“Across the twenty cubits
That belonged
To the inner court,
Facing the pavement
That belonged
To the outer court,
The chambers arose,
Gallery by gallery
In three stories.”
There was a series of galleries between the inner court and the outer court for 3 stories that contained the 90 small rooms or chambers.
“Then he brought me
To the vestibule
Of the temple.
He measured
The pilasters
Of the vestibule,
Five cubits
On either side.
The width
Of the gate
Was fourteen cubits.
The sidewalls
Of the gate were
Three cubits
On either side.
The depth
Of the vestibule was
Twenty cubits
Its width was
Twelve cubits.
Ten steps
Led up to it.
There were pillars
Beside the pilasters
On either side.”
The bronze man brought Ezekiel into inner court, the Temple properly speaking. This vestibule of the inner court was called Ulam. As usual, the bronze man began to measure everything. The pilasters were 5 cubits or 8 feet on each side. The gate was 14 cubits, about 23 feet wide. The sidewalls of the gate were 3 cubits or 5 feet on each side. The vestibule itself was 20 cubits by 12 cubits, about 32 feet by 20 feet rectangular, relatively small. There were 10 steps leading up to it, not just 7 or 8. Besides the pilasters, there were also pillars on either side.
“Then he brought me
To the inner court
By the south gate.
He measured
The south gate.
It was the same dimensions
As the others.”
There were 3 gates to the Temple, one each on the north, south, and east, but there was no western gate. The bronze man brought Ezekiel into the inner court by the south gate that was the same size as the northern and eastern gates. Up until now, this was all about the outer gates and the outer vestibules.
“Then he led me
Toward the south.
There was a gate
On the south.
He measured
Its pilasters,
With its vestibule.
They had the same dimensions
As the others.
There were windows
All around in it
In its vestibule.
They were
Like the windows
Of the others.
Its depth was
fifty cubits.
Its width was
Twenty-five cubits.
There were seven steps
Leading up to it.
Its vestibule
Was on the inside.
It had palm trees
On its pilasters,
One on either side.
There was a gate
On the south
Of the inner court.
He measured
From gate to gate
Toward the south,
A hundred cubits.”
The southern gate and its vestibule was similar to the northern and eastern gates and vestibules mentioned above. The bronze man measured and found out that these southern pilasters and vestibules had the same dimensions as the northern and eastern vestibules. The southern windows were also the same as on the north and east side. This southern vestibule was 50 cubits deep and 25 cubits wide, the same as the northern gate, about 80 feet by 40 feet. The 7 steps were the same as on the other sides, as well as the palm trees on the pilasters. This south side also had the double gate system, so that is was about 100 cubits, 160 feet, from this southern gate to the inner court, just like the other 2 situations.
“Now the cherubim
Were standing
On the south side
Of the house.
When the man went in,
A cloud filled
The inner court.
Then the glory of Yahweh
Rose up from the cherubim
To the threshold
Of the house.
The house was filled
With the cloud.
The court
Was full
Of the brightness
Of the glory
Of Yahweh.
The sound
Of the wings
Of the cherubim
Was heard
As far as the outer court,
Like the voice
Of God Almighty
When he speaks.”
Once again, this is reminiscent of the vision in chapter 1. The cherubim in the Temple were surrounding the Holy of Holies on the south side of the Temple. The man in linen cloth with the writing case at his side went into the sanctuary as a cloud filled the inner court. Then the glory of Yahweh rose up from the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the Temple as in the last chapter. This glory of Yahweh was the real presence of God. The whole Temple was filled with a cloud, while the court was full of the brightness and glory of Yahweh. The sound of the wings of the cherubim could be heard as far away as the outer court, as in chapter 1. They sounded like the voice of God Almighty when he spoke.
“On the third day Queen Esther put on her royal robes. She stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, opposite the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne inside the palace opposite the entrance to the palace. As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won his favor. He held out to her the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Queen Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter. The king said to her.
‘What is it, Queen Esther?
What is your request?
It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.’”
Now we are back to the Hebrew text which is a summary of what preceded in the Greek text with a slightly different ending. It is the 3rd day. However, here she stands in the court opposite the king’s hall. He summons her because she is so beautiful. There is no fainting. She just accepts the golden scepter. The king spoke first. He was willing to give her any request she might make, even giving half the kingdom to her. Surprisingly the Hebrew text shows the king as more gentle.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 