THEOSISJerome of Stridon
Vv. 13-22. He took measurements from the house, recording it as one hundred cubits in length, along with the separate building and its walls, which were also measured at a hundred cubits long. The width of the house at the front, as well as that of the adjoining structure on the east side, was a hundred cubits. He measured the length of the structure at the front, which was distinct and located behind; the ledges on both sides measured one hundred cubits, alongside the inner sanctuary and the entryways of the courtyard. There were pathways and windows set obliquely all around on three sides, positioned against each doorway, together with a wooden platform that surrounded all sides. The platform extended to the windows, which were sealed shut.
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Along the upper parts of the doors leading to the inner and outer sections of the house, and on all walls surrounding both the inner and outer areas, everything was constructed in proper proportion. The figures of cherubim and palm trees were fashioned, with a palm tree placed between each pair of cherubim. Each cherub had two faces; one side faced a palm tree with the likeness of a man, and the other side faced a palm tree with the likeness of a lion. This design was consistent throughout the entire structure. From the ground level to the tops of the doors, the walls of the temple were embellished with carved cherubim and palm trees. The threshold was square, with the façade of the sanctuary directed toward a wooden altar, which stood three cubits high and measured two cubits in both length and width, and the corners and walls were crafted from wood. In the Septuagint, it states that the length against the house measured a hundred cubits, along with the remaining portions and the walls, all of which were a hundred cubits long. The width of the temple's façade was likewise a hundred cubits. He measured the length of the space at the front of the other structures situated behind that house, and all sides were also measured at one hundred cubits long. Both the temple and its corners were clad in wood, and three windows were designed to allow light to filter through like a net. The house and its adjoining portion were surrounded by wood all around, with the area from the ground to the windows covered, and the windows were positioned to open threefold, allowing for views into both the inner and outer sections. The surrounding walls, both inside and outside, were designed with care, and intricately carved cherubim and palm trees were placed between each cherub. Each cherub presented two faces: one featured the face of a man towards the palm tree, and the other showed the face of a lion; the artwork of cherubim and palm trees adorned the entire expanse from the ground to the ceiling. The sanctuary and temple were accessible from all four corners before the Holy of Holies; its visual representation resembled that of a wooden altar, standing three cubits in height and measuring two cubits for both length and width, with horns, and its bases and walls comprised wood. The term "against," as translated by the LXX at the onset of this account, which states that a measurement was taken against the house, does not appear in the Hebrew. However, the inner sanctuary and the Holy of Holies are described in a way that indicates, after ninety cubits, it extends to a hundred cubits on three sides, representing a perfect number of ten decades, so we may serve the Lord in thought, word, and deed, keeping in mind the apostolic model, through which we understand breadth, length, depth, and height (Eph. 3:18). Regarding the separate building mentioned in the Hebrew, the LXX translates it as a part and a gap, which do not connect to the temple's walls but rather possess their own distinct walls nearby.