CHAP. XL.
Ezekiel's vision of the model of a city; and of an angel, with a line and reed, measuring the temple, 1-5. A description of the east gate of the outer court, 6-19; of the north gate, 2023; and of the south gate, 24-26: of the south gate of the in
ner court. 27-31; of east gate, 32-34; and of the north
Bate, 3538. The eight tables for sacrifice, 39 43. The
chambers for the singers and for the priests, 44-47. The porch and pillars of the temple, 48, 49.
house of Israel, by converting them to Christianity for the glory of his own name; and when they shall have "borne the shame" of being cast off for their sins, while they dwelt safely in their own land, and shall again be
Lord gives them on earth: and sometimes even this is denied; that the indignities exercised towards their dead bodies may be an emblem of the contempt and misery, to which their guilty souls are doomed in the invisible world.
gathered into it: then the nations shall per--It is our duty to shew a humane disposition
ceive his justice, truth, and goodness in his dealings with his people, and shall learn to know, worship, and serve him: and Israel also shall know the Lord their God, in a humbling spiritual manner, as revealed in and by Jesus Christ, whom they have so long rejected. At that time they shall all be gathered into their own land: and the Lord will "no more hide his face from them," or leave them in the hand of their enemies, as he will "have pour
even towards the most injurious: yet self-love may suffice to induce the survivors to bury the dead. It should therefore moderate our regard to these mortal bodies, and their decoration and indulgence, and our attention to external accomplishments in others, to consider, that commonly, in two or three days after death, the human body becomes too deformed a spectacle, to be looked on without horror by those, who used most to love and admire it.
ed out his Spirit upon them," and thus made-When the Lord is glorified in the ruin of his the Lord was upon me, and brought me thither:
them his holy worshippers and servants. The return of a few Jews from Babylon, and their continuance, increase, partial reformation, and prosperity, till the days of Christ, followed by their present long continued dispersion, under the frown of God, and destitute of his Spirit, could in no degree answer to these predictions. We are therefore constrained either to explain them exclusively of the blessings conferred on the church at large; or to conclude that some future events, exactly answerable to them, shall take place in respect of the nation of Israel: and this latter interpretation is far more consistent with the most obvious method of explaining the scriptures. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 34:23--31. 36:20--27,36.37:23-28. Is . 32:15. 44:3-5. 59:20,21. 60: Hos . 3:4,5. Joel 2:28-32, v. 28. 3:9-21. Zech. 12:9-14, v . 9. Rom . 11:25-32.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-16.
The Lord will surely make all men, even the most careless and inveterate transgressors, know his holy name; either by the power of his righteous indignation, or by the riches of his mercy and grace: and he will at length silence every objection to his dispensations, and not suffer his holy name to be polluted any more.
This time is at hand: the day of which God has spoken is about to be ushered in; his promises and judgments will soon be exactly accomplished: let us then go forth to meet him by faith and prayer, and anticipate the approach of his promised blessings, to ourselves and to his church. Speedily the weapons of war, which are so much in use all over the world, will be rendered needless.
Indeed they might now be all burned, or buried in the depth of the sea, to the great benefit of mankind; and they would be thus disposed of, did not men more resemble Satan, in pride, malice, and treachery, than God their Creator and Judge, in justice, truth, goodness, and mercy; and if they did not take more delight in robbing, murdering, or domineering over others, than in love and good works. Yet it is the common lot of spoilers to be spoiled and slaughtered, by those whom they seek to injure.
After all the disturbance, which is made by men of vast ambition or insatiable avarice, and after all their mighty expectations and achievements, "a place of graves" lace of graves" is all the
enemies, and in the good conduct and prosperity of his people; it becomes a day of great renown to them: but it is the chief renown of any land, when all ranks and orders of men concur in cleansing it from the filthiness of sin, which is far worse than any natural or ceremonial pollution whatever. This is a good work, which will require persevering diligence, that it may not be done superficially; but that search may be made into the secret recesses of iniquity, by persons severed for that service, and with the assistance of all that are able to give them information, or in any way concur in promoting their great and beneficial designs.
