Ezekiel 40
40
Vision of the New Temple
1 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city#sn That is, Jerusalem. was struck down, on this very day,#tn April 19, 573 b.c. the hand#tn Or “power.” sn Hand in the OT can refer metaphorically to power, authority, or influence. In Ezekiel God’s hand being on the prophet is regularly associated with communication or a vision from God (3:14, 22; 8:1; 37:1; 40:1). of the Lord was on me, and he brought me there.#sn That is, to the land of Israel (see v. 2). 2 By means of divine visions#tn The expression introduces the three major visions of Ezekiel (1:1; 8:3; 40:2). he brought me to the land of Israel and placed me on a very high mountain,#tn The reference to a very high mountain is harmonious with Isa 2:2. and on it was a structure like a city, to the south. 3 When he brought me there, I saw#tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb. a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring stick in his hand. He was standing in the gateway. 4 The man said to me, “Son of man, watch closely, listen carefully, and pay attention#tn Heb “look with your eyes, hear with your ears, and set your mind on.” to everything I show you, for you have been brought here so that I can show it to you.#tn Heb “in order to show (it) to you.” Tell the house of Israel everything you see.”
5 I saw#tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb. a wall all around the outside of the temple.#tn Heb “house.” In the man’s hand was a measuring stick 10½ feet#tn Heb “a measuring stick of six cubits, [each] a cubit and a handbreadth.” The measuring units here and in the remainder of this section are the Hebrew “long” cubit, consisting of a cubit (about 18 inches or 45 cm) and a handbreadth (about 3 inches or 7.5 cm), for a total of 21 inches (52.5 cm). Therefore the measuring stick in the man’s hand was 10.5 feet (3.15 meters) long. Because modern readers are not familiar with the cubit as a unit of measurement, and due to the additional complication of the “long” cubit as opposed to the regular cubit, all measurements have been converted to American standard feet and inches, with the Hebrew measurements and the metric equivalents given in the notes. long. He measured the thickness of the wall#tn Heb “building.” as 10½ feet,#tn Heb “one rod [or “reed”]” (also a second time in this verse, twice in v. 6, three times in v. 7, and once in v. 8). and its height as 10½ feet. 6 Then he went to the gate facing east. He climbed its steps and measured the threshold of the gate as 10½ feet deep.#tn The Hebrew text adds “the one threshold 10½ feet deep.” This is probably an accidental duplication of what precedes. See D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 2:517. 7 The alcoves were 10½ feet long and 10½ feet wide; between the alcoves were 8¾ feet.#tn Heb “five cubits” (i.e., 2.625 meters) according to the “long” cubit. See the note on the first occurrence of the phrase “10½ feet” in v. 5. The threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate facing inward was 10½ feet. 8 Then he measured the porch of the gate facing inward as 10½ feet. 9 He measured the porch of the gate as 14 feet,#tn Heb “eight cubits” (i.e., 4.2 meters). and its jambs as 3½ feet;#tn Heb “two cubits” (i.e., 1.05 meters). the porch of the gate faced inward. 10 There were three alcoves on each side of the east gate; the three had the same measurement, and the jambs on either side had the same measurement.#sn The three alcoves are parallel to the city gates found at Megiddo, Hazor, and Gezer. 11 He measured the width of the entrance of the gateway as 17½ feet,#tn Heb “ten cubits” (i.e., 5.25 meters). and the length of the gateway as 22¾ feet.#tn Heb “thirteen cubits” (i.e., 6.825 meters). 12 There was a barrier in front of the alcoves, 1¾ feet#tn Heb “one cubit” (i.e., 52.5 cm). on either side; the alcoves were 10½ feet#tn Heb “six cubits” (i.e., 3.15 meters). on either side. 13 He measured the gateway from the roof of one alcove to the roof of the other, a width of 43¾ feet#tn Heb “twenty-five cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters). from one entrance to the opposite one. 14 He measured#tn Heb “made.” the porch#tc The MT reads “jambs” which does not make sense in context. Supposing a confusion of yod for vav, the text may be emended to read “porch.” See D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 2:518. at 105 feet#tn Heb “sixty cubits” (i.e., 31.5 meters). high;#tn The word “high” is not in the Hebrew text but is supplied for sense. the gateway went all around to the jamb of the courtyard. 15 From the front of the entrance gate to the porch of the inner gate was 87½ feet.#tn Heb “fifty cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters). 16 There were closed windows toward the alcoves and toward their jambs within the gate all around, and likewise for the porches. There were windows all around the inside, and on each jamb were decorative palm trees.#sn Decorative palm trees were also a part of Solomon’s temple (1 Kgs 6:29, 32, 35).
