I. Summary
Ezekiel is shown the measurements of the temple’s gates and courtyards by a man who shines like copper.
II. Photo
Ezekiel is given a tour of the temple’s measurements: “There, standing at the gate, was a man who shone like copper. In his hand were a cord of linen and a measuring rod.” (v. 3)
III. Select Verses
1-4: In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, the fourteenth year after the city had fallen, at the beginning of the year, the tenth day of the month — on that very day — the hand of the LORD came upon me, and He brought me there. He brought me, in visions of God, to the Land of Israel, and He set me down on a very high mountain on which there seemed to be the outline of a city on the south. He brought me over to it, and there, standing at the gate, was a man who shone like copper. In his hand were a cord of linen and a measuring rod. The man spoke to me: “Mortal, look closely and listen attentively and note well everything I am going to show you — for you have been brought here in order to be shown — and report everything you see to the House of Israel.”
42: As for the four tables for the burnt offering — they were of hewn stone, one and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one cubit high — on them were laid out the instruments with which burnt offerings and sacrifices were slaughtered.
44-46: There were chambers for singers in the inner forecourt: one beside the north gate facing south, and one beside the east gate facing north. [The man] explained to me: “The chamber that faces south is for the priests who perform the duties of the Temple; and the chamber that faces north is for the priests who perform the duties of the altar — they are the descendants of Zadok, who alone of the descendants of Levi may approach the LORD to minister to Him.”
49: The portico was 20 cubits wide and 11 cubits deep, and it was by steps that it was reached. There were columns by the jambs on either side.
IV. Outline
1-4. Introduction
1a. Date and place
1b-2. God brings Ezekiel to a city in Israel
3-4. A guide with a measuring stick tells Ezekiel to report what he sees
5-47. The temple’s gates and courtyards
5. The wall
6-16. The eastern gate, its hallway, and its alcoves
17-19. The outer courtyard
20-27. The northern and southern gates
28-37. The three inner gates
38-43. The chamber, tables, and shelves for sacrifice
44-46. The chambers for the Zadokite and non-Zadokite priests
47. The inner courtyard
48-49. The outer room of the temple and its entrance
V. Comment
For a helpful video from bibliaprints.com which explains this chapter, see:
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Photo copied from http://36ood.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/tape_measure.jpg