V. 17-29.
The most mighty and prosperous of sinners are only fattened for the slaughter, like "the bulls and rams of Bashan:" at length they will all be made a sacrifice to justice, for the display of the glory of God, before the nations of the earth: whilst the poor and afflicted people, that trust in him, shall certainly know and experience his power, truth, and love, in their full deliverance and advancement in due time. -But even the professed people of God often fall into the hands of their enemies, or into divers and sore calamities; because they have trespassed against him, and he deals with them according to their uncleanness and their transgressions.
And indeed, if true believers yield to temptation, and commit deliberate wickedness, the Lord will hide his face, and inflict sharp correction on them; and they will walk in darkness, and their enemies will seem to insult over them. But, though they may thus he deserted, tempted, corrected, and distressed; yet they have a sure refuge in the Lord's mercy: for a season they bear their shame; till being truly penitent, he again has mercy on them, for the honor of his own name; and then they dwell safely and comfortably under his protection, and none can make them afraid.
For, For, the name of God will finally be hallowed: his cause will be triumphant on earth, and in heaven: he will yet have mercy on the dispersed house of Israel, and gather them out of their captivity: and he will never finally hide his face from any of those, on whom he has poured out his sanctifying Spirit. those, But we must not expect to be wholly exempted from temptation, distress, and trouble, till we enter heaven: then we shall be filled with
2 In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon 'a very high mountain, * by which was & as the frame of a city on the south.
e 1:1. 8:3. Dan. 7:1,7. Acts 2: 17. 16:9. 2 Cor. 12:1-7.
f 17:22,23. Is. 2:2,3. Dan. 2:34, S5. Mic. 4:1. Rev. 21:10.
* Or, upon.
g 48:30-35. Gal. 4:26. Rev. 21:10-23.
h 1 Chr. 28:12,19.
i Ps. 48:2. Is. 14:13.
the Spirit of holiness, and behold the face of our God, without one frown or intervening
cloud for evermore.
NOTES.
CHAP. XL. V. 1. ( Marg . Ref . a-c.) The prophet had this extraordinary vision in the most gloomy season of the captivity, twelve years before Jehoiachin was released from prison by Evil-merodach. ( Note , 2 Kings 25: v. 27.)- The hand , &c.] Marg . Ref . d,
e.- Notes , 1:1-3, v. 3.
V. 2. ( Notes , 8:1-4. 2 Cor . 12:1-6.) The vision, contained in the remainder of of this book, is allowed by commentators to be one of the most obscure in the sacred scripture: so that it is not fully agreed what city, temple, and land were intended; or whether it had reference to former or to future times; whether it is to be understood literally or figuratively; whether it relate to the church on earth, or that in heaven. Some think the following description of the temple was intended to shew what Solomon's temple had been: ( Notes , 1 Kings 6: 7:) others explain it of the second
3 And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate:
4 And the man said unto me, Son of man, mbehold with thine eyes, and hear
k 1:7,27. Dan. 10:5,6. Rev. 1:15. m 2:7,8. 3:17. 43:10,11. 44:5. 147:3. Is. 8:20. 28:17. Zech. Matt. 10:27. 13:9,51,52. 2:1,2. Rev. 11:1. 21:15.
of the true God; and in the manifestation of 'the divine presence, at first by the miraculous 'gifts of the Holy Ghost, and ever since by the 'inward assistances, comforts, and protection 'of the same Spirit.' Lowth . - The state of the church, however, in that happy period which we are taught to expect, seems to be emblematically predicted.-'Nothing is more usual, 'than for the prophets to describe the state of 'the Christian church, by representations ta'ken from the Jewish temple and service.' Lowth . ( Notes , Is . 60: 66:)-If we would judge of the propriety, with which those glorious days were predicted under such allusions; we must place ourselves in the situation of the pious Jews when in captivity, who favored the very dust and stones of their city and temple; ( Note , Ps . 102:13-22, υυ . 13,14.) and who could not well detach their ideas of the church's prosperity, from that of the external splendor of the sanctuary; or conceive of more glorious times for the worship of Gol, abstracted from the expectation of a larger temple or city.