17 Then he brought me to the outer court. I saw#tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb. chambers there, and a pavement made for the court all around; thirty chambers faced the pavement. 18 The pavement was beside the gates, corresponding to the length of the gates; this was the lower pavement. 19 Then he measured the width from before the lower gate to the front of the exterior of the inner court as 175 feet#tn Heb “one hundred cubits” (i.e., 52.5 meters). on the east and on the north.
20 He measured the length and width of the gate of the outer court which faces north. 21 Its alcoves, three on each side, and its jambs and porches had the same measurement as the first gate; 87½ feet#tn Heb “fifty cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters). long and 43¾ feet#tn Heb “twenty-five cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters). wide. 22 Its windows, its porches, and its decorative palm trees had the same measurement as the gate which faced east. Seven steps led up to it, and its porch was in front of them. 23 Opposite the gate on the north and the east was a gate of the inner court; he measured the distance from gate to gate at 175 feet.#tn Heb “one hundred cubits” (i.e., 52.5 meters).
24 Then he led me toward the south. I saw#tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb. a gate on the south. He measured its jambs and its porches; they had the same dimensions as the others. 25 There were windows all around it and its porches, like the windows of the others;#tn Heb “as these windows.” 87½ feet#tn Heb “fifty cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters). long and 43¾ feet#tn Heb “twenty-five cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters). wide. 26 There were seven steps going up to it; its porches were in front of them. It had decorative palm trees on its jambs, one on either side. 27 The inner court had a gate toward the south; he measured it from gate to gate toward the south as 175 feet.#tn Heb “one hundred cubits” (i.e., 52.5 meters).
28 Then he brought me to the inner court by the south gate. He measured the south gate; it had the same dimensions as the others. 29 Its alcoves, its jambs, and its porches had the same dimensions as the others, and there were windows all around it and its porches; its length was 87½ feet#tn Heb “fifty cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters). and its width 43¾ feet.#tn Heb “twenty-five cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters). 30 There were porches all around, 43¾ feet#tn Heb “twenty-five cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters). long and 8¾ feet#tn Heb “five cubits” (i.e., 2.625 meters). wide. 31 Its porches faced the outer court, and decorative palm trees were on its jambs, and its stairway had eight steps.
32 Then he brought me to the inner court on the east side. He measured the gate; it had the same dimensions as the others. 33 Its alcoves, its jambs, and its porches had the same dimensions as the others, and there were windows all around it and its porches; its length was 87½ feet#tn Heb “fifty cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters). and its width 43¾ feet.#tn Heb “twenty-five cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters). 34 Its porches faced the outer court, it had decorative palm trees on its jambs, and its stairway had eight steps.
35 Then he brought me to the north gate, and he measured it; it had the same dimensions as the others – 36 its alcoves, its jambs, and its porches. It had windows all around it; its length was 87½ feet#tn Heb “fifty cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters). and its width 43¾ feet.#tn Heb “twenty-five cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters). 37 Its jambs#tc The LXX reads “porches.” faced the outer court, and it had decorative palm trees on its jambs, on either side, and its stairway had eight steps.
38 There was a chamber with its door by the porch of the gate;#tc The MT reads “jambs of the gates” which does not make sense in a context discussing one chamber. The emendation to “porch” is similar to v. 14. See D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 2:530. there they washed the burnt offering. 39 In the porch of the gate were two tables on either side on which to slaughter the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering. 40 On the outside of the porch as one goes up at the entrance of the north gate were two tables, and on the other side of the porch of the gate were two tables. 41 Four tables were on each side of the gate, eight tables on which the sacrifices were to be slaughtered. 42 The four tables for the burnt offering were of carved stone, 32 inches#tn Heb “one and a half cubits” (i.e., 78.75 cm). long, 32 inches#tn Heb “one and a half cubits” (i.e., 78.75 cm). wide, and 21 inches#tn Heb “one cubit” (i.e., 52.5 cm). high. They would put the instruments which they used to slaughter the burnt offering and the sacrifice on them. 43 There were hooks#tc This reading is supported by the Aramaic Targum. The LXX, Vulgate, and Syriac read “shelves” or some type of projection. three inches#tn Heb “one handbreadth” (7.5 cm). long, fastened in the house all around, and on the tables was the flesh of the offering.
44 On the outside of the inner gate were chambers for the singers of the inner court, one#tn “One” is not in the Hebrew text but is supplied for clarity in the translation. at the side of the north gate facing south, and the other at the side of the south#tc This reading is supported by the LXX; the MT reads “east.” gate facing north. 45 He said to me, “This chamber which faces south is for the priests who keep charge of the temple,#tn Heb “the house.” 46 and the chamber which faces north is for the priests who keep charge of the altar. These are the descendants of Zadok, from the descendants of Levi, who may approach the Lord to minister to him.” 47 He measured the court as a square 175 feet long and 175 feet wide;#tn Heb “one hundred cubits long and one hundred cubits wide, a square” (i.e., 52.5 meters by 52.5 meters). the altar was in front of the temple.
