Yechezkel 43:13-27

13 And these are the middot HaMizbe’ach (measurements of the Mizbe’ach) in cubits. The cubit is a cubit and a handbreadth; even the base shall be a cubit (in height), and the width a cubit, and the moulding thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span; and this shall be for the gav (height, back) of the Mizbe’ach.

14 And from the base upon ha’aretz even to the lower enclosure shall be two cubits, and the width one cubit; and from the lesser enclosure even to the greater enclosure shall be four cubits, and the width one cubit.

15 So the ariel (surface of the altar, hearth) shall be four cubits; and from the hearth and upward shall be four keranot (horns).

16 And the hearth shall be square, twelve cubits long, by twelve wide.

17 And the enclosure shall be square, fourteen cubits long and fourteen wide; and the moulding about it shall be half a cubit; and the base thereof shall be a cubit about; and its ma’alot (steps, stairs) shall look toward the east.

18 And He said unto me, Ben Adam, thus saith Adonoi Hashem: These are the chukkot HaMizbe’ach in the Yom when they shall build it, to offer olah thereon, and to sprinkle dahm thereon.

19 And thou shalt give to the Kohanim the Levi’im that are of the Zera Tzadok, which approach unto Me, to minister unto Me, saith Adonoi Hashem, a young bull for a chattat.

20 And thou shalt take of the dahm thereof, and put it on the four karnot of it, and on the four pinnot of the enclosure, and upon the moulding round about; thus shalt thou cleanse and make kapporah for it.

21 Thou shalt take the bull also of the chattat, and shall burn it in the mifkad (appointed place) of the Beis [HaMikdash], outside the Mikdash.

22 And on the second day thou shalt offer a male of the goats tamim (without blemish) for a chattat; and they shall purify the Mitzbe’ach, as they did purify it with the bull.

23 When thou hast made an end of purifying it, thou shalt offer a young bull tamim (without blemish), and a ram out of the tzon (flock) tamim (without blemish).

24 And thou shalt offer them before Hashem, and the Kohanim shall cast melach upon them, and they shall offer them up for an olah unto Hashem.

25 Shivat yamim shalt thou prepare daily a se’ir (goat) for a chattat; they shall also prepare a young bull, and a ram out of the tzon (flock), temimim (ones without blemish).

26 Shivat yamim shall they make kapporah for the Mizbe’ach and make it tahor and so consecrate it.

27 And when these yamim are expired, it shall be, that upon the Yom HaShemini, and so forward, the Kohanim shall make your olot upon the Mizbe’ach, and your Shelamim; and I will accept you, saith Adonoi Hashem.

Yechezkel 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.