It is probable that the more immediate accomplishment of the prophecy
temple, and of the city, after they were rebuild-will be subsequent to the conversion of the
Jews, their restoration to their own land, the destruction of Gog and Magog, and the pouring out of the Spirit, mentioned in the close of the foregoing chapter: and it will perhaps continue through the thousand years, during which Satan will be chained up in the bottomless pit. ( Notes , 38: 39: Rev. 20:1-6.) But whether there will be any external forms, analogous to those here predicted, cannot be determined; though in some respects it seems very improbable.
It is, however, absurd to attempt laying down rules for church-government, discipline, or modes of worship, from so obscure a vision: seeing men of lively imaginations and contrary sentiments may, perhaps with equal plausibility accommodate it to their several systems. In general the vision seems to have been intended, both to remind the Jews of what they had lost by their sins, and so to lead them to repentance; and to encourrage their hopes of the final prevalence of the cause, which was at that time so greatly depressed.
ed and arrived at their greatest prosperity. There can, indeed, be little doubt, that the grand outlines of the description were taken from Solomon's temple, with all the additions made to its courts and outbuildings in after ages; and that in many particulars, it may be considered as a model of it, when destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. We may also suppose, that Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the other Jews, had respect to it, as far as circumstances would permit, in rebuilding the temple after the captivity.
There are, however, several circumstances, which conclusively shew, that something exceedingly superior to either the first or second temple was intended; and that the external description must be considered as a figure and emblem of spiritual blessings. ( Note , 41: 22.) This will appear, in many particulars, as we proceed: but especially the dimensions of the temple, city, and land; and the division of the land to the prince, priests, and tribes; and the river of water springing from the threshold of the temple, enlarging till it reached the dead sea, and sweetening its waters; with "the trees" growing "on the banks of the river, bearing fruit every month;" cannot be literally interpreted, or made to accord with any thing which has yet taken place. ( Notes , 45: 47: 48:)-'The general scope of Ezekiel's tem'ple is, by giving a promise of restoring Solo'mon's, to preserve the Jews from defiling 'themselves with idolatry during their captiv'ity; and when the time of that should be expired, to encourage them to go home and rebuild their temple, and observe the laws and 'Ordinances prescribed by Moses, for perform'ing God's worship there; which yet was nev'er to be equal to Solomon's in every respect, 'before the Messias should come, ... whose 'church should resemble Solomon's temple, in 'symmetry and beauty, in firmness and dura-scribe the courts and the temple.
'tion, in a regular, orderly, and decent worship V. 3. A man , &c.] Many suppose this man
A very high mountain , &c.] 'Mount Moriah, 'whereon the temple was built, which is here called "a very high mountain," because it rep'resents the seat of the Christian church, fore'told by the prophets, that it should be "established on the top of the mountains." ( Is . 2:2. Mic . 4:1. Comp. Rev. 21:10.) Mount Moriah lay southward of the hill of Zion, ... though 'northward of the lower part of the city, 'commonly called ... Jerusalem. Lowth . ( Marg . Ref . i.)- "The very high mountain," however, is not said to have been Moriah , or Zion. ( Notes , 17:22-24. Is . 2:2-5. Dan . 2:34,35,44, 45.)-The prophet saw on the south, the frame or plan of the city, which would at length be builded, and which he afterwards repeatedly mentioned; though he was directed first to de
with thine ears, and set thine heart upon | tween the little chambers were five cubits;
all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.
5 And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long , P by the cubit and an hand breadth: 9 so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.
6 Then came he unto the gate * which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, which was "one reed broad; ard the other threshold of the gate , which was one reed broad.
and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed.
8 He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed.
9 Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits: and the porch of the gate was inward.
