Ezekiel 40:39

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in the porch {H197} of the gate {H8179} were two {H8147} tables {H7979} on this side, and two tables {H7979} on that side, to slay {H7819} thereon the burnt offering {H5930} and the sin offering {H2403} and the trespass offering {H817}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In the entranceway to the gate were two tables on the one side and two on the other, on which to slaughter the burnt offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings.

Berean Standard Bible

Inside the portico of the gateway were two tables on each side, on which the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings were to be slaughtered.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 40:39 provides a meticulous architectural detail within the prophet's grand vision of a new temple, specifically describing the functional setup for sacrificial worship. It highlights the presence of four tables in the porch of the gate, designated for the slaughter and preparation of burnt offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings, underscoring the precise, divinely ordained order of future worship in the restored community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 40 initiates a lengthy and highly detailed vision of a new temple and its surrounding complex, extending through [Ezekiel 48](/ezekiel/48 "Ezekiel 48 - Division of the Land"). This section, often referred to as the "Temple Vision," begins with Ezekiel being transported in a divine vision to a very high mountain where he encounters a man with a measuring rod. Chapters 40-42 meticulously describe the dimensions and features of the outer court, inner court, the temple building itself, and various chambers. Verse 39 falls within the description of the outer gate structure, specifically detailing the practical provisions for the sacrificial system that will operate within this new, idealized sanctuary. It is part of a larger narrative emphasis on the restoration of pure worship and God's renewed presence among His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision was given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national and spiritual crisis for Israel. The destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC had left the people without their central place of worship, leading to despair and questions about God's covenant faithfulness. In this context, Ezekiel's detailed temple vision served as a powerful message of hope, assurance, and divine restoration. It promised a future where God would dwell among His people once more, and worship would be re-established in purity and holiness, surpassing even the glory of the former temple. The sacrificial system described, including burnt, sin, and trespass offerings, was deeply embedded in Israelite religious practice, rooted in the [Mosaic Law](/exodus/24 "Exodus 24 - The Covenant and Law").
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous details in [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Temple Vision Begins") through [Ezekiel 48](/ezekiel/48 "Ezekiel 48 - The New Jerusalem and River of Life") underscore several key themes. First, **Divine Order and Holiness** are paramount; every dimension, every furnishing, and every ritual function within the visionary temple speaks to God's demand for precise, holy, and unblemished worship. Second, the vision emphasizes **Restoration and God's Presence**; it provides a tangible blueprint for the return of God's glory to a purified Israel, reversing the departure described in earlier chapters like [Ezekiel 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - The Glory of God Departs"). Third, the continuity of the sacrificial system, as seen in verse 39, highlights the enduring **Need for Atonement and Reconciliation** with a holy God, even in a restored state. These offerings, familiar from [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering"), were essential for maintaining covenant relationship and addressing sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **porch (Hebrew, _ʼûwlâm'_):** This term refers to a vestibule or portico, an entry hall or an open space at the front of a building or gate. In the context of the temple vision, it signifies a specific, designated area within the gate complex, indicating that even transitional spaces were carefully designed for sacred functions. Its placement here emphasizes the meticulous planning of the entire sacred precinct.
* **tables (Hebrew, _shulchân'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to spread out," these are flat surfaces or platforms. The mention of "two tables on this side, and two tables on that side" within the porch highlights the symmetry and functional efficiency of the design. These tables were not for feasting but specifically for the practical and ritualistic preparation of animal sacrifices, underscoring the sacred and precise nature of the work performed there.
* **sin offering (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** This term denotes an offering made for an "offence" or "sin," and also refers to its "penalty," "sacrifice," or "expiation." It was a crucial component of the Israelite sacrificial system, designed to atone for unintentional sins and ritual impurities, thereby restoring the individual or community to a state of ritual purity and fellowship with God. Its inclusion here emphasizes the ongoing need for expiation in the restored community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in the porch of the gate [were] two tables on this side, and two tables on that side":** This clause precisely locates and quantifies the sacrificial tables. The "porch of the gate" (likely referring to one of the outer gates) serves as a functional area, not just an entrance. The symmetrical placement of "two tables on this side, and two tables on that side" indicates an orderly, efficient, and well-planned setup, reflecting the divine precision characteristic of the entire temple vision.
* **"to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering":** This clause specifies the explicit purpose of these tables. They were dedicated to the ritual slaughter of animals for three primary types of sacrifices: the **burnt offering** (a voluntary offering of complete devotion and atonement), the **sin offering** (for unintentional sins and purification), and the **trespass offering** (for specific offenses requiring restitution and atonement). This detail underscores the continued importance of the sacrificial system for maintaining purity and relationship with God in the envisioned future.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 40:39 primarily employs **Architectural Detail** and **Functional Specification**. The verse is part of a larger literary strategy of presenting a highly detailed blueprint, where every measurement, material, and placement has significance. This meticulous description emphasizes divine **Order** and **Precision**, suggesting that God's plan for restoration is comprehensive and exact. The enumeration of specific offerings (burnt, sin, trespass) also serves as **Allusion** to the foundational Mosaic sacrificial system, linking this future vision to the established covenant practices and reinforcing the continuity of the need for atonement. The sheer level of detail also creates a sense of **Verisimilitude**, making the visionary temple feel tangible and real, thereby strengthening its message of hope for the exiled people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 40:39, by detailing the tables for sacrifices, highlights the enduring theological truth that sin requires atonement and that access to God is predicated on purification. Even in a vision of future restoration, the need for a means to deal with sin remains central. The meticulous provision for burnt, sin, and trespass offerings underscores God's holiness and humanity's inherent need for reconciliation. This passage emphasizes that true worship is not haphazard but is conducted according to divine prescription, reflecting God's demand for order, purity, and intentionality in approaching Him. It points to a continuing covenant relationship where sin must be addressed for fellowship to be maintained.

