Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 40

Introduction

Overview

Ezekiel 40:1, The time, manner, and end of the vision of the city and temple; Ezekiel 40:6, The description of the east gate of the outer court; Ezekiel 40:20, of the north gate; Ezekiel 40:24, of the south gate; Ezekiel 40:27, of the south gate of the inner court; Ezekiel 40:32, of the east gate; Ezekiel 40:35, and of the north gate; Ezekiel 40:39, Eight tables; Ezekiel 40:44, The chambers; Ezekiel 40:48, The porch of the house.

Verse 1

In the five: On Tuesday, April 20. Ezekiel 1:2, Ezekiel 8:1, Ezekiel 29:17, Ezekiel 32:1, Ezekiel 32:17

after: Ezekiel 33:21, 2 Kings 25:1-30, Jeremiah 39:1-18, Jeremiah 52:1-34

selfsame: Exodus 12:41

hand: Ezekiel 1:3, Ezekiel 3:14, Ezekiel 3:22, Ezekiel 11:24, Ezekiel 37:1, Revelation 1:10

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:2 - the house 1 Kings 18:12 - the Spirit of the Lord Psalms 87:3 - Glorious Isaiah 29:22 - Jacob shall Isaiah 54:11 - I will lay Ezekiel 3:12 - spirit Ezekiel 11:1 - the spirit Ezekiel 20:1 - in the seventh Ezekiel 24:1 - the ninth year Ezekiel 33:22 - the hand Ezekiel 43:11 - show them Romans 11:26 - all Ephesians 2:21 - all Revelation 11:1 - Rise Revelation 21:10 - he carried

Verse 2

the visions: There can be little doubt, that the grand outlines of the description of the temple, in the following extraordinary vision, were taken from that of Solomon's, with all the additions made to it in after ages; and we may suppose that Zerubbabel and the other Jews had respect to it, as far as circumstances would permit, in rebuilding the temple after the captivity. There are, however, many circumstances which conclusively shew, that something infinitely superior to either the first or second temple was intended; and that the external description must be considered as a figure and emblem of spiritual blessings. Probably the more immediate accomplishment of the prophecy will be subsequent to the conversion and restoration of the Jews, the destruction of Gog and Magog, and the pouring out of the Spirit, mentioned at the close of the last chapter; but whether there will be any external forms analogous to these cannot be determined, though in some respects it seems improbable. Ezekiel 1:1, Ezekiel 8:3, Daniel 7:1, Daniel 7:7, Acts 2:17, Acts 16:9, 2 Corinthians 12:1-7

a very: Ezekiel 17:22, Ezekiel 17:23, Isaiah 2:2, Isaiah 2:3, Daniel 2:34, Daniel 2:35, Micah 4:1, Revelation 21:10

by: or, upon

as the: Ezekiel 48:30-35, Galatians 4:26, Revelation 21:10-23

frame: 1 Chronicles 28:12, 1 Chronicles 28:19

on the south: Isaiah 48:2, Isaiah 14:13

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 34:1 - showed him 1 Kings 18:12 - the Spirit of the Lord 2 Kings 2:16 - the Spirit Ezekiel 3:12 - spirit Ezekiel 7:2 - unto Ezekiel 11:1 - the spirit Ezekiel 41:1 - he brought Ezekiel 42:1 - he brought Ezekiel 43:5 - the spirit Ezekiel 43:12 - Upon Matthew 4:1 - of the spirit Acts 10:10 - he fell

Verse 3

whose: Ezekiel 1:7, Ezekiel 1:27, Daniel 10:5, Daniel 10:6, Revelation 1:15

with: Ezekiel 47:3, Isaiah 8:20, Isaiah 28:17, Zechariah 2:1, Zechariah 2:2, Revelation 11:1, Revelation 21:15

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 41:1 - he brought Ezekiel 42:1 - he brought Ezekiel 42:16 - the measuring reed Ezekiel 43:6 - the man Amos 7:7 - a wall Zechariah 1:16 - and

Verse 4

behold: Ezekiel 2:7, Ezekiel 2:8, Ezekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 43:10, Ezekiel 44:5, Matthew 10:27, Matthew 13:9, Matthew 13:51, Matthew 13:52

declare: Isaiah 21:10, Jeremiah 26:2, Acts 20:27, 1 Corinthians 11:23

Reciprocal: Exodus 7:23 - neither Exodus 9:21 - regarded not Deuteronomy 32:46 - General Job 1:8 - considered Isaiah 44:19 - considereth in his heart Jeremiah 31:21 - set thine Ezekiel 47:6 - hast thou Haggai 1:5 - Consider your ways Matthew 24:15 - whoso

