The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel
Ezekiel 40
Chapter XL · Vol. III, pp. 1370–1372
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 The eight tables. 44 The chambers. 48 The porch of the house.
1 In the afive and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that bthe city was smitten, in the cselfsame day dthe hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither.1
A.M. cir. 3430. B.C. cir. 574.
a ch.1.2; 8.1; 20.1; 24.1; 26.1; 29.1,17; 30.20; 31.1; 32.1,17; 33.21.
b ch.33.21. Je.xxxix. lii. 2 Ki.xxv. 2 Ch.36.17-19.
c Ex.12.41. Ge.22.14. Is.43.2.
d ch.1.3; 3.12,14,22; 8.3; 11.24. Re.1.10.
1 See note † below.
† The words of Hävernick, quoted by Principal Fairbairn in his commentary on Ezekiel, are deserving of the attention of every thoughtful reader. They give, as I believe, a key to this most mysterious and remarkable portion of God's Word. We may not be able by it to reveal every latent truth, or solve every mystery; but we shall at least open the sanctuary for closer and more minute inspection. The prophet seems to have had the kingdom and work of the Messiah chiefly before his mind in the whole vision. He saw and described them through the symbols of the temple and its rites. He does not describe things as they actually existed in the temple, or in the Jewish state. It is altogether an ideal pic- (see page 896)
2 In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon ea very high mountain,2 by which3 was as the gframe of a city on the south.
e Is.1.2,3. ch.17.22,23. Re.21.10. Da.2.35,44.
2 This may be compared with Is.2.2. The elevation is spiritual as the mountain is symbolical. The church of Christ is so exalted as to be visible to the whole world.—P.
3 Or, upon which.
g Ps.48.2. Is.54.11-13. Ga.4.26. ch.48.30-35. Re.xxi.; 22.1-5.
3 And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was ha man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with ia line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood jin the gate.
4 And the man said unto me, Son of man, kbehold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall show thee; for to the intent that I might show them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.
k Mat.13.9; 10.27. ch.2.7,8; 3.17; 43.10; 44.5. Ac.20.27. 1 Co.11.23. Mat.28.19,20. De.12.32.
5 And, behold, la wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits[≈ 2.7 m · 9 ft] long, by the cubit and an 4hand-breadth[≈ 7.6 cm · 3 in]; nso he measured the breadth of the building one reed[≈ 2.7 m · 9 ft], and the height one reed[≈ 2.7 m · 9 ft].
* The Hebrew cubit was about 21 inches in length; the handbreadth was the breadth of the four fingers, or a little more than 3 inches. Consequently as the reed measured six of these large cubits, as we may call them, each being a cubit and a hand-breadth, it must have been about 12 ft. long.—P.
l Zec.2.5. Is.26.1; 60.18. Ps.125.2.
4 See note * in first column.
6 Then came he unto othe gate which looketh toward the east,5 and went up the pstairs thereof, and measured the qthreshold of the gate, which was one reed[≈ 2.7 m · 9 ft] broad, and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed[≈ 2.7 m · 9 ft] broad.
o ver.19,20; ch.8.16. 1 Ch.9.18. Jn.14.6; 10.7,9. Mat.7.13,14. Is.60.3,11. Re.21.25.
5 Heb. whose face was the way toward the east, ver.20,22.
p ver.20,26. Ps.84.7. Ep.4.12,13. Job 17.9. Pr.4.18. 2 Pe.1.5-9; 3.18.
7 And every rlittle chamber was one reed[≈ 2.7 m · 9 ft] long, and one reed[≈ 2.7 m · 9 ft] broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits[≈ 2.3 m · 7 ft 6 in], and the threshold of the gate, by the porch of the gate within, was one reed[≈ 2.7 m · 9 ft].
r 1 Ch.9.18,23,24; 26.12,13,18. Ca.1.4; 3.4. Is.26.20; 32.18. Jn.14.2. Re.21.27.
8 He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed[≈ 2.7 m · 9 ft].
9 Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits[≈ 3.7 m · 12 ft]; and the posts6 thereof, two cubits[≈ 91 cm · 3 ft]; and the porch of the gate was inward.
10 And the slittle chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side; they three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side.
11 And he measured tthe breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits[≈ 4.6 m · 15 ft]; and the length7 of the gate, thirteen cubits[≈ 5.9 m · 19 ft].
