Ezekiel Chapter 40
Ezekiel 40
Measuring the Courts of the New Temple
Ezekiel 40 begins the final great vision of the book, covering Ezekiel 40–48. After the judgment of Jerusalem, the departure of the glory of God, the promised restoration of Israel, the New Covenant cleansing, the resurrection-like restoration of the nation, and the defeat of Gog, Ezekiel is now shown a future temple. This vision comes many years after the fall of Jerusalem and gives detailed measurements of a temple complex in the land of Israel. The detail, repetition, measurements, gates, courts, chambers, priests, altar, and sacrificial areas all point to a real future temple, best understood from a literal, dispensational, premillennial viewpoint as the millennial temple connected with Israel’s restoration and Messiah’s kingdom. The uploaded notes emphasize the dating of the vision, Ezekiel’s transportation in the visions of God, the man with the measuring rod, the outer and inner courts, the gates, the chambers, the place of sacrifice, and the priestly order connected with the sons of Zadok.
A. The vision of the new temple.
1. Ezekiel 40:1-2, Ezekiel is taken to Jerusalem in a vision.
Ezekiel 40:1, In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither.
Ezekiel 40:2, 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.
In the five and twentieth year of our captivity places this vision late in Ezekiel’s ministry. The prophet had seen Jerusalem judged, the temple profaned, the glory depart, the nations condemned, Israel promised restoration, and Gog defeated. Now the LORD gives him a temple vision.
In the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten means this came fourteen years after Jerusalem fell. The city and temple had been destroyed by Babylon, but God now shows Ezekiel a future temple. The timing itself is full of hope. When the visible temple lay in ruins, God revealed the future house connected with restored Israel.
In the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month may point to the tenth day of Nisan if the religious calendar is in view, the day when Israel selected the Passover lamb. Whether or not that is the intended calendar reference, the date would naturally stir thoughts of redemption, covenant, and national restoration.
The Passover preparation began with the lamb selected on the tenth day.
Exodus 12:1, And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
Exodus 12:2, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Exodus 12:3, Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house.
The hand of the LORD was upon me means this vision came from God’s power and initiative. Ezekiel is not designing a temple from his imagination. The LORD lays His hand upon the prophet and brings him into the vision.
In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel shows that Ezekiel is transported prophetically. He is physically in exile, but in the visions of God he is brought to the land of Israel. The land matters in this final vision, just as it mattered in Ezekiel 36–37.
Ezekiel had earlier been brought in visions to Jerusalem to see the temple’s corruption and the departure of God’s glory.
Ezekiel 8:3, And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
Ezekiel 11:22, Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
Ezekiel 11:23, And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.
That earlier vision showed corruption and departure. This final vision will show order, holiness, measurement, and eventually the return of the glory.
Set me upon a very high mountain places Ezekiel in a position to see the temple complex. The mountain recalls the centrality of Zion and the mountain of the LORD in kingdom prophecy.
Isaiah speaks of the LORD’s house established in the latter days.
Isaiah 2:2, And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
Isaiah 2:3, And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways; and we shall walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
By which was as the frame of a city on the south means Ezekiel sees a large structure, something like a city. The temple complex is immense, organized, and enclosed. The vision is architectural, geographical, and measured.
2. Ezekiel 40:3, The man with the measuring rod.
Ezekiel 40:3, 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.
He brought me thither means God continues to guide Ezekiel into the vision. The prophet does not wander into the temple vision on his own.
There was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass introduces Ezekiel’s guide. His bronze-like appearance suggests a radiant, heavenly, or angelic figure. He stands as the measuring guide for the prophet.
With a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed shows the purpose of the guide. He will measure the temple complex carefully. The line was likely used for longer measurements, and the reed for shorter architectural measurements.
Measurement in Scripture often indicates ownership, order, and divine claim. God measures what belongs to Him.
Zechariah saw a man measuring Jerusalem in a restoration vision.
Zechariah 2:1, I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
Zechariah 2:2, Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.
Revelation also uses measuring language for the temple of God.
Revelation 11:1, And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
He stood in the gate means Ezekiel’s tour begins at the gateway. The guide is waiting at the entrance, ready to show the prophet what God wants Israel to know.
3. Ezekiel 40:4, The man with the measuring rod speaks to Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 40:4, And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon 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.
Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears commands Ezekiel to pay close attention. He must not treat the measurements and details as incidental. He is to see, hear, and absorb the vision.
Set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee means Ezekiel must give his full attention and understanding to this revelation. The temple vision is not meaningless detail. It is divine instruction.
For to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither means Ezekiel was brought into this vision for the purpose of receiving revelation. He is not a tourist. He is a prophet.
Declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel identifies the primary audience. This vision is for Israel. It concerns Israel’s future restoration, worship, land, priesthood, and the return of divine glory. The house of Israel needed to hear that the temple destroyed by Babylon was not the end of God’s sanctuary purpose.