Verse 5

a wall: Ezekiel 42:20, Psalms 125:2, Isaiah 26:1, Isaiah 60:18, Zechariah 2:5, Revelation 21:12

by: Deuteronomy 3:11

so he: Ezekiel 42:20

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:6 - one reed Ezekiel 40:10 - they three Ezekiel 41:8 - a full Ezekiel 43:13 - The cubits Zechariah 2:1 - a man

Verse 6

unto: Ezekiel 40:20, Ezekiel 8:16, Ezekiel 11:1, Ezekiel 43:1, Ezekiel 44:1, Ezekiel 46:1, Ezekiel 46:12, 1 Chronicles 9:18, 1 Chronicles 9:24, Nehemiah 3:29, Jeremiah 19:2

which looketh: Heb. whose face was the way

stairs: Ezekiel 40:26, 1 Kings 6:8

threshold: Ezekiel 10:18, Ezekiel 43:8, Ezekiel 46:2, Ezekiel 47:1, Psalms 84:10, *marg.

one reed: Ezekiel 40:5, Ezekiel 40:7

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:15 - the face of the gate Ezekiel 40:22 - and they Ezekiel 40:24 - and behold Ezekiel 40:34 - eight steps Ezekiel 42:15 - gate Ezekiel 43:17 - look toward

Verse 7

Ezekiel 42:5, 1 Kings 6:5-10, 1 Chronicles 9:26, 1 Chronicles 23:28, 2 Chronicles 3:9, 2 Chronicles 31:11, Ezra 8:29, Jeremiah 35:4

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 35:2 - into one Ezekiel 40:6 - one reed Ezekiel 40:10 - the little Ezekiel 40:13 - the gate Ezekiel 40:15 - the face of the gate Ezekiel 40:16 - the little Ezekiel 40:21 - the little Ezekiel 40:29 - the little Ezekiel 40:44 - chambers

Verse 8

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 28:11 - the porch Jeremiah 31:39 - General Ezekiel 40:21 - after

Verse 9

the posts: Ezekiel 45:19

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 28:11 - the porch Ezekiel 44:3 - he shall enter

Verse 10

the little: Ezekiel 40:7

they three: The entrance into the outer court seems to have been through a porch with doors at both ends; and on each side of this porch were three small chambers, or rooms, for the use of the porters, a reed square in size, with a passage of five cubits between them. The common cubit, termed the "cubit of a man," - Deuteronomy 3:11, was about 18 inches; but the cubit used by the angel was, as we learn from Ezekiel 43:13, "a cubit and a hand breadth," or about three inches more than the common cubit, that is 21 inches. Hence the measuring reed, which was "six cubits long, by the cubit and the hand breadth," - Ezekiel 40:5, must have been about 10+ feet

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:21 - the little Ezekiel 40:29 - the little Ezekiel 40:44 - chambers

Verse 11

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:13 - the gate

Verse 12

space: Heb. limit, or bound, Ezekiel 40:12

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:13 - the gate Ezekiel 40:16 - the little Ezekiel 40:29 - the little Ezekiel 40:38 - the chambers

Verse 13

the gate: The whole arch of the east gate, measured from the southern extremity of one room to the northern extremity of the opposite room, was 25 cubits; including the dimensions of the two rooms, or twelve cubits - Ezekiel 40:7, the spaces before the rooms, or two cubits - Ezekiel 40:12, and the breadth of the entrance, ten cubits - Ezekiel 40:11, making all 24 cubits, leaving one cubit for the thickness of the walls. Ezekiel 40:13

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:21 - after

Verse 14

the court: Ezekiel 8:7, Ezekiel 42:1, Exodus 27:9, Exodus 35:17, Leviticus 6:16, 1 Chronicles 28:6, Psalms 100:4, Isaiah 62:9

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 41:21 - posts

Verse 15

the face of the gate: This was the whole length of the porch, from the outward front - Ezekiel 41:21, Ezekiel 41:25, to the inner side which looks into the first court - Ezekiel 40:17, including the thickness of the walls - Ezekiel 40:6, chambers - Ezekiel 40:7, and spaces between them. Ezekiel 40:15

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 28:11 - the porch Ezekiel 40:21 - after

