יחזקאל, פרק מ״ב, פסוק ז׳

The vision of the future Temple features a highly precise architectural layout of courtyards, walls, and chambers. Within this design, a specific outer boundary serves both structural and religious purposes. This boundary is understood to be a solid, physical wall [מצודת ציון]. Standing in clear view from the outside, its primary physical function was to separate the area containing the chambers from the outer courtyard [רש״י, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. The structure faced east and stretched across the grounds from north to south [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].

Beyond merely dividing the space, this wall played a crucial role in protecting the holiness of the site. It formed a strict partition between the sacred zone, where the most holy sacrifices were permitted to be eaten, and the non-sacred outer area. By creating this clear boundary, the wall ensured that holy offerings were not accidentally taken outside the permitted limits, which would render them invalid [מלבי״ם].

The visible length of this dividing wall was fifty cubits [מצודת דוד], a measurement that exactly matched the length of the chambers it enclosed [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. This specific dimension sheds light on the proportions of the larger Temple complex. Because the main Temple hall was one hundred cubits long, the chambers and their adjacent wall did not run along its entire span. Instead, they occupied exactly half the length of the main hall [רד״ק, אברבנאל].