48 Then he brought me to the porch of the temple and measured the jambs of the porch as 8¾ feet#tn Heb “five cubits” (i.e., 2.625 meters). on either side, and the width of the gate was 24½ feet#tn The LXX reads “fourteen cubits” (i.e., 7.35 meters). See following note. and the sides#tc The translation follows the LXX. The MT reads “the width of the gate was three cubits,” the omission due to haplography.tn Or “sidewalls.” were 5¼ feet#tn Heb “three cubits” (i.e., 1.575 meters). on each side. 49 The length of the porch was 35 feet#tn Heb “twenty cubits” (i.e., 10.5 meters). and the width 19¼ feet;#tn Heb “eleven cubits” (i.e., 5.775 meters). steps#tc The LXX reads “ten steps.” led up to it, and there were pillars beside the jambs on either side.
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Ezekiel 40: NET
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1996 - 2007 by Biblical Studies Press, LLC
Ezekiel 40
40
The Man with a Measuring Rod
1In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month — in the fourteenth year after Jerusalem had been struck down — on that very day the hand of the Lord was upon me, and He took me there. 2In visions of God He took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose southern slope was a structure that resembled a city.
3So He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze. He was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. 4“Son of man,” he said to me, “look with your eyes, hear with your ears, and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Report to the house of Israel everything you see.”
The East Gate
5And I saw a wall surrounding the temple area. Now the length of the measuring rod in the man’s hand was six long cubits#40:5 6 long cubits, the length of the reed used for measuring, is approximately 10.5 feet or 3.2 meters; similarly in verses 6, 7, and 12. The long cubit of about 21 inches or 53.3 centimeters is the basic unit of length throughout Ezekiel 40 to 48. (each measuring a cubit and a handbreadth), and he measured the wall to be one rod thick and one rod high.
6Then he came to the gate facing east and climbed its steps. He measured the threshold of the gate to be one rod deep.#40:6 Hebrew one reed deep, even one threshold, one reed deep. 7Each gate chamber was one rod long and one rod wide, and there were five cubits#40:7 5 (long) cubits is approximately 8.75 feet or 2.7 meters; also in verses 30 and 48. between the gate chambers. The inner threshold of the gate by the portico facing inward was one rod deep. 8Then he measured the portico of the gateway inside;#40:8 Literally the portico of the gateway inside, one rod 9it was eight cubits deep,#40:9 8 (long) cubits is approximately 14 feet or 4.3 meters. and its jambs were two cubits thick.#40:9 2 (long) cubits is approximately 3.5 feet or 1.1 meters. And the portico of the gateway faced the temple.
10There were three gate chambers on each side of the east gate, each with the same measurements, and the gateposts on either side also had the same measurements. 11And he measured the width of the gateway entrance to be ten cubits,#40:11 10 (long) cubits is approximately 17.5 feet or 5.3 meters. and its length was thirteen cubits.#40:11 13 (long) cubits is approximately 22.75 feet or 6.9 meters.
12In front of each gate chamber was a wall one cubit high, and the gate chambers were six cubits square. 13Then he measured the gateway from the roof of one gate chamber to the roof of the opposite one; the distance was twenty-five cubits#40:13 25 (long) cubits is approximately 43.75 feet or 13.3 meters; also in verses 21, 25, 29, 30, 33, and 36. from doorway to doorway.
14Next he measured the gateposts to be sixty cubits high.#40:14 60 (long) cubits is approximately 105 feet or 32 meters. The gateway extended around to the gatepost of the courtyard. 15And the distance from the entrance of the gateway to the far end of its inner portico was fifty cubits.#40:15 50 (long) cubits is approximately 87.5 feet or 26.7 meters; also in verses 21, 25, 29, 33, and 36.
16The gate chambers and their side pillars#40:16 Or gateposts or jambs or projecting walls; here and throughout Ezekiel 40 and 41. had beveled windows all around the inside of the gateway. The porticos also had windows all around on the inside. Each side pillar was decorated with palm trees.
The Outer Court
17Then he brought me into the outer court, and there were chambers and a pavement laid out all around the court. Thirty chambers faced the pavement, 18which flanked the gateways and corresponded to the length of the gates; this was the lower pavement.
