Ezekiel 40:14

Ezekiel 40:14 is obscure. In the first place "he made" is suspicious, everywhere else it is "he measured." In the second place the number 60 cubits is incomprehensible. The idea that the "posts" were prolonged into pillars of such a height is altogether improbable. Besides, the "posts" are accurately distinguished from pillars, for which another word is employed (Ezekiel 40:49). It is to be observed that the measurer first passes in from E. to W. along one side of the gateway, mentioning the different things with their dimensions of which it was composed. Having reached the porch at the inner end he returns, noting that the two sides of the gateway were in all respects alike. Then from Ezekiel 40:11 onwards he gives measurements of the breadthof various parts of the gateway, the entrance (Ezekiel 40:11), the contraction opposite the guardrooms (Ezekiel 40:12), and finally the breadth of the whole gate building (v, 13). While, however, the breadth of all other parts of the gateway has been given, that of the "porch" at the inner end has not been mentioned, though its length from E. to W., Fig. 1, mn, was stated to be 8 cubits (Ezekiel 40:8). It is probable, therefore, that Ezekiel 40:14 supplies this measurement. Render: and he measured the porch, 20 cubits reading porch(ailam), for posts(ailim), and 20 for 60, in both cases with LXX. The 20 are inside measurement, N. to S.; 22 might have been expected, for the back wall of the guardrooms was 1½ cubits, but a chamber like the porch used for assemblies and feasts (Ezekiel 44:3) might well have a wall of 2½ cubits thick, as in point of fact the wall to the W. was two cubits (Ezekiel 40:9).

even unto the post … gate At any rate with present pointing: and unto(touching on) the post was the court … gate. It is probable, however, that "post" is either repetition of unto, and should be struck out, or else that it is a consequence of the false reading "posts" in first clause, and should be read "porch" as there (so in Ezekiel 40:37). The latter is more probable: and unto(adjoining) the porch was the court, round about the gate. The omission of prep. before "gate" is difficult, but cf. acc. 1 Kings 6:5, and the more remarkable case Ezekiel 43:17. LXX. read differently, and Syr. wants the clause.