Ezekiel 43:13-27

The Altar

13 "These are the measurements of the altar in units of length (each unit being the standard length plus three inches):^[a][b] the gutter is 21 inches^[c] [deep] and 21 inches wide, with a rim of nine inches^[d] around its edge. This is the base^[e] of the altar.

14 [The distance] from the gutter on the ground to the lower ledge is three and a half feet,^[f] and the width [of the ledge] is 21 inches.^[g] There are seven feet^[h] from the small ledge to the large ledge, [whose] width is also 21 inches.

15 The altar hearth^[i] is seven feet^[j] [high], and four horns^[k] project upward from the hearth.

16 The hearth is square, 21 feet^[l] long by 21 feet wide.

17 The ledge is 24 and a half feet^[m] long by 24 and a half feet wide, with four equal sides. The rim all around it is 10 and a half inches,^[n] and its gutter is 21 inches^[o] all around it. The altar's steps face east."

18 Then He said to me: "Son of man, this is what the Lord God says: These are the statutes for the altar on the day it is constructed, so that burnt offerings may be sacrificed on it and blood may be sprinkled on it:^[p]

19 You are to give a bull from the herd as a sin offering to the Levitical priests who are from the offspring of Zadok, who approach Me in order to serve Me." [This is] the declaration of the Lord God .

20 "You must take some of its blood and apply [it] to the four horns of the altar, the four corners of the ledge, and all around the rim. In this way you will purify the altar and make atonement for it.^[q]

21 Then you must take away the bull for the sin offering, and it must be burned outside the sanctuary in the place appointed for the temple.

22 "On the second day you are to present an unblemished male goat as a sin offering. They will purify the altar just as they did with the bull.

23 When you have finished the purification, you are to present a young, unblemished bull and an unblemished ram from the flock.

24 You must present them before the Lord; the priests will throw salt on them and sacrifice them as a burnt offering to the Lord.

25 You will offer a goat for a sin offering each day for seven days. A young bull and a ram from the flock, both unblemished, must also be offered.

26 For seven days the priests are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it. In this way they will consecrate it^[r]

27 and complete the days [of purification]. Then on the eighth day^[s] and afterwards, the priests will offer your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar, and I will accept you." [This is] the declaration of the Lord God .

Ezekiel 43:13-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 43

The temple or house of God being measured, the worship of God in it is pointed out and observed in this and the following chapter; and which, though evangelical, is expressed in the language of the Old Testament. An account is given of the glory of the Lord returning to the house, and the way he did, and his taking possession of it, which the prophet was favoured with a view of, Eze 43:1-5, a promise is made of his continuance there, provided his people behaved as they should, Eze 43:6-9, an order is given to the prophet, to show them the form and fashion, the laws, orders, and ordinances of the house to them, to be observed by them, Eze 43:10-12, then follows the measuring of the altar of burnt offerings; which, though measured before in chapter forty, the dimensions are here given, Eze 43:13-17, and the chapter is concluded with directions about the consecration of it, Eze 43:18-27.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit in cubits (a cubit being a cubit plus a handbreadth)
• [b]. Ezk 40:5
• [c]. Lit one cubit
• [d]. Lit one span
• [e]. LXX reads height
• [f]. Lit two cubits
• [g]. Lit one cubit
• [h]. Lit four cubits
• [i]. Hb obscure
• [j]. Lit four cubits
• [k]. Ex 27:2
• [l]. Lit 12 cubits
• [m]. Lit 14 cubits
• [n]. Lit one-half cubit
• [o]. Lit one cubit
• [p]. Ex 29:36-37; Lv 8:14-15; 2 Ch 7:9
• [q]. Lv 8:15
• [r]. Lit will fill its hands
• [s]. Lv 9:1