Ezekiel 42:17
New International Version
He measured the north side; it was five hundred cubits by the measuring rod.

New Living Translation
Then he measured the north side, and it was also 875 feet.

English Standard Version
He measured the north side, 500 cubits by the measuring reed all around.

Berean Standard Bible
He measured the north side to be five hundred cubits long.

Berean Literal Bible
He measured the side to the north, five hundred cubits, by the measuring rod, all around.

King James Bible
He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.

New King James Version
He measured the north side, five hundred rods by the measuring rod all around.

New American Standard Bible
He measured on the north side: five hundred rods by the measuring rod.

NASB 1995
He measured on the north side five hundred reeds by the measuring reed.

NASB 1977
He measured on the north side five hundred reeds by the measuring reed.

Legacy Standard Bible
He measured on the north side 500 reeds by the measuring reed.

Amplified Bible
He measured the north side, five hundred rods by the measuring rod.

Berean Annotated Bible
He measured the north side {ruach} to be five hundred cubits long.

Christian Standard Bible
He measured the north side; it was 875 feet by the measuring rod.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He measured the north side; it was 875 feet by the measuring rod.

American Standard Version
He measured on the north side five hundred reeds with the measuring reed round about.

English Revised Version
He measured on the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He measured the north side. It was 875 feet long according to the measuring stick.

International Standard Version
the north side at 500 reeds, according to the length of the measuring stick,

NET Bible
He measured the north side as 875 feet by the measuring stick.

New Heart English Bible
He measured on the north side eight hundred sixty-one feet three inches, with the measuring reed all around.

Webster's Bible Translation
He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed around.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
He measured the north side to be five hundred cubits long.

World English Bible
He measured on the north side five hundred reeds with the measuring reed all around.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He has measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed all around.

Berean Literal Bible
He measured the side to the north, five hundred cubits, by the measuring rod, all around.

Young's Literal Translation
He hath measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.

Smith's Literal Translation
He measured the wind of the north, five hundred reeds by the reed of measure round about.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he measured toward the north five hundred reeds with the measuring reed round about.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he measured facing the wind of the north: five hundred reeds with the measuring reed throughout the course.

New American Bible
and measured the north side: five hundred cubits by his measuring rod. He turned

New Revised Standard Version
Then he turned and measured the north side, five hundred cubits by the measuring reed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He measured the north side, five hundred reeds with the measuring reed round about.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he measured to the north wind on a measuring reed, five hundred reeds in a circle
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he turned to the north and measured in front of the north side five hundred cubits with the measuring reed.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Outer Measurements
16With a measuring rod he measured the east side to be five hundred cubits long. 17He measured the north side to be five hundred cubits long. 18He measured the south side to be five hundred cubits long.…

Cross References
He measured the north side

Ezekiel 40:20
He also measured the length and width of the gateway of the outer court facing north.

Ezekiel 40:35
Then he brought me to the north gate and measured it. It had the same measurements as the others,

Exodus 27:11
Likewise there are to be curtains on the north side, a hundred cubits long, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.
to be five hundred cubits long.

Ezekiel 45:2
Within this area there is to be a section for the sanctuary 500 cubits square, with 50 cubits around it for open land.

Revelation 21:15-17
The angel who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city and its gates and walls. / The city lies foursquare, with its width the same as its length. And he measured the city with the rod, and all its dimensions were equal—12,000 stadia in length and width and height. / And he measured its wall to be 144 cubits, by the human measure the angel was using.

Revelation 11:1
Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there.
Zechariah 2:1-2
Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. / “Where are you going?” I asked. “To measure Jerusalem,” he replied, “and to determine its width and length.”

Ezekiel 40:3-5
So He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze. He was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. / “Son of man,” he said to me, “look with your eyes, hear with your ears, and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Report to the house of Israel everything you see.” / And I saw a wall surrounding the temple area. Now the length of the measuring rod in the man’s hand was six long cubits (each measuring a cubit and a handbreadth), and he measured the wall to be one rod thick and one rod high.

Ezekiel 45:1-6
“When you divide the land by lot as an inheritance, you are to set aside a portion for the LORD, a holy portion of the land 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide. This entire tract of land will be holy. / Within this area there is to be a section for the sanctuary 500 cubits square, with 50 cubits around it for open land. / From this holy portion, you are to measure off a length of 25,000 cubits and a width of 10,000 cubits, and in it will be the sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. …

Ezekiel 48:15-20
The remaining area, 5,000 cubits wide and 25,000 cubits long, will be for common use by the city, for houses, and for pastureland. The city will be in the center of it / and will have these measurements: 4,500 cubits on the north side, 4,500 cubits on the south side, 4,500 cubits on the east side, and 4,500 cubits on the west side. / The pastureland of the city will extend 250 cubits to the north, 250 cubits to the south, 250 cubits to the east, and 250 cubits to the west. …

Numbers 34:3-12
Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea, / cross south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue to Zin, and go south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it will go on to Hazar-addar and proceed to Azmon, / where it will turn from Azmon, join the Brook of Egypt, and end at the Sea. …

Joshua 18:15-19
On the south side the border began at the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim and extended westward to the spring at the Waters of Nephtoah. / Then it went down to the foot of the hill that faces the Valley of Ben-hinnom at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim and ran down the Valley of Hinnom toward the southern slope of the Jebusites and downward to En-rogel. / From there it curved northward and proceeded to En-shemesh and on to Geliloth facing the Ascent of Adummim, and continued down to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben. …

1 Kings 6:2-3
The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. / The portico at the front of the main hall of the temple was twenty cubits long, extending across the width of the temple and projecting out ten cubits in front of the temple.