19Then he measured the distance from the front of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner court; it was a hundred cubits#40:19 100 (long) cubits is approximately 175 feet or 53.3 meters; also in verses 23, 27, and 47. on the east side as well as on the north.
The North Gate
20He also measured the length and width of the gateway of the outer court facing north. 21Its three gate chambers on each side, its side pillars, and its portico all had the same measurements as the first gate: fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 22Its windows, portico, and palm trees had the same measurements as those of the gate facing east. Seven steps led up to it, with its portico opposite them.
23There was a gate to the inner court facing the north gate, just as there was on the east. He measured the distance from gateway to gateway to be a hundred cubits.
The South Gate
24Then he led me to the south side, and I saw a gateway facing south. He measured its side pillars and portico, and they had the same measurements as the others. 25Both the gateway and its portico had windows all around, like the other windows. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 26Seven steps led up to it, and its portico was opposite them; it had palm trees on its side pillars, one on each side.
27The inner court also had a gate facing south, and he measured the distance from gateway to gateway toward the south to be a hundred cubits.
The Gates of the Inner Court
28Next he brought me into the inner court through the south gate, and he measured the south gate; it had the same measurements as the others. 29Its gate chambers, side pillars, and portico had the same measurements as the others. Both the gateway and its portico had windows all around; it was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 30(The porticoes around the inner court were twenty-five cubits long and five cubits deep.#40:30 The porticoes were approximately 43.75 feet long and 8.75 feet deep (13.3 meters long and 2.7 meters deep).) 31Its portico faced the outer court, and its side pillars were decorated with palm trees. Eight steps led up to it.
32And he brought me to the inner court on the east side, and he measured the gateway; it had the same measurements as the others. 33Its gate chambers, side pillars, and portico had the same measurements as the others. Both the gateway and its portico had windows all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 34Its portico faced the outer court, and its side pillars were decorated with palm trees on each side. Eight steps led up to it.
35Then he brought me to the north gate and measured it. It had the same measurements as the others, 36as did its gate chambers, side pillars, and portico. It also had windows all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 37Its portico#40:37 LXX and Vulgate (see also verses 26, 31, and 34); Hebrew jambs or dividing wall faced the outer court, and its side pillars were decorated with palm trees on each side. Eight steps led up to it.
Eight Tables for Sacrifices
38There was a chamber with a doorway by the portico#40:38 Hebrew at the jambs in each of the inner gateways. There the burnt offering was to be washed. 39Inside the portico of the gateway were two tables on each side, on which the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings were to be slaughtered.
40Outside, as one goes up to the entrance of the north gateway, there were two tables on one side and two more tables on the other side of the gate’s portico. 41So there were four tables inside the gateway and four outside — eight tables in all — on which the sacrifices were to be slaughtered.
42There were also four tables of dressed stone for the burnt offering, each a cubit and a half long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit high.#40:42 The tables were approximately 2.6 feet in length and width, and 1.75 feet high (79.2 centimeters in length and width, and 53.3 centimeters high). On these were placed the utensils used to slaughter the burnt offerings and the other sacrifices.
43The double-pronged hooks,#40:43 Or shelves each a handbreadth long,#40:43 A handbreadth is approximately 2.9 inches or 7.4 centimeters long. were fastened all around the inside of the room, and the flesh of the offering was to be placed on the tables.
Chambers for Ministry
44Outside the inner gate, within the inner court, were two chambers,#40:44 LXX; Hebrew within the inner court were chambers for the singers one beside the north gate and facing south, and another beside the south gate#40:44 LXX; Hebrew the east gateway and facing north.
45Then the man said to me: “The chamber that faces south is for the priests who keep charge of the temple, 46and the chamber that faces north is for the priests who keep charge of the altar. These are the sons of Zadok, the only Levites who may approach the Lord to minister before Him.”
The Inner Court
47Next he measured the court. It was square, a hundred cubits long and a hundred cubits wide. And the altar was in front of the temple.
48Then he brought me to the portico of the temple and measured the side pillars of the portico to be five cubits on each side. The width of the gateway was fourteen cubits and its sidewalls were three cubits on either side.#40:48 LXX; the gateway was approximately 24.5 feet or 7.5 meters wide, with sidewalls approximately 5.25 feet or 1.6 meters wide on either side. Hebrew The width of the gateway was three cubits on either side. 49The portico was twenty cubits wide#40:49 20 (long) cubits is approximately 35 feet or 10.7 meters. and twelve cubits deep,#40:49 LXX; 12 (long) cubits is approximately 21 feet or 6.4 meters; Hebrew eleven cubits deep; that is, approximately 19.25 feet or 5.9 meters. and ten steps led up to it.#40:49 LXX; Hebrew and steps led up to it There were columns by the side pillars, one on each side.
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