Ezekiel 40:17

Measurements of the outer court and remaining gates

17. outward court outer court. The prophet passed out of the pathway, where he had hitherto been, into the outer court. Round about on the inside of the surrounding wall of this court (Ezekiel 40:5) was a pavement, probably of stone, Fig. 3, B, and on the pavement chambers, thirty in number, Fig 3, C. The chambers ran round the wall on three sides, the W. being occupied with other buildings (Ezekiel 41:12). The chambers were probably used for meetings and feasts; the ancient high places had such a feast chamber (1 Samuel 9:22), cf. Jeremiah 35:4 (Ezekiel 36:10). It is not stated how the chambers were disposed, whether singly or in blocks They were apparently of several stories (Ezekiel 42:6), but did not occupy the corners of the wall, in which kitchens were situated (Ezekiel 46:11-24).