10 And the little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side; they three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side.
11 And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits.
7 And every * little chamber was one 12 The space also before the little reed long, and one reed broad; and be-chambers was one cubit on this side , and
to have been the eternal Son of God, anticipating his incarnation by appearing in human form.
He is the Builder, as well as the Foundation and Corner-stone, of the spiritual temple: and "his appearance as brass" might denote his durable stability and glory, in his person and mediatorial government. ( Rev. 1:15.) Yet, as the glory of God in Christ has been shewn to be the scope of the introductory vision, ( Notes , 1: 10:) and as the same glory appeared to the prophet in this vision, when the man here spoken of was present; ( Note , 43:2 -5.) it may be questioned, whether he were not a created angel.
The use of the line was 'to measure the land; and of the reed to take 'the dimensions of the buildings in and about 'the temple.' Lowth . These may denote his revealed word, or secret decrees, according to which he will regulate every thing that relates to the doctrine, worship, and practice of his church. ( Marg . Ref . -Notes , Zech. 2:1-5, vv. 1,2. Rev. 11:1,2.)
V. 4. 'He proposes to the prophet two du'ties, always necessary; that he should dili'gently learn from God, and faithfully deliver 'what he hath received." ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 2:7,8. 43:10,11. 44:5. 1 Cor. 15:1,2. Rev. 1:1 -3.)
V. 5. This wall is supposed to have surrounded the temple and all its out-buildings: and it may be an emblem of the church's separation from the world, and its security under the divine protection. -The reed, with which the prophet's instructer measured, is computed to have been nearly four yards long: though some think that the ordinary Jewish cubit is meant, and distinguished from that which was used in Chaldea; and that the reed was not much above three yards long. The outward wall is stated to have been one reed in "breadth," or thickness , and one "in height." ( Marg . Ref . Note , 42:15-20.)
V. 6. The gate of the outward court, in which the Israelites worshipped, seems to be intended. The Angel passes by the court of 'the gentiles, and does not measure it; ( Rev.
11:2.) perhaps signifying, that the multitude of the nations, flowing into the church, could 'not be comprised in any measure or number.' -'The word Saph , translated threshold , signi'fies the lintel , or upper part of the door case, 'as well as the threshold properly so called, or 'the lower part of it.' Lowth . These were equal in dimensions to the thickness of the wall. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref .)
V. 7. The entrance into the outward court seems to have been through a porch, with doors at both ends; and on each side of this porch were three small chambers, or rooms, a reed square in size, with a passage of five cubits between them. - 'The inward threshold, at 'the farther end of the porch, looking into the 'first court, was of the same size with the outer 'one. (6)' Lowth . ( Marg . Ref . -Notes , 42:4-13.) V. 8. Or, "He even measured, &c." (1 Kings 6:5-10.)
V. 9. "The porch of the gate, ... (7) and the posts thereof," seems to have been a portico, or pent-house, on the inside of the entrance beyond the chambers, projecting eight cubits, and supported by posts or pillars, two cubits in circumference; which carried off the wet, and served for shade and shelter, to those who entered into the outward court.
V. 10. These rooms were for the use of the 'porters, that took care of the several gates 'that led to the temple. (1 Chr . 9:18,23,24.26:12, '13,18.) The side-posts, or fronts of the doors, 'belonging to each row of chambers, were of 'the same size.' Lowth . ( Note , 7.)
V. 11. The width of the gate, or door, at each end of the entrance, (perhaps including the door-posts,) was ten cubits; and the height thirteen cubits, or about twice the height of the wall.
V. 12. ( Marg .) A space of a cubit, in width, seems to have been separated by some rail or fence on both sides, from the passage, before each of the little chambers; to keep off the throng of those who entered into the court, and perhaps for a passage to those who occupied the rooms. (7)
b the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and windows were round about inward: and upon each post were c palm-trees.
17 Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: f thirty chambers were upon the pavement.
