Chapter 40

1 The time, manner, and end of the vision. 6 The description of the east gate, 20 of the north gate, 24 of the south gate, 32 of the east gate, 35 and of the north gate. 39 Eight tables. 44 The chambers. 48 The porch of the house.

1. Five and twentieth year. Evidently of Jehoiachin’s captivity (see on ch. 1:2), if the scale of years is the same throughout the book. The fact that v. 1 refers to “our” captivity (as does ch. 33:21) indicates that Ezekiel was taken captive along with Jehoiachin.

Beginning of the year. Heb. roХsh hashshanah, “head of the year.” Since roХsh is sometimes translated “first,” some take this to mean the first month of the year, namely Nisan. If so, this date was in April, 573, or April, 572 (depending on whether Ezekiel began the year from the spring or the fall). However, if Ezekiel meant the beginning of the year and was reckoning the Captivity by the Jewish civil year, which began with the 7th month (Tishri), this was the Day of Atonement in October, 573 (see p. 572). It is interesting to note that this is the only occurrence in the Bible of the phrase roХsh hashshanah, by which the 1st of Tishri, or New Year’s Day, is still called by the Jews today, but this does not prove that it necessarily meant the same in that time. The day mentioned is the 10th, not the 1st.

Fourteenth year. The 25th year of Jehoiachin’s captivity can be equated with the 14th after the fall of Jerusalem, to allow the three possible dates mentioned in the preceding paragraph (see Vol. III, pp. 92, 93).

CHAPTERS 40–48 CONSTITUTE ONE CONTINUOUS PROPHECY OF A UNIQUE CHARACTER. THEY PRESENT A VISION of a new temple in careful detail, a new and remarkable plan for the division of the land, and a vision of life-giving waters issuing from that magnificent temple.

The prophecy presents several problems of interpretation. Three main lines of exposition have been adopted:

1.  The literal view. This holds that Ezekiel furnished the sketch of a new constitution for Israel, to be actually put into operation at some time in the future, either immediately subsequent to the Exile or later. According to this view the erection of a temple, the institution of a worship, and a division of the land would have followed precisely the specifications furnished by Ezekiel.

2.  The futurist view. This finds in the temple vision a new constitution for restored and reunited Israel. However, although it concedes that in some small degree it may have been put into force after the Exile, it looks to a yet future golden age as the time when the vision will receive an exact and complete fulfillment.

3.  The allegorical view. This denies any literal fulfillment and looks to some symbolical fulfillment in the time immediately subsequent to the Exile, or in the Christian church, or at the end of the age.

As to these three views certain comments may be made.

Against the literal view, it is urged that it is inconceivable that there should be no allusion to the language of Ezekiel in the historical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, or in the prophecies of Haggai, which all relate to this period. Although these describe the return and settlement in the land, and the rebuilding of the Temple, they make no reference to this prophecy, nor display a desire on the part of the builders to conform to Ezekiel’s directions.

Against the futurist view, it is urged that in view of the relations between the old and new dispensations as set forth in Scripture it is impossible to conceive that animal sacrifices could ever again be restored by divine command and find acceptance with God.

Against the allegorical view, it is urged that it supplies an inadequate justification for the many details of the vision and fails to present a sufficiently significant interpretative pattern to warrant the extended attention devoted to the subject.

The simplest view is the one that follows the principles outlined in the comments on ch. 38:1. According to these principles the temple vision would have been literally fulfilled if the people had been faithful to their trust, but because they failed, the prophecy could not be fulfilled in its original intent. Only a few, comparatively, returned, and these fell far short of God’s purpose for them. Certain features (see ch. 47) will have a degree of fulfillment to the Christian church, as indicated by later inspired writers.

