THEOSISJerome of Stridon
And this shall mark the initiation of a sacred space for the priests: extending twenty-five thousand cubits to the north and ten thousand cubits to the west; similarly, ten thousand cubits to the east and twenty-five thousand to the south. At the heart of this area shall be the sanctuary of the Lord. This shall serve as a sacred site for the priests of the lineage of Zadok, who have faithfully carried out My services and have not strayed during the time of Israel's wandering, unlike the Levites who did. This place will correspond to the sanctuaries, positioned closely by the borders of the Levites.
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The details of this sacred space are significant; it is not designated for the general populace, nor for those of lower status, but rightly belongs to the priestly duties. In the description, the orientation follows a gradual transition: leaving the coldness of the north, moving to the west— where our faults may settle and fade— leading us to the east, and after the dawn of the sun of righteousness, we arrive at noon, a time of the clearest and most profound illumination.
As it was described, from north to the sea, and the same from east to noon— each side equal in length of twenty-five thousand and breadth of ten thousand cubits should be maintained. The sanctuary, representing the temple of the Lord, shall be centrally located within the priestly precincts, having equal dimensions on all sides. The initial mention of this sacred area indicates that all priests would thus regard it with rightful claim to service. However, it is specified that this sacred area is particularly for the priests descended from Zadok, whose righteousness is recognized; as it is written, “The Lord is righteous, and His righteousness is loved; His righteousness is evident in His presence” (Ps. 10:7).
In the Gospel, it is noted that “the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22). The prophet alludes to this Zadok through the figure of Solomon, stating, “O God, give Your judgment to the king, and Your righteousness to the king’s Son” (Psalm 71:1). Only those priests who have remained steadfast during Israel's wanderings— resisting temptations and seeking honor— shall have access to the sanctuary of the Lord. They acknowledge their failings, consistently reflecting, “I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 50:4).
Let those in the priestly office be mindful of this, especially having faced challenges from false beliefs. They should remain firmly rooted in true faith, avoiding estrangement from genuine good works while humbly accepting their positions without seeking to elevate themselves above their call. They should not indulge in the alluring desires of the flesh or spew forth ignorance and inappropriate discourse. The sacred precincts and the tithes affiliated therein, while near the borders of the Levites, signify that the Levites dwell adjacent to the priestly territory; however, the very center and essence of this sacred place shall remain exclusively theirs.