It's easy to skim past this, but notice that these aren't just storage rooms; they're designated "holy chambers" where priests eat the "most holy offerings." This highlights that even a priest's meal, set apart for God's service, was considered holy and required a consecrated space.
Then he said to me, “The north chambers and the south chambers opposite the yard are the holy chambers, where the priests who approach the LORD shall eat the most holy offerings. There they shall put the most holy offerings—the grain offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering—for the place is holy.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is being shown a detailed layout of a future temple complex, focusing on specific chambers. Following a description of these chambers, the angel explains their sacred purpose: they are designated as holy spaces for the priests. This designation is crucial because these chambers are where the priests will consume the most holy portions of sacrifices and store them until ready for use.
Ever wonder where the priests, the ones closest to God, actually ate their special meals? It wasn't just anywhere!
This verse reveals that specific chambers—the north and south ones—were designated as 'holy chambers.' This wasn't just a label; it was a functional designation. These were sacred spaces where priests, who were 'approaching the LORD,' would eat the 'most holy offerings.' Think of it like a special, set-apart refectory within God's presence. These weren't ordinary meals; they were the priests' portion from sacrifices like the grain offering, sin offering, and guilt offering, signifying their intimate connection and service to God. The very place was consecrated for this holy act of sustenance.
Beyond just eating, these chambers served another crucial, sacred purpose related to the offerings. What was it?
These 'holy chambers' weren't just dining rooms; they were also storehouses for the 'most holy offerings.' This included parts of the grain offering, sin offering, and guilt offering that weren't immediately consumed. The principle here is that holy things required a holy place for storage. Even remnants of sacrifices, which were designated for the priests, needed to be kept in an area that reflected their sacred status before they were prepared and eaten. This highlights the meticulous care and reverence required in handling all aspects of worship and sacrifice in ancient Israel.
Understand the original words
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qodesh · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Refers to that which is set apart for God's exclusive use or presence, possessing inherent sanctity. Anything designated 'holy' is separated from common or profane use and demands reverence.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
Those chosen and consecrated by God to serve in the tabernacle or temple, acting as mediators between God and the people by offering sacrifices and maintaining ritual purity.
qarab · Hebrew Verb
To draw near to God; in a cultic sense, it refers to the formal, ritualistic approach of priests to the divine presence or the sacred objects in the temple.
qodesh qodashim · Hebrew Noun phrase
Sacrifices given to God that have been consecrated specifically for sacred use, often associated with the most restricted areas of the sanctuary.
minchah · Hebrew Noun
A sacrifice (minchah) presented to God as an acknowledgment of His sovereignty and providence; it is often bloodless, consisting of flour, oil, and incense.
chattat · Hebrew Noun
A sacrifice (chattat) intended to provide atonement for sins committed unintentionally or due to ceremonial impurity, restoring the relationship between the offerer and God.
asham · Hebrew Noun
A specific sacrifice (asham) offered to make reparation for sins against the Lord or others, requiring restitution and the acknowledgement of trespass.
Ezekiel's detailed vision of the new Temple's chambers for the priests' sacred meals and vestments, described in chapter 42, arises from the devastation of the First Temple and the hope of restoration following the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation of Judah
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and a large segment of Jerusalem's elite, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
c. 587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys Solomon's Temple, and exiles the remaining population to Babylon.
c. 580-570 BC
Ezekiel's Prophecies of Restoration
While in exile, Ezekiel receives visions of a restored Jerusalem and a new Temple, offering hope to the exiles.
c. 570 BC— this verse
Vision of the New Temple
Ezekiel is given a detailed vision of a future Temple complex, including its dimensions, chambers, and rituals, as described in chapters 40-48.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire under Cyrus overthrows the Neo-Babylonian Empire, setting the stage for the Jewish return from exile.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and First Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
This passage from Leviticus directly mandates that priests eat portions of the offerings in a holy place, establishing the precedent for the specific chambers described in Ezekiel.
Exodus 28:43This verse highlights the importance of specific garments for priests when they minister and suggests they should change before going among the people, which connects to the idea of special chambers for priestly functions and attire as mentioned in Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 46:20This verse describes another culinary location for priests within the temple complex, showing a consistent concern in Ezekiel's vision for designated, holy spaces for priestly meals.
Hebrews 10:1This New Testament passage reflects on the Old Testament sacrificial system, contrasting the 'shadow' of the Law with the reality in Christ, offering a theological perspective on the significance of these holy places and offerings.
pooleEzekiel 42:13: "Then said he unto me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they be holy chambers, where the priests that approach unto the LORD shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place is holy."
Then said he; the measurer, Christ, man in appearance at that time. The separate place: see Ezekiel 42:1 . Holy chambers; set apart, consecra…
bensonEzekiel 42:13: "Then said he unto me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they be holy chambers, where the priests that approach unto the LORD shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place is holy."
Ezekiel 42:13-14 . The north chambers, and the south chambers — Namely, those described in the foregoing part of the chapter; they be holy ch…
It's easy to skim past this, but notice that these aren't just storage rooms; they're designated "holy chambers" where priests eat the "most holy offerings." This highlights that even a priest's meal, set apart for God's service, was considered holy and required a consecrated space.
Ezekiel is being shown a detailed layout of a future temple complex, focusing on specific chambers. Following a description of these chambers, the angel explains their sacred purpose: they are designated as holy spaces for the priests. This designation is crucial because these chambers are where the priests will consume the most holy portions of sacrifices and store them until ready for use.
Ezekiel is being shown a detailed layout of a future temple complex, focusing on specific chambers. Following a description of these chambers, the angel explains their sacred purpose: they are designated as holy spaces for the priests. This designation is crucial because these chambers are where the priests will consume the most holy portions of sacrifices and store them until ready for use.
"Then he said to me, “The north chambers and the south chambers opposite the yard are the holy chambers, where the priests who approach the LORD shall eat the most holy offerings. There they shall put the most holy offerings—the grain offer…" — It's easy to skim past this, but notice that these aren't just storage rooms; they're designated "holy chambers" where priests eat the "most holy offerings." This highlights that even a priest's meal…
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Last reviewed October 2026
