41:1-2 Beyond the vestibule was the nave, the holy place. It had a doorway 6 cubits deep and 10 cubits wide. The projecting wall on either side of this entrance, which also formed part of the wall of the vestibule and the holy place, projected inward 5 cubits from the side walls of the main temple structure. The holy place was 40 cubits deep and 20 cubits wide.
41:3-4 Ezekiel's guide then went into the most holy place and measured the doorway leading into it from the holy place. This doorway was two cubits deep and six cubits wide. The projecting wall on either side of this entrance, which also formed part of the wall of the holy place and the most holy place, projected inward seven cubits from the side walls of the main temple structure. The most holy place was 20 cubits square.
The effect of the progressively narrower doorways, from 14 cubits (40:48) to 10 cubits (v. 2) to six cubits (v. 3), focused the worshipper's eyes on the most holy place, the center of worship, and communicated increasing restriction, controlled access.
Ezekiel's guide seldom spoke to him, but when he did he always said something important. Here he identified the most holy place (v. 4; cf. v. 22; 40:4, 45; 42:13; 43:18; 46:20, 24; 47:8). Evidently Ezekiel, who was a priest, did not enter the most holy place.