The temple vision is a pictorial prophecy, and the principles outlined in comments on ch. 1:10 must be applied. Ezekiel saw representations of the actual and not the actual itself, and the degree of identity remains a problem for further interpretation. Nevertheless, in whatever degree the two vary, a comparison with other prophecies relating to the restoration leads us to the belief that the prophet is here describing a literal state with a literal temple and a literal capital. It is hard to conceive how the Jews, to whom this prophecy was addressed, could have understood it otherwise. The fact that the postexilic Bible writers never referred to this prophecy, and the fact that the Temple builders apparently paid no attention to the plan, may be explained on the ground that the builders were fully aware that the conditions had not yet been met that would permit the fulfillment of these promises. Nor does this series of prophecies give any intimation that the plans were to be executed immediately upon the return of the exiles to their own country. They were doubtless help up as a future goal toward which to strive.

Ezekiel’s Temple and Associated Platform

If God knew that His temple would never be built, why would He take pains to provide such an itemized pattern of the future state? The answer is: God left no method untried to induce Israel to accept the high destiny originally planned for them. Up to this point their history had been one of repeated failures. God was now offering them another opportunity to begin again. The past would be forgotten and never again held against them. Israel nationally, and her people personally, were invited to take hold of the glorious provision.

It is reasonable to suppose that, to convince His people of the certainty of the promise, God directed His servant to draw up an exact blueprint of the temple that was to form the center of worship for the new state. God might have left this promise in general terms. He might have merely told them that in the future their temple was to be reconstructed. But such an intimation would have been rather vague. There would be no doubt as to the seriousness of His intentions if every detail of construction and service was carefully portrayed. Nine chapters in all are devoted to the temple and its services, and details concerning the city and the new division of the land.

This is Ezekiel’s last important vision (only that concerning Egypt, in ch. 29:17–21, came later), and its magnitude and grandeur are a fitting climax to his prophetic career. The following colorful epitome of that career has been given: “Ezekiel bursts upon the scene like the storm cloud described in his first prophecy, the progress of his visions dazzles us like the revolving chromatic lights in the midst of the moving cloud, until the storm is spent, the cloud melts into space, and so much of the light remains as reveals the splendors of a city, temple, and commonwealth illumined with the unfading glory of an ever-present God” (Homiletic Commentary).

2. Very high mountain. The prophet was placed upon an eminent spot so that from a vantage point he might examine the details of the vision.

By which. Literally, “upon it.”

Frame of a city. The temple and its courts surrounded by walls gave the impression of a walled city (for the size see on v. 5).

3. A man. The being is not identified.

Line of flax. This would be used for large measurements (see ch. 47:3).

Measuring reed. See Rev. 11:1; 21:15. This would be used for smaller measurements (see on Eze. 40:5).

4. Declare all. The purpose of declaring all these intricate details was to acquaint the children of Israel with God’s glorious prospect for them. The delineation of these particulars was evidently intended to be a powerful inducement to the people to meet the necessary conditions. It provided the assurance that God’s thoughts toward them were thoughts of peace and not of evil (see Jer. 29:11). The exhibition of a complete blueprint showed them that God was serious regarding these intentions and would do His part if the people did theirs (see pp. 29, 30).

5. Cubit and an hand breadth. By reckoning the cubit at 17.5 in. (444.5 mm.) and adding a handbreadth (1/6 cu.), Ezekiel’s cubit would be 20.4 in. (518.6 mm.). The measuring reed would then be 10 ft. 21/2 in. long (3.12 m.) (see Vol. I, p. 165).

Breadth of the building. That is, the thickness of the wall surrounding the court. The wall is designated A on the temple plan on p. 716. This drawing is offered as an approximate representation of the building and courts (see note under Key).

The height and breadth of the wall are given here as equal. The length is here not given but appears to have been 500 cu. (about 850 ft. [259 m.], see on ch. 42:16) on each of its four sides. This wall was around the outside of the whole complex structure. It was not high (about 10 ft. [3 m.]), and people approaching to worship could easily see the temple in all its beauty and glory shining above the walls.