12 The space8 also before the little chambers was one cubit[≈ 46 cm · 1 ft 6 in] on this side, and the space was one cubit[≈ 46 cm · 1 ft 6 in] on that side; and the little chambers were six cubits[≈ 2.7 m · 9 ft] on this side, and six cubits[≈ 2.7 m · 9 ft] on that side.
8 Heb. limit or bound.
13 He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits[≈ 11 m · 37 ft],9 door against door.
9 Five and twenty cubits—being thirteen for the opening of the gate, and twelve for the two chambers.—C.
14 He made also posts1 of threescore cubits[≈ 27 m · 90 ft], even unto the post of the ucourt round about the gate.
15 And from the face of the gate of the entrance, unto the face of the porch of the inner gate, were fifty cubits[≈ 23 m · 75 ft].2
2 The length of the portico from the outward point (ch.41.21,25), to the inner side which looks into the first court (ver.17), including the thickness of the walls (ver. 6), the chambers and the spaces between them, ver.7.—C.
16 And there were narrow3 windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches;4 and windows were round about inward:5 and uponv each post were xpalm-trees.
17 Then brought he me into ythe outward court, and, lo, there were chambers,6 and a pavement made for the court round about: zthirty chambers were upon athe pavement.
18 And the pavement by the side of the gates, over against7 the length of the gates, was the lower pavement.
7 Or, equal to, ch.1.20; 3.8; 45.7; 48.13.
19 Then he measured the breadth, from the forefront of the lower gate bunto the forefront of the inner court without,8 an hundred cubits[≈ 46 m · 150 ft] eastward and northward.
b ver.23,27,47; ch.46.2.
8 Or, from without.
20 Andc the gate of the outward court, that looked9 toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof.
c Compare with ver.6-19.
9 Heb. whose face was.
21 And the dlittle chambers thereof were three on this side, and three on that side; and the posts thereof, and the arches1 thereof, were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof was fifty cubits[≈ 23 m · 75 ft], and the breadth five and twenty cubits[≈ 11 m · 37 ft].
1 Or, galleries or porches, ver.16,30.
d ver.7,10-16.
22 And etheir windows, and their arches, and their palm-trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; and gthey went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them.2
2 The arches thereof were before them. The word translated 'arches' is also rendered 'porches or galleries;' but it is most probable that 'arches' is the proper translation. The existence of the arch at this period has been doubted or denied; but Wilkinson, author of Topography of Thebes, has shown the existence of the arch more than 400 years anterior to the building of Solomon's temple. Instead of 'before them,' Greenfield reads, 'suitable to them'—corresponded with them. And if these stairs were constructed, not with the narrow steps adopted in a British building, but with the broad slanting steps of an Italian palace, these arches, instead of having the steps within their span, may have formed a kind of splendid balustrade on the right and left of the ascent. See the variety of dimensions of gates, &c., ver.48,49.—C.
e See ver.16.
g ver.6,31,34,37. Ps.84.7. 1 Co.13.9. 2 Pe.1.5-9. Ep.4.12,13. Job 17.9. Pr.4.18. Re.10.7; 11.15.
23 And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he hmeasured from gate to gate an hundred cubits[≈ 46 m · 150 ft].
h ver.19. Ex.38.9-12. Is.8.20. ch.3.17,19. Ga.6.16. Phi.3.16.
24 Afteri that he brought me toward the south, and, behold, a gate toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these measures.
i ver.6-23.
25 And there were jwindows in it, and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length was fifty cubits[≈ 23 m · 75 ft], and the breadth five and twenty cubits[≈ 11 m · 37 ft].
26 And there were kseven steps to go up to it, and the arches thereof were before them: and it had lpalm-trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof.
27 And there was a gate in the inner court toward the south: and nhe measured from gate to gate toward the south an hundred cubits[≈ 46 m · 150 ft].
n ver.19,23,47.
28 Ando he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures;
o With ver.17.
29 And the plittle chambers thereof, and the posts thereof; and the arches thereof, according to these measures: and there were qwindows in it, and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits[≈ 23 m · 75 ft] long, and five and twenty cubits[≈ 11 m · 37 ft] broad.
p ver.7,10,17,21,33,36,38. 2 Ki.23.21. 1 Ch.28.11-13. 2 Ch.31.11. Ne.13.5,9,12,13. Je.35.2,4; 36.10. Ca.1.4; 3.4. Is.26.20; 32.18. Jn.14.2. Re.21.27.
q See ver.16,22,25.
