EZEKIEL CHAPTER 40 Ezekiel's vision of the model of a city, and of an
angel with a line and measuring reed taking the dimensions of the
temple, EZEKIEL 40:1. The description of the east gate of the outer
court, EZEKIEL 40:6; of the north gate, EZEKIEL 40:20; and of the
south gate, EZEKIEL 40:24; of... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE VISIONS: by this it appears it was not a corporeal transumption
of the prophet: see EZEKIEL 8:3. BROUGHT ME: see EZEKIEL 40:1. INTO
THE LAND OF ISRAEL; the land of Canaan was in a scheme represented to
him. SET ME UPON A VERY HIGH MOUNTAIN; placed him in the most
convenient situation for pros... [ Continue Reading ]
HE BROUGHT ME; the Lord by his Spirit, as EZEKIEL 40:1. THITHER: see
EZEKIEL 40:1. A MAN; the same, no doubt, which appeared to the
prophet, EZEKIEL 1:26, whose name is The Branch, and who builds the
temple, MALACHI 6:12,13. WHOSE APPEARANCE, whose fashion and colour,
was like burnished brass; so RE... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MAN: see EZEKIEL 40:3. SAID UNTO ME; Ezekiel, called here, as in
many other places, the SON OF MAN. BEHOLD WITH THINE EYES; diligently
view; all accurateness is required here in looking into these things
presented to the eye. HEAR WITH THINE EARS; like care and attention
use also in hearing what... [ Continue Reading ]
A WALL: this was that outmost wall, which did encompass the whole
ground on which the temple stood, and the courts that belonged to the
temple; a wall that encompassed the whole Mount Zion, upon whose top
the temple stood. ON THE OUTSIDE: this passage clears which wall it
was, viz. the outermost of... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN, when the prophet had well observed the outer wall and the
measuring thereof, CAME HE, the man with the measuring reed, i.e.
Christ. THE GATE, either of one of the inner walls, or of the temple
itself. WENT UP THE STAIRS THEREOF: till he was got up, he could not
measure the threshold, which was... [ Continue Reading ]
Along the wall of the porch were chambers, three on one side and three
on the other, EZEKIEL 40:10, of equal dimensions, each one reed
square. FIVE CUBITS, a space of two yards and one half, between each
chamber, either filled with some neat posts or pillars, or it may be
quite void, and nothing in... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PORCH; the posts, which were joined together at the top by an
arch, and so made the portico, say some. The open space under the arch
between the posts, or the ally which leads from the gate into the more
inward parts of the house, or to the inmost. So the French version,
_puis apres il mesura d... [ Continue Reading ]
This, say some, was another porch of another gate, distinct from that
EZEKIEL 40:6. But others, more likely, refer this measuring to the
same gate, but where, as before the breadth, now the length is
measured. THE POSTS: these were half columns, that from the floor to
the height of the wall jutted o... [ Continue Reading ]
This is a repetition of what the 7th verse hath already acquainted us
with; I only observe, these chambers were for the priests and Levites
to lodge in during their ministration, according to their courses in
the temple, where they kept watch continually night and day. The whole
was framed in very g... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BREADTH OF THE ENTRY: it is meant of the whole length of the
entry, or walk through the porch, which was so wide, and to which they
ascended by stairs of a semi-circular form. THE LENGTH; the height is
meant, but it is called its length, either because height is an
erected length, or rather beca... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPACE; the bound, limit, or rails, as some think, which were set
up at a cubit distance from the front of these little chambers, and
gave a beauty to them; or else the space of a cubit on the outside for
convenient placing of benches for the priests to sit on, while they
observed who came in and... [ Continue Reading ]
He measured from the extremity of one little chamber on the north side
of the gate, to the extremity of the opposite chamber on the south
side; and so one cubit and half for the back wall of the one chamber,
and as much for the back wall of the other chamber, with the length of
the chambers six cubi... [ Continue Reading ]
HE MADE; measured, and thereby showed what kind of posts they should
be. POSTS OF THREESCORE CUBITS: if this might be interpreted by
Cyrus's edict for building this fabric sixty cubits high, it would be
a clear confirmation of the Divine mission of the prophet, and the
certainty of a future performa... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse seems to sum up all the dimensions at length, this gate,