18 And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates, was the lower pavement.
19 Then he measured the breadth from
a 8:7. 42:1. Ex. 27:9. 35:17. || Or, within.
Lev. 6:16. 1 Chr. 28:6. Ps. 100:4. Is. 62:9.
* Heb. closed. 41:16. 1 Kings 6:4. 1 Cor. 13:12.
b 7,12.
↑ Or. galleries, or, porches. 21, 22,25,30. 41:15. 42:3. John 5:2.
c 1 Kings 6.29,32,35. 2 Chr. 3: 5. Ps. 92:12. Rev. 7:9.
d 10:5. 42:1. 46.21. Rev. 11;2. e 1 Kings 6:5. 1 Chr. 9:26. 23: 28. 2 Chr. 31:11.
f 42:4. 45:5.
V. 13. The whole arch of the east-gate, measured from the southern extremity of one room to the northern extremity of the opposite room, was twenty-five cubits: including the dimensions of the two rooms, or twelve cubits; (7) the spaces before the rooms, or two cubits; (12) and the breadth of the entrance, ten cubits. This makes twenty-four cubits; and the other cubit seems to have been taken up by the walls of the rooms, inward, towards the entrance. The doors of the rooms, on each side the entrance, seem to have faced each other.
V. 14. The word, rendered "posts" and "post," is by many supposed to mean pent houses. Perhaps the verse may signify, that the pent-houses to the chambers, and within the porch toward the court, when the several measures were added together, amounted to sixty cubits in extent. Some, however, explain it, to mean the height of the three stories of chambers, one above another. ( Marg . Ref . -Note, 42:5,6.) The angel is said to have made, what he delineated before the prophet, in the pattern or frame which he shewed him. V. 15.
'The whole length of the porch, 'from the outward front, (41:21,25.) unto the 'inner side which looks into the first court, (17) was fifty cubits; which may be thus 'computed: twelve cubits for the thickness 'of the wall at each end; (6) eighteen for the 'three chambers on each side; (7) and ten cubits for the spaces between the chambers; 'allowing the same space between the cham'bers on each side, and the two walls.' Lowth . V. 16.
Every one of these little chambers (7) had a narrow window to it, toward the 'inside of the gate where the passage was; and 'so there was over the side-posts or fronts, 'placed at the entrance of every chamber. By 'narrow or closed windows, some understand 'windows with lattice-work, to let in the light.
the fore front of the lower gate & unto the fore front of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward.
20 And the gate of the outward court, that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof.
21 And the little chambers thereof were three on this side, and three on that side; and the posts thereof, and the "arches thereof, were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cu bits.
22 And their windows, and their arches, and their palm-trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; mand they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them.
23 And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from gate to gate an hundred cubits.
'But the phrase seems equivalent to that 'which is more fully expressed, 1 Kings 6:4. by "open and narrow windows;" that is, as 'the margin of our Bibles doth very well ex'plain it "broad within" (to disperse the light) and "narrow without." Lowth . ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Note , 1 Kings 6:4.) -The arches seem to have been built above each door, with a window in them; as it is generally practised in many cities at present.- Palm trees.] Marg . Ref . c . - Note , 1 Kings 6:31-35.
V. 17. The outward court" was within the porch above described; but without, or more distant from the temple than the inner court. It is supposed to have been surrounded by cloisters, or porticos, with a pavement under them; and over these were chambers, for the use of the priests and Levites; or rather for storehouses, in which to preserve the sacred oblations. A different word is used for these chambers, than that before translated "little chambers;" and they seem to have been distinct from them. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 45:18, v. 5. 1 Chr . 9:24-33. 23:24-28. 2 Chr . 31: 11-14. Neh . 10:35-39.)
V. 18. Perhaps there was a pavement, between the porticos on each side, facing the entrance called "the lower pavement, because the pavement on each side, under the porticos, was raised higher than this was.
