What Does Ezekiel 40:12 Mean in the King James?
The space also before the little chambers was one cubit on this side, and the space was one cubit on that side: and the little chambers were six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The “space” is a measured boundary, so even the margin before each chamber belongs to the design.
THE MEANING
The arrangement is exact: one cubit of space lies before the chambers on either side, and the chambers measure six cubits on either side. The margin and the enclosed rooms are both counted, making the in-between space part of the structure. The verse makes the space around what is held visible too: it has its own measure.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Only what is enclosed has meaning; the space around it is leftover. Here the margin is measured alongside the chamber, making the in-between part of the arrangement.
THE ROOT
גְּבוּל
gevul
GROWS FROM
גבל
g-b-l
To bound, mark off, or set a limit.
“space” in this verse is gevul. The Hebrew גְּבוּל (gevul) means a boundary, border, or allotted territory. Its root also forms a verb for actively setting bounds, linking the measured margin here to the act of marking an edge.
ALSO GROWS
gevul: Boundary, border, or territory.
גְּבוּל
This is the word rendered “space” in the verse: the cubit is a measured boundary before the chambers, not merely unoccupied air.
higbaltā: You set bounds.
הִגְבַּלְתָּ
Exodus 19:12 uses this verb from the same root for actively marking a limit, showing how the margin here can be understood as an assigned edge.
THE PATTERN
The spaces around sacred structures are deliberately measured, so the boundary belongs to the design.
And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.THE THREAD
And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:The Hebrew verb הִגְבַּלְתָּ (higbaltā), “you set bounds,” comes from גבל, the same root family as גְּבוּל (gevul), the word rendered “space” here. The connection reveals the one-cubit interval as an intentionally marked edge, given its own measure in the design.
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