Definition: And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man’s hand a measuring reed of six cubits [long] by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this Bible verse from Ezekiel 40:5. It’s a really interesting and symbolic passage about God’s plan for Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is preparing a wall around Israel, but he’s not building a traditional wall like a fortress. Instead, he's creating a perimeter – a defensive barrier – around the land of Israel. Let’s unpack each part: “And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about” : This describes God setting up a protective boundary or perimeter around the entire nation of Israel. Think of it like a large, fortified border. “In the man’s hand a measuring reed of six cubits [long] by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.” : This is where it gets really significant. God is using a reed – a small, flexible stick – to measure the length and width of the land. He’s taking measurements of the land itself. Six cubits [long]: This is a standard unit of measurement in ancient times. Six cubits is roughly 6 feet long. The cubit: It's important to note that "cubit" was a relatively small unit used for measuring, like a finger or thumb. An hand breadth: This means he’s measuring the width of the land – as if looking at its width. Putting it all together - The Message God is essentially saying: “I am going to protect Israel with a wall around them, but I'm not building one inside their territory.” He’s establishing a boundary that surrounds the entire nation. He's using these measurements to understand how large and expansive the land is. What does this all mean? This verse speaks to God's commitment to protecting His people, and it emphasizes a few key things: God’s Sovereignty: He is in control of the entire nation of Israel. Divine Protection: He is safeguarding them from harm. Focus on Boundaries: It highlights the importance of establishing clear boundaries for a nation to thrive. In short, it's a visual representation of God’s commitment to protecting and nurturing His people. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you a historical context (how this passage was interpreted in ancient times)? Compare it to other biblical passages about protection or borders?