresponding to the openings of the chambers which were toward the south was an opening at the head of the way, the way in front of the wall toward the east, as one enters them.

NASB 1977
And corresponding to the openings of the chambers which were toward the south was an opening at the head of the way, the way in front of the wall toward the east, as one enters them.

Legacy Standard Bible
Corresponding to the openings of the chambers which were toward the south was an opening at the head of the way, the way in front of the wall toward the east, as one enters them.

Amplified Bible
And like the entrances of the chambers that were toward the south there was an entrance at the head of the walkway, the walkway in front of the dividing wall toward the east, as one enters them.

Christian Standard Bible
The entrance at the beginning of the passageway, the way in front of the corresponding wall as one enters on the east side, was similar to the entrances of the chambers that were on the south side.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The entrance at the beginning of the passageway, the way in front of the corresponding wall as one enters on the east side, was similar to the entrances of the chambers that were on the south side.

American Standard Version
And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door at the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them.

Contemporary English Version
The door to these rooms was at the east end of the wall that stood in front of them.

English Revised Version
And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door in the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The doors to the south rooms were the same as the doors to the north rooms. There was a doorway at the other end of the walkway that was parallel to the corresponding wall that ran eastward. People entered through that doorway.

Good News Translation
There was a door under the rooms on the south side of the building, at the east end where the wall began.

International Standard Version
Corresponding to the chamber doorways facing the south was an opening at the beginning of the passage; that is, the passage in front of the corresponding part of the wall facing east as one might enter.

Majority Standard Bible
And corresponding to the doors of the chambers that were facing south, there was a door in front of the walkway that was parallel to the wall extending eastward.

NET Bible
were the chambers which were toward the south. There was an opening at the head of the passage, the passage in front of the corresponding wall toward the east when one enters.

New Heart English Bible
According to the doors of the rooms that were toward the south was a door at the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one enters into them.

Webster's Bible Translation
And according to the doors of the chambers that were towards the south was a door in the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall towards the east, as one entereth into them.

World English Bible
Like the doors of the rooms that were toward the south was a door at the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one enters into them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And according to the openings of the chambers that [are] southward [is] an opening at the head of the way, the way directly in the front of the wall eastward in entering them.

Young's Literal Translation
And according to the openings of the chambers that are southward is an opening at the head of the way, the way directly in the front of the wall eastward in entering them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And according to the doors of the cells which were the way of the south, a door in the head of the way, the way in the face of the wall suitable the way of the east in entering.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
According to the doors of the chambers that were towards the south : there was a door in the head of the way, which way was before the porch, separated towards the east as one entereth in.

Catholic Public Domain Version
were in accord with the doors of the storerooms that were on the way looking toward the Renown. There was a door at the head of the way, and the way was before a separate vestibule, along the way entering toward the east.

New American Bible
At the base of the chambers on the south side there was an entry at the end of a walkway in front of the protective wall by which one could enter from the east.

New Revised Standard Version
So the entrances of the chambers to the south were entered through the entrance at the head of the corresponding passage, from the east, along the matching wall.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Like to the doors of the rooms that were toward the south was a door in the head of the way which was directly before the wall toward the place where the eastern valley starts.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Were like the doors of the rooms which were in the way of the south door, at the head of the way, the way at the entrance of the wall which is in the way of the eastern valley as it comes
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
so were also the doors of the chambers that were toward the south, there was a door in the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall, toward the way from the east, as one entereth into them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So were the measures of the chambers toward the south, and according to the doors at the entrance of the walk, as it were the distance of a reed for light, and eastward as one went in by them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Chambers for the Priests
11with a passageway in front of them, just like the chambers that were on the north. They had the same length and width, with similar exits and dimensions. 12And corresponding to the doors of the chambers that were facing south, there was a door in front of the walkway that was parallel to the wall extending eastward. 13Then the man said to me, “The north and south chambers facing the temple courtyard are the holy chambers where the priests who approach the LORD will eat the most holy offerings. There they will place the most holy offerings—the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings—for the place is holy.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 40:17-19
Then he brought me into the outer court, and there were chambers and a pavement laid out all around the court. Thirty chambers faced the pavement, / which flanked the gateways and corresponded to the length of the gates; this was the lower pavement. / Then he measured the distance from the front of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner court; it was a hundred cubits on the east side as well as on the north.