30 And the rarches round about were five and twenty cubits[≈ 11 m · 37 ft] long,3 and five 4cubits[≈ 2.3 m · 7 ft 6 in] 5broad.
r ver.16,21.
3 Or, high, ver.11.
4 For 'five cubits' some are disposed to adopt twenty-five, concluding, on authority of the parallel passages, that a word has been lost out of the text. But if ver. 21,25,29,33,36, are to regulate this verse, then 'twenty-five' must also be changed to fifty, to bring them to correspondence. In a passage, the whole of which is confessedly obscure, is it not better to acknowledge ignorance as to why the record is so, than, without any authority beyond conjecture, to subject the record to arbitrary alteration?—C.
5 Heb. breadth.
31 And the arches thereof were toward6 the outer court; and spalm-trees were upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it had teight steps.
6 Or, like to those of.
s ver.16. Ca.7.7,8. Ps.92.12. Re.7.9. 1 Th.2.19,20. 1 Co.4.15. Ga.4.19. Mat.4.19.
t ver.22,26,34,37. Ho.6.3. Mat.13.23. 1 Co.13.9,10,12. Ep.4.12,13. Phi.1.9; 3.14. 1 Th.2.10. 2 Pe.1.5-9; 3.18.
32 Andu he brought me into the inner court toward the east; and he measured the gate according to these measures.
u See ver.28-31.
33 And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, were according to these measures, and there were windows therein and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits[≈ 23 m · 75 ft] long, and five and twenty cubits[≈ 11 m · 37 ft] broad.
34 And the arches thereof were toward the outward court; and palm-trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side and on that side: and the going up to it had veight steps.
v See ver.1,6,22,31,37,49.
35 Andx he brought me to the north gate, and measured it according to these measures;
x See ver.28-34; ch.44.4; 47.2.
36 The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length was fifty cubits[≈ 23 m · 75 ft], and the breadth five and twenty cubits[≈ 11 m · 37 ft].
37 And the posts thereof were toward the outer court; and palm-trees7 were upon the posts thereof on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.
A.M. cir. 3430. B.C. cir. 574.
7 Most probably the chapiters were carved in some imitation of the palm-tree—the emblem of upright men, fruitful and flourishing in good works, Ps.92.12.—C.
38 And the chambers, and the entries thereof, were by the posts of the gates, where ythey washed the burnt-offering.8
y Le.1.9. 1 Pe.3.21. Tit.3.5. 1 Co.6.11. He.10.22,23. Ja.4.8. Re.1.5.
8 The washing place of the sacrifices was 'by the posts of the gates,' the emblem of that spiritual washing without which no man can 'enter into the kingdom of God,' Jn.3.5, or 'present his body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,' Ro.12.1.—C.
39 And in the porch of the gate were two tablesz on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the aburnt-offering, and the sin-offering, and the trespass-offering.
z 1 Co.10.16,21; 11.23-26. Is.53.4,5,7,10. Ga.3.13. He.10.1,4,5. Is.25.6?; 55.1,2. Le.i.-iv.-vi.
40 And at the side without, as one goeth up9 to the entry of the north gate, were two tables; and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables.
9 Or, at the step.
41 Four tables were on this side, and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate; eight tables, whereupon they slew their sacrifices.
42 And the four tables were of hewn stone for the burnt-offering, of a cubit[≈ 46 cm · 1 ft 6 in] and an half long, and a cubit[≈ 46 cm · 1 ft 6 in] and an half broad, and one cubit[≈ 46 cm · 1 ft 6 in] high: whereupon also they laid bthe instruments wherewith they slew the burnt-offering and the sacrifice.
43 And within were 1hooks,2 an hand broad, fastened round about: and cupon the tables was the flesh of the offering.
1 Or, end-irons, or the two hearth-stones.
2 The rabbins describe eight pillars boarded with cedar, having three rows of hooks, from the highest of which the priests suspended the bullocks; from the second the rams; and from the lowest the lambs. But some for 'hooks' read 'edges'—borders to prevent the instruments from falling off.—C.
44 And without the inner gate were the chambersd of the esingers in the inner court, which was at the side of the north gate; and their prospect was toward the south: one at the side of the east gate, having gthe prospect toward the north.
45 And he said unto me, This chamber,3 whose prospect is toward the south, is for hthe priests, the keepers of the charge4 of the house.
46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the ikeepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok,5 among the sons of Levi, jwhich come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
A.M. cir. 3430. B.C. cir. 574.
i Nu.18.5. Le.6.12,13. 1 Ki.2.27,35. ch.44.15; 48.11. 1 Co.9.13,14. 1 Ti.5.17.
