Ezekiel 41:22

KJV

The altar of wood [was] three cubits high, and the length thereof two cubits; and the corners thereof, and the length thereof, and the walls thereof, [were] of wood: and he said unto me, This [is] the table that [is] before the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

The altar {H4196} of wood {H6086} was three {H7969} cubits {H520} high {H1364}, and the length {H753} thereof two {H8147} cubits {H520}; and the corners {H4740} thereof, and the length {H753} thereof, and the walls {H7023} thereof, were of wood {H6086}: and he said {H1696} unto me, This is the table {H7979} that is before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The altar was of wood, five-and-a-quarter feet high and three-and-a-half feet long; its length and walls were also of wood. He said to me, "This is the table which is in the presence of ADONAI."

Berean Standard Bible

There was an altar of wood three cubits high and two cubits square. Its corners, base, and sides were of wood. And the man told me, “This is the table that is before the LORD.”

American Standard Version

The altar was of wood, three cubits high, and the length thereof two cubits; and the corners thereof, and the length thereof, and the walls thereof, were of wood: and he said unto me, This is the table that is before Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 41:22 describes a pivotal object within the inner sanctuary of the visionary temple, initially identified as an "altar of wood" but immediately clarified by the angelic guide as "the table that is before the LORD." This verse, embedded in Ezekiel's extensive temple vision, highlights a profound theological reorientation from sacrifice to intimate communion and divine provision, underscoring God's desire for unhindered fellowship with His people. The meticulous description of its dimensions and wooden construction further contributes to the rich symbolism of this sacred furniture.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 41:22 is intricately woven into the highly detailed and architecturally precise temple vision that spans [Ezekiel 40-48](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Temple Vision Begins"). Following the comprehensive measurements of the temple's outer and inner courts, the prophet is guided into the interior of the sanctuary itself. Chapter 41 specifically delineates the dimensions and features of the temple building, including the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. This particular verse describes a central fixture within the inner sanctuary, likely the Holy Place, immediately before the description of the Most Holy Place and the glorious return of God's presence in [Ezekiel 43](/ezekiel/43 "Ezekiel 43 - The Glory of the Lord Returns"). The meticulous detail throughout these chapters underscores the divine origin and authoritative nature of the vision, emphasizing God's precise design for His dwelling place and the perfect order He desires for worship in a restored covenant community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The profound vision of the temple was granted to Ezekiel during the traumatic period of the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC). For the exiled Judeans, the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and their forced displacement from their homeland represented a catastrophic blow to their national identity and spiritual life. In this context of profound despair, the detailed blueprint of a new, glorious temple served as an extraordinary beacon of hope and reassurance. It was a divine promise of a future restoration of God's presence among His people, a re-establishment of proper worship, and the ultimate renewal of the covenant. Culturally, the temple was the very epicenter of Israelite identity, communal life, and worship; its destruction was not merely a physical loss but a theological crisis. This vision, therefore, was far more than an architectural plan; it was a deeply theological message addressing the core anxieties of a displaced people, reaffirming God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even amidst judgment and exile.
* **Key Themes:** The description of the "altar of wood" identified as "the table that is before the LORD" contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Ezekiel's prophecy. First, it powerfully speaks to the theme of **Divine Presence and Immanence**, as the table's explicit position "before the LORD" signifies a place of intimate encounter and God's dwelling among His people. Second, the striking re-identification of an "altar" as a "table" introduces the profound theme of **Communion and Provision**, suggesting a future shift from solely sacrificial atonement to a primary emphasis on fellowship and divine sustenance. This foreshadows a deeper, more personal, and unhindered relationship with God. Third, the meticulous architectural details presented throughout [Ezekiel 40-48](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40-48 - The Temple Vision") collectively emphasize **Holiness and Order**, reflecting God's perfect and precise design for a renewed covenant community that lives in His presence. Finally, the entire temple vision, culminating in the life-giving river flowing from the temple in [Ezekiel 47](/ezekiel/47 "Ezekiel 47 - The River from the Temple"), embodies the overarching theme of **Future Hope and Restoration**, offering a tangible promise of God's faithfulness and the eventual re-establishment of His dwelling place among a purified and reconciled Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Altar (Hebrew, _mizbêach'_):** From the root meaning "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice," this noun typically designates a raised structure upon which sacrifices were offered to God. Its initial use in Ezekiel 41:22 immediately evokes the traditional sacrificial system of the Old Covenant, setting up an expectation of a place for atonement. However, this expectation is deliberately recontextualized by the subsequent identification as a "table," highlighting a profound theological re-interpretation or dual symbolism unique to this visionary temple.
* **Table (Hebrew, _shulchân'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to send" or "to spread out," this word refers to a flat surface, commonly used for eating, presenting food, or conducting business. In the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple, the "Table of Showbread" (or "Table of Presence Bread") was a prominent feature, symbolizing God's continuous provision