TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Ezekiel 40:39–49. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
In these verses we have an account,
I.Of the tables that were in the porch of the gates of the inner court.
We find no description of the altars of burnt-offerings in the midst of that court till Eze 43:13. But, because the one altar under the law was to be exchanged for a multitude of tables under the gospel, here is early notice taken of the tables, at our entrance into the inner court; for till we come to partake of the table of the Lord we are but professors at large; our admission to that is our entrance into the inner court. But in this gospel-temple we meet with no altar till after the glory of the Lord has taken possession of it, for Christ is our altar, that sanctifies every gift. Here were eight tables provided, whereon to slay the sacrifices, Eze 40:41. We read not of any tables for this purpose either in the tabernacle or in Solomon's temple. But here they are provided, to intimate the multitude of spiritual sacrifices that should be brought to God's house in gospel-times, and the multitude of hands that should be employed in offering up those sacrifices. Here were the shambles for the altar; here were the dressers on which they laid the flesh of the sacrifice, the knives with which they cut it up, and the hooks on which they hung it up, that it might be ready to be offered on the altar (Eze 40:43), and there also they washed the burnt-offerings (Eze 40:38), to intimate that before we draw near to God's altar we must have every thing in readiness, must wash our hands, our hearts, those spiritual sacrifices, and so compass God's altar.
II.The use that some of the chambers mentioned before were put to.
1.Some were for the singers, Eze 40:44. It should seem they were first provided for before any other that attended this temple-service, to intimate, not only that the singing of psalms should still continue a gospel-ordinance, but that the gospel should furnish all that embrace it with abundant matter for joy and praise, and give them occasion to break forth into singing, which is often foretold concerning gospel times, Psa 96:1; Psa 98:1. Christians should be singers. Blessed are those that dwell in God's house, they will be still praising him.
2.Others of them were for the priests, both those that kept the charge of the house, to cleanse it, and to see that none came into it to pollute it, and to keep it in good repair (Eze 40:45), and those that kept the charge of the altar (Eze 40:46), that came near to the Lord to minister to him. God will find convenient lodging for all his servants. Those that do the work of his house shall enjoy the comforts of it.
III.Of the inner court, the court of the priests, which was fifty yards square, Eze 40:47.
The altar that was before the house was placed in the midst of this court, over-against the three gates, and, standing in a direct line with the three gates of the outer court, when the gates were set open all the people in the outer court might through them be spectators of the service done at the altar. Christ is both our altar and our sacrifice, to whom we must look with an eye of faith in all our approaches to God, and he is salvation in the midst of the earth (Psa 74:12), to be looked unto from all quarters.
IV.Of the porch of the house.
The temple is called the house, emphatically, as if no other house were worthy to be called so. Before this house there was a porch, to teach us not to rush hastily and inconsiderately into the presence of God, but gradually, that is, gravely, and with solemnity, passing first through the outer court, then the inner, then the porch, ere we enter into the house. Between this porch and the altar was a place where the priests used to pray, Joe 2:17. In the porch, besides the posts on which the doors were hung, there were pillars, probably for state and ornament, like Jachin and Boaz - He will establish; in him is strength, Eze 40:49. In the gospel church every thing is strong and firm, and every thing ought to be kept in its place and to be done decently and in order.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
(Verse 35 and following) 'And he brought me to the gate that faced the north, and he measured it according to the higher measurements: its chamber, its facade, its vestibule, and its windows all around: it was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. Its vestibule faced the outer court, and its palm tree engravings on its facade on both sides, and its staircase with eight steps.' And at each treasury there shall be a door in the gates (or fronts) of the doors: there they shall wash the holocaust. And at the entrance of the gate, there shall be two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, upon which the holocaust shall be immolated, and for sin, and for trespass. And on the outer side, which goes to the gate that leads to the north, there shall be two tables, and on the other side, before the vestibule of the gate, there shall be two tables. Four tables on this side, and four tables on that side: by the sides of the gate, there were eight tables, upon which they shall immolate (or used to immolate): but there were four tables for holocaust made of square stones, of one cubit and a half long, and of one cubit and a half wide, and of one cubit high, upon which the vessels were laid in which the holocaust and the victims are immolated. And their lips were a cubit long, turned