This final section of Ezekiel is often debated. Some take the temple symbolically as the church. Some take it as a plan intended for the return from Babylon. Some treat it as apocalyptic imagery. But the detailed measurements, repeated architectural descriptions, priestly distinctions, sacrificial tables, and later land allotments strongly favor a literal future temple. Since the second temple and Herod’s temple did not match this description, and since Ezekiel 36–37 point to a still-future national and spiritual restoration of Israel, this temple is best understood as the future millennial temple.
The objection is often raised that sacrifices cannot exist after the finished work of Christ. Yet animal sacrifices never actually took away sin. They pointed forward to Christ before the cross, and in the millennial temple they can function as memorials pointing back to Christ’s finished work, just as the Lord’s Supper is a memorial that adds nothing to the cross but proclaims it.
Hebrews is clear that Christ’s sacrifice is final and sufficient.
Hebrews 10:10, By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:11, And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Hebrews 10:12, But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Hebrews 10:13, From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Hebrews 10:14, For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Yet Jesus also commanded a memorial of His death.
Luke 22:19, And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Luke 22:20, Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
The existence of memorials after Christ does not deny the sufficiency of Christ. The future temple sacrifices, if understood literally, must be memorial, ceremonial, and instructional, never competing with the once-for-all sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.
B. The outer court of the new temple.
1. Ezekiel 40:5, The wall outside the temple.
Ezekiel 40:5, 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 by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.
A wall on the outside of the house round about shows that the temple complex is enclosed. The wall marks separation. In Ezekiel, holiness often involves separation between the holy and the common. This wall visibly distinguishes the sanctuary area.
Later Ezekiel will state this purpose clearly.
Ezekiel 42:20, He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.
In the man’s hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth defines the unit of measurement. This is the long cubit, a cubit plus a handbreadth. The measuring reed is six such cubits.
He measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed means the wall was one reed thick and one reed high. The point is not merely size but order. God’s future temple is measured, structured, and claimed.
Ezekiel does not measure it himself. The heavenly guide measures it. The temple belongs to God. The prophet observes and records.
2. Ezekiel 40:6-10, The eastern gateway.
Ezekiel 40:6, 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; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad.
Ezekiel 40:7, And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed.
Ezekiel 40:8, He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed.
Ezekiel 40:9, Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits; and the porch of the gate was inward.
Ezekiel 40:10, 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.
The gate which looketh toward the east begins the tour at the eastern gate. This is significant because the glory of the LORD departed eastward in Ezekiel 11, and later in Ezekiel 43 the glory will return from the east.
Ezekiel 11:23, And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.
Ezekiel 43:1, Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:
Ezekiel 43:2, And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
Went up the stairs thereof shows elevation. The temple complex rises as Ezekiel moves inward. There is approach, ascent, and ordered access.
Measured the threshold of the gate indicates that this gate is not a simple door. It is a substantial gateway structure with thresholds, chambers, porch, and posts.
Every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad describes the guardrooms or gate chambers. These were likely used by those assigned to guard and regulate access.
Between the little chambers were five cubits gives spacing within the gate structure. The detail matters because Ezekiel is recording a real architectural plan.
The porch of the gate was inward means the vestibule faced into the temple court.
The little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side means there were six chambers in the eastern gateway, three on each side.
They three were of one measure emphasizes symmetry. God’s house is ordered. The measurements are not random.
3. Ezekiel 40:11-16, The entrance to the eastern gateway.
Ezekiel 40:11, And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits.
Ezekiel 40:12, The space also before the little chambers was one cubit on this side, and the space was one cubit on that side: and the little chambers were six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side.
Ezekiel 40:13, He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door.
Ezekiel 40:14, He made also posts of threescore cubits, even unto the post of the court round about the gate.
Ezekiel 40:15, And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face of the porch of the inner gate were fifty cubits.
Ezekiel 40:16, And there were narrow windows to 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 palm trees.
He measured the breadth of the entry of the gate continues the detailed inspection of the eastern gate. Again, this is not vague symbolism. It is measured space.
The breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door shows the width from chamber to chamber. The gateway had internal rooms and facing doors.
Posts of threescore cubits indicates height and prominence. The gate structure is tower-like and impressive.
From the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face of the porch of the inner gate were fifty cubits gives the full depth of the gateway complex. This entrance is a building in itself.
There were narrow windows shows architectural detail and light. Ezekiel notices not only measurements but features.
Upon each post were palm trees gives decorative detail. Palm trees often symbolize life, beauty, fruitfulness, and victory. Solomon’s temple also had palm tree carvings.
1 Kings 6:29, And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
1 Kings 6:32, The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees.
The palm trees in Ezekiel’s temple connect the future house with beauty, order, and life before the LORD.
