Ezekiel 41:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And I beheld the height of the house, where the dimensions at the base were measured at six cubits in length, with the wall on the outside measuring five cubits in width; an additional inner section existed around the house, with the space between the treasuries totaling twenty cubits all around. There was a prayer door on the sides, one leading north and another south, with a prayer area of five cubits in width surrounding it. The structure that faced the sea was seventy cubits wide, with the wall of the building measuring five cubits all around, and its overall length reaching ninety cubits. Upon reaching the holy of holies, referenced earlier, the revered man measured its wall, which conformed to the order of creation made in six days; it measured six cubits, with four cubits on each side—this dimension applied not just on one side but all sides. The surrounding width of the house was four cubits, signifying the elements that constitute all things, particularly the physical forms of humanity. By wrestling against these elements and yielding to the spirit, the saints are enabled to enter and comprehend the mysteries of the Lord. The walls, each set four cubits apart, connected mutually, thus touching one another. It was not merely thirty-three cubits long but rather sixty-six. The Old Testament in Leviticus indicates that when a male child is born, after one week, the mother, along with the child, must purify themselves for thirty-three days. In contrast, the birth of a female child mandates a purification period of sixty-six days. This duality signifies that, for entrance into the holy of holies, one requires both a first and a second birth—being born in the flesh and reborn in spirit. Thus, the number expressed is not sixty-six but rather twice thirty-three, representing our indebtedness to God as the origin and to His grace. The dual walls that encircle the house serve to support the construction of the temple.

The Hebrew narrative indicates there were ledges along the house's wall to provide support without making contact with the temple. This suggests that holy individuals emerge from the congregation around the temple, supporting the Church's foundation while still reverently gazing upon the sacred structures from a distance. Currently, we perceive through a dim reflection and cannot fully grasp the absolute truth. The rounded design of the court, ascending via the circular staircase, allows access to the upper room, which results in a broader temple at the top, and illustrates the journey from lower disciplines to spiritual heights. As one ascends, a more open path reveals itself, resonating with the psalmist’s words, "In tribulation hast thou spread me." The ascending structure reflects a more beautiful form in philosophical contemplation, mirroring the celestial bodies and the intricate design of the human body, with features like eyes and the head, which encapsulates the senses.

The upper room, where one transitions from narrower spaces to elevated ones, recalls the experiences of Elijah and Elisha from the books of Kings and Tabitha from the Acts of the Apostles, known as Dorcas, who achieved heights through her good deeds. The Apostle Peter, upon whom the Church is built, ascended to this upper chamber, known in Greek as the roof terrace, where he unveiled mysteries previously unacknowledged by the world. Furthermore, the Savior celebrated the Passover in a spacious upper room, free from impurity, preparing His disciples for the sacrament of His body and blood, thus establishing the eternal remembrance of the Lamb without blemish.

Concerning the additional mention of ascending to three upper rooms, it seems prudent to note this with a symbol of caution, for discussion of ambiguous and unwritten matters must yield to the truths revealed in sacred texts. Notably, I observed the entire height of the house, with dimensions of six cubits for each base and an external wall breadth of five cubits. The area around the treasuries measured twenty cubits, signifying our privilege to access not only the holy of holies but also the upper rooms, reminding us that with the creation in six days, the five senses, and a breadth of twenty cubits, we ascend to the heights of the temple, departing from earthly obscurity into the communion of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord stated that prayers are directed to the door on the north side, from which calamities arise across the earth, a situation He promises to remedy. Thus, the area designated for prayer to the north seeks protection from harm, while the southern door creates space to express gratitude. The structure conveys the significance of five cubits, representing divine perception, guiding us upward from the earthly realm. The dedicated building facing the sea measured seventy cubits in width, echoing the trials and dangers we endure throughout life, which is figuratively symbolized in the seventy years signified in Jeremiah, Daniel, and Zechariah's writings. Through these trials, we aim for the true and eternal rest of the Sabbath, encompassed by five cubits that extend to a length of ninety cubits, likening the age of Sarah at which she bore a son per the divine promise, uniting with Abraham, bearing relevance to the sacred numerology of ten decades. The implications of such numbers will emerge through the ensuing scriptural texts, recognizing the potential transcription errors from those interpreting the texts, likely mistaking the term "thrael" for "uraithi."

Central to this arrangement was the temple of God itself, every surface of which was adorned with coverings of skins, extending from the walls to the floor and ceiling. Its windows were lattice-type, offering a translucent quality similar to modern mrezhi. Intricate carvings adorned the walls and the jambs, depicting cherubim and dates; each cherub bore two faces: one resembling a lion and the other a human, with each face oriented toward a different date. The Prophet recounts that he viewed two faces carved instead of the four that would typically be expected, as precise likenesses could not be fully achieved on the dskas. He further mentions seeing a book positioned before the sanctuary; it measured three cubits in height, two cubits in length, and the same in width, forming an equilateral quadrangle. From the one who showed it to him, the Prophet learned that this represented the supper that stands before the Lord. It is noteworthy that he referred to the table upon which the showbread rested as a table, while Moses had only referred to it as a supper. Thus, through this prophecy, the gateway to our sacraments has been revealed in advance. Additionally, the Prophet states that the door to the holy place was not comprised of two leaves but four, allowing the doors to fold in on themselves when opened, with the carvings upon them reflecting consistency with those found elsewhere.