Ezekiel 41:1-4
Then the man brought me into the outer sanctuary and measured the side pillars to be six cubits wide on each side. / The width of the entrance was ten cubits, and the sides of the entrance were five cubits on each side. He also measured the length of the outer sanctuary to be forty cubits, and the width to be twenty cubits. / And he went into the inner sanctuary and measured the side pillars at the entrance to be two cubits wide. The entrance was six cubits wide, and the walls on each side were seven cubits wide. ...

Ezekiel 43:10-12
As for you, son of man, describe the temple to the people of Israel, so that they may be ashamed of their iniquities. Let them measure the plan, / and if they are ashamed of all they have done, then make known to them the design of the temple—its arrangement and its exits and entrances—its whole design along with all its statutes, forms, and laws. Write it down in their sight, so that they may keep its complete design and all its statutes and may carry them out. / This is the law of the temple: All its surrounding territory on top of the mountain will be most holy. Yes, this is the law of the temple.

Ezekiel 44:1-3
The man then brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary that faced east, but it was shut. / And the LORD said to me, “This gate is to remain shut. It shall not be opened, and no man shall enter through it, because the LORD, the God of Israel, has entered through it. Therefore it will remain shut. / Only the prince himself may sit inside the gateway to eat in the presence of the LORD. He must enter by way of the portico of the gateway and go out the same way.”

Ezekiel 45:1-6
“When you divide the land by lot as an inheritance, you are to set aside a portion for the LORD, a holy portion of the land 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide. This entire tract of land will be holy. / Within this area there is to be a section for the sanctuary 500 cubits square, with 50 cubits around it for open land. / From this holy portion, you are to measure off a length of 25,000 cubits and a width of 10,000 cubits, and in it will be the sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. ...

Ezekiel 46:19-24
Then the man brought me through the entrance at the side of the gate into the holy chambers facing north, which belonged to the priests, and he showed me a place there at the far western end / and said to me, “This is the place where the priests shall boil the guilt offering and the sin offering, and where they shall bake the grain offering, so that they do not bring them into the outer court and transmit holiness to the people.” / Then he brought me into the outer court and led me around to its four corners, and I saw a separate court in each of its corners. ...

Ezekiel 47:1-2
Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. / Next he brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and there I saw the water trickling out from the south side.

1 Kings 6:5-6
Against the walls of the temple and the inner sanctuary, Solomon built a chambered structure around the temple, in which he constructed the side rooms. / The bottom floor was five cubits wide, the middle floor six cubits, and the third floor seven cubits. He also placed offset ledges around the outside of the temple, so that nothing would be inserted into its walls.

1 Kings 7:12
The great courtyard was surrounded by three rows of dressed stone and a row of trimmed cedar beams, as were the inner courtyard and portico of the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 3:4
The portico at the front, extending across the width of the temple, was twenty cubits long and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold.

2 Chronicles 4:9
He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court with its doors, and he overlaid the doors with bronze.

Exodus 26:1-6
“You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them. / Each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide—all curtains the same size. / Five of the curtains are to be joined together, and the other five joined as well. ...

Exodus 36:8-13
All the skilled craftsmen among the workmen made the ten curtains for the tabernacle. They were made of finely spun linen, as well as blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them. / Each curtain was twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide; all the curtains were the same size. / And he joined five of the curtains together, and the other five he joined as well. ...

Leviticus 6:16
Aaron and his sons are to eat the remainder. It must be eaten without leaven in a holy place; they are to eat it in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting.

Numbers 3:38
Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites; but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.


Treasury of Scripture

And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door in the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one enters into them.

was a door

Ezekiel 42:9
And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the utter court.