4. Ezekiel 40:17-19, The pavement of the outer court.
Ezekiel 40:17, Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement.
Ezekiel 40:18, And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement.
Ezekiel 40:19, Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward.
Then brought he me into the outward court means Ezekiel now moves inside the outer enclosure. He has entered through the eastern gateway into the outer court.
There were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about shows that the outer court included rooms and paved areas. The temple complex is organized for service, movement, worship, and order.
Thirty chambers were upon the pavement gives the number of outer court chambers. These may be connected with temple service, storage, or worship functions.
The pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement suggests levels within the court. The outer court is lower than the inner court, which will be reached by additional steps.
He measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward gives the distance from the outer gate to the inner court. The temple complex has generous space and measured progression from outer to inner.
5. Ezekiel 40:20-23, The northern gateway.
Ezekiel 40:20, And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof.
Ezekiel 40:21, 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 cubits.
Ezekiel 40:22, And their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them.
Ezekiel 40:23, 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.
The gate of the outward court that looked toward the north is now measured. Ezekiel’s guide moves from the east gate to the north gate.
The little chambers thereof were three on this side and three on that side shows the north gateway matches the east gateway in arrangement.
After the measure of the first gate emphasizes repetition and symmetry. The temple gates are built according to a consistent pattern.
The length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits gives the same dimensions as the east gate.
Their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east means the architectural details also match.
They went up unto it by seven steps indicates the ascent into the outer court gate structure. The number and arrangement of steps show ordered approach to the sanctuary.
The gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east means the outer and inner gates align. The approach is direct and ordered.
He measured from gate to gate an hundred cubits repeats the measured distance between outer and inner court structures.
6. Ezekiel 40:24-27, The southern gateway.
Ezekiel 40:24, After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof and the arches thereof according to these measures.
Ezekiel 40:25, And there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.
Ezekiel 40:26, 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.
Ezekiel 40:27, And there was a gate in the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south an hundred cubits.
He brought me toward the south means Ezekiel is now shown the southern gate of the outer court.
A gate toward the south completes the three main outer court gates: east, north, and south. There is no western gate mentioned, likely because the temple building is toward the west.
He measured the posts thereof and the arches thereof according to these measures means the southern gate follows the same pattern as the east and north gates.
There were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows repeats the same architectural design.
The length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits confirms the same dimensions.
There were seven steps to go up to it means the outer gate is elevated by seven steps, as with the other outer gates.
It had palm trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof repeats the decorative pattern. Life and beauty mark the entrances.
There was a gate in the inner court toward the south means the southern outer gate aligns with the southern inner gate.
He measured from gate to gate toward the south an hundred cubits again emphasizes order and symmetry.
C. The inner court of the new temple.
1. Ezekiel 40:28-37, The gateways of the inner court.
Ezekiel 40:28, And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures;
Ezekiel 40:29, 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.
Ezekiel 40:30, And the arches round about were five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad.
Ezekiel 40:31, And the arches thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it had eight steps.
Ezekiel 40:32, And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.
Ezekiel 40:33, 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 arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.
Ezekiel 40:34, And the arches thereof were toward the outward court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.
Ezekiel 40:35, And he brought me to the north gate, and measured it according to these measures;
Ezekiel 40:36, The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.
Ezekiel 40:37, And the posts thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.
He brought me to the inner court marks a movement closer to the temple proper. Ezekiel now passes from the outer court toward the inner court.
By the south gate begins with the southern inner gate, then moves to the eastern and northern inner gates.
He measured the south gate according to these measures means the inner gate corresponds to the pattern already seen.
The little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof show that the inner gates also have chambers, posts, arches, windows, and structure.
It was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad repeats the gate dimensions.
The arches thereof were toward the utter court means the vestibules of the inner gates faced outward toward the outer court.
Palm trees were upon the posts thereof again shows the repeated ornamentation.
The going up to it had eight steps is significant. The outer gates had seven steps; the inner gates have eight. The movement inward is also a movement upward. Access to the inner court is elevated.
He brought me into the inner court toward the east means the east inner gate is measured next.
He brought me to the north gate completes the measurement of the inner court gates. As with the outer court, the inner gates show symmetry and order.
There is no mention of a separate court of Gentiles or court of women. The arrangement differs from Herod’s temple and points to a distinct future temple order.
2. Ezekiel 40:38-43, The chamber for sacrifices.
Ezekiel 40:38, And the chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering.
Ezekiel 40:39, And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering.
Ezekiel 40:40, And at the side without, as one goeth 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 tables.
Ezekiel 40:41, 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.
Ezekiel 40:42, 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.
Ezekiel 40:43, And within were hooks, an hand broad, fastened round about: and upon the tables was the flesh of the offering.
The chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates means there were rooms associated with the inner gate area for sacrificial preparation.
