The vestibule gateway measurements (Ezek 40:8-40:11)

“Then he measured

The inner vestibule

Of the gateway,

One cubit.

Then he measured

The vestibule

Of the gateway,

Eight cubits.

It pilasters were

Two cubits.

The vestibule

Of the gate

Was at the inner end.

There were

Three recesses

On either side

Of the east gate.

The three were

The same size.

The pilasters

On either side were

The same size.

Then he measured

The width

Of the opening

Of the gateway,

Ten cubits.

The width

Of the gateway was

Thirteen cubits.”

Once again, the bronze man continued with his symmetrical measurements. Somehow the inner vestibule was only 1 cubit or less than 2 feet. However, the whole vestibule of this gateway was 8 cubits or about 13 feet. The pilasters or supporting posts at the inner end were only 2 cubits or about 5 feet. There were 3 recesses or alcoves, all the same size, on either side of the east gate, with the supporting posts the same size also. Now the opening width was 10 cubits or about 16 feet, while the gateway was wider about 13 cubits, about 21 feet wide.

The bronze man (Ezek 40:3-40:4)

“When he brought me there,

A man was there.

His appearance shone

Like bronze.

He had a linen cord

With a measuring reed

In his hand.

He was standing

In the gateway.

The man said to me.

‘Son of man!

Look closely!

Listen attentively!

Set your mind

Upon all

That I shall show you.

You were brought here

In order

That I might show it

To you.

Declare all

That you see

To the house of Israel!’”

Who was this bronze man? He was not a comic book superhero, but a man that appeared to be bronze. Was he a deeply tanned man? Was he an angel of God? Was he God himself? Many have interpreted him as an angel or messenger as in other later Second Temple literature. Genesis, chapter 18, has similar appearances of men who were either angels of God or God himself. Anyway, this bronze man greeted Ezekiel at the gateway. He had in his hand a linen cord to measure short distances and a measuring reed to measure long distances. Then this man also called Ezekiel the son of man, just like Yahweh had. This bronze man told him to look closely and listen attentively. He was to keep his mind focused on what this guy was going to show him. After Ezekiel had seen this, he was then to tell the house of Israel about it. For the next few chapters, this bronze man will be the guide who measured the Temple for Ezekiel.