Ezekiel 43:13-27

13 "These are the dimensions of the altar, using the long (twenty-one-inch) ruler. The gutter at its base is twenty-one inches

14 deep and twenty-one inches wide, with a four-inch lip around its edge.

15 The altar hearth is another seven feet high. Four horns stick upward from the hearth twenty-one inches high.

16 "The top of the altar, the hearth, is square, twenty-one by twenty-one feet.

17 The upper ledge is also square, twenty-four and a half feet on each side, with a ten-and-a-half-inch lip and a twenty-one-inch-wide gutter all the way around. "The steps of the altar ascend from the east."

18 Then the man said to me, "Son of man, God, the Master, says: 'These are the ordinances for conduct at the altar when it is built, for sacrificing burnt offerings and sprinkling blood on it.

19 "'For a sin offering, give a bull to the priests, the Levitical priests who are from the family of Zadok who come into my presence to serve me.

20 Take some of its blood and smear it on the four horns of the altar that project from the four corners of the top ledge and all around the lip. That's to purify the altar and make it fit for the sacrifice.

21 Then take the bull for the sin offerings and burn it in the place set aside for this in the courtyard outside the Sanctuary.

22 "'On the second day, offer a male goat without blemish for a sin offering. Purify the altar the same as you purified it for the bull.

23 Then, when you have purified it, offer a bull without blemish and a ram without blemish from the flock.

24 Present them before God. Sprinkle salt on them and offer them as a burnt offering to God.

25 "'For seven days, prepare a goat for a sin offering daily, and also a bull and a ram from the flock, animals without blemish.

26 For seven days the priests are to get the altar ready for its work, purifying it. This is how you dedicate it.

27 "'After these seven days of dedication, from the eighth day on, the priests will present your burnt offerings and your peace offerings. And I'll accept you with pleasure, with delight! Decree of God, the Master.'"

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.