Bible Commentaries

the glory. in Ezekiel 11:23 he had seen this glory quitting the Temple.

the God of Israel. See note on Isaiah 29:23.

God. Hebrew. Elohim, App-4.

that I saw. See Ezekiel 1:28; Ezekiel 3:23.

to destroy. Hebrew idiom, by which the doer is said to do what he declares shall be done. See Ezekiel 9:1, Ezekiel 9:5; note on Jeremiah 14:8, Jeremiah 14:9; Jeremiah 20:25.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

the house, Not Solomon's Temple, but the Temple which he had been shown in vision (Ezekiel 11 and Ezekiel 42).

the gate. Not the present gate on the east side of the Temple area, but that of the yet future Temple (Ezekiel 40:6; Ezekiel 40:42, Ezekiel 40:15; Ezekiel 44:1; Ezekiel 46:1).

spirit. See note on Ezekiel 8:3. Heb, ruach. App-9.

the man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

stood. = was standing.

Son of man. See note on Ezekiel 2:1.

the place of My throne. The Ellipsis must be thus supplied: "[This is] the place", &c. Not the

ark, as in Solomon's Temple. There is no ark here.

where I will dwell, &c. See Ezekiel 43:9; Ezekiel 37:26, Ezekiel 37:28; Ezekiel 37:48, Ezekiel 37:35. Psalms 68:18; Psalms 132:14. Joel 3:17.

I will dwell, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:45).

children = sons,

for ever. Showing that this prophecy yet waits for its fulfilment, holy. See note on Exodus 3:5.

no more defile. Compare Ezekiel 20:39; Ezekiel 23:38, Ezekiel 23:39; Ezekiel 39:7, Hosea 14:8, Zechariah 13:2; Zechariah 14:20, Zechariah 14:21.

whoredom. Always put for idolatry, by the Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Subject), App-6.

by the carcases, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:30).

in their high places: or, in their death.

setting, &c. Compare Ezekiel 5:11; Ezekiel 8:3-16; Ezekiel 23:39; Ezekiel 44:7. 2 Kings 16:14, 2 Kings 16:15; 2 Kings 21:4-7; 2 Kings 23:11, 2 Kings 23:12; 2 Chronicles 33:4, 2 Chronicles 33:7.

by close by, alongside of.

and the wall: or, "For [there was but a] wall".

abominations = idolatries.

Thou. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and, Vulgate, read "Thou therefore". This is yet future, and involves the fulfilment of Eze 37, for Ezekiel and for the whole nation.

skew the house . . . let them measure. This will he the evidence, to the new nation, that all this prophecy, and Ezekiel's part in it, is of Jehovah.

iniquities. Hebrew `avah. App-44.

pattern: or, plan, or arrangement.

goings out = the exits.

comings in the entrances.

forms = models, or visible forms. The word is found only in this verse. Hebrew text written "form"; but margin "for

laws. Hebrew text written "law"; but margin laws". Some codices, with four early printed editions, read "laws" both in text and margin.

is. Supply "will be".

Upon, &c. Compare Ezekiel 40:2; Ezekiel 42:20. Psalms 93:5. Joel 3:17. Zechariah 14:20, Zechariah 14:21. Revelation 21:27.

most holy = the holy of holies,

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos (App-6), for emphasis.

the altar. Hebrew. mizbeach. Same word as in Ezekiel 43:18; not the same as in verses: Ezekiel 43:15, Ezekiel 43:16.

cubits. See App-51.

higher place = the pit i.e. the ash-pit. Hebrew gab = anything curved or convex, from gabab = hollow, hollowed out,

bottom = hollow.

settle = ledge. The Hebrew word in this sense occurs only here, verses: Ezekiel 43:17, Ezekiel 43:20, Ezekiel 43:19. The altar will be thus narrowed at the top (twelve cubits square). The height and breadth will be the same as Solomon"s, except that this will have these ledges for the priests to walk round.

the altar = the hearth. Hebrew. ha harel = the mount of El. Not the same word as in Ezekiel 43:13.

stairs. Steps were forbidden in Ex. Ezekiel 20:26, but may be permitted here.

thus saith, &c. See note on 44. D.

the Lord GOD. Hebrew. Adonai Jehovah. See note on Ezekiel 2:4.

the ordinances of the altar. Compared with the Mosaic tabernacle, the ritual began with the consecration of the priests (Leviticus 8:1-10); here, they are already consecrated (verses: Ezekiel 43:19, Ezekiel 43:28). In Leviticus 8:11, the altar was anointed with the holy oil; here no anointing, and the priests are only from Zadok's line (Compare Ezekiel 40:46; Ezekiel 44:14. In Exodus 29:36, a bullock offered on seven successive days; here only once, and on the other days a kid of the goats. The offerings here (verses: Ezekiel 43:18-27) are National and Priestly (the Priest representing the Nation); not individual, for there will be no day of atonement. The sacrifices will not therefore be as when under the law.

in the day. See App-18. This day is yet future, burnt offerings. See App-43.

sprinkle, &c. = dash, or throw. Ref to Pentateuch (Leviticus 1:5). This expression is exclusively technical. App-92. For the exceptions see 2 Chronicles 34:4. Job 2:12. Isaiah 28:5. Compare Ezekiel 10:2 and Hosea 7:9.

thou. Testifying to the share of Ezekiel "in the day when", &c.

the priests the Levites. Referring to the distinction between the Levitical priests and all other priests (heathen, Israelitish, or tribal). See note on Deuteronomy 17:9.

saith the Lord GOD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.

bullock. See note on "ordinances", Ezekiel 43:14.

sin offering. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:14). App-92.

he shall burn it. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:14).

cast salt. This was not done in this case under the Mosaic law. Compare Leviticus 2:13. See App-92.

purge = atone for.

consecrate. See note on Exodus 29:41, Leviticus 9:17.

themselves = it.

your . . . you: i.e. nationally, not individually. See note on "ordinance", &c., Ezekiel 43:18.

I will accept you, Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 22:27. Deuteronomy 33:11). App-92.