Between the sanctuary and the profane place— Between the place which was consecrated to the Lord, and where it was not permitted either to the heathens, strangers, or impure persons, to present themselves; and that which all the world might enter indiscriminately; men, women, pure, impure, Gentiles and others. Josephus tells us, that such a place of separation existed in the temple in his time. See his Antiq. lib. 15: chap. 14 and Calmet.
The vision in chap. 40, 41, 42 says Archbishop Newcombe, seems designed to shew that, if the Jews repented of their iniquities and idolatries, their temple should be rebuilt, and their worship according to the Levitical law should be restored. The buildings might at first be erected after the general plan here described, without deviation from it, though without ability to execute every part; and the whole might afterwards resemble it in many respects, though never exactly. However, the Jews should have proceeded conformably to the directions here given.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, We have here, 1. The chambers about the temple: probably designed for the retirement of the holy worshippers, where they might be alone for prayer and meditation: they who would find comfort in public ordinances must maintain communion with God in private. The chambers were many; for in the heavenly temple there are many mansions. They had galleries before them, where they who lodged there might meet and converse together about the things of God; the great privilege, duty, and delight of God's people.
2. These chambers, many of them at least, were appropriated to the use of the priests, and were the places where they deposited the holy things, and their sacred vestments. They who have the charge of the sanctuary must reside upon the spot; and God has made a provision for them, that they may wait on him without distraction.
2nd, The ground on which this temple and its courts stood, was many miles in circumference; intimating the vast extent of the church of Christ in the times of the gospel, and particularly when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in. A wall of separation divided the sanctuary from the profane place, to signify the present exclusion of all those from the blessings and benefits of Christ's church and kingdom, who continue unhumbled in their sins; and to prefigure the eternal separation of the world that lieth in wickedness,—of all those who continue impenitent,—from the presence of God in glory.