5 Or, just one, Ac.7.52; 22.14. 1 Jn.2.1. Je.23.6. ch.43.19; 44.15,16. 1 Ki.2.35.
j Ro.1.9,16. Ep.2.17,18. Col.4.12.
47 So khe measured the court, an hundred cubits[≈ 46 m · 150 ft] long, and an hundred cubits[≈ 46 m · 150 ft] broad, foursquare, and the altar that was before the house.
k ver.19,23,27; ch.43.13-17. He.13.10.
48 And he brought me to the lporch6 of the house, and measured each post of the porch, five cubits[≈ 2.3 m · 7 ft 6 in] on this side, and five cubits[≈ 2.3 m · 7 ft 6 in] on that side: and the breadth of the gate was three cubits[≈ 1.4 m · 4 ft 6 in] on this side, and three cubits[≈ 1.4 m · 4 ft 6 in] on that side.
Notes
Ver. 2, 3. The high mountain may denote the conspicuous firmness and heavenly nature of the gospel church. The man appearing as brass denotes Jesus Christ in his strength, stability, duration, debasement, and glory. His line and reed represent the Scriptures, by which everything in the doctrine, worship, or discipline of his church ought to be measured. His standing in the gate may represent him as the only door and way of our access to God, and to his church above or below. 4. This, and ch. 44.5, compared with ch. 43. 10-14, containing most solemn charges for both ministers and people to remark and regard everything in the form of the gospel church, directs an awful rebuke to those who, affecting to put asunder what God hath joined, contemn and decry the forms of worship and the government and discipline of the gospel church, as not appointed in the Scriptures, and not much worthy of a Christian's regard.
Ver. 5-49—ch. xli. xlii. xliii. The temple and its furniture, described in this and the three following chapters, represent the church, particularly in the apostolic and millennial state. The measuring of everything by Christ with a line and reed, denotes that everything in it is appointed by Christ in his Word; and nothing ought to be admitted but what is answerable to and founded on that Word. The wall denotes her divine protection and surrounding discipline and government. The courts, at least the outward, may denote her visible state; and the inner court, and especially the sanctuary, may allude to her invisible state of eminent fellowship with God in Christ. The separate building at the west end may represent the state of glory. The large gates, doors, and porches may signify Jesus Christ as the means of our abundant access to God; but the porch of the sanctuary may denote him as a supporter, hiding-place, and house of prayer for his people. The stairs at the different thresholds may mark out our deliberate and gradual entrance into the visible and invisible church, and to fellowship with God; and our gradual increase in gifts and grace. The foundations and pavements represent Jesus Christ and his inspired oracles as the foundation of the church, of every true member, of all saving grace, and of every good work in it. The posts and pillars denote fundamental truths, gospel promises, faithful ministers, and zealous saints. Palm-trees alternately mingled with cherubims in the engravings, denote saints attended and assisted by angels and ministers. Windows represent ministers and ordinances, by which we obtain the light and air of life. The altar of burnt-offering and sacrifices are to be referred to Christ in his person and righteousness. The altar of incense represents him in his all-procuring intercession. The chamber for washing the sacrifices may denote baptism; in which saints, those spiritual oblations, are washed in the blood and Spirit of the Lamb. The eight tables of hewn stone, with the knives on them, may signify the divinely-appointed, permanent, and frequently dispensed ordinance of the Lord's supper; in which Christ crucified, and our sins as the cause of his death, are affectingly presented to our view. The chambers, built on the inside of the wall of the court and outside of the wall of the temple, may denote particular churches, worshipping assemblies, and instituted ordinances, or evangelical offices, in which Christ's people are lodged, protected, taught, and comforted by him. The enlarging of some of these chambers, according to the height of their stories, by their jutting into the principal wall, imports that the more holy, heavenly, and dependent on God churches and Christians are, the more extensive is their gospel liberty. But the narrowing the priests' chambers in the outward court towards the north as they ascended, may denote, that the more eminent ministers are, they are the more exposed to persecution. The void places between and before the chambers may represent the abundant access there is to Christian churches and ordinances; and the light, liberty, and wholesome air of spiritual influence there enjoyed; and that our whole life ought to be an improvement of ordinances past, and preparation for what are in view. The equal size of the chambers, and the equality of the things and measures on different sides, gates, &c., may represent the equal privileges, power, and authority of churches and ministers, the identity of Christ, his Word, and ordinances, and the similarity of his people in every part of the world. The five hundred reeds[≈ 1.4 km · 4,500 ft] of measure, for a vacant space on every side of the court, may denote the extent of the gospel church, and the remarkable distinction which ought to be kept up between her and the world. The whole limit thereof round about being most holy, imports that all her ordinances are holy and spiritual, not ceremonial and carnal; and that holiness ought to be the shining quality of every officer and member. The people's never returning by the gate at which they entered the court, but going out by that directly opposite, and with the prince in the midst of them, ch. 46. 9, 10, denotes that in fellowship with Christ we must go forward, from strength to strength, in all our attendance on ordinances, and never turn our back on God or his institutions. The appropriation of the east gate to the prince, ch. 44. 1-3; 46. 1-3, 8, may denote that Jesus alone approached to God directly and in the way of merit; and that it is only through him that we have access with boldness unto God. The singers and Levites may represent Christians as praising God and labouring in his service; and priests may denote ministers, who present Christ, the atoning sacrifice, to men, and attend on God's service; and saints, who by faith present him, themselves, and their services in him, to God.
