THEOSISJerome of Stridon
And he took measurements from the temple, noting that it was a hundred cubits long, as were the surrounding structures and their walls. The width of the temple at the eastern entrance and the adjacent buildings was also a hundred cubits. He measured the length of the separate building that stood behind it, including the ledges on either side, which were each a hundred cubits long. Within this structure were the inner sanctuary and the vestibules of the courtyard, designed with angled windows all around three sides, placed at each threshold, and surrounded by a wood platform on every side. The platform reached as high as the windows, which were closed.
Read more (426 words)
Over the doors leading into both the inner and outer sanctuaries, as well as around the walls on both sides, everything was well-constructed and proportional. Intricate designs of cherubim and palm trees adorned the surfaces, with palm trees positioned between the figures of two cherubim. Each cherub had two faces: one facing the palm tree depicted the likeness of a man, and the other faced the palm tree showed the form of a lion; and this artistry was consistent throughout the entire structure. From the ground to the very top of the doors, the walls of the temple displayed carved images of cherubim and palm trees. The threshold was rectangular, facing a wooden altar, which had a height of three cubits and measured two cubits in both length and breadth; its corners, length, and walls were crafted from wood. The measurements of the temple’s structure, including its length at a hundred cubits, were detailed consistently. The temple consisted of an outer framework covered in wood alongside three windows designed to filter light. The temple and the adjoining structures were also entirely covered with wood, with windows graded in sets of three, allowing views into the inner and outer spaces of the building. The internal and external walls were appropriately measured, featuring carved cherubim alongside palm trees between them. Each cherub manifested two faces: one directed towards the palm was that of a man, while the other presented as a lion; this decorative scheme extended from the floor up to the ceiling. The holy of holies and the interior sections of the temple opened at the four corners before the presence of the most sacred place, resembling a wooden altar in appearance, with dimensions of three cubits in height, two cubits in length, and two cubits in breadth, complete with horns, foundations, and walls made of wood. The initial reference to measurements from the LXX, stating "against the house," does not appear in the Hebrew text. However, the descriptions of the holy of holies and the inner temple indicate that following the ninety cubits, the measurements extend to a hundred cubits on three sides, symbolizing completeness, which underscores the essence of serving the Lord in thought, word, and deed. This recalls the apostolic model found in Ephesians 3:18, which speaks to understanding the breadth, length, height, and depth of His divine mystery. The separate building mentioned in the Hebrew scripture is translated by the LXX as a distinct part, indicating walls that are not connected to the temple itself but rather possess their own unique structure nearby.