inward all around; but on the tables were the flesh of the offering.» There is much disagreement in this testimony between the Hebrew Truth and the edition of the Seventy Interpreters. For what we have said: There they shall wash the burnt offering, and in the vestibule of the gate there are two tables on this side, and again: That the burnt offering and the sin offering be offered on them, is not found in the Seventy, but it is added in many copies from Theodotion. Again, when we said: And their lips turned inward by one palm's measure all around, Seventy translated it, and having the measurement of a span all around. Whether this word is Hebrew or Greek, we cannot know, except only that for 'gisum,' Symmachus and Theodotion translated it as 'lips,' Aquila's first edition translated it as 'ἐπιστάσεις' in the plural number; the second translated it as 'lips': for which in Hebrew it is written as 'Asephathaim'(). And when we say, above the tables however the meats of the offering, the Seventy put from their own, and they put coverings on the tables from above, so that they may be protected from rain and dryness. But that which they have given in Hebrew names, Thee, and Elau, and Elalamoth, and Aelam, what it signifies, and we have shown above, and our translation can show from the context: it is not necessary to often remind the reader about this, and to doubt their prudence and effort. Therefore, he is brought again to the gate that looked towards the North: but not as before to the outer courtyard, but to the inner one. For in what follows it is said: Its vestibule looked towards the outer courtyard, showing that this courtyard was inside. Through this, the progress of the one entering is shown; for in each place there are specific names and measures, and windows all around filled with the light of knowledge, showing all things, and through fifty and twenty-five cubits are the sacraments of divine sense and remission placed, as positioned in the vestibule of the inner courtyard, that we may see the exterior: contemplating knowledge of past and present, through which we may come to double palms and victories, and understand the mysteries of the eight degrees, having entered the treasuries, in which the riches of the temple are contained, and our prayers are cleansed from all the filth of sin; and tables are placed on both sides, so that the burnt offering may be first offered.
The diligent shepherd follows the custom of his father, and Gesaque, the barker of Sydon, etc., all of which the sacred fire consumes, first for sin, and finally for ignorance: whether we commit them knowingly or unknowingly. On the outer side, next to the Seventy, there was a man-made stream that carried away the ashes of the burnt offering and the harmfulness of the flesh externally: either there were two tables, and on the other side of the vestibule of the same gate there were two tables, that is, four on each side, four here and four there, and behind, or on the side of these there were eight other tables, so that they make a total of sixteen tables: by this number the mysteries of the prophets are shown, so that whatever we offer through the Gospel dispensation, we may affirm as foretold by their prophecies. And there are four tables made of square stones, and these themselves are for sacrifice and burnt offering (also called holocausts). These are living stones that are rolled upon the earth, and they have with them a corner stone, by which the walls of the old and new Covenant are held together. Now the number four signifies the Gospel sacraments, having in length and width one and a half cubits, that is, a square, which, when joined together, make three cubits, which three cubits have one cubit in height, so that the mysteries of the Trinity may preserve the measure of one cubit, that is, the divine majesty, as the Lord tells the disciples: Go, baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). The name of God, as it were, is of one (or, one) cubit in height, which encompasses three properties, and always accepts the holocaust offerings of our oblations. Above these, however, are four tables of holocausts built with living stones, the length, width, and height of which have been described; vessels are placed in them in which the holocaust of the martyrs is offered, of whom it is said: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Ps. 116:15); and their victims, who, through self-control and the holiness of their bodies, offer their souls as a sacrifice to the Lord. I believe that the meaning of these tables is contained in the books of Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John, which are about the apostles. Above these tables there was a curved crown on the inside, encircling the edges, to contain the sacrificial offerings and prevent them from flowing freely. It also held the meat of the offering, or as the Septuagint translated: 'And the tables themselves were covered on top, because of the violence of the rain and the excessive dryness of the summer sun, so that the meat placed on top could say with the prophet: “By day the sun will not harm us nor the moon by night."' (Psalm 121:6). One of which, with excessive rains and storms, dissolves the offerings of tribulations; the other, with violent heat, dries up whatever has been offered. Forgive me, reader, for the difficulty of the places; or if you can find something better, teach us: we gladly learn what we do not know.
The gate that leads to the north.