Verse 16

narrow: Heb. closed, Ezekiel 41:16, 1 Kings 6:4, 1 Corinthians 13:12

the little: Ezekiel 40:7, Ezekiel 40:12

arches: or, galleries, or porches, Ezekiel 40:21, Ezekiel 40:22, Ezekiel 40:25, Ezekiel 40:30, Ezekiel 41:15, Ezekiel 42:3, John 5:2

inward: or, within

palm trees: 1 Kings 6:29, 1 Kings 6:32, 1 Kings 6:35, 2 Chronicles 3:5, Psalms 92:12, Revelation 7:9

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:4 - windows Jeremiah 35:2 - into one Ezekiel 40:26 - palm trees Ezekiel 40:29 - and there Ezekiel 41:18 - palm trees Ezekiel 41:26 - General

Verse 17

the outward: Ezekiel 10:5, Ezekiel 42:1, Ezekiel 46:21, Revelation 11:2

there were: 1 Kings 6:5, 1 Chronicles 9:26, 1 Chronicles 23:28, 2 Chronicles 31:11

thirty: Ezekiel 42:4, Ezekiel 45:5

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:15 - the face of the gate Ezekiel 41:1 - he brought Ezekiel 42:3 - the pavement Ezekiel 44:1 - the outward

Verse 18

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 42:3 - the pavement

Verse 19

unto the: Ezekiel 40:23, Ezekiel 40:27, Ezekiel 46:1, Ezekiel 46:2

without: or, from without

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:47 - an hundred cubits long

Verse 20

the gate: Ezekiel 40:6

that looked: Heb. whose face was

Reciprocal: Exodus 27:9 - the court Ezekiel 40:24 - and behold Ezekiel 42:1 - the utter court Ezekiel 44:4 - the way

Verse 21

the little: Ezekiel 40:7, Ezekiel 40:10-16, Ezekiel 40:29, Ezekiel 40:30, Ezekiel 40:36, Ezekiel 40:37

arches: or, galleries, or porches, Ezekiel 40:16, Ezekiel 40:26, Ezekiel 40:30, Ezekiel 40:34

after: Ezekiel 40:8, Ezekiel 40:10, Ezekiel 40:13, Ezekiel 40:15, Ezekiel 40:25, Ezekiel 40:29

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:24 - and he Ezekiel 40:33 - it was

Verse 22

palm trees: Ezekiel 40:16, Ezekiel 40:31, Ezekiel 40:37, 1 Kings 6:29, 1 Kings 6:32, 1 Kings 6:35, 1 Kings 7:36, 2 Chronicles 3:5, Revelation 7:9

and they: Ezekiel 40:6, Ezekiel 40:26, Ezekiel 40:31, Ezekiel 40:34, Ezekiel 40:37, Ezekiel 40:49, Hebrews 6:1

before them: Or, "suitable to them," that is, to the arches of the east gate. The north gate into the outward court, and every thing belonging to it, were exactly the same as the east gate.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:4 - windows Ezekiel 40:25 - windows Ezekiel 40:29 - and there Ezekiel 41:18 - palm trees

Verse 23

the gate of: That is, the gate of the inner court was opposite, and exactly answered to the gate of the outward court, both on the north and east side; and between the gates of the outward and inner court was a space of an hundred cubits. Ezekiel 40:19, Ezekiel 40:27, Ezekiel 40:28, Ezekiel 40:44

and he: Exodus 27:9-18, Exodus 38:9-12

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:47 - an hundred cubits long

Verse 24

and behold: Ezekiel 40:6, Ezekiel 40:20, Ezekiel 40:35, Ezekiel 46:9

and he: Ezekiel 40:21, Ezekiel 40:28, Ezekiel 40:29, Ezekiel 40:33, Ezekiel 40:35, Ezekiel 40:36

according: That is, according to the measures of the eastern and northern gates. There does not appear to have been any gates on the west, though the courts seem to have extended to the western wall

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 42:1 - he brought

Verse 25

windows: Ezekiel 40:16, Ezekiel 40:22, Ezekiel 40:29, John 12:46, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 2 Peter 1:19

the length: Ezekiel 40:21, Ezekiel 40:33

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:4 - windows Ezekiel 40:30 - five and Ezekiel 41:16 - narrow

Verse 26

seven: Ezekiel 40:6, Ezekiel 40:22, Ezekiel 40:29, 2 Peter 3:18

palm trees: Ezekiel 40:16, Ezekiel 40:22, Psalms 92:12, Psalms 92:13, Song of Solomon 7:7, Song of Solomon 7:8