* [Leviticus 1:3-4](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3-4 - The Burnt Offering")
* [Leviticus 4:2-3](/leviticus/4-2 "Leviticus 4:2-3 - The Sin Offering")
* [Leviticus 5:6-7](/leviticus/5-6 "Leviticus 5:6-7 - The Trespass Offering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's vision, with its precise details for sacrificial worship, serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering demand for holiness and the gravity of sin. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principles embedded in this verse remain profoundly relevant. It calls us to consider the intentionality and reverence with which we approach God in worship today. Our "sacrifices" are now spiritual: lives of obedience, heartfelt praise, and selfless service. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives for areas requiring "atonement" – not through animal blood, but through repentance and reliance on Christ's finished work. It compels us to live lives that reflect the seriousness of sin and the profound grace that has provided a complete solution.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Ezekiel's temple vision inform our understanding of God's character and His expectations for worship?**
* **In what ways can we, as New Covenant believers, offer "spiritual sacrifices" that reflect the same intentionality and reverence as the Old Testament sacrificial system?**
* **How does the continued need for "sin offerings" in this visionary temple highlight the pervasive nature of sin, even in a restored community?**

### FAQ
**Why are animal sacrifices still present in Ezekiel's vision when they were part of the Old Covenant?**

Answer: Ezekiel's temple vision, while highly detailed, is understood by scholars in various ways: as a literal blueprint for a future temple, a symbolic representation of God's restored presence, or an idealized theological statement. If literal, it would suggest a restoration of the sacrificial system in a future messianic age, perhaps as a memorial or a means of ritual purification that points back to Christ's ultimate sacrifice. If symbolic, it emphasizes the enduring principles of holiness, the need for atonement, and God's desire for ordered worship, even if the specific practices are fulfilled differently in the New Covenant. The vision primarily serves to assure the exiles of God's faithfulness and the future re-establishment of pure worship, highlighting the constant need for dealing with sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 40:39, with its focus on tables for slaying burnt, sin, and trespass offerings, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The elaborate sacrificial system of the Old Covenant, including the practices envisioned in Ezekiel's temple, served as a profound **foreshadowing** of the one true and sufficient sacrifice. Jesus, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the perfect **burnt offering**, offering His life in complete devotion and obedience to God ([Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5 "Hebrews 10:5-7 - Christ's Obedience")). He was also the ultimate **sin offering**, bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and impurity on the cross, thereby making propitiation for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Furthermore, His death served as the perfect **trespass offering**, making full restitution for our offenses against God and restoring our broken relationship ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness and Cancellation of Debt")). Through His single, unrepeatable sacrifice, Christ abolished the need for animal sacrifices, fulfilling their purpose once and for all ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption") and [Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - The Sufficiency of Christ's Sacrifice")). Thus, the tables in Ezekiel's vision, intended for the shedding of animal blood, ultimately point to the precious blood of Christ, which cleanses us from all sin and grants us direct access to God's presence ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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 1:17

And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, [but] shall not divide [it] asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that [is] upon the fire: it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Ezekiel 46:2

And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of [that] gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.

Leviticus 4:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD [concerning things] which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:

Leviticus 4:3

If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.

Isaiah 53:5

But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Leviticus 7:1

¶ Likewise this [is] the law of the trespass offering: it [is] most holy.