ייִדישער מחשבֿה אויף יחזקאל 40:3

Based on Radak’s explanation that orech refers to length, the recurring statement that the orech of the structure’s different elements was 50 cubits¹¹Yechezkel 40:25, 29, 33, 36. can be explained as follows: As I understand it, the height of all the structures was measured when they were lying on the ground.¹²With this paragraph, Tosafos Yom Tov is reconciling Radak’s interpretation with that of Rashi. Ultimately, both commentaries are discussing the height of the structures. Radak uses the term “length,” however, because the height of the structures were measured when they were lying on the ground, as Tosafos Yom Tov proceeds to explain. Thus, when explaining the statement that the angel speaking to Yechez­kel held “a linen cord in his hand and a measuring rod,”¹³Yechezkel 40:3. Radak comments that the cord was used to measure large measures of length on the ground.

He shone like copper, and his hand held a flaxen cord and a measuring rod.³See Yechezkel 40:3.

PROPHECY is given either in a vision or in a dream, as we have said so many times, and we will not constantly repeat it. We say now that when a prophet is inspired with a prophecy he may see an allegory, as we have shown frequently, or he may in a prophetic vision perceive that God speaks to him, as is said in Isaiah (vi. 8), “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” or he hears an angel addressing him, and sees him also. This is very frequent, e.g., “And the angel of God spake unto me,” etc. (Gen. 31:11); “And the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Dost thou not know what these are” (Zech. 4:5); “And I heard one holy speaking” (Dan. 8:13). Instances of this are innumerable. The prophet sometimes sees a man that speaks to him. Comp., “And behold there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, and the man said to me,” etc. (Ezek. 40:3, 4), although the passage begins, “The hand of the Lord was upon me” (ibid. ver. 1). In some cases the prophet sees no figure at all, only hears in the prophetic vision the words addressed to him; e.g., “And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Uali” (Dan. 8:16); “There was silence, and I heard a voice” (in the speech of Eliphaz, Job 4:16); “And I heard a voice of one that spake to me” (Ezek. 1:28). The being which Ezekiel perceived in the prophetic vision was not the same that addressed him: for at the conclusion of the strange and extraordinary scene which Ezekiel describes expressly as having been perceived by him, the object and form of the prophecy is introduced by the words, “And I heard a voice of a man that spake to me.”