Ezekiel 41
DortThe measures, pieces or parts, chambers and garments of the temple or of the holy place with the altar of the incense.
1. Moreover, he [the man, of whom above chapter 40.3] brought me to the temple: and he measured the posts, fix ells the breadth on this (side), and fix ells the breadth on that side, the breadth of the tent. [That is, (according to the opinion of some) as broad as the tent of the congregation, or tabernacle was, which was set up by Moses at God’s appointment: where there was a breadth of eight boards, each one ell or cubicle and a half broad, making together twelve ells. See Exodus 26:22,23,24,25. With Annotat.
2. And the breadth of the door [Or, of the entry; to wit, of the holy place] ten ells and the sides of the door, five ells on this (side), and five ells on the other side; also he measured the length [Or, (as some) one length: likewise in the sequel, one breadth, which may agree in the sense with these words, the length and breadth when they followeth another length and breadth, as doth here verse 4.] thereof [to wit, of the temple] forty ells, and the breadth twenty ells.
3. Then went he inward, [to the holy of holies, or the most holy place, as verse 4.] and measured the post of the door, two ells, and the door fix ells, and the breadth of the door seven ells.
4. he measured also the length thereof twenty ells, and the breadth twenty ells before [Hebrews against, or before the face] the temples, and he said unto me, this is the holiness. [That is, the holy of holies or of the most holy place. See Exodus 26:35. And concerning the phase, Leviticus 2 on verse 3. And compare Cant.1 on verse 1. Here indeed mention is made of the fabric of the holy place, and of the most holy place, but not what was on them (as is well enough known concerning Moses his Tabernacle, and Solomon’s temple) beside the wooden Altar, below verse 22. Standing before the most holy place]
5. And he measured the wall of the house, fix ells: [in thickness, as some take it, and the thing it self seemeth to show] and the breadth of (every) side chamber, [these side chambers were built without, round about the temple, compare 1 Kings 6:5,6,8,10. And see the Annotat. There] four ells round about the house round about.
6. Now the side-chambers were side chambers above side-chambers, three, [That is, (according to the common opinion) each chamber-building had three stories and over them three chambers one above another] and that thirty times, [Or, (as others) three and thirty times; that is, there were thirty of such chambers, or (as others) three and thirty divided into ten, or (as others) eleven-chamber buildings, each building having three chambers one above another] and they entered into the wall which was at the house for those side chambers, round about, that they might be held fast: [Understand here a special wall, which was made at the wall of the temple for these chambers, as some expound it: but others conceive that they rested upon the beams which lay upon narrow rests of the wall of the temple under every story, without being fastened into the wall of the temple. Compare 1 Kings 6:6. With the Annotat.] For [or, but] they were not held fast in [or, on] the wall of the house.
7. And it was for the side-chambers upwards towards above somewhat wider: for the house was compassed about [what this chamber-building] upwards towards above, round about the house; [or thus; and there was a widening and a winding about (or, going about; that is, a winding-stairs, as some conceive, by comparing 1 Kings 6:8.) upwards above to the side-chambers; for the winding about the house (went) upwards towards above round about the house, c. others, for (the wall) was the longer the broader, in regard it was compassed above with side-chambers, &c.] therefore the breadth of the house was towards above; and so the lowermost went up to the uppermost through the middle-most. [That is, the lowest chamber increased by little, grew in breadth, so that the side-chambers waxed still broader or wider in regard of the narrowed rested of the wall of these chambers, or of the temple, as is noted on verse 6. Others, they went up from the lowermost (part) or the lowest, to wit, chamber, c.]
8. And I saw the height of the house round about; the foundation of the side-chambers were of a full reed [Hebrew the fullness of a reed] fix ell, (the ell taken) to the hole. Otherwise every ell of the measuring reed was a common cubit, or ell-bowe, and but a hand-breadth more, above chapter 40, 5. Others fix ells to the end]
9. The breadth of the wall, which was for the side-chambers [Hebrew side-chamber] without was five ells: And that which was left empty, was the place [Or, the weapon-space. Hebrew properly house, which is also elsewhere taken for places, see 2 Samuel 15 on verse17, c.] Of the side chambers that were at the house. [Or that were taken within]
10. And between the chambers [That is, between the other chambers and these side-chambers [was a breadth [that is, a space, place] of twenty ells round about the house, round about.
11. Now the doors of the side-chambers [Heb. The doors, or entry, opening of the side-chamber, that is, of everyone] were towards the (place) that was left empty, the one door the way towards the north, and the other door towards the south: and the breadth of the place that was left empty was five ells round about.
12. Moreover, (of) the building that was before [Heb. Before the face] the place that was that was cut off in the corner by the way towards the west, [Heb. The sea, as throughout. By this wall some understand the wall on the east, south and north, which a back wall in the west, by which a part of the court was cut and separated. Compare chapter 42.1.] The breadth was seventy ells, and (of) the wall of the building the breadth was five ells round about and the length thereof ninety ells.
13. Moreover, he measured [Or, so he, &c. the house, [The Temple] the length a hundred ells, also the place that was cut off, [or, so that c.] and the building, and the walls thereof, the length a hundred ells.
14. And the breadth of the fore-part [Heb. Face] of the house, and of the place that was cut off towards the east, a hundred ells.