Jump to Previous
Beginning Below Chambers Corresponding Direction Directly Dividing Door Doors Doorway Doorways East Eastward Entereth Enters Entrance Extending Front Head Opening Openings Opposite Outer Parallel Passage Rooms Side South Towards Wall Way
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Beginning Below Chambers Corresponding Direction Directly Dividing Door Doors Doorway Doorways East Eastward Entereth Enters Entrance Extending Front Head Opening Openings Opposite Outer Parallel Passage Rooms Side South Towards Wall Way
Ezekiel 42
1. The chambers for the priests
13. The use thereof
15. The measures of the outward court














And the building
The term "building" in this context refers to a specific structure within the temple complex. In Hebrew, the word used is "בִּנְיָן" (binyan), which signifies a constructed edifice. This highlights the organized and intentional design of the temple, reflecting God's order and purpose. The temple's architecture is not merely functional but symbolic, representing the divine presence and the order of creation.

that faced the temple courtyard
The phrase "faced the temple courtyard" indicates the orientation of the building. The Hebrew word for "faced" is "פָּנִים" (panim), meaning "face" or "presence." This suggests a direct relationship and connection between the building and the temple courtyard, symbolizing openness and accessibility to God's presence. The courtyard was a place of gathering and worship, emphasizing community and fellowship in the presence of God.

on the west side
The "west side" is significant in biblical symbolism. In ancient Israel, the west often represented the direction of the sea and was associated with the end of the day, symbolizing completion and rest. The placement of the building on the west side may suggest a sense of fulfillment and peace, aligning with the temple's purpose as a place of divine rest and presence.

was seventy cubits wide
The measurement "seventy cubits wide" reflects the precision and grandeur of the temple's design. A cubit, approximately 18 inches, was a standard unit of measurement in ancient times. The number seventy is often associated with completeness and perfection in the Bible, as seen in the seventy elders of Israel (Exodus 24:1) and the seventy years of exile (Jeremiah 25:11). This width signifies the completeness and sufficiency of God's provision and presence.

The wall of the building
The "wall" serves as a boundary and protection for the sacred space within. In Hebrew, "חוֹמָה" (chomah) denotes a defensive structure, emphasizing security and separation from the profane. The wall's presence underscores the holiness of the temple, setting it apart as a place dedicated to God.

was five cubits thick all around
The thickness of the wall, "five cubits," indicates strength and stability. The number five often symbolizes grace and God's goodness in biblical numerology. This thickness suggests the enduring and unshakeable nature of God's grace and protection surrounding His people and His dwelling place.

and its length was ninety cubits
The "length was ninety cubits" further emphasizes the temple's grandeur and the meticulousness of its design. The number ninety, a multiple of nine, can symbolize finality and judgment, as seen in the nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This length may represent the completeness of God's plan and the finality of His divine order within the temple.

(12) "So were the doors of the chambers which were toward the south, a door at the head of the way, the way over against the corresponding (?) wall, the way as one enters from the east." The word here translated corresponding occurs only in this place, and is of doubtful signification; but the word for wall is the same as in Ezekiel 42:7, and there can be no doubt that it refers to the screen-wall to the east of the chambers. The way from the porch of the gate to the inner court was directly "over against" the passage between this wall and the chambers, and in fact joined it at right angles.

This closes the somewhat obscure and difficult description of these chambers, where we do not have, as in the other cases, any similar construction in the ancient Temple to guide the interpreter. It would seem altogether probable that there must have been an additional entrance to these chambers from the space at the side of or behind the Temple, for the convenience of the priests in changing their garments. Perhaps there was such an entrance to the second storey, which must have been about on the same level with the Temple court, but is not mentioned because only the plan of the lower storey is described.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And corresponding to the doors
וּכְפִתְחֵ֣י (ū·ḵə·p̄iṯ·ḥê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

of the chambers
הַלְּשָׁכ֗וֹת (hal·lə·šā·ḵō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3957: Room, chamber, hall, cell

that [were]
אֲשֶׁר֙ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

facing
דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

south,
הַדָּר֔וֹם (had·dā·rō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1864: The south, poet, the south wind

[there] [was] a door
פֶּ֖תַח (pe·ṯaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

in front
בְּרֹ֣אשׁ (bə·rōš)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of the walkway
דָּ֑רֶךְ (dā·reḵ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

that was parallel
בִּפְנֵי֙ (bip̄·nê)
Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

to the wall
הַגְּדֶ֣רֶת (hag·gə·ḏe·reṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1448: Enclosure

extending
הֲגִינָ֔ה (hă·ḡî·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1903: Perhaps appropriate, suitable

eastward.
הַקָּדִ֖ים (haq·qā·ḏîm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6921: The fore, front part, the East


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 42:12 According to the doors of the chambers (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 42:11
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