The subject of the closing chapters of Ezekiel Ezek. 40–48 is the restitution of the kingdom of God. This is expressed by a vision, in which are displayed not only a rebuilt temple, but also a reformed priesthood, reorganized services, a restored monarchy, a reapportioned territory, a renewed people... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE FIRST AND TWENTIETH YEAR - This was the fiftieth year from the 18th of Josiah, the year of his memorable Passover 2 Kings 23:22. See the Ezekiel 1:1 note. If that was a jubilee year, which is highly probable, this vision also falls in a jubilee year, which seems appropriate. The jubilee year... [ Continue Reading ]
BY WHICH - Better as in the margin. (compare Ezekiel 43:12). AS THE FRAME OF A CITY - It is not “a city” which is seen, but a building (the temple and its courts) like a city in its construction, surrounded by massive walls. ON THE SOUTH - southward, i. e., on the southern slope, just as the templ... [ Continue Reading ]
THE APPEARANCE OF BRASS - Brightly shining. A LINE OF FLAX - For measuring the ground plan. A MEASURING REED - For the walls (compare Jeremiah 31:38). To measure implied a separation for sacred purposes. The measurements are: (1) exact, to show that the promise is certain; (2) equal, to denote h... [ Continue Reading ]
The boundary wall of the temple-courts. See Plan II. A WALL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE - The wall enclosing the courts in which were the entrance gates. BY THE CUBIT AND AN HAND BREADTH - The Jews first used a cubit of fifteen inches, applying it principally to the vessels and furniture of the te... [ Continue Reading ]
The east gate-building. See Plan III. Ezekiel 40:6 STAIRS - Seven in number Ezekiel 40:22. Each threshold of the gate (was) one reed broad (or 9 ft.). The measurements are being taken from East to west, i. e., in depth. Ezekiel 40:7 EVERY LITTLE CHAMBER - The guard-chambers (a) for the use of th... [ Continue Reading ]
The “outward” or outer “court” (o, Plan II) corresponds to what was in Herod’s temple the court of Women, into which all Jews, but not Gentiles were admitted. Ezekiel 40:17 CHAMBERS - (I) See Jeremiah 35:2. A PAVEMENT - (H) Of mosaic work 2 Chronicles 7:3; Esther 1:6 which formed a border of forty... [ Continue Reading ]
The gates both of the outer and of the inner court. Compare Plan II.... [ Continue Reading ]
UTTER COURT - Translate outward court Ezekiel 40:37; Ezekiel 42:1, Ezekiel 42:7, Ezekiel 42:14; Ezekiel 44:19; Ezekiel 46:20. ARCHES TOWARD THE OUTWARD COURT - See Ezekiel 40:14 note. EIGHT STEPS - So for the east... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHAMBERS - Render it: and chambers, not yet described. They were north of the altar, by the “posts” or pillars in front and along the sides of the gate-building. There were several gates in the gate-building.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE PORCH - Not under the covered portico, which was only ten cubits broad Ezekiel 40:9, but in the angles formed by the porch and gate-front. If the gate-building projected with its porch forward on to the pavement of the inner court, the tables were fitly placed for carrying out the directions... [ Continue Reading ]
On either side of the entrance of the north gate (from the inner court), were two tables on the one side and two tables on the other side of the porch.... [ Continue Reading ]
Omit “the” and “were.” These “four tables” are not the same as those mentioned before. The eight tables (T) were for slaying and preparing the victims, and were probably of wood, these (S) were of “hewn stone.” There may be in the number twelve a reference to the twelve tribes of Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
HOOKS - The alternative renderings given in the margin indicate the doubtfulness of the translation of the original word. The form is dual, and indicates that it is some object usually found in pairs. Some suggest that they were borders or ledges set, on either side of the tables, a handbreadth from... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT - Outside of the gate in the inner court. See N, Plan II. SINGERS - These were Levites of particular families, those of Heman, Asaph, and Merari, whose genealogy is carefully traced up to Levi (see marginal reference). These chambers (N, Plan II) may have been for the “singers and priests” w... [ Continue Reading ]
The priests, whose chambers (L) are here provided, were those whose business it was to exercise this oversight which had devolved upon them as descendants of Aaron Numbers 3:32.... [ Continue Reading ]
The position of the “chamber” looking to the north commanded a view of the brasen altar and the sacrifices, which were prepared at the north side of the altar. THE SONS OF ZADOK - The priests were all descended from one or other of the two sons of Aaron, Eleazar and Ithamar. David distributed the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COURT - The inner court (B) where was the brass altar Ezekiel 43:13. The new chapter would begin better at Ezekiel 40:48.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Porch of the House. The front of the temple-porch (see G, Plan I) consisted of a central opening with two columns on either side. Two columns with the space between them were called “a post of the gate.” “The breadth of the gate” on either side was a side opening, that is, the opening between tw... [ Continue Reading ]