V. 19. The distance between the inner door, into the outward court, and the door at the other extremity into the inner court, was a hundred cubits. The way to the temple was a continued ascent; so that the door into the inner court was "the higher," than into the outward, "the lower," gate. The width of this part of the court from south to north was the same as the length from east to west. At least this seems the most obvious construction of the concluding words. (23,27,47. Marg . , V. 20-23. The north-gate, into the out
24 After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate toward the south: 9 and he measured the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these
measures .
32 And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.
33 And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, were according to these measures: and there were windows therein and in the
25 And there were windows in it, and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length was fifty cu-arches thereof round about: & it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.
bits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.
26 And there were seven steps to go up to it, and the arches thereof were before them: and it had palm-trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof.
34 And the arches thereof were toward the outward court; and palm-trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and or. that side: and the going up to it had height steps.
27 And there was a gate * in the inner court toward the south: y and he measured 35 And he brought me to the north from gate to gate toward the south an hun-gate, and measured it according to these dred cubits.
28 And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these meas
ures;
29 And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these measures: and there were windows in it, and in the arches thereof round about; it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.
30 And the arches round about were • five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits * broad.
31 And the arches thereof were toward the outer court: dand palm trees were upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it had eight steps.
ward court, and every thing relating to it, which is next described, was made nearly, if not exactly, in the same manner as the eastgate. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , 6-10.) Before them . (22) Or, 'suitable to them; that 'is, to those of the east-gate.' Lowth . The gate , &c. (23) Note , 19. 'The north-gate of the in'ner court did exactly answer this north-gate 'of the outer court: and in like manner the 'east-gate of the inner court answered the 'east-gate of the outward court.' Lowth . 'The gate of the inner court was over against 'the gate, (that is, of the outward court,) as 'well on the north side as on the east.'
V.24-27. ( Marg . Ref . Note , 20-23.) It seems there were no gates on the west; though the courts may be supposed to have extended, by the sides of the temple, to the western wall: at least the square, at first described, within the surrounding wall, would admit of this. ( Note , 5.)
V. 28. The outward court enclosed the inner, on the east, north, and south sides. Thus the prophet was led from the south-gate of the outward court, to the south-gate of the inner,
measures.
which was over against it: and so into the inner court itself.
V. 29-31. (Notes, 8-15.) The entrance into the inner court seems to have been through a portico, like that at each gate of the outward court, with little rooms for porters, and spaces between of the same dimensions, and with a pent-house towards the outward court: but the ascent was by eight steps; whereas the outward court had but seven.The fifteen Psalms from the hundred and 'twentieth forward called "Songs of degrees,” 'or ascents , are supposed to have been sung on 'some of these steps or ascents.' Lowth . The arches, (30) are supposed to have been built over the spaces which separated the porters' lodges; and to have been twenty-five feet in height. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref .)
V. 32-37. The east and north gates were built in the same manner, as the south gate. ( Marg . Ref . Note , 29-31.)
V. 38. Just within the portico of the north entrance, beyond the chambers, was the place, where the legs and entrails of the sacrifices, especially of the burnt-offerings, were washed.
40 And at the side without, * as one go-|| the priests, the keepers of the charge of
eth up to the entry of the north gate, were two tables; and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two ta bles .
41 Four tables were on this side, and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate; eight tables, whereupon they slew their sacrifices.
42 And the four tables were of hewn stone for the burnt-offering, of a cubit and an half long, and a cubit and an half broad, and one cubit high: whereupon also they laid the instruments, wherewith they slew the burnt-offering and the sacrifice.
43 And within were thooks, an hand broad, fastened round about: ands upon the tables was the flesh of the offering.
44 And without the inner gate were the chambers of the singers in the inner court, which was at the side of the north gate; and their prospect was toward the south; one at the side of the east gate, hav ing the prospect toward the north.
45 And he said unto me, This chamber, whose prospect is toward the south, is for
( Marg . Ref .- Notes , Ex . 30:18-21. Lev . 1:5 -9.)
V. 39-43. No tables, to be used for this pur
the house.
46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok, among the sons of Levi, a which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
47 So he measured the court, ban hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, four square, and the altar that was before the house.