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:21 - arches Ezekiel 40:31 - and palm Ezekiel 40:34 - eight steps

Verse 27

in the: Ezekiel 40:23, Ezekiel 40:32

and he: Ezekiel 40:19, Ezekiel 40:23, Ezekiel 40:47

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:35 - to the Ezekiel 40:44 - the inner

Verse 28

he brought: As the outward court inclosed the inner, the prophet was led from the south gate of the outward court to the south gate of the inner, which was opposite it, and so into the inner court itself.

according: Ezekiel 40:32, Ezekiel 40:35

Reciprocal: Exodus 27:9 - the court 2 Kings 21:5 - in the two courts Ezekiel 8:16 - the inner Ezekiel 40:23 - the gate of Ezekiel 40:24 - and he

Verse 29

the little: The entrance into the inner court seems to have been through a portico, exactly like that at each gate of the outward court; but the ascent was by eight steps, instead of seven. Ezekiel 40:7, Ezekiel 40:10, Ezekiel 40:12, 1 Chronicles 28:11, 1 Chronicles 28:12, 2 Chronicles 31:11, Nehemiah 13:5, Nehemiah 13:9, Jeremiah 35:2-4, Jeremiah 36:10

and there: Ezekiel 40:16, Ezekiel 40:22, Ezekiel 40:25

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:4 - windows Ezekiel 40:21 - the little Ezekiel 40:24 - and he Ezekiel 40:26 - seven Ezekiel 40:30 - five and Ezekiel 40:36 - little Ezekiel 40:44 - chambers

Verse 30

the arches: These are supposed to have been built over the spaces which separated the little chambers, or porters' lodges.

five and: Ezekiel 40:21, Ezekiel 40:25, Ezekiel 40:29, Ezekiel 40:33, Ezekiel 40:36

five cubits: Instead of five cubits, it seems evident, from the parallel places, that we should read twenty-five: the word êsrim appears to have been lost out of the text.

broad: Heb. breadth

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:16 - arches

Verse 31

and palm: Ezekiel 40:26, Ezekiel 40:34

eight: Ezekiel 40:22, Ezekiel 40:26, Ezekiel 40:34, Ezekiel 40:37

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:36 - graved cherubims Ezekiel 40:49 - The steps

Verse 32

into the: Ezekiel 40:28-31, Ezekiel 40:35

Reciprocal: Exodus 27:9 - the court 2 Kings 21:5 - in the two courts Ezekiel 40:27 - in the

Verse 33

it was: Ezekiel 40:21, Ezekiel 40:25, Ezekiel 40:36

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:4 - windows Ezekiel 40:24 - and he Ezekiel 40:30 - five and

Verse 34

palm trees: That is, probably, the capital of each pillar was ornamented with sculpture, representing leaves or branches of the palm tree.

eight steps: Ezekiel 40:6, Ezekiel 40:22, Ezekiel 40:26, Ezekiel 40:31, Ezekiel 40:34, Ezekiel 40:37, Ezekiel 40:49

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:21 - arches

Verse 35

to the: Ezekiel 40:27, Ezekiel 40:32, Ezekiel 44:4, Ezekiel 47:2

measured: The north gate, as well as the east, was built in the same manner, and of the same dimensions, as the south gate. See the parallel passages.

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 40:24 - and behold Ezekiel 40:28 - according Ezekiel 40:40 - as one goeth up

Verse 36

little: Ezekiel 40:21, Ezekiel 40:29, Ezekiel 40:36

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:4 - windows Ezekiel 40:24 - and he Ezekiel 40:30 - five and Ezekiel 40:33 - it was

Verse 37

the posts: Ezekiel 40:31, Ezekiel 40:34

the utter court: That is, "the outer court," as the word utter primarily denotes.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:36 - graved cherubims 2 Kings 21:5 - in the two courts Ezekiel 40:21 - the little Ezekiel 40:22 - palm trees Ezekiel 40:49 - The steps

Verse 38

the chambers: Ezekiel 40:12, Ezekiel 41:10, Ezekiel 41:11, 1 Kings 6:8

where: This place, where the legs and entrails of the sacrifices, especially of the burnt offerings, were washed, was just within the portico of the north entrance to the inner court, or court of the priests. An allusion to this is most probably made by the inspired apostle when writing his Epistle to the Hebrews - Hebrews 10:22. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." Leviticus 1:9, Leviticus 8:21, Hebrews 10:22

