Ezekiel 41:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

We access God's temple through an understanding of this and the underlying reasons and images of creation; from the order and harmony of the world, we come to know the Creator.

The temple gate measured ten cubits in width, representing a sacred and complete number, which is why fasting and atonement occur on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the tenth day of Nisan, a lamb is prepared for sacrifice in observance of Passover. Consequently, during the seventh month, tithes are brought to God’s storerooms, often referred to in Scripture as the furnace. Thus, the apostle states that we are to open ourselves widely; after entering ten cubits into the temple, one measures the sides of the gate, which always pertain to the works, on both sides. Issachar exemplified this by resting within the borders, perceiving the land as abundant and good, thus becoming a steward of the earth.

Furthermore, the high priest’s attire included a breastplate to ensure the works were aligned with understanding, enabling the minister to proclaim, “Of Thy commandments I understand.” The gate's shoulders were adorned with five galleries on each side, facilitating our entry into the temple through both earthly and divine comprehension. The guide, who was the prophet’s assistant, measured the length as forty cubits and the width as twenty cubits, focusing initially on the breadth and shoulders. Notably, the product of forty and twenty is eight hundred, closely associated with the octal number. This is echoed in Ecclesiastes, which commands: “give the parts of seven, give also the parts of eight.”

I have often deliberated on the profound significance of this number and how, through the tribulations and hardships of this life, we attain access to the Lord’s sanctuary. Thus, the gate’s forty cubits signify labor, supported by the examples of Moses and Elijah, who went without food for forty days, and the Israelites, who endured forty years of testing in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land. Similarly, the Lord and Savior faced temptation for forty days in the wilderness, only to receive ministering angels after His triumph. When we endure tribulations, we can echo the apostolic declaration: “in all things we mourn, but do not despair,” along with the prophetic acknowledgment: “in tribulation You have expanded me.” A vast entrance, measuring forty cubits, opens before us, allowing us to enter the temple and hear the Lord instruct the disciples: “Go on, for I have overcome the world.”

Positioned centrally is the temple of God, which is entirely adorned with coverings of skins, including the walls, floor, and ceiling. The windows on this temple are of the lattice variety, allowing light through like the mrezhi design. The carvings on the walls and jambs depict cherubim and dates, with each cherub featuring two faces: one resembling a lion and the other a human, each facing away towards different dates. The Prophet highlights that he observed two faces carved instead of four, as it was not feasible to produce precise images on the dskas. Additionally, the Prophet recounts seeing a book in front of the sanctuary, measuring three cubits in height, two cubits in length, and of equal breadth, forming an equilateral shape. From the one who revealed this to him, the Prophet learned that this signifies the supper that is held before the Lord's presence. Notably, he refers to the table upon which the showbread is placed as a supper, while the esteemed Moses only designated it as a supper. Hence, this prophecy indicates that the door to our sacraments is prophesied to be opened in advance. The Prophet also remarks that the door leading to the holy place was not made of two leaves, but rather four, allowing the sashes to fold over one another when opened, and the carvings on them were consistent with the rest of the decorations.