The gate that leads to the north also has two tables on one side and two on the other—the same chief priests and elders of the people we mentioned who held greater authority in governance, as well as the scribes and Pharisees who presided over that unlearned people in a lesser position. But these tables are beside the gate that leads to the north, because when these four orders presided over the people, the Synagogue, raging in the persecution of our Redeemer, rushed headlong into the torpor of unbelief. Nevertheless, these tables had sacrifice, which they held according to the letter alone; hence they also slipped into the torpor of cold, because they were not kindled by the flame of the Spirit. But the interior tables have a holocaust, because whether in the hearts of the apostles and prophets, or in the minds of the evangelists and teachers, the fire of the Spirit both burned and burns. Because it consumes their every thought in good work, the flame of the love of God, like a holocaust, sets ablaze all at once whatever it finds. For they offer a holocaust who are kindled to the very marrow, whether in good work or in holy meditation.
And at the outer side, which goes up to the entrance of the gate that looks toward the north.
Nor does it seem foreign to reason that the prophet, when he was speaking of the outer side and naming the door of the gate, added: Which goes toward the North. For in the outer custody the law given in the letter was kept. But the door of the gate is the historical understanding itself of the law, which leads to the fear of the Lord. This gate is said to go toward the North, because the same law under the fear of death constrained the cold hearts of the Jewish people. For that people would have run as if through heat, if they had kept the Lord's commandments out of love. But because they kept the letter under the fear of proposed death, they remained as if in the torpor of cold. Hence to the new peoples loving eternal rewards, not fearing temporal torments, and already being warm, it is said: You have not received the spirit of servitude again in fear, but the spirit of adoption, in which we cry out, Abba, Father.
Continue studying Ezekiel 40:40 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Ezekiel 40:40 offers a meticulous architectural detail within the prophet's expansive vision of a future temple, precisely locating four tables at the north gate. These tables, described with exacting accuracy, were designated for the preparation of sacrificial animals, thereby underscoring the divine demand for order, purity, and intentionality in worship within this visionary structure. The verse contributes significantly to the broader theme of God's comprehensive blueprint for sacred space and the proper administration of His holy service, emphasizing the functional infrastructure necessary for sacred rituals.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is deeply embedded within a lengthy and extraordinarily detailed architectural vision of a new temple, which spans Ezekiel chapters 40-48. The vision commences with Ezekiel being supernaturally transported to a very high mountain, where he encounters a divine guide who meticulously measures every facet of the temple complex. Ezekiel 40 specifically delineates the outer court, its gates, and various chambers, establishing the foundational blueprint for the entire complex. Immediately preceding Ezekiel 40:40, verses such as Ezekiel 40:38-39 explicitly mention chambers and tables designated for the washing and slaughtering of burnt offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings. Directly following, Ezekiel 40:41 confirms the total of eight tables for these purposes, further emphasizing the functional and comprehensive nature of these furnishings within the envisioned sacrificial system. The surrounding narrative is entirely devoted to the precise dimensions and operational components of the temple, highlighting a divinely ordained blueprint for worship.
Historical & Cultural Context
The profound vision of the temple was granted to Ezekiel during the harrowing period of the Babylonian exile, a time of profound despair and spiritual dislocation for the Jewish people, who had witnessed the destruction of Solomon's Temple in 586 BC, the loss of their land, and the dissolution of their monarchy. In this context of national trauma and theological crisis, the meticulously detailed vision served as an extraordinarily potent message of hope, restoration, and the enduring, faithful presence of God among His people. It provided a divine blueprint for a future, ideal temple, underscoring the exacting requirements for proper worship and the ultimate re-establishment of God's dwelling place. The sacrificial system, an indispensable core of Old Testament worship, necessitated specific tables for the slaughtering, flaying, and preparation of animals for offerings. This practice was deeply ingrained in Israelite religious life as the primary means of atonement, communion, and thanksgiving, as comprehensively outlined in books like Leviticus. The precise placement of these tables in Ezekiel's vision vividly illustrates the practical and sacred infrastructure essential for conducting these holy rituals in an orderly and reverent manner.