6. Gate which looketh. Verses 6–16 describe the east gate (p. 716, B), or gate building, which was the main gate, since it led directly toward the temple entrance. It is minutely described, inasmuch as the dimensions of the north and south outer gates (p. 716, F, G) are identical.

Stairs. The level of the gateway was higher than the level of the ground surrounding the temple enclosure. It is assumed that like the north and south gateways it had seven steps (see vs. )22, 26; see p. 716, a).

Threshold. The entry of the gate from the outside.

One reed broad. This is the same as the thickness of the enclosing walls (v. 5), that is, 6 cu.; the other dimension of this entry is 10 cu. (v. 11).

7. Little chamber. According to v. 10 there were three of these on each side of the central passageway. The rooms measured about 10 ft. (3.05 m.) square.

Within. Literally, “from the house,” that is, “toward the inside.” This is probably the threshold at the other end of the passageway of the gate structure, leading to the porch (v. 8).

8. Porch. Or, “vestibule” (RSV).

Of the gate. Many manuscripts and the ancient versions omit the passage beginning here and continuing into v. 9, “within, one reed. Then measured he the porch of the gate.” Those who accept the shorter text hold that there was one porch, or vestibule, in this gate. Those who accept the longer text hold that there were two vestibules. Therefore various drawings of the gate building differ in this respect. See p. 716, note under Key, on the uncertainty of architectural details.

9. Eight cubits. About 13 ft. 7 in. (4.3 m.). There is difference of opinion as to whether this was the measurement of the porch from east to west or from north to south.

Posts. Heb. Хelim, “pillars,” or “jambs” (RSV).

10. Little chambers. See on v. 7.

11. Entry. That is, the outer threshold.

The length of the gate. The dimension measured is uncertain. Some think it is the measurement of that part of the gateway that was roofed over, others that it was the center of the passageway between the side rooms, which was probably unroofed.

12. Space. Perhaps a fence before the guard chambers. It appears that there was some barrier 1 cu. out into the passageway in front of the guard chamber, so the sentinel could step out without hindrance and see up and down the hall.

13. From the roof. This measurement of 25 cu. (421/2 ft.; c. 13 m.) is across the gateway from north to south.

14. He made also posts. Some prefer to accept the reading of the LXX, “And the open space of the porch of the gate without, was twenty cubits to the chambers round about the gate.” It is possible that the Хelim (posts) could have been mistaken for the Хulam (porch), although it is difficult to see how 20 could be substituted for 60. According to the reading of the Hebrew, the pillars, or pylons, would be of impressive height.

15. Fifty cubits. About 851/2 ft. (26.3 m.). The length of the gate building was twice its breadth (v. 13). One method of reconstruction allowing for one porch or vestibule (see on v. 8) arrives at the total length as follows: outer threshold, 6 cu.; three 6-cu. guard chambers, 18 cu.; two 5-cu. spaces, 10 cu.; inner threshold, 6 cu.; porch, 8 cu.; jambs, 2 cu., making the total, 50 cu. Other models allowing for two porches arrange these figures differently.

16. Narrow windows. Literally, “closed windows,” probably meaning latticed windows (see on 1 Kings 6:4). The exact position of these windows is not clear.

Palm trees. Similar decorations had been used in the carvings of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6:29, 32).

17. Outward court. The temple has two courts, an inner and an outer (p. 716, R and C respectively).

A pavement. The pavement (p. 716, D) surrounded the outer court.

Thirty chambers. The size and position of these chambers (p. 716, E, E, E, E, E, E) is not given. From the point of view of symmetry there were probably ten on the three sides not occupied by the temple buildings. Whether they were constructed in blocks or as a single units is not indicated.

18. Over against the length. This pavement appears to have been as wide as the length of the gate buildings, about 50 cu. (ch. 40:15). From this would be subtracted the thickness of the outer wall of 6 cu. (v. 5), leaving a width for the pavement of about 44 cu.

Lower pavement. Probably so designated to distinguish it from that in the inner court, at a higher elevation (ch. 41:8).