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 4:6 - such things as they offered for the burnt offering

Verse 39

tables on that: Ezekiel 41:22, Ezekiel 44:16, Malachi 1:7, Malachi 1:12, Luke 22:30, 1 Corinthians 10:16-21

the burnt: Leviticus 1:3-17

the sin: Leviticus 4:2, Leviticus 4:3, Leviticus 4:13-35, Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 53:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21

the trespass: Leviticus 5:6-13, Leviticus 6:6, Leviticus 7:1, Leviticus 7:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 37:10 - General 1 Kings 7:48 - the table

Verse 40

at the side: Two tables were on each side, as you come into the porch of the gate; and two on each side of the inner part of the gate that looked towards the altar; in all eight tables, on which they slew and cut up the victims. It does not appear that any such tables were used either in the tabernacle or temple; and this seems to intimate the introduction of a new and more spiritual dispensation. See the references.

as one goeth up: or, at the step, Ezekiel 40:35

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 44:4 - the way

Verse 41

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:23 - a table

Verse 42

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:23 - a table 1 Kings 7:48 - the table

Verse 43

within: These were probably for hanging up the victims in order to flay them.

hooks: or, end-irons, or, the two hearth-stones

upon: Leviticus 1:6, Leviticus 1:8, Leviticus 8:20

Verse 44

the inner: Ezekiel 40:23, Ezekiel 40:27

chambers: Ezekiel 40:7, Ezekiel 40:10, Ezekiel 40:29, 1 Chronicles 6:31, 1 Chronicles 6:32, 1 Chronicles 16:41-43, 1 Chronicles 25:1-31, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16

Reciprocal: Exodus 27:9 - the court 1 Kings 6:5 - built Ezekiel 46:19 - the entry

Verse 45

chamber: The word chamber probably here denotes a row of chambers, of which there seems to have been three: one for the singers; one for the priests who in their courses took charge of the sacred vessels and treasures; and one for the priests who attended on the altar and sacrifices.

whose: Ezekiel 8:5

the keepers: Leviticus 8:35, Numbers 3:27, Numbers 3:28, Numbers 3:32, Numbers 3:38, Numbers 18:5, 1 Chronicles 6:49, 1 Chronicles 9:23, 2 Chronicles 13:11, Psalms 134:1, Malachi 2:4-7, 1 Timothy 6:20, Revelation 1:6

charge: or, ward, or, ordinance, and so Ezekiel 40:46

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 11:2 - in the bedchamber 2 Chronicles 22:11 - bedchamber Ezekiel 44:8 - charge Ezekiel 44:11 - having charge Ezekiel 45:4 - which

Verse 46

the keepers: Ezekiel 44:15, Leviticus 6:12, Leviticus 6:13, Numbers 18:5

these: Ezekiel 43:19, Ezekiel 44:15, Ezekiel 48:11, 1 Kings 2:35

which come: Leviticus 10:3, Numbers 16:5, Numbers 16:40, Ephesians 2:13

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 22:11 - bedchamber Ezekiel 40:45 - charge Ezekiel 42:13 - approach Ezekiel 44:8 - charge

Verse 47

court: This was the inner court, or court of the priests, which was of the same dimensions with each division of the outer court; and the altar stood directly before the porch of the temple.

an hundred cubits long: Ezekiel 40:19, Ezekiel 40:23, Ezekiel 40:27

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 21:5 - in the two courts

Verse 48

the porch: The length of the porch was twenty cubits, the same as the breadth of the temple, and the breadth eleven cubits, that is, one cubit more than in Solomon's temple. Two bivalve, or folding doors, each leaf of them being three cubits wide, seem to have formed the entrance; which, with five cubits, perhaps of brick or stone work, one each side, called "the post of the porch," amount to sixteen cubits; and the other four cubits may be supposed to have been the distance from these posts to the outside walls of the temple. 1 Kings 6:3, 2 Chronicles 3:4

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:21 - the porch 1 Chronicles 28:11 - the porch Ezekiel 41:24 - General

Verse 49

The steps: This was a flight of steps which led from the inner court into the temple. Ezekiel 40:31, Ezekiel 40:34, Ezekiel 40:37

pillars: 1 Kings 7:15-21, 2 Chronicles 3:17, Jeremiah 52:17-23, Revelation 3:12

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:21 - the porch 1 Chronicles 28:11 - the porch Ezekiel 40:22 - and they