CHAP. XLII. V. 1. This is, by some commentators, supposed to describe some buildings, not before mentioned. - "Chamber," in the singular, is thought to be used for chambers , or rows of chambers in three stories. These seem to have been situated in the inner court, ( Notes , 13,14.) perhaps just before the separate place, at the entrance from the north. (Marg. Ref . c.)
V. 2. Perhaps this means, that the north door was a hundred cubits from the entrance into the court; and the door, or gateway, or portico, was fifty cubits in length.
V. 3. 'One side of these buildings looked 'upon the void space about the temple, which 'contained twenty cubits, ... (41:10.) and the 'other ... toward the pavenient belonging to the 'outward court, described 40:17. Lowth . ( Marg . Ref . ) There are difficulties in these delineations, which none seem hitherto to have cleared up. A reverence is due to the word of God; some instructive meaning is doubtless conveyed, which will one day be manifested: in the
6 For they were in three stories , but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore the building was straitened more than the lowest, and the middlemost from the ground.
7 And the wall that was without over
against the chambers, toward the outer court on the forepart of the chambers, the length thereof was fifty cubits.
8 For the length of the chambers that were in the outer court was fifty cubits: and, lo, before the temple were an hundred cubits.
9 And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, Il as one goeth into them from the outer court.
10 The chambers were in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, over against the separate place, and over against the building.
11 And the way before them was like the appearance of the chambers which were toward the north, as long as they, and as broad as they: and all their goings out were both according to their fashions, and according to their doors.
hint , or a conjecture , may give some other person a clue, which may help to lead him through these intricacies.
V. 4. There seems to have been two rows of these chambers, and a wall between of ten cubits width; with an entrance into it from the chambers, of one cubit in width. ( Marg . Ref .)
V. 5, 6. 'The two upper stories had balco'nies, standing out of them, the breadth of 'which was taken out of the rooms themselves,
'and made them so much the narrower .' Lowth. -These were not supported by pillars, built on the outside of the walls, as was the case in some other balconies or galleries; but merely by the wall itself: and therefore the chambers became narrower in the second story than in the first, and in the third than in the second. It does not, however, appear, how the second story was supported, as the wall of the first story was made the basis of the balcony above it; and the wall of the second the basis of the third story. Perhaps some arch was formed for this purpose; and a slight one might suffice, as the weight to be supported towards the top of the building would be comparatively small. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref .)
V. 8. And before , &c.] Passing from the north to the south side of the temple, (11,12.) the prophet was shewn that the space of ground, which was before the temple on the east, measured a hundred cubits. (41:14.)
V. 9. ( Marg .) 'The entry into these south 'chambers, was by a pair of stairs at the east 'corner of the outer court. 46:19. Lowth .
V. 10. Thickness .] 'Or rather breadth of the 'wall, that is the breadth of ground which that 'wall enclosed. 41:12. Lowth .
mean while, I would give any hints or conjec- Over against.] (1,13.) 'These south chamures that I can. I am, however, far froin con- 'bers had the same situation, with respect to fident, that I have, in several particulars, 'the temple, as the north chambers had.' shewn the real meaning of the vision. But a || Ibid .
12 And according to the doors of the i 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.
13 Then 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.
14 When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the outer court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to those things which are for the people.
15 Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect is toward the east, and measured it round about.
16 He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.
17 He measured the north side five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.
18 He measured the south side five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.
19 He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.
20 He measured it by the four sides: "it had a wall round about, * five hundred. reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make
a separation between the sanctuary, and the profane place.
V. 11, 12. 'Such a way led to these cham-selves to substitute one word for another, in
'bers, as is described leading to the chambers 'on the north side: (4) the proportions of both 'were the same; and the windows, doors, and 'passages belonging to these, were exactly uni'form with those on the north-side.' Lowth . ( Notes , 4-9.)
V. 13. The chambers above described, (812.) were appropriated to the priests, that in them they might "eat the most holy things," which must not be carried out of the precincts of the temple; and also to lay up any part of them, which was reserved for future use. ( Marg . Ref . - Notes , 8,11,12.)
V. 14. They shall not go into the court of 'the people in their priestly vestments, but 'shall lay them up in some of these chambers. 'The priestly garments were only to be used in 'the time of their ministration. 44:19. Ex . 28: '43.' Lowth . ( Marg . Ref . Note , 44:17-20.)
Shall approach. Or, "Shall come into the court belonging to the people."
V. 15-20. The temple and its out-buildings are here stated to be built on a square at least of very nearly an English mile on each side, or four miles in circuit. ( Note , 40:5.) This is far greater than either Solomon's temple, or that after the captivity, ever was; or indeed than the mountain of the temple was capable of containing, according to the description of the Jewish writers. This shews that the vision cannot be explained of any temple, that has hitherto been built, or indeed of any literal temple; but figuratively and mystically. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref . Notes , 48:30-35.
Rev. 21:9 -21.)-Some learned men indeed, on the authority of the Septuagint, would substitute cu bits for reeds in all these verses: but the word cubits does not once occur; whereas the word reeds is repeated four times. It is evident, that the Greek translators had Solomon's temple in view, and changed reeds for cubits , in order to adjust the dimensions of this temple to those of Solomon's: and that later writers have proposed the alteration in the text for the same reason. But, if men allow them-ll
the sacred text, because the alteration would render that consistent with their systems, which otherwise would be incompatible with them; there is no knowing to what lengths they may proceed. Surely it is better to acknowledge our ignorance, on such abstruse subjects, than to support a favorite scheme of interpretation, by giving countenance to so dangerous a measure!
The sanctuary . (20) By "the sanctuary" is 'here meant the whole compass of ground, 'which was the precincts of the temple, else'where called "the holy mountain." (43:12.) In 'comparison of which, Jerusalem itself, though 'upon several accounts styled "The holy city," 'was esteemed but as profane ground. 48:15.' Lowth .
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
The public worship of God in his courts, the secret devotion of the closet, and the social intercourse of Christians, should all be attended to in their places; in order to produce a "conversation becoming the Gospel of Christ." -When true religion shall diffuse its benigu influence through the nations, and the churches of the saints shall be exceedingly multiplied, we may expect greater unity in judgment, worship, and practice, than there is in the present low and divided state of vital godliness.-Whilst as spiritual priests we approach to the Lord, through our glorified High Priest, feed on the sacrifice that he has offered, and appear before God clothed in his robe of spotless righteousness: we should be careful to exemplify the efficacy of our principles in the holiness of our lives.
We should in every thing support the distinction between sacred and profane: the minister must not leave the sanctuary to pollute himself by sin, to involve himself in secular concerns, or to renounce his ministry. The man, that "hath put his hand to the plow, and looketh back, is not fit for the kingdom of God:" true believers continue to the end in the ways and service of the Lord