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The Hidden City
Notes For Levitical City Measures
(File 5 Of 6)
QUMRAN (5Q15)
The Levitical City contains the Solomonic Temple within a great triple level amphitheatre surrounded by 12 blocks of housing units. All were enclosed within a foursquare wall 2000 cubits on a side with three triple gates per side.
This Levitical City, of course, was built by King Solomon as an add-on to the preExilic Jerusalem situated West of the Valley of Ben Hinnom (Jeremiah 19:2; Joshua 15:8).
The following measures quoted below (items 1 thru 7) are found in the 15th set of writings from cave #5 of Qumran (5Q15) published by Professor Giza Vermes, Oxford University, as part of his text "The Dead Sea Scrolls In English," Penguin Books, 1962 (1975 edition), pp. 262-263. Our notes and diagrams have been added below each quote to help readers visualize measures given in the ancient Qumran texts.
1. "And he led me into the city, and he measured each block of houses for its length and width, fifty-one reeds by fifty-one, in a square a(ll round)= 357 cubits to each side. A passage surrounds the block of houses, a street gallery, three reeds, = 21 cubits (wide)." (Note: A 5Q15 reed is given as 7 cubits.).
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See note #5 for .5 cubit gutter measures on sides of 21 cubit "street gallery" (street overlook).
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2. "(He) then (showed me the di)mensions of (all) the blo(cks of houses. Between each block there is a street), six reeds, = 42 cubits wide."
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 Through each tower runs a street of 21 cubits width. Thus, in one triple gate the sum total width of the two streets equals 42 cubits (21 + 21 = 42) (Includes both inbound and outbound lanes).
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3. "And the width of the avenues running from east to west: two of them are ten reeds, = 70 cubits, wide."
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Two streets each 35 cubits (7 + 21 + 7 = 35) totals 70 cubits (35 cubits plus 35 cubits). This includes the seven cubit shoulders on each side of the street.
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On each side wall (i.e. North, South, East or West) of the Levitical City there are 3 triple gates. The total width of the six streets equals 126 cubits. (That is, two streets per triple gate and three triple gates per side equals six streets per side and 6 streets times 21 cubits, the width of each street, = 126 cubits).
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In each of 3 triple gates there are two wings each 10.5 cubits totaling 21 cubits. Therefore, (3 times 21 equals 63 cubits). (Note: nine reeds equals 63 cubits). The plus "4 cubits" is divided in 8 gutters or curbs about each housing block measuring .5 cubits each. Thus in each quadrant of four blocks (i.e. #3, 1, 2, 3) there are 4 gutters of .5 cubits around each 399 cubit square (21 + 357 + 21 = 399) or (.5 + 21 + 357 + 21 + .5 = 400 cubits). The "4 cubits" is specifically referring to 8 parallel sides measuring either E-W or N-S (i.e. 2 sides per block). These 8 sides times .5 = 4 cubits.
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The "middle street" is exactly the same as the others. The given measurement of 91 cubits excludes the 37 cubit width of the pedestrian gate (128 minus 37 = 91 or 7 + 21 + 7 + 10.5 + (omit 37 cubits) + 10.5 + 7 + 21 + 7 = 91 cubits). The plus "one cubit" is divided into 2 gutters and can be applied either of two ways. First, the .5 cubits are on the two blocks bounding each street. Second, blocks 1 and 2 each have 2 gutters on the parallel sides when measured either E-W (for East and West sides of the city) or N-S (for North and South sides of the city). Thus (.5 times 2 = 1 cubit). Note, each street of 7 + 21 + 7 cubits is bounded by a .5 cubit gutter or curb exterior to each 7 cubit measure (i.e. .5 + 7 + 21 + 7 + .5).
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7. "And he showed me (the dimensions) of the twelve (entranc)es. The width of their doors are three reeds, (= 21) cubits. (Each door has tw)o (wings). The width of the wing is one reed and a half, = 10½ cubits ... (And beside each door there are two tow)ers, one to (the r)ight and one to the l(ef)t. Its width (is of the same dimension as ) its length, (five reeds by five, = 35 cubits....)"
REVIEW OF CITY MEASURES
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500 X 500 Cubits Overall measure of amphitheatre centered in Levitical City.
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100 X 100 Cubits Court before Temple centered in amphitheatre.
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32 X 32 Cubits Base of altar centered in court before Temple.
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The waltz pattern (1,2,3 - 1,2,3 - 1,2,3 - 1,2,3 -) consists of four rows of three that form a square, sometimes called a box pattern. It's the same four rows of three found in the High Priest's Breast Plate, in the Levitical City design, and undoubtedly in the design of Noah's Ark. Each, therefore, is four square (Exodus 28:15-20).
In the waltz, the center of the box is empty. Each side, of course, consists of 1,2,3,1 where the same four numbers occupy the corners. And the city gates are between the numbers. Thus, four rows of three form a square with four elements to a side.
In the case of the Levitical City and Noah's Ark the Temple Amphitheatre occupies the center of the square. And, each number (i.e. 1,2,3, etc.) represents a 400 by 400 cubit housing area separated by the 128 cubit triple gates and broad avenues. All are surrounded by an 8 cubit city wall. Thus, each side is 2,000 cubits long and the housing units form a square around the Temple Amphitheatre in the center.
So, next time you go dancing and the band breaks out with a beautiful waltz ... as you go joyfully twirling around those squares just think of that space in the center you're dancing around. That's where the Temple Amphitheatre should be with the great Temple containing the Holy of Holies therein. And in the very middle of that square is the great Altar before the Temple.
Yes, as you dance around and around that great Altar just remember who put the whole universe together and who keeps it together.
Next, ask yourself, why are GOD'S Holy Arks being held captive today (Zechariah 5:4)? Why are world leaders not concerned about the restoration of The Glory Of GOD amongst people? Finally, when will the promised restoration of health and well-being materialize for the Congregation still spread world-wide?
(Leviticus 26:11-12; Zechariah 2:5,10-13; 5:9-11; Nahum 2:7; Joel 2:27; Isaiah 4:5; 40:5; 33:24; 35:5-6; Jeremiah 30:17-24; 33:6; Revelation 21:3-4).
Never forget events are all linked to that waltz pattern (the 1,2,3 - 1,2,3 - 1,2,3 - 1,2,3 -) that has been with humanity from the beginning. Yes, it has been around well before The Flood, traversed across The Flood with Noah, has been imbedded in the Levitical City design, and has been an integral part of nearly every band through modern history. Thus, like the seven 1,000 year-days from Creation, the three 1,000 year-days from the 5 BC Birth of Jesus Christ are very important in the scheme of things. And, today humanity has entered that third day. So soon all mankind will be well aware of what that historic 1,2,3 is all about. The Third Day is here!
WHERE ARE THEY?
"... and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their GOD."
Haggai 1:14
"And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts."
Haggai 2:7
"... from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it.
"... from this day will I bless you."
Haggai 2:18-19
"And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your GOD."
Zechariah 6:15
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