יחזקאל, פרק מ״ב, פסוק ט״ז

Establishing the precise borders of the Temple Mount was a crucial step in preparing the sacred space. The goal of this measurement was to surround the complex with a wall that would clearly divide the holy grounds from the ordinary areas of the city. Because the Temple Mount holds a higher level of holiness than the rest of Jerusalem, a physical barrier was necessary. This separation ensured that individuals in specific states of ritual impurity, such as those with bodily discharges, menstruating women, and women who recently gave birth, would not enter the sacred domain [רד״ק].

The process began on the eastern side of the complex [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The measurer started at this specific location simply because it was where he was already standing, and he proceeded to measure from south to north [מלבי״ם]. To do this, he used a measuring reed held in his hand [ביאור שטיינזלץ], which had a specific length of six large cubits [מצודת דוד].

The length of this first side was determined to be five hundred. Although the original written text spells the word as "cubits," the traditional reading confirms it as "hundreds," establishing the measure as five hundred [מנחת שי]. After completing the eastern side, the measurer continued to the north, south, and west, eventually mapping out a complete area of five hundred by five hundred cubits [רד״ק]. The survey covered the grounds from edge to edge [מצודת דוד]. Once all four directions were measured, the sides of the compound were fully connected, creating a completely enclosed perimeter that protected the holy site [רד״ק].