Ezekiel 43:13-27

The remaining verses of this chapter (Ezekiel 43:13-27), which contain a description of the altar of burnt-offering, and of the necessary rites of consecration connected with it, seem at first view somewhat out of place. But there is an historical reason for such a description being given here. Now that the Lord has taken possession of the house, the prophet goes on to show how the work of fellowship and communion with him is to proceed on the part of the people. It must, as it were, commence anew; and of course be conducted after the old manner, for no other could here come into contemplation. But in ancient times the grand medium of Divine intercourse was the altar, at which all gifts and sacrifices were to be presented for the Divine favour and blessing. And therefore the prophet here, to show that the way was open, and that the people might have free access to the fellowship of God, after having briefly sketched the dimensions of the altar, gives instructions for its consecration and the consecration of the priesthood, which was all that was needed to complete the arrangements. There is no need for going into the particulars either of the dimensions of the altar or of the prescribed services, as nothing peculiar seems to belong to them. The dimensions named have usually been thought to differ materially from those of the altar made by Solomon, which was ten cubits high, and twenty in length and breadth; but the probability is that they are the same, though it is scarcely possible to show the agreement without a diagram. The curious may see it done in Thenius (Bücher, der Könige, Anhang, p. 42). The seven days purification services for the altar have respect to the original directions of Moses for the same purpose, in Exodus 29:37; and are simply a preparation for the great end aimed at that God might accept the sacrifices of the people, and be gracious to them (Ezekiel 43:27). This indispensably required that there should first be a consecrated way of access a holy altar, and a holy priesthood to minister at it.

Ezekiel 43:13. And these are the measures of the altar by cubits; the cubit is the cubit and an handbreadth: And the bottom is a cubit, and a cubit in breadth (i.e. on each side a cubit); and its border to its edge round about, a span; and this is the rim (or surface) of the altar.

Ezekiel 43:14. And from the bottom on the ground to the lower ledge, two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lower ledge to the greater ledge, four cubits, and the breadth a cubit.

Ezekiel 43:15. And the Harel, four cubits; and from the Arieil and upwards, four horns. (This is the most singular part of the description respecting the altar, and we simply give in the original form the two terms which cause the chief difficulty. Many, including Hävernick, regard these as significant terms applied to the altar, to denote the high security and strength which it was to be the means of imparting to the new community: “And the mount of God is four cubits, and from the lion of God,” etc. One can scarcely avoid feeling that such epithets, introduced thus in the middle of dry measurements, have a very fanciful and unnatural appearance. Besides the second of the two, אַרִאֵיל, is not exactly the same with the אַרִיאֵל of Isaiah 29:1. I am therefore inclined to follow Gesenius, Ewald, Hitzig, Thenius, and to regard the words as properly but one, and to take it as a term for the hearth or fire-place of the altar.)

Ezekiel 43:16. And the Arieil, twelve cubits long, by twelve broad, square on the four sides of its squares.

Ezekiel 43:17. And the ledge, fourteen in length by fourteen in breadth, on the four squares of it; and the border about it, half a cubit; and the bottom of it, a cubit round about; and its steps looking toward the east.

Ezekiel 43:18. And he said to me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord Jehovah, These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt-offerings on it, and to sprinkle blood on it.

Ezekiel 43:19. And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites, those that are of the seed of Zadok, who draw near to me, saith the Lord Jehovah, to minister to me, a young bullock for a sin-offering.

Ezekiel 43:20. And thou shalt take of its blood and put it on the four horns thereof, and on the four corners of the ledge, and on the border round about; and thou shalt cleanse it (literally, bear its blame, or make expiation for it), and shalt purify it.

Ezekiel 43:21. And thou shalt take the bullock of the sin-offering, and it shall be burnt in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary.

Ezekiel 43:22. And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin-offering; and the altar shall be cleansed according as it was cleansed with the bullock.

Ezekiel 43:23. When thou hast made an end of cleansing, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish.

Ezekiel 43:24. And thou shalt offer them before the Lord, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and shall offer them up for a burnt- offering to the Lord.

Ezekiel 43:25. Seven days shalt thou prepare a goat for a sin-offering daily; and a bullock from the herd, and a ram from the flock, without blemish, shall they prepare.

Ezekiel 43:26. Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it, and consecrate themselves (literally, fill their hands, comp. Exodus 29:24 ).

Ezekiel 43:27. And when these days are expired, on the eighth day, and thenceforth, it shall be that the priests shall present your burnt-offerings upon the altar, and your peace-offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord Jehovah.