its porch, and thickness of its walls; and so sum the cubits, six in
the thickness of the outer wall, eighteen in the three chambers,
twenty in the spaces between the chambers, and six cubits in the
thickness of the inner wall of th... [ Continue Reading ]
NARROW WINDOWS: these lights were made through the thickness of the
wall of the chambers, and the wall was sloped for that purpose, both
within toward the chamber, and without toward the cloister, this
outward sloping gathering the light from without, and the inward
sloping did disperse it over all... [ Continue Reading ]
THE OUTWARD COURT; so called in regard of the more inward court,
between that where he was and the temple itself: this court here,
called the outward court, was at least the second about the temple, as
you go through the first and greatest court, or floor encompassed with
that wall of one reed high,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PAVEMENT; that mentioned EZEKIEL 40:17. BY THE SIDE OF THE GATES;
that part which lay on each side of the gate, and from thence spread
itself towards the chambers, leaving a space of pavement of equal
breadth with the porch, or gate in the middle. THE LENGTH OF THE
GATES: this length was measure... [ Continue Reading ]
HE MEASURED THE BREADTH of the whole ground between the inner front of
one gate and porch, to the outer front of the next gate more inward to
the temple. THE LOWER GATE; called so in respect to the next gate,
which was on the higher ground, and into which the entrance was by
stairs or steps. So the... [ Continue Reading ]
Now is this measurer giving account of the north gate of this outward
court, in which is a most exact harmony with the measures, fashion,
and ornaments of the east gate, so that nothing needs be here
repeated; who would know all particulars of this gate may find them in
the east gate.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIRST GATE; called, EZEKIEL 40:22, east gate. THE LENGTH THEREOF
WAS FIFTY CUBITS: see EZEKIEL 40:15. THE BREADTH FIVE AND TWENTY
CUBITS: see EZEKIEL 40:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
See EZEKIEL 40:16. BY SEVEN STEPS: it is not said what number of
stairs they went up to the east gate, but by this if appears they were
seven steps in number, and it is said by some the form was
semi-circular. THE ARCHES THEREOF, of this portico, the curious
vaulted roof. BEFORE THEM; within, or mor... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GATE, the north gate, of THE INNER COURT, or court of the priests.
THE GATE TOWARD THE NORTH; the north gate of the outer court, these
were directly over each other. AND TOWARD THE EAST: it is concise, but
thus to be expressed fully: The east gate of the inner court was
directly over against the... [ Continue Reading ]
Having finished the measuring of the east gate, and showed the prophet
the sameness of the north gate's buildings, measures, and ornaments,
now he is informed of the south gate, and its exact symmetry with the
other two, which consult in EZEKIEL 40:5. THE SOUTH; the south point
of heaven. A GATE TOW... [ Continue Reading ]
See EZEKIEL 40:16. LIKE THOSE WINDOWS, which were in the east gate,
and already measured there.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEVEN STEPS: see EZEKIEL 40:22. TO GO UP TO IT; the floor or square
court. BEFORE THEM: see EZEKIEL 40:22. One on this side, and another
on that side; on the right and on the left-hand posts, each post had
one palm tree.... [ Continue Reading ]
As before the east gate answered to east, and north to north, so here
one south gate answers to the other in the confronting or parallel
walls, and in all points exactly uniform. To prevent repetition, I
refer you to the particular measures, &c. of the east gate.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE BROUGHT ME from the south gate of the outer court through the
porch, and over the one hundred cubit pavement to the south gate of
the inner court, which is he described by its harmony with the other
gates, which were before measured, and to them are you referred, lest
we needlessly repeat the sam... [ Continue Reading ]
FIFTY CUBITS LONG: see EZEKIEL 40:15. FIVE AND TWENTY CUBITS BROAD:
see EZEKIEL 40:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
FIVE AND TWENTY CUBITS LONG: here, as once before, EZEKIEL 40:11,
length is put for height.... [ Continue Reading ]
In this verse two things are mentioned wherein this gate differed from
the other; first, in the arches or porch, which stood not inward, but
outward towards the outer court, the reason whereof will appear in
what follows. The next difference lieth in this, that the ascent was
