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The New Temple Area

40 On April 28,[a] during the twenty-fifth year of our captivity—fourteen years after the fall of Jerusalem—the Lord took hold of me. In a vision from God he took me to the land of Israel and set me down on a very high mountain. From there I could see toward the south what appeared to be a city. As he brought me nearer, I saw a man whose face shone like bronze standing beside a gateway entrance. He was holding in his hand a linen measuring cord and a measuring rod.

He said to me, “Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen.”

The East Gateway

I could see a wall completely surrounding the Temple area. The man took a measuring rod that was 10 1⁄2 feet[b] long and measured the wall, and the wall was 10 1⁄2 feet[c] thick and 10 1⁄2 feet high.

Then he went over to the eastern gateway. He climbed the steps and measured the threshold of the gateway; it was 10 1⁄2 feet front to back.[d] There were guard alcoves on each side built into the gateway passage. Each of these alcoves was 10 1⁄2 feet square, with a distance between them of 8 3⁄4 feet[e] along the passage wall. The gateway’s inner threshold, which led to the entry room at the inner end of the gateway passage, was 10 1⁄2 feet front to back. He also measured the entry room of the gateway.[f] It was 14 feet[g] across, with supporting columns 3 1⁄2 feet[h] thick. This entry room was at the inner end of the gateway structure, facing toward the Temple.

10 There were three guard alcoves on each side of the gateway passage. Each had the same measurements, and the dividing walls separating them were also identical. 11 The man measured the gateway entrance, which was 17 1⁄2 feet[i] wide at the opening and 22 3⁄4 feet[j] wide in the gateway passage. 12 In front of each of the guard alcoves was a 21-inch[k] curb. The alcoves themselves were 10 1⁄2 feet[l] on each side.

13 Then he measured the entire width of the gateway, measuring the distance between the back walls of facing guard alcoves; this distance was 43 3⁄4 feet.[m] 14 He measured the dividing walls all along the inside of the gateway up to the entry room of the gateway; this distance was 105 feet.[n] 15 The full length of the gateway passage was 87 1⁄2 feet[o] from one end to the other. 16 There were recessed windows that narrowed inward through the walls of the guard alcoves and their dividing walls. There were also windows in the entry room. The surfaces of the dividing walls were decorated with carved palm trees.

The Outer Courtyard

17 Then the man brought me through the gateway into the outer courtyard of the Temple. A stone pavement ran along the walls of the courtyard, and thirty rooms were built against the walls, opening onto the pavement. 18 This pavement flanked the gates and extended out from the walls into the courtyard the same distance as the gateway entrance. This was the lower pavement. 19 Then the man measured across the Temple’s outer courtyard between the outer and inner gateways; the distance was 175 feet.[p]

The North Gateway

20 The man measured the gateway on the north just like the one on the east. 21 Here, too, there were three guard alcoves on each side, with dividing walls and an entry room. All the measurements matched those of the east gateway. The gateway passage was 87 1⁄2 feet long and 43 3⁄4 feet wide between the back walls of facing guard alcoves. 22 The windows, the entry room, and the palm tree decorations were identical to those in the east gateway. There were seven steps leading up to the gateway entrance, and the entry room was at the inner end of the gateway passage. 23 Here on the north side, just as on the east, there was another gateway leading to the Temple’s inner courtyard directly opposite this outer gateway. The distance between the two gateways was 175 feet.

The South Gateway

24 Then the man took me around to the south gateway and measured its various parts, and they were exactly the same as in the others. 25 It had windows along the walls as the others did, and there was an entry room where the gateway passage opened into the outer courtyard. And like the others, the gateway passage was 87 1⁄2 feet long and 43 3⁄4 feet wide between the back walls of facing guard alcoves. 26 This gateway also had a stairway of seven steps leading up to it, and an entry room at the inner end, and palm tree decorations along the dividing walls. 27 And here again, directly opposite the outer gateway, was another gateway that led into the inner courtyard. The distance between the two gateways was 175 feet.

