Ezekiel 40

CHAPTER 40

The New Temple Area (40:1–4)

1–4 Chapters 40–48 record the prophet’s last vision, a vision of a temple that would be constructed at some future date and which would serve as God’s dwelling place in the midst of a restored Israel. Already, in Chapters 33–39, Israel’s restoration has been described; now in these final nine chapters we will be told how the restored Israel—the Messianic kingdom—will be organized and governed.

Ezekiel’s final vision took place fourteen years after Jerusalem and its temple had been destroyed (verse 1). The Jewish exiles were scattered, the royal line of Judah had ended (so they thought), and their former national and religious life seemed gone forever—in spite of Ezekiel’s prophecies of restoration. And now Ezekiel receives a new vision, the vision of a magnificent temple, of the Lord’s glory returning to it (Ezekiel 43:1–5), and of a river flowing from it that will make even the Dead Sea come to life! (Ezekiel 47:1–12). Once again God, through Ezekiel, was giving the exiles something to look forward to with hope.

In his vision, Ezekiel was taken to Israel and set on a high mountain, perhaps Mount Zion (the temple mount), where he saw some buildings (verse 2). He also saw a man (an angel) with the appearance of bronze, who had a linen cord and a measuring rod (verse 3). The cord was used to measure longer lengths. The angel instructed Ezekiel to tell the house of Israel (the exiles) everything he saw⁸⁷ (verse 4).

The East Gate to the outer Court (40:5–19)

5–19 In verses 5–16, Ezekiel describes in detail one of three gates leading into the outer court; in verses 17–19, he describes the outer court itself. Not only does Ezekiel describe everything he sees, but he also reports its measurements.⁸⁸

The North and South Gates to the outer Court (40:20–27)

20–27 Here Ezekiel describes the other two gates leading to the outer court.

Gates to the Inner Court (40:28–37)

28–37 In his vision, Ezekiel is being led systematically from the outer part of the temple area inward toward the temple it self. Now he is shown the gates to the inner court.

The Rooms for Preparing Sacrifices (40:38–43)

38–43 Animals for sacrifice first needed to be washed. In verse 39, Ezekiel mentions three kinds of animal sacrifices or offerings: burnt offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings.⁸⁹ These sacrifices were not meant to take away sins; rather, they were meant to remind the people that they were sinners—and remind us that Jesus has taken away our sins once for all by the sacrifice of His body on the cross.⁹⁰

Rooms for the Priests (40:44–47)

44–47 The only priests allowed to serve in the temple were the descendants of Zadok, who had been high priest during the reigns of David and Solomon. Half of the priests were in charge of the altar (verses 45–46), which was in front of the temple (see Exodus 27:1–8 and comment).

The Temple Portico (40:48–49)

48–49 Ezekiel is next shown the portico of the temple. It was similar to the portico of Solomon’s temple, though larger (1 Kings 6:3). There were two pillars at the portico entrance (verse 49); they too were similar to the pillars of Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 7:21).