by eight steps (more th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE INNER COURT; the court of the priests, which was next to the house
or temple itself. TOWARD THE EAST; to the east gate of that court; so
he is brought from the south to the east gate. ACCORDING TO THESE
MEASURES; as the other, so this, exactly like to the first in all
dimensions of length and br... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare EZEKIEL 40:33 with EZEKIEL 40:6, where the form and dimensions
are expressly set down.... [ Continue Reading ]
See EZEKIEL 40:31, where this verse is explained.... [ Continue Reading ]
From the east gate, and taking the measures thereof, he passeth by
order to the north gate, where all is exactly conformed to that in the
south and east gates.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHAMBERS; either the six, three on one side, and three on the
other, as before in the gates of the outer court, or else chambers
built on purpose for the uses here specified, as some conjecture. THE
ENTRIES; the doors, as well as the chambers, were by the pillars
probably adjoining to them. Thou... [ Continue Reading ]
Though the words seem so express, yet doubt is made whether any table
were in the very porch itself, and think they would cumber the
passage, but sure where only the priests in course of ministration
entered, there would be no great crowd; therefore I conceive that
these two pairs of tables were set... [ Continue Reading ]
On the right hand without, and probably in the open air, or else under
the cloister that went eastward, stood two, and on the left hand two,
in like manner, for the same end and use, to slay the sacrifices.... [ Continue Reading ]
Either within the porch two, and without it two, on either side, or
else, as some will, four without the porch and gate, in the cloisters
on the right and left hand of the gate. However placed, they were
eight for number, and designed for slaying the sacrifices on.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FOUR TABLES; each four tables, for the prophet speaks of all
eight, but names them four, because they were coupled so one four on
the one side and the other four on the other side. HEWN STONE: it is
not likely these were mean, worthless stones, but either best marble,
or else some stone better t... [ Continue Reading ]
Within the house, porch, or whatever the place be called where these
tables stood. HOOKS; learned conjectures here, as in many other
places, perplex more than explain. Hooks, on which the slaughtered
sacrifice might be hanged. while they prepared it further, were
needful, and the word imports such i... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT; when he was got though the gate of the inner court. WERE THE
CHAMBERS, several in a row, of the singers; where they lodged both
their instruments and themselves during the time of their attendance.
In the inner court; next to the temple. The back parts of these
lodgings were toward the nort... [ Continue Reading ]
HE, who appeared with measuring line and reed, EZEKIEL 40:3. This
chamber; this range of chambers, for this single number refers to the
whole row, not to one particular chamber. FOR THE PRIESTS the sons of
Aaron, yet, I think, not excluding others, who had charge under the
priests. THE KEEPERS, whil... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHAMBER: see EZEKIEL 40:45. FOR THE PRIESTS, THE KEEPERS: see
EZEKIEL 40:45. OF THE CHARGE OF THE ALTAR; to preserve the fire
perpetually on the altar, &c. ZADOK; the high priest, who was put in
by Solomon's depriving of Abiathar, in whose race the high priesthood
continued. While God's order wa... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COURT; the inner court, or court of the priests, who, according to
their several charges, had lodgings in it, as EZEKIEL 40:46.
FOUR-SQUARE: this court was an exact equilateral square. THE ALTAR:
here the place of the altar is only mentioned, the measuring of it is
EZEKIEL 43:13. This altar was... [ Continue Reading ]
HE BROUGHT ME, from the measuring the building and court, to the porch
of the house, that porch which joined to the temple, and was part of
the house. EACH POST OF THE PORCH; the post or wall on each side of
the gate. The thickness or space between the outside of the wall and
the inside of the wall... [ Continue Reading ]
Though learned men dispute the position of the length, whether from
east to west, or from north to south, express word determines the
dimensions of this length and breadth. _The steps_: eight, say some,
others eleven, and some say ten, others say twelve; but most say
eight. THERE WERE PILLARS: so so... [ Continue Reading ]