Key Themes
The meticulous detail pervading Ezekiel 40 and subsequent chapters profoundly underscores several foundational theological themes. Firstly, Divine Order and Precision is paramount; every measurement, every placement, and every function within the temple is divinely ordained, powerfully reflecting God's intrinsic nature as a God of perfect order, not chaos. This precision extends to the exact placement of the tables for sacrifice, indicating that worship is never haphazard but requires careful adherence to divine instruction. Secondly, the vision emphatically emphasizes Holiness and Purity, as the temple is the sacred dwelling place of God, and everything within its confines, including the means of preparing sacrifices, must facilitate a holy and unblemished encounter. The tables serve as practical instruments for maintaining a clean and orderly environment for sacred offerings. Thirdly, there is a powerful theme of Restoration and Hope for the exiled people; the vision of a new, perfect temple offered a tangible and profound promise of God's future dwelling among them and the re-establishment of proper, undefiled worship. Finally, the practical nature and precise placement of these tables highlight the crucial theme of Preparation for Worship, emphasizing that approaching God requires intentionality, diligent effort, and adherence to established divine procedures—a timeless principle that transcends the literal sacrificial system and applies universally to all forms of devotion and spiritual engagement.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This word literally means "shoulder," but figuratively refers to a "side-piece or lateral projection of anything." In the context of Ezekiel 40:40, it denotes a specific location or extension of the architectural structure, indicating a precise and designated area for the tables. The repetition of "side" emphasizes distinct, yet functionally related, locations within the gate complex, highlighting the meticulous spatial planning.
This term refers to a "vestibule" or "porch," specifically an entrance hall or an area that is "bound to the building." Its use here specifies that the tables were not merely "at the gate" but were situated within the covered, transitional space leading into or through the gate. This highlights a functional area within the temple's entry system, suggesting a protected or designated zone for specific aspects of the sacrificial preparation.
This word typically means "a table (as spread out)" and can imply a meal. However, in the specific context of the temple and sacrificial system, as unequivocally clarified by Ezekiel 40:39, these were not dining tables but rather sturdy, functional surfaces designed for the rigorous and specific task of slaughtering, flaying, and preparing animal sacrifices. This implies a robust, practical piece of furniture essential for the temple's complex and demanding operations.
Verse Breakdown
"And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, [were] two tables"
This clause precisely locates the first set of two tables. They are positioned "at the side without," indicating an external or outer lateral area relative to the main structure, specifically where one ascends towards the entrance of the north gate. The phrase "as one goeth up" suggests an approach, ramp, or elevated pathway leading to the gate, further specifying the exact elevation and path of access where these tables were situated. This meticulous detail underscores the comprehensive planning of the temple's functionality, ensuring convenient and orderly access for sacrificial preparations.
"and on the other side, which [was] at the porch of the gate, [were] two tables."
This second clause describes the placement of another pair of tables. These are located "on the other side"—distinct from the first set but still within the immediate vicinity of the north gate. The crucial detail is "at the porch of the gate," which refers to the vestibule or entrance hall of the gate structure. This indicates that these tables were positioned in a more enclosed or covered area, perhaps for different stages of the sacrificial preparation or to accommodate a larger volume of offerings, further demonstrating the comprehensive, efficient, and functional design of the visionary temple.
Literary Devices
Ezekiel 40:40, like the vast majority of Ezekiel's temple vision, is profoundly characterized by Architectural Detail. This device is employed to convey the divine origin and perfect order of the temple, leaving no room for human improvisation or error. The meticulous description of the tables' placement—"at the side without," "as one goeth up to the entry," "at the porch of the gate"—demonstrates an almost blueprint-like exactitude, emphasizing God's meticulousness and precision in all matters pertaining to worship and sacred space. Furthermore, the Repetition of "two tables" underscores the functional symmetry and ample provision within the temple's design for the demanding sacrificial system. This repetition not only reinforces the specific number of tables but also highlights the organized, systematic, and abundant approach to worship that the vision prescribes, where every essential element is duplicated to ensure efficiency, order, and capacity for the required rituals.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Ezekiel 40:40, with its precise description of tables for sacrifice, deeply connects to the broader biblical themes of divine order, the necessity of proper worship, and the preparation required to approach a holy God. The meticulous architectural details throughout Ezekiel's vision emphasize that God is a God of perfect order, who demands that His worship be conducted with intentionality, reverence, and strict adherence to His prescribed ways. These tables, though functional, symbolize the serious and profoundly sacred nature of atonement and communion with God. They point to the elaborate system God established to enable sinful humanity to draw near to His holiness, underscoring the gravity of sin and the immense cost of reconciliation. The vision serves as a powerful reminder that true worship is never casual or haphazard but requires careful preparation, a deep understanding of God's standards, and a reverent posture before His majesty.