Ver. 2, &c. This is confessedly one of the most obscure and difficult portions of the prophetical writings. The Jews forbade it to be read by any one under thirty years of age; and believe that many parts of it cannot be understood till Elias (whom they expect) comes to explain them, and the Messiah (for whom, after Elias, they look) shall come to carry the various regulations of the prophet into effect. Many Christian expositors have altogether refrained from comment. But as 'all Scripture is profitable,' it is right, in the spirit of humility and prayer, to attempt its elucidation. The chief sources of elucidation are two: (1) Particular internal statements affording a key to the rest. (2) Comparison with New Testament prophecies. Of the first kind is the appearance of 'the man,' ch. 43. 6, 7, who is evidently the same as in ch. 40. 3, 4, and who declares the house to be 'the place of his throne,' 'where he would dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever,' and to refer to a period when 'his holy name the house of Israel should no more defile.' This enthroned man (comp. ch. 1. 26; 2. 4), this immortal king, can be no other than Messiah himself, and this house an architectural emblem of his church, which is 'God's building,' who, as 'lively stones,' are reared into 'a spiritual house,' 'built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth up an holy temple to the Lord,' Eze. 48. 35; 1 Co. 3. 9; Ep. 2. 21; 1 Pe. 2. 5. The second source of elucidation leads to the comparison of ch. 43. 7; 47. 1, 7, 12 with Re. 22. 1-3; also ch. 43. 2, 4 with Re. 21. 23, and ch. 48. 31-35 with Re. 21. 12; which, though but a part of the evident points of comparison, seem to identify the two visions beyond question. See Is. 2. 2; Zec. 6. 12, 13; He. 12. 22; Re. 3. 12. C.
Ver. 10. The entrance to the outward court, ver. 17, seems to have been through a porch extending inward, ver. 9, with doors at each end; and on the right and left hand of this porch or passage were three lodges of a reed square each, for the use of the porters or guards, with a space of five cubits[≈ 2.3 m · 7 ft 6 in] between them. C.
Ver. 11. The breadth of the entry—not the width of the entrance, but the thickness of the wall, see ver. 5. The length of the gate—the width of the entrance—thirteen cubits[≈ 5.9 m · 19 ft]; probably in allusion to the thirteen tribes—the real number, Levi being included. C.
Ver. 12. The space before the little chambers—not before the three chambers inward, but before the two in front. The Hebrew word translated space, signifies also a border; and is, not improbably, a projecting cornice. C.
Reflections.—Ministers have constant need to be taught by Christ, and carefully to attend to, believe, and practise themselves what they declare to others. Everything which they speak or act should be carefully compared with the measuring line and reed of God's Word: and scripture should be compared with scripture in order to understand it. Yea, and much earnest prayer and humility is requisite in searching and explaining the oracles of God. But how similar in substance is all the true worship of God in the world; in the most mysterious ceremonies of his institution, if properly considered, we behold the glory of the Redeemer, the method of his salvation, the graces of his Spirit, and the eternal blessings of his kingdom.
Measures in square brackets are modern equivalents added for this edition. They are not in the King James text or in Brown’s notes. They use common scholarly estimates: a cubit is about 45.7 cm (18 in), a shekel about 11.4 g (0.4 oz), an ephah about 22 litres. Money values give the worth of the silver or gold at spot prices on 28 October 2026, not what the sum would buy in the ancient world.