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.
And the four {H702} tables {H7979} were of hewn {H1496} stone {H68} for the burnt offering {H5930}, of a cubit {H520} and an half {H2677} long {H753}, and a cubit {H520} and an half {H2677} broad {H7341}, and one {H259} cubit {H520} high {H1363}: whereupon also they laid {H3240} the instruments {H3627} wherewith they slew {H7819} the burnt offering {H5930} and the sacrifice {H2077}.
There were four tables of cut stone for the burnt offering, thirty-one-and-a-half inches square and twenty-one inches high, on which to lay the instruments for slaughtering the burnt offerings and other sacrifices.
There were also four tables of dressed stone for the burnt offering, each a cubit and a half long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit high. On these were placed the utensils used to slaughter the burnt offerings and the other sacrifices.
And there were four tables for the burnt-offering, of hewn stone, a cubit and a half long, and a cubit and a half broad, and one cubit high; whereupon they laid the instruments wherewith they slew the burnt-offering and the sacrifice.
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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. -
Exodus 20:25
And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
Ezekiel 40:42 describes a specific detail within the prophet Ezekiel's grand vision of the new temple, emphasizing the practical and precise elements required for worship. These four tables of hewn stone were designated for the preparation of sacrificial animals, highlighting the meticulous order and sacredness of the temple service.
Context
This verse is found in Ezekiel's extensive vision of a new temple (chapters 40-48), given to him while in Babylonian exile. Following detailed descriptions of the temple's outer and inner courts, gates, and chambers, Ezekiel 40:42 focuses on the equipment within the temple precincts. This vision served as a message of hope and restoration for the exiled Israelites, promising a future where God's presence would dwell among them in a purified and meticulously ordered sanctuary. The inclusion of specific dimensions and materials underscores the divine blueprint for this future spiritual center, which was to be a place of perfect worship and God's glory returning to His dwelling.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The term "hewn stone" in Hebrew is gazit (גָזִית), which refers to stones that have been carefully cut and dressed, not rough or unfinished. This emphasizes the quality and intentionality of the construction, reflecting the divine standard for the temple. The "burnt offering" (Hebrew: 'olah, עֹלָה) signifies an offering that was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing total devotion and consecration to God. The general "sacrifice" (Hebrew: zevach, זֶבַח) could refer to various types of offerings, often involving a portion given to God and a portion shared by the worshippers, representing fellowship and communion.
Practical Application
While the physical temple and its animal sacrifices are no longer necessary due to Christ's perfect and ultimate sacrifice on the cross, the principles embedded in Ezekiel's vision remain highly relevant. The meticulous design of these tables reminds us: