THEOSISJerome of Stridon
Once he had completed the measurements of the inner sanctuary, he guided me out through the gate that faced east and took measurements all around (similar to assessing a house from every side). He measured toward the eastern wind with a measuring rod, extending five hundred rods on all sides. He continued measuring against the northern wind with his rod for five hundred reeds. Next, he measured toward the south with the rod for five hundred reeds, and finally, toward the west, measuring again five hundred reeds. In total, he established the surrounding wall at a length and width of five hundred cubits, creating a division between the holy place and the area designated for the people.
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It is of note that the Septuagint presents the order differently, placing the western direction before the south, while the Jewish tradition lists the southern direction first. The Scripture plainly states that after measuring the inner sanctuary, he led me out through the eastern gate, indicating that all previous descriptions pertain to both the exterior and interior structure of the temple, particularly the holy of holies. His action of taking me out through the eastern gate and measuring around signifies that what is being assessed is not the temple itself but rather its representation, as we perceive things in a dim reflection (1 Cor. 13:12). When completeness arrives, partial understanding will cease (1 Cor. 13:10). Thus, neither Moses in the tabernacle nor Solomon in the structure created the authentic tabernacle of the temple; they constructed replicas to help us comprehend the heavenly and spiritual reality. The individual who escorted the prophet did not enter through the outer court but directly through the eastern gate, initiating measurement against the eastern wind, which corresponds to the northern side, followed by the north side, south side, and then the western, or sea, side, thereby encompassing the four cardinal directions in total, reaching two thousand reeds. If we consider that a reed measures six cubits and an additional inch, clarified as one-sixth of a cubit, the outer wall indeed measures two thousand reeds surrounding the entire area, totaling twelve thousand three hundred and thirty-three cubits and one-third of a cubit. The discerning reader may refer to the book of Jesus for clarity on such measurements surrounding cities. The legion of demons chose this numerical value during the swine's demise (Luke 8) to illustrate the contrast of those chosen for divine service and those who live in impurity. The extensive outer wall, encompassing a considerable length and width on all sides, corresponds to the number of the apostles, equating to twelve thousand, symbolizing a thousand for each apostle. To fulfill the measure of Christ and strive for the perfection of humanity (Eph. 4:13), one must also consider one-third of a cubit, amounting to three hundred thirty-three cubits, which reflects the mystery of the holy and honorable Trinity that surrounds and protects all that dwell within its temple. In this regard, the ark of Noah measured three hundred cubits in length and thirty cubits in height, culminating in one cubit (Gen. 5). The fifty cubits in width represent (as previously noted) the practice of absolution. This aligns with the Lord's thirty years leading to His baptism, and the prophet notes the thirtieth year at the beginning of his account. The total of three hundred and thirty is reached by adding three and one-third. The description of measuring the wall surrounding on all sides, five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide, does not appear in the Hebrew text but merely indicates a length and width of five hundred, implying canes as stated earlier in measuring each side—east, north, south, and west—at five hundred cubits each. The significance of the five hundred, which is close to the fiftieth, suggests a connection to the remission of all sins, as supported both by the Old Testament (Lev. 25) and the words of our Lord in the Gospel: “Two debtors were owed to a certain creditor: one five hundred denarii, and the other fifty” (Luke 7:41). This wall distinguished the sanctuary from the area designated for the people, underscoring that the entire temple, as described, was dedicated to the ministry of the priests, with this extensive wall separating the sacred from the communal space.