Where they washed the burnt offering shows that sacrifices are part of this temple vision. Ezekiel was a priest, and these details would naturally matter to him.
In the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side describes the tables used in connection with offerings.
To slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering names specific offerings. This is one of the main reasons many interpreters resist a literal future temple. Yet the text itself plainly describes sacrificial practice in the temple vision.
The burnt offering in the law signified consecration and surrender.
Leviticus 1:3, If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he-shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.
Leviticus 1:4, And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted-for him to make atonement for him.
The sin offering and trespass offering dealt with purification, guilt, and restitution in the old order, but Hebrews makes clear that animal blood never truly removed sin.
Hebrews 10:4, For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Therefore, in a future millennial temple, these sacrifices cannot be understood as competing with Christ’s finished work. They are best understood as memorial, ceremonial, and instructional, pointing back to the perfect sacrifice of Christ, just as Old Testament sacrifices pointed forward to Him.
Four tables were on this side, and four tables on that side gives the total of eight slaughter tables.
The four tables were of hewn stone for the burnt offering shows their material and purpose. Hewn stone tables were prepared for sacrificial work.
Whereupon also they laid the instruments wherewith they slew the burnt offering and the sacrifice means the instruments of sacrifice were arranged and used there.
Within were hooks, an hand broad, fastened round about indicates places for hanging or handling the sacrificial flesh.
Upon the tables was the flesh of the offering confirms the sacrificial function of the area.
The presence of sacrifice in the millennial temple does not undo the cross. The Lord’s Supper today does not repeat Christ’s sacrifice; it remembers and proclaims it. In a future kingdom setting, these sacrifices can function as vivid, temple-centered memorials of the Lamb of God whose one offering truly saves.
3. Ezekiel 40:44-46, The chambers for the singers and the priests.
Ezekiel 40:44, 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 having the prospect toward the north.
Ezekiel 40:45, And he said unto me, This chamber, whose prospect is toward the south, is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house.
Ezekiel 40:46, 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, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
The chambers of the singers in the inner court shows that worship through song has a place in this temple. Ezekiel’s temple is not only a place of sacrifice and measurement, but also of praise.
David had appointed singers for temple worship.
1 Chronicles 25:1, Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of-Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and-the number of the workmen according to their service was:
2 Chronicles 5:13, It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to-be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and-cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth-for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
This chamber…is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house means certain priests are assigned to guard, oversee, and serve the temple itself. The language of charge indicates responsibility, watchfulness, and faithful service.
The chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar means another priestly group is assigned to altar service.
These are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi identifies the priestly line. Zadok was faithful in the days of David and Solomon, and his descendants are given special nearness in Ezekiel’s temple.
Zadok was established in the priesthood during Solomon’s reign.
1 Kings 2:35, And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the-priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar.
Later Ezekiel explains why the sons of Zadok have this privileged service.
Ezekiel 44:15, But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the-children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they-shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD:
Which come near to the LORD to minister unto him is the highest privilege of priestly service. They do not merely serve the people. They come near to the LORD. True ministry is first unto God.
4. Ezekiel 40:47-49, Measuring the inner court and its passage.
Ezekiel 40:47, So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar that was before the house.
Ezekiel 40:48, 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.
Ezekiel 40:49, 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.
He measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare describes the inner court as a perfect square. Again, the emphasis is on order, proportion, and holiness.
The altar that was before the house introduces the altar’s central position before the temple building. The altar stands in front of the house, showing that sacrifice and approach to God remain central in the temple order, though always understood in light of the finished work of Christ.
He brought me to the porch of the house means Ezekiel now approaches the temple building itself after seeing the courts, gates, chambers, and altar.
Measured each post of the porch continues the detailed measurement of the structure.
The length of the porch was twenty cubits, and the breadth eleven cubits gives the dimensions of the porch before the temple.
He brought me by the steps whereby they went up to it again shows ascent. Ezekiel moves upward and inward toward the house.
There were pillars by the posts, one on this side, and another on that side recalls the two pillars of Solomon’s temple, Jachin and Boaz.
1 Kings 7:21, And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and-called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.
Ezekiel 40 begins the final vision with a measured, ordered, future temple. The prophet is taken in the visions of God to the land of Israel, placed on a very high mountain, and shown a structure like a city. A radiant man with a line of flax and a measuring reed guides him through the outer wall, eastern gate, outer court, north and south gates, inner court, sacrificial chambers, priestly chambers, and the porch before the house. The repeated measurements are not empty details. They show that God has a real future sanctuary purpose for restored Israel. The temple belongs to the LORD; He measures it, orders it, fills it with priestly service, and will later return His glory to it. From a literal, premillennial viewpoint, this chapter begins the description of the millennial temple, where Israel will worship in the land under Messiah’s kingdom, remembering and honoring the finished work of Christ while the LORD’s presence is again manifested among His people.