Reflection and Application
While the literal sacrificial system of the Old Testament has been definitively fulfilled and superseded by the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the profound principles embedded in Ezekiel 40:40 remain profoundly relevant and transformative for believers today. The meticulous detail concerning the tables for sacrifice underscores God's unwavering demand for order, intentionality, and reverence in our approach to Him. It challenges us to critically consider the quality and sincerity of our "spiritual sacrifices"—our praise, our dedicated service, our heartfelt devotion, and the very fabric of our daily living. Just as the ancient Israelites had designated places and precise procedures for preparing their offerings, we are called to approach God with a prepared heart, a thoughtful and discerning mind, and a life ordered by His divine Word. This necessitates cultivating disciplines of prayer, diligent Bible study, and corporate worship with seriousness and profound purpose, recognizing that we are engaging with the holy God of the universe. Our worship, whether expressed in private devotion or corporate gathering, should reflect the divine standard of excellence, not out of legalism, but out of a deep and abiding love and respect for the One who is supremely worthy of all our devotion and adoration.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the purpose of these tables in Ezekiel's vision?
In Ezekiel's temple vision, the tables described in Ezekiel 40:40 and the surrounding verses were specifically for the meticulous preparation of sacrificial animals. As Ezekiel 40:39 clarifies, these were "tables whereupon they slew the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering." They served as sturdy, functional surfaces for the slaughtering, flaying, and dressing of the animals before they were offered on the altar. Their precise and numerous placement indicates a highly organized and efficient system designed to handle the multitude of sacrifices required for the temple's elaborate worship rituals.
Does this vision describe a literal temple to be built in the future?
The interpretation of Ezekiel's temple vision varies significantly among biblical scholars. Some believe it describes a literal, physical temple that will be rebuilt in Jerusalem during a future millennial kingdom, pointing to the extreme architectural detail as compelling evidence for its physical reality and future construction. Others view it as a symbolic depiction of God's ideal dwelling among His people, representing the perfection of worship and the tangible presence of God in a new covenant age, or even a spiritual reality fulfilled in the church as the new temple. Regardless of whether one holds a literal or symbolic interpretation, the vision undeniably conveys profound truths about God's holiness, His desire for orderly and pure worship, and His ultimate plan for restoration and intimate fellowship with humanity. The meticulousness of the description certainly points to a divine blueprint, whether physical or spiritual in its ultimate fulfillment.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Ezekiel 40:40, with its profound focus on tables for animal sacrifice within a divinely ordered temple, finds its ultimate, climactic, and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The entire Old Testament sacrificial system, meticulously detailed and requiring specific preparation on tables like those envisioned by Ezekiel, served as a profound shadow, pointing inexorably to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. The tables in Ezekiel's vision represent the necessary infrastructure for dealing with sin through the shedding of blood, a foundational principle established from Leviticus 17:11. Christ's own body became the ultimate "table" of sacrifice, upon which He offered Himself without blemish to God. His death on the cross, as powerfully described in Hebrews 9:11-14, achieved what the multitude of animal sacrifices could never fully accomplish: the complete and eternal atonement for sin and the perfect cleansing of the conscience. The meticulous order and divine precision of the visionary temple, including these functional tables, perfectly foreshadows the divine perfection and intentionality of Christ's redemptive work, which was not haphazard but precisely according to God's eternal and sovereign plan. Through His perfect sacrifice, believers are now able to draw near to God with full confidence and assurance, not through the blood of bulls and goats prepared on ceremonial tables, but through the precious blood of Christ, who has opened a new and living way directly into the very presence of God. Thus, the functional tables of Ezekiel's temple vision ultimately direct our gaze to the cross, where the ultimate and final preparation for our reconciliation with God was gloriously completed.