Ezekiel 41:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In this ledge—translated differently by Simmachus as near the gate, Theodotion as elam, and Aquila as the door—we note the two cubits, signifying our journey to the sacred place known as the holy of holies through the use of the dual number. Moreover, the gate measures six cubits, and to pass through it leads us to eternal rest, expressed in the symbolism of the number seven. The Septuagint records the width of the gate as seven cubits on either side, while in Hebrew and other versions, the term seven cubits appears only once concerning the gate's width.

Next, regarding the measurement of the doors, the Septuagint translates the length as twenty cubits, while the majority of the Septuagint lists it as forty; the width remains twenty cubits before the temple. This indicates that in front of the temple and at its entrance, we always encounter the measure of prior works and deeds. The duality reflected in the numbers conveys a deeper meaning, likening it to the two decades. It is important to reflect that when the prophet passed through the gate, which stood at two cubits high and measured six and seven cubits wide on each side and twenty cubits long, he discerned the nature and significance of the place. He stated, “This is the holy of holies.” If the area before the temple—referred to in Scripture as before the face of the temple—is indeed the holy of holies, how much greater should we regard the sanctity of the hidden and inner parts? The prophet declares, "This labor is before me, until I enter into the holy place of God, and I understand in the last of them" (Psalm 72:17). Notably, in the depiction of the tabernacle, the term "holy of holies" appears in the plural form, whereas here it is singular. This reflects our passage from the holy of holies to the holy, similar to how from a plethora of songs we arrive at the Song of Songs, the ultimate song, through which we, as bridegroom and bride, find ourselves in union.

At the center lies the temple of God, where all surfaces are adorned with skins, covering not only the walls but also the flooring and the ceiling. The windows in this temple are lattice windows, allowing light to filter through like mrezhi. The imagery depicted on the walls and doorposts showcases cherubim and palm trees; each cherub is portrayed with two faces—a lion's face and a human face—each one directed toward a different palm tree. Instead of four faces, the Prophet observed two, as carving a complete likeness on the walls was a challenge. He also recounts seeing a book situated before the sanctuary, measuring three cubits in height, two cubits in length, and the same in width, thus forming a perfect square. From the one who showed this to him, the Prophet learned that it represents “the supper before the face of the Lord.” It is noteworthy that he referred to the table upon which the showbread was placed as a "supper," while Moses referred to it solely as a supper. This signifies that the prophecy opens the way to our sacraments in advance. Furthermore, the Prophet mentions that the entrance to the holy place was not simply double-leafed, but rather four-leafed, allowing the panels to fold over each other upon opening, with the carvings on the doors styled as they were throughout the temple.