Gateways to the Inner Courtyard

28 Then the man took me to the south gateway leading into the inner courtyard. He measured it, and it had the same measurements as the other gateways. 29 Its guard alcoves, dividing walls, and entry room were the same size as those in the others. It also had windows along its walls and in the entry room. And like the others, the gateway passage was 87 1⁄2 feet long and 43 3⁄4 feet wide. 30 (The entry rooms of the gateways leading into the inner courtyard were 14 feet[q] across and 43 3⁄4 feet wide.) 31 The entry room to the south gateway faced into the outer courtyard. It had palm tree decorations on its columns, and there were eight steps leading to its entrance.

32 Then he took me to the east gateway leading to the inner courtyard. He measured it, and it had the same measurements as the other gateways. 33 Its guard alcoves, dividing walls, and entry room were the same size as those of the others, and there were windows along the walls and in the entry room. The gateway passage measured 87 1⁄2 feet long and 43 3⁄4 feet wide. 34 Its entry room faced into the outer courtyard. It had palm tree decorations on its columns, and there were eight steps leading to its entrance.

35 Then he took me around to the north gateway leading to the inner courtyard. He measured it, and it had the same measurements as the other gateways. 36 The guard alcoves, dividing walls, and entry room of this gateway had the same measurements as in the others and the same window arrangements. The gateway passage measured 87 1⁄2 feet long and 43 3⁄4 feet wide. 37 Its entry room[r] faced into the outer courtyard, and it had palm tree decorations on the columns. There were eight steps leading to its entrance.

Rooms for Preparing Sacrifices

38 A door led from the entry room of one of the inner gateways into a side room, where the meat for sacrifices was washed. 39 On each side of this entry room were two tables, where the sacrificial animals were slaughtered for the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. 40 Outside the entry room, on each side of the stairs going up to the north entrance, were two more tables. 41 So there were eight tables in all—four inside and four outside—where the sacrifices were cut up and prepared. 42 There were also four tables of finished stone for preparation of the burnt offerings, each 31 1⁄2 inches square and 21 inches high.[s] On these tables were placed the butchering knives and other implements for slaughtering the sacrificial animals. 43 There were hooks, each 3 inches[t] long, fastened all around the foyer walls. The sacrificial meat was laid on the tables.

Rooms for the Priests

44 Inside the inner courtyard were two rooms,[u] one beside the north gateway, facing south, and the other beside the south[v] gateway, facing north. 45 And the man said to me, “The room beside the north inner gate is for the priests who supervise the Temple maintenance. 46 The room beside the south inner gate is for the priests in charge of the altar—the descendants of Zadok—for they alone of all the Levites may approach the Lord to minister to him.”

The Inner Courtyard and Temple

47 Then the man measured the inner courtyard, and it was a square, 175 feet wide and 175 feet across. The altar stood in the courtyard in front of the Temple. 48 Then he brought me to the entry room of the Temple. He measured the walls on either side of the opening to the entry room, and they were 8 3⁄4 feet thick. The entrance itself was 24 1⁄2 feet wide, and the walls on each side of the entrance were an additional 5 1⁄4 feet long.[w] 49 The entry room was 35 feet[x] wide and 21 feet[y] deep. There were ten steps[z] leading up to it, with a column on each side.

