יחזקאל, פרק מ׳, פסוק י״ג

The architectural vision of the future Temple unfolds with exact precision, focusing on the total width and the careful placement of the doorways within its gate complexes. The process of measuring the upper sections of this structure reveals the full scale of the entranceway. The primary approach among commentators is that the measurement spanned from the edge of the roof of a guard chamber on one side, straight across the open space of the gate, to the roof of the parallel chamber on the opposite side [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, another perspective suggests the measurement focused on the roof of the gate itself rather than the opposing chamber [רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. This difference in understanding stems from the physical shape of the chambers. It is possible that these guard rooms grew narrower toward their tops, making it necessary to measure the width of the roofs separately from the base of the structure [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Ultimately, measuring the space between the two roofs captures the span of the entire gate complex, with the upper structure forming a ceiling that creates the distinct shape of a gateway [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל].

The total width of this upper span reaches twenty-five cubits. This number is a combination of several architectural elements: the thickness of the chamber walls on both sides, the clear space immediately in front of them, and the central passageway of the gate itself [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. The mathematical and structural details of this future building are highly complex. Some note that certain architectural mysteries will remain unsolved until the prophet Elijah arrives to explain them [רד״ק].

The careful design of the complex also dictates that openings face directly opposite one another. One view suggests this refers to the doors of the guard chambers. The entrance to the northern chamber was perfectly aligned with the entrance to the southern chamber, with both opening inward into the central airspace of the gate rather than facing the outside [רש״י, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A second approach explains that this alignment refers to the main entrances of the gate complex itself. In this view, the outer entrance of the gate was perfectly straight and aligned with the inner entrance, creating a direct path leading into the inner courtyards of the Temple [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אברבנאל].