48 And he brought me to the porch of the house, and measured each post of the porch, five cubits on this side, and five cubits on that side: and the breadth of the gate was three cubits on this side, and three cubits on that side.
49 The length of the porch was twenty cubits, and the breadth eleven cubits; and he brought me by the steps whereby they went up to it; and there were ⚫ pillars by the posts, one on this side, and another on that side.
x Lev. 8:35. Num. 3:28,32,38.
1 Chr. 6:49. 9:23. 2 Chr. 13: 11. Ps. 134:1. Rev. 16.
Or, word , or, ordinance, and
so 46.
y 44:15. Lev. 6:12,13. Num. 18:5.
z 43:19. 44:15,16. 48:11. 1 Kings
2:35.
a Lev. 10:3. Num. 16:5,40. Eph. 2:13.
b 19,23,27.
c 1 Kings 6:3. 2 Chr. 3:4. d 31,34,37.
e 1 Kings 7:15-21. 2 Chr. 3, 17. Jer. 52:17-23. Rev. 3:12.
fices. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , 44:15,16. 1 Kings 2:35.)- Altar . (46) Note , 43:13-17.
V. 47. The inner court was of the same di
pose, are mentioned either in Exodus and Le-mension with each division of the outward
viticus, or in the account given of Solomon's temple. Those learned men, who suppose that such were used at the tabernacle and temple, seem to draw this conclusion, either from the Jewish traditions, or from this part of Ezekiel's vision: whereas this seems to intimate the introduction of a new and more spiritual dispensation. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . m-r.Note, 41:22.)
Two tables. (40) 'Two tables were on each 'side, as you come into the porch of that gate; 'and two on each side of the inner part of the 'gate that looked toward the altar. Lowth. Within . (43) 'Within the gate or entrance on 'the north side ... were iron hooks, for the 'hanging up the beasts, that were to be sacri'ficed, in order to flaying off their skins.' Lowth . ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . s.)
V. 44. These chambers were placed at the 'north-east corner of the inner court, and so had their prospect toward the south. ... They 'had likewise chambers at the south-east cor'ner of the court, which had their prospect to'wards the north.' Lowth . The LXX read the verse thus, "Behold there were two chambers in the inner court, one on the south of the gate, which looketh to the north, bearing towards the south: and one on the south of the ga gate, which was to the south, but looked toward the north." ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 1 Chr . 6:31,32. 25:1-6. Neh . 13:4-13.)
V. 45, 46. The word chamber may mean a row of chambers; of which there seems to have been three: one for the singers, one for the priests, who in their courses took care of the sacred vessels and treasures; and one for the
court: and the altar stood directly before the porch of the temple. (19,23,27.)
V. 48, 49. The length of the porch was the same as the breadth of the temple; that is, twenty cubits. Two doors of three cubits wide, opening each way, seem to have formed the entrance; these with five cubits on each side, called "the post of the porch," amount to sixteen cubits; and the other four cubits may be supposed to have been the distance from these posts to the outside of the walls of the temple. The breadth of the porch, in Solomon's temple was only ten cubits, or half the length; but here it is represented as eleven cubits. The ascent from the inner court into the temple was by steps; and there were two pillars as in Solomon's temple. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 9. 41:3. 1 Kings 6:2,3, v. 3. 7:15-22.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
In the depth of the tribulations of the church and of believers, our gracious God commonly gives some distant glimpses of approaching deliverance and comfort, to support their faith and patient expectation. The great Builder of the spiritual temple, whose power and glory are infinite and eternal, eternal, al, always works by rule: and, whilst he performs his secret counsels, he requires us to compare all our works with the standard of his word. This we should study carefully, that we may be "fellow-workers together with him;" and that our worship and obedience may be regulated by faith, and not by fancy or carnal wisdom. We should therefore "behold with our eyes, and hear [601
priests, who attended on the altar and sacri-with our ears," "and set our heart upon" all VOL. IV