2 Chronicles 3:3-4
The foundation that Solomon laid for the house of God was sixty cubits long and twenty cubits wide, according to the old standard. / The portico at the front, extending across the width of the temple, was twenty cubits long and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold.

Exodus 27:9-18
You are also to make a courtyard for the tabernacle. On the south side of the courtyard make curtains of finely spun linen, a hundred cubits long on one side, / with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and silver hooks and bands on the posts. / Likewise there are to be curtains on the north side, a hundred cubits long, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. …

Exodus 38:9-20
Then he constructed the courtyard. The south side of the courtyard was a hundred cubits long and had curtains of finely spun linen, / with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. / The north side was also a hundred cubits long, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases. The hooks and bands of the posts were silver. …


Treasury of Scripture

He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.

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Ezekiel 42
1. The chambers for the priests
13. The use thereof
15. The measures of the outward court












He measured the north side

The measuring of the temple complex reveals that its design was fixed by God and marked by order, holiness, and separation from what was common. The north side formed part of the complete boundary surrounding the sacred area.

Ezk 40:20 He also measured the length and width of the gateway…
Ezk 40:35 Then he brought me to the north gate and measured it.…
Exo 27:11 Likewise there are to be curtains on the north side,…

to be five hundred cubits long.

This substantial dimension emphasized the scale of the temple precinct and the clear limits established around it. The enclosing measurements distinguished the holy area from the surrounding land and portrayed a restored worship center governed by God’s instructions.

Ezk 45:2 Within this area there is to be a section for the sanctuary…
Rev 21:15-17 The angel who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod…
Rev 11:1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the author of the book. He receives visions from God, including the detailed vision of the new temple.

2. The Temple
The vision of the temple in Ezekiel chapters 40-48 represents a future restoration and the presence of God among His people. It symbolizes hope and divine order.

3. The Measuring Rod
A tool used by the angelic figure to measure the dimensions of the temple, symbolizing precision, order, and God's meticulous plan.

4. The North Side
Part of the temple complex, the north side's measurement signifies completeness and the encompassing nature of God's design.

5. The Vision
This vision is part of a larger revelation given to Ezekiel, showcasing God's future plans for His people and the restoration of worship.
Teaching Points
God's Precision and Order
God's meticulous measurements in the temple vision remind us of His precision and order in our lives. We are called to trust His perfect plan, even when we do not see the full picture.

The Importance of Worship
The temple represents a place of worship and communion with God. We should prioritize worship in our lives, ensuring that our hearts are aligned with God's purposes.

Hope in Restoration
Ezekiel's vision offers hope for restoration and renewal. In times of personal or communal exile, we can hold onto the promise of God's restorative power.

God's Presence Among His People
The temple signifies God's desire to dwell among His people. We are reminded of the importance of cultivating a relationship with God, knowing that He desires to be present in our lives.

Symbolism of Measurement
The act of measuring signifies God's ownership and sovereignty. We should recognize that our lives are under God's authority and seek to live according to His standards.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 42:17?

2. How does Ezekiel 42:17 emphasize God's attention to detail in His plans?

3. What can we learn about God's orderliness from Ezekiel 42:17's measurements?

4. How does Ezekiel 42:17 connect with God's precision in creation?

5. How can we apply God's precision in Ezekiel 42:17 to our daily lives?

6. What does Ezekiel 42:17 teach about God's meticulous nature in His temple?

7. What is the significance of the measurements in Ezekiel 42:17 for understanding the temple's design?

8. How does Ezekiel 42:17 reflect God's attention to detail in His plans?

9. Why are precise measurements important in the context of Ezekiel's vision?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 42?


Ezekiel 42:17 records a literal angelic measurement of the temple’s north boundary, assuring God’s people that the future sanctuary is real, spacious, and perfectly ordered. By detailing one side as “five hundred cubits,” the verse points to a holy square that mirrors God’s unchanging precision, safeguards sacred space, and previews the flawless symmetry of His coming kingdom.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He measured
מָדַ֖ד (mā·ḏaḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4058: To stretch, to measure, to be extended

the north
הַצָּפ֑וֹן (haṣ·ṣā·p̄ō·wn)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

side
ר֣וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

[to be] five
חֲמֵשׁ־ (ḥă·mêš-)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2568: Five

hundred
מֵא֥וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ)
Number - feminine plural construct
Strong's 3967: A hundred

cubits
קָנִ֛ים (qā·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7070: A reed, a, rod, shaft, tube, stem, the radius, beam

[long].
הַמִּדָּ֖ה (ham·mid·dāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4060: Extension, height, breadth, a measure, a portion, a vestment, tribute


Additonal Resources
Ezekiel 42:17 Blue Letter Bible
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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 42:17 He measured on the north side five (Ezek. Eze Ezk)

Ezekiel 42:16
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