19. An hundred cubits. About 200 ft. The measurement was from the inner entrance of the outer gate building to the outer entrance of the inner gate building (see vs. 23, 27).

20. Toward the north. Verses 20–22 describe the north gate (p. 716, F), which was exactly like the east gate (p. 716, B), already described (vs. 6–16), with the additional information that there were seven steps (p. 716, a) leading up to the gate (v. 22).

23. Gate of the inner court. One standing in the outer court (v. 17) near the north outer gate (p. 716, F) would see the north and east inner gates (I, H), each of which faced its corresponding north or east outer gates, respectively, across a 100 cu. (170 ft.; 51.8 m.) space.

24. Toward the south. Verses 24–27 describe the south gate (p. 716, G), which is identical with the east and north gates already described.

27. Gate in the inner court. The location of the south inner gate (p. 716, J) corresponds to that of the north and east gates.

28. The south gate. The three gates of the inner court (p. 716, H, I, J) are essentially the same as the outer gates. One difference is that the former had a flight of eight steps (p. 716, b) and the latter a flight of seven steps (p. 716, a).

31. Utter. An Old English word meaning “outer.”

32. Measured the gate. Verses 32–37 give a description of the east and north gates of the inner court, which were both exactly like the south gate.

38. Where they washed. The proximity of the present passage to the description of the north gate (vs. 35–37) has led some to the conclusion that the furnishings here described belonged to that gate. Others believe a new section is here introduced and that the east gate is under consideration (see vs. 40, 44; chs. 43:17; 46:1, 2).

39. Tables. Verses 39–41 describe the eight tables upon which the sacrificial victims were slain. For the possible location of these tables see on v. 40 (p. 716, c. c.).

40. The north gate. Some commentators take the word here translated “north” (in KJV and RSV) to mean “northward,” hence on the northward side of the east gate. Opinion varies as to whether these tables were meant to be at the north gate, the east gate, or all three gates.

43. Hooks. Heb. shephattayim, the meaning of which here is doubtful. The word is found only here and in Ps. 68, where it is translated “pots” in the KJV and “sheepfolds” in the RSV, but should be rendered “hearthstones” (see on Ps. 68:13), a meaning that is without significance here. The LXX renders shephattayim “borders.” “Hooks” is the reading of the Targums.

44. Chambers. The size and exact location of these chambers are unspecified. According to the LXX there were only two chambers, one at the north gate facing south, and the other at the south gate facing north. However, the Hebrew indicates that they were at the side of the north and east gates, and it is not necessary to correct “east” to “south” if these chambers were somewhere in the angels midway between the north and east and the east and south gates.

In the diagram on p. 716, P, P shows possible locations for these chambers consistent with the reading of the Hebrew.

46. Sons of Zadok. On the Zadokite priesthood see on 2 Sam. 8:17.

47. He measured the court. This was the court of the altar (p. 716, R), a square of 100 cu. (about 170 ft.; 51.8 m.), in the center of the inner court.

48. Porch of the house. Verses 48, 49 describe the dimensions of the vestibule of the temple (p. 716, M).

Post. Or, “pillar,” or “jamb” (see on v. 9). The measurement here is of the thickness of the two projections on either side of the entrance.

Three cubits. About 6 ft. 4 in. (1.9 m.). This is possibly the length of the projections on either side of the entrance.

49. Twenty cubits. Some take this measurement to be along the north-south axis of the porch, and suppose that the side chambers (ch. 41:6, 7) extend across the back as well as along the sides of the building. Others restrict the side chambers to the north and south sides and take the 20 cu. measurement of the porch to be along the east-west axis.

Eleven. The LXX reads “twelve.”

The steps. Like the two courts, the house itself was entered by steps. The number is given by the LXX as ten. The house was still higher in elevation than the inner court. See p. 716, d.

Pillars by the posts. Like Solomon’s Temple, this new building was to have a pillar on each side of the steps (p. 716, N, N; see 1 Kings 7:15–22).