Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 40

Verse 1

the five and twentieth year. See table on p. 1106.

the beginning . Probably Abib or Nisan.

the city was smitten. The fall of Jerusalem is thus fixed as happening in the eleventh year of the

captivity. See the table on p. 1103.

the hand. Compare Ezekiel 3:14 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 2

visions of God. Compare Ezekiel 1:1 ; Ezekiel 8:3 ; Ezekiel 43:3 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

the land of Israel. One of the three occurrences in Ezekiel with 'erete instead of 'admath . See notes on Ezekiel 27:17 ; and compare note on Ezekiel 11:17 .

upon a very high mountain. Compare Ezekiel 17:22 , Ezekiel 17:23 .Isaiah 2:2 .

by: or, upon

frame = fabric; or structure.

Verse 3

behold, Figure of speech Asteriamos . App-6 .

man. Hebrew tsh. App-14 .

reed. See App-51 .

Verse 4

Son of man. See note on Ezekiel 2:1 .

Verse 5

behold. Figure of speech Asteriamos . App-6 ,

on the : or, went on.

the house : i.e. the Temple.

cubits. See App-51 .,

he measured . In Blithe measurements the unit is one-seventh longer than Solomon's Temple, pointing to the eighth, the day of God. Seven speaks of completion. Eight speaks of a new beginning (see App-10 ). In "the day of God" all things will be new.

building: i.e. the wall and its contents.

Verse 6

the other: viz. that mentioned in Ezekiel 40:7 .

Verse 7

little. This word may well be omitted.

within. Revised Version = toward the house.

Verse 8

He measured, &c. Verse 8 is not found in the Septuagint, Syriac, or Vulgate. It may be the latter clause of Ezekiel 40:7 copied again through human infirmity.

Verse 9

posts: or projections, coigns or small turrets.

inward = toward. [the house].

Verse 11

entry = entrance, or doorway.

length = extent, or way.

Verse 12

space = barrier, border, or parapet.

Verse 13

door entrance.

Verse 14

made: or, measured.

Verse 15

face = front.

Verse 16

narrow = latticed. Compare Ezekiel 41:16 , Eze 41:26 , 1 Kings 6:4 .

arches = projections, or porches.

inward: or, within.

upon = against.

palm trees. Artificial. Compare Ezekiel 41:18 .

Verse 17

lo . Figure of speech Asterismos . App-6 .

chambers = attachments. Always rendered "chambers", except, 1 Samuel 9:22 , where it is "parlour". These chambers or storerooms are for the priests and Levites, and for the tithes and offerings. Not the same word as in verses: Ezekiel 40:7 , Ezekiel 40:7 , Ezekiel 40:10 , Ezekiel 7:12 , Ezekiel 7:12 , Ezekiel 7:13 , Ezekiel 7:16 , Ezekiel 7:21 , Eze 7:29 , Eze 7:33 , Eze 7:36 ; but the same as verses: Ezekiel 40:35 , Ezekiel 40:44 , Ezekiel 40:45 , Eze 35:46 . See note on Ezekiel 41:5 .

pavement. Stones ranged artificially. Probably tesselated. Compare John 19:13 .

thirty. Probably ten on each of the three sides of the court, in clusters of five on each of the sides of the three gates.

Verse 18

side = shoulder.

over against. Or, all along.

Verse 19

without = from without.

Verse 22

seven steps . These are the steps to the outer gates, and distinct from the "eight" of the inner court. Neither have anything to do with the fifteen steps of the "Songs of the Degrees". See App-67 .

Verse 24

these measures . This phrase is repeated in verses: Ezekiel 40:28 , Ezekiel 40:29 , Ezekiel 40:32 , Eze 28:33 , Eze 28:35 . showing the conformity of the whole plan.

Verse 31

utter = outer.

going up = ascent.

eight steps. These were in the inner court. See note on "seven", Ezekiel 40:22 ,

Verse 38

washed. Or, took out, the entrails of.

burnt offering. Sec App-43 . See note on "ordinances", Ezekiel 43:18 .

Verse 39

sin. offering. See App-43 .

trespass offering. See App-43 .

Verse 41

they slew, &c. = their slaying [was done].

Verse 42

hewn stone. The other eight (Ezekiel 40:41 ) were probably of wood.

Verse 43

hooks = the ranges.

offering = corban.

Verse 46

Zadok among = Zadok: those from

Verse 47

foursquare. Compare Ezekiel 48:20 and Revelation 21:16 .

Verse 48

porch = vestibule.