Footnotes

  1. 40:1 Hebrew At the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, of the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar. This event occurred on April 28, 573 B.c.; also see note on 1:1.
  2. 40:5a Hebrew 6 long cubits [3.2 meters], each being a cubit [18 inches or 45 centimeters] and a handbreadth [3 inches or 8 centimeters] in length.
  3. 40:5b Hebrew 1 rod [3.2 meters]; also in 40:5c, 7.
  4. 40:6 As in Greek version, which reads 1 rod [3.2 meters] deep; Hebrew reads 1 rod deep, and 1 threshold, 1 rod deep.
  5. 40:7 Hebrew 5 cubits [2.7 meters]; also in 40:48.
  6. 40:8 As in many Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac version; other Hebrew manuscripts add which faced inward toward the Temple; it was 1 rod [10.5 feet or 3.2 meters] deep. Then he measured the entry room of the gateway.
  7. 40:9a Hebrew 8 cubits [4.2 meters].
  8. 40:9b Hebrew 2 cubits [1.1 meters].
  9. 40:11a Hebrew 10 cubits [5.3 meters].
  10. 40:11b Hebrew 13 cubits [6.9 meters].
  11. 40:12a Hebrew 1 cubit [53 centimeters].
  12. 40:12b Hebrew 6 cubits [3.2 meters].
  13. 40:13 Hebrew 25 cubits [13.3 meters]; also in 40:21, 25, 29, 30, 33, 36.
  14. 40:14 Hebrew 60 cubits [31.8 meters]. Greek version reads 20 cubits [35 feet or 10.6 meters]. The meaning of the Hebrew in this verse is uncertain.
  15. 40:15 Hebrew 50 cubits [26.5 meters]; also in 40:21, 25, 29, 33, 36.
  16. 40:19 Hebrew 100 cubits [53 meters]; also in 40:23, 27, 47.
  17. 40:30 As in 40:9, which reads 8 cubits [14 feet or 4.2 meters]; here the Hebrew reads 5 cubits [8 3⁄4 feet or 2.7 meters]. Some Hebrew manuscripts and the Greek version lack this entire verse.
  18. 40:37 As in Greek version (compare parallels at 40:26, 31, 34); Hebrew reads Its dividing wall.
  19. 40:42 Hebrew 1 1⁄2 cubits [80 centimeters] long and 1 1⁄2 cubits wide and 1 cubit [53 centimeters] high.
  20. 40:43 Hebrew a handbreadth [8 centimeters].
  21. 40:44a As in Greek version; Hebrew reads rooms for singers.
  22. 40:44b As in Greek version; Hebrew reads east.
  23. 40:48 As in Greek version, which reads The entrance was 14 cubits [7.4 meters] wide, and the walls of the entrance were 3 cubits [1.6 meters] on each side; Hebrew lacks 14 cubits wide, and the walls of the entrance were.
  24. 40:49a Hebrew 20 cubits [10.6 meters].
  25. 40:49b As in Greek version, which reads 12 cubits [21 feet or 6.4 meters]; Hebrew reads 11 cubits [19 1⁄4 feet or 5.8 meters].
  26. 40:49c As in Greek version; Hebrew reads There were steps that were.

Vision of the New Temple

40 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[a] was struck down, on this very day,[b] the hand[c] of the Lord was on me, and he brought me there.[d] By divine visions[e] he brought me to the land of Israel and placed me on a very high mountain,[f] and on it was a structure like a city, to the south. When he brought me there, I saw[g] a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring stick in his hand. He was standing in the gateway. The man said to me, “Son of man, watch closely, listen carefully, and pay attention[h] to everything I show you, for you have been brought here so that I can show it to you.[i] Tell the house of Israel everything you see.”

I saw[j] a wall all around the outside of the temple.[k] In the man’s hand was a measuring stick 10½ feet[l] long. He measured the thickness of the wall[m] as 10½ feet,[n] and its height as 10½ feet. Then he went to the gate facing east. He climbed its steps and measured the threshold of the gate as 10½ feet deep.[o] The alcoves were 10½ feet long and 10½ feet wide; between the alcoves were 8¾ feet.[p] The threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate facing inward was 10½ feet. Then he measured the porch of the gate facing inward as 10½ feet. He measured the porch of the gate as 14 feet,[q] and its jambs as 3½ feet;[r] 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.[s] 11 He measured the width of the entrance of the gateway as 17½ feet,[t] and the length of the gateway as 22¾ feet.[u] 12 There was a barrier in front of the alcoves, 1¾ feet[v] on either side; the alcoves were 10½ feet[w] 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[x] from one entrance to the opposite one. 14 He measured[y] the porch[z] at 105 feet[aa] high;[ab] 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.[ac] 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.[ad]

17 Then he brought me to the outer court. I saw[ae] 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[af] on the east and on the north.

20 He measured the length and width of the gate of the outer court that faces north. 21 Its alcoves, three on each side, and its jambs and porches had the same measurement as the first gate; 87½ feet[ag] long and 43¾ feet[ah] wide. 22 Its windows, its porches, and its decorative palm trees had the same measurement as the gate that 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.[ai]

24 Then he led me toward the south. I saw[aj] 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;[ak] 87½ feet[al] long and 43¾ feet[am] 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.[an]

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[ao] and its width 43¾ feet.[ap] 30 There were porches all around, 43¾ feet[aq] long and 8¾ feet[ar] 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[as] and its width 43¾ feet.[at] 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[au] and its width 43¾ feet.[av] 37 Its jambs[aw] 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;[ax] 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[ay] long, 32 inches[az] wide, and 21 inches[ba] high. They would put the instruments that they used to slaughter the burnt offering and the sacrifice on them. 43 There were hooks[bb] three inches[bc] 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[bd] at the side of the north gate facing south, and the other at the side of the south[be] gate facing north. 45 He said to me, “This chamber that faces south is for the priests who keep charge of the temple,[bf] 46 and the chamber that 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;[bg] 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[bh] on either side; the width of the gate was 24½ feet,[bi] and the sides[bj] were 5¼ feet[bk] on each side. 49 The length of the porch was 35 feet[bl] and the width 19¼ feet;[bm] steps[bn] led up to it, and there were pillars beside the jambs on either side.

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 40:1 sn That is, Jerusalem.
  2. Ezekiel 40:1 tn April 19, 573 b.c.
  3. Ezekiel 40:1 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).
  4. Ezekiel 40:1 sn That is, to the land of Israel (see v. 2).
  5. Ezekiel 40:2 tn The expression introduces the three major visions of Ezekiel (1:1; 8:3; 40:2).
  6. Ezekiel 40:2 tn The reference to a very high mountain is harmonious with Isa 2:2.
  7. Ezekiel 40:3 tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.
  8. Ezekiel 40:4 tn Heb “look with your eyes, hear with your ears, and set your mind on.”
  9. Ezekiel 40:4 tn Heb “in order to show (it) to you.”
  10. Ezekiel 40:5 tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.
  11. Ezekiel 40:5 tn Heb “house.”
  12. Ezekiel 40:5 tn Heb “a measuring stick of 6 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.
  13. Ezekiel 40:5 tn Heb “building.”
  14. Ezekiel 40:5 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).
  15. Ezekiel 40:6 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.
  16. Ezekiel 40:7 tn Heb “5 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.
  17. Ezekiel 40:9 tn Heb “8 cubits” (i.e., 4.2 meters).
  18. Ezekiel 40:9 tn Heb “2 cubits” (i.e., 1.05 meters).
  19. Ezekiel 40:10 sn The three alcoves are parallel to the city gates found at Megiddo, Hazor, and Gezer.
  20. Ezekiel 40:11 tn Heb “10 cubits” (i.e., 5.25 meters).
  21. Ezekiel 40:11 tn Heb “13 cubits” (i.e., 6.825 meters).
  22. Ezekiel 40:12 tn Heb “one cubit” (i.e., 52.5 cm).
  23. Ezekiel 40:12 tn Heb “6 cubits” (i.e., 3.15 meters).
  24. Ezekiel 40:13 tn Heb “25 cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  25. Ezekiel 40:14 tn Heb “made.”
  26. Ezekiel 40:14 tc The MT reads “jambs,” which does not make sense in context. Supposing a confusion of י (yod) for ו (vav), the text may be emended to read “porch.” See D. I. Block, Ezekiel (NICOT), 2:518.
  27. Ezekiel 40:14 tn Heb “60 cubits” (i.e., 31.5 meters).
  28. Ezekiel 40:14 tn The word “high” is not in the Hebrew text but is supplied for sense.
  29. Ezekiel 40:15 tn Heb “50 cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).
  30. Ezekiel 40:16 sn Decorative palm trees were also a part of Solomon’s temple (1 Kgs 6:29, 32, 35).
  31. Ezekiel 40:17 tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.
  32. Ezekiel 40:19 tn Heb “100 cubits” (i.e., 52.5 meters).
  33. Ezekiel 40:21 tn Heb “50 cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).
  34. Ezekiel 40:21 tn Heb “25 cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  35. Ezekiel 40:23 tn Heb “100 cubits” (i.e., 52.5 meters).
  36. Ezekiel 40:24 tn The word הִנֵּה (hinneh, traditionally “behold”) indicates becoming aware of something and has been translated here as a verb.
  37. Ezekiel 40:25 tn Heb “as these windows.”
  38. Ezekiel 40:25 tn Heb “50 cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).
  39. Ezekiel 40:25 tn Heb “25 cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  40. Ezekiel 40:27 tn Heb “100 cubits” (i.e., 52.5 meters).
  41. Ezekiel 40:29 tn Heb “50 cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).
  42. Ezekiel 40:29 tn Heb “25 cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  43. Ezekiel 40:30 tn Heb “25 cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  44. Ezekiel 40:30 tn Heb “5 cubits” (i.e., 2.625 meters).
  45. Ezekiel 40:33 tn Heb “50 cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).
  46. Ezekiel 40:33 tn Heb “25 cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  47. Ezekiel 40:36 tn Heb “50 cubits” (i.e., 26.25 meters).
  48. Ezekiel 40:36 tn Heb “twenty-five cubits” (i.e., 13.125 meters).
  49. Ezekiel 40:37 tc The LXX reads “porches.”
  50. Ezekiel 40:38 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.
  51. Ezekiel 40:42 tn Heb “1½ cubits” (i.e., 78.75 cm).
  52. Ezekiel 40:42 tn Heb “1½ cubits” (i.e., 78.75 cm).
  53. Ezekiel 40:42 tn Heb “one cubit” (i.e., 52.5 cm).
  54. Ezekiel 40:43 tc This reading is supported by the Aramaic Targum. The LXX, Vulgate, and Syriac read “shelves” or some type of projection.
  55. Ezekiel 40:43 tn Heb “one handbreadth” (7.5 cm).
  56. Ezekiel 40:44 tn “One” is not in the Hebrew text but is supplied for clarity in the translation.
  57. Ezekiel 40:44 tc This reading is supported by the LXX; the MT reads “east.”
  58. Ezekiel 40:45 tn Heb “the house.”
  59. Ezekiel 40:47 tn Heb “100 cubits long and 100 cubits wide, a square” (i.e., 52.5 meters by 52.5 meters).
  60. Ezekiel 40:48 tn Heb “5 cubits” (i.e., 2.625 meters).
  61. Ezekiel 40:48 tn The LXX reads “14 cubits” (i.e., 7.35 meters). See following note.
  62. Ezekiel 40:48 tc The translation follows the LXX. The MT reads: “the width of the gate was 3 cubits,” the omission due to haplography.tn Or “sidewalls.”
  63. Ezekiel 40:48 tn Heb “3 cubits” (i.e., 1.575 meters).
  64. Ezekiel 40:49 tn Heb “20 cubits” (i.e., 10.5 meters).
  65. Ezekiel 40:49 tn Heb “11 cubits” (i.e., 5.775 meters).
  66. Ezekiel 40:49 tc The LXX reads: “ten steps.”