What Does Ezekiel 40:19 Mean in the King James?

Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward.

Ezekiel 40:19 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The way toward the inner court is measured in breadth, so the approach to what is set apart contains room.

THE MEANING

The space from the lower gate to the outer face of the inner court is given a clear measure: one hundred cubits eastward and northward. The approach inward is an ordered, traversable expanse, not an undefined threshold.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the idea that nearness to what is set apart must mean a narrow passage; here, the way inward is measured as a broad span.

THE ROOT

רֹחַב

roḥav

GROWS FROM

רָחַב

To widen, become broad, or grow spacious.

English leaves “breadth” as a dimension, while ⁨רָחַב⁩ (rachav, to widen or become spacious) also names the movement that creates room. ⁨מֶרְחָב⁩ (merḥav, spacious place) is one branch of that widening: the verse measures an expanse that leads inward.

ALSO GROWS

merḥav: A spacious place, open expanse.

מֶרְחָב

The same root names the broad place that widening creates, linking this measured span with a lived experience of having room.

reḥov: An open street or plaza.

רְחוֹב

An open public space grows from the same idea of breadth, showing the root’s movement from a dimension to a place with room to enter.

THE PATTERN

The movement from constriction toward presence opens into a spaciousness that still has form.

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

Psalm 118:5 · KJVDistress gives way to a large place, expressing the same movement from constriction into spaciousness.

Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

Isaiah 54:2 · KJVThe tent expands while its cords and stakes preserve its shape, joining greater room with clear structure.

O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

2 Corinthians 6:11 · KJVAn enlarged heart makes room for others, carrying spaciousness from the built environment into relationship.

THE THREAD

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

Psalm 118:5 · KJV

Ezekiel’s ⁨רֹחַב⁩ (roḥav, breadth) and the psalm’s ⁨מֶרְחָב⁩ (merḥav, large or spacious place) share the root ⁨רָחַב⁩ (rachav, to widen or become spacious). In Ezekiel the root describes measured room on the way inward; in the psalm, that same spaciousness is where distress gives way.

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