Ezekiel 42 - Introduction

Chapter 42 Further Information About the Temple.

In this chapter details are given of the priests' quarters in the inner court (probably meaning here the temple yard, the separate place) and other buildings, and the external dimensions of the temple area. Again we have the problem that the Hebrew text is difficult for us to interpret because of the architectural terminology. But we can gain a general idea of the position. LXX makes it clearer, but not necessarily accurately. The problem from the point of view of the Hebrew text was that the translators were probably almost as much in the dark as we are, and interpreted as they saw it, amending the text when they felt it necessary. But the important thing is that this demonstrated to his listeners that Ezekiel had actually seen the heavenly temple, sufficient to describe all the detail. As a blueprint this is hopeless. As a general description of what was seen by a non-architect it was fine. Ezekiel knew exactly what he meant.