15. He also measured the length of the building before [Heb. At, or against the face] the place that was cut off, which was behind it, and the galleries thereof [Or, separate walking places, walks paled off with pillars] thereof on the side), and on the side, a hundred ells: with the innermost Temple, and the porches of the court.
16. The thresholds, and the shut-windows, [see above chapter 40 on verse 16.] and the galleries round about those three [or which had those three pieces round about, to wit (as some the) place that was cut off the temple and the outermost court. Others, in the three rows thereof. Compare chapter below chapter 42.3.] Over against the threshold were ceiled [Heb. Covering over, and overlaying; ceiling] with wood round about and (from) the earth [or ground. So verse 20] to the windows; and the windows were covered. [Or covered over, overlaid]
17. To that which was above the door and [or namely] into the innermost and outermost house, and on all the walls round in the innermost and outermost (parts) (all by) measures [That is, it was all measured exactly and accurately.
18. and it was made with Cherubim’s, [That is, forms or shapes of cherubim’s, that is, angels. See above chapter 10.15, 20.] And palm trees, [see above 40 on verse 16.] sp that there was a palm tree between cherub and cherub, and (every) cherub had two faces:
19. Namely, the face of a man towards the palm tree on this (side) and the face of a young lion towards the palm-tree on that side: [To signify, that the Angelical understanding, will, affection and friendly service, are at Christ’s command, continually present in his house about the palm-trees, (that is, the righteous) and like young lion do boldly and with the strength and power which they have received from God, and defend it. Compare above chapter 1 on verse 5 and 10 and so Hebrews 1:14, &c. and likewise that all believers in general should be followers of the virtues of the holy angels, and each one in his calling, of their willing and servant obedience in executing God’s commands and so spiritual to adorn the house of God until they become in heaven like unto the angels of God. See chapter 1 on verse 9 and 11 also Luke 15:7,10. Hebrews 12:22. Revelation 19:10 and 22.9, &c. made in the entire house round about.
20. From earth unto above the door, were cherubim’s, the palm-trees made, also (on) the wall of the Temple.
21. The posts of the temple [Heb. The post, &c. that is, every post of the holy place, here distinguished by the name of temple from the most holy place which is called the sanctuary, or the holy place, in the words following, as also Leviticus 4:6 and 16.2,3,17,27. See the Annotat. There. So, likewise Psalms 20:3 c.] were four square: and concerning the fore-part of the sanctuary, [Heb. Face, &c. where the Altar stood before the Vail of the most holy place, whereof in the sequel] the (one) shape was as the (other) shape. [this likeness, uniformity is construed of divers things, but the nearest seemth to be, that we should understand it of the likeness of the posts or sides, and the Cherubim’s and palm tress, whereof is spoken in the former words, and verse 20.]
22. The height of the wooden Altar [Hereby is meant the Altar of incense, standing before the holy of holies, called even now the sanctuary. In Solomon’s Temple and Moses his Tabernacle this Altar was overlaid with fine Gold. See Exodus 30:1,2. 2 Chronicles 4:19.] was three ells and the length [meaning the uppermost board or leaf whereon set the incense] thereof two ells, [The measures of this Altar were greater in this New Testament then they were formerly either in Moses his Tabernacle or in Solomon’s temple, typifying the intercession of our advocate the Lord Jesus Christ, who continually appeareth for us before the face of his father, not onely for believing Jews, but also for all believing Gentiles in all corners of the world: as all the prayers that we make, and ascend up before the face of the almighty God. See hereof 1 job 2.1,2. Also Psalms 141:2. Revelations 5.8, c. and it had its corners, and the length thereof, and the corners [that is, sides] thereof were of wood, and he [to wit, the man that led the prophet, and showed him all theses things. See above chapter 40.3] said unto me; this is the table shall be before the face of the Lord. [A most sweet and pleasant name given to the Altar of incense, intimating , that the LORD Christ is not onely our Altar, but also our host and table, inviting, entertaining, and satisfying all true faithful worshippers with the enjoyment and communion of his soul-saving merits, here initially and in part, and hereafter perfectly. Compare Psalms 16:11 and 23.5 and 36.9. With the Annotate. Proverbs 9:2, c. also Malachi 1:7,12. With Annotat. Matthew 8:11 and 22.2 c. Luke22.29, 30, Revelations 3.20.
23. Now the temple and sanctuary had (both) two doors: [hereby we may understand with some the Lord Jesus Christ, presented in the scriptures of the New And Old Testament, by which two doors must all enter with true sincere faith into the blessed fellowship of Christ and his church. The Christian reader may compare Job 10:7,9. Acts 15:27, 1 Corinthians 16:8,9. 2 Corinthians2.12, Colossians4.3, Revelations 3.8, &c.]
24. And there were two leaves at the door, (to wit) two leaves which one might turn about; or, wind about, fold about] two at the one door and two leaves at the other (door).
25. And (there) were made on them, (namely) on the doors of the temple, Cherubim’s and palm trees, lie as there were made upon the walls: and the wood [that is, beams, thick planks] upon the fore-part [Heb. Face of the porch without was thick.
26. And (upon) the shut-windows were also palm-trees on this (side), and on the side o the porch: and (upon) the side-chambers of the house, and (upon) the thick planks. [Or thus: and (there were) shut-windows and palm-trees on this (side), one and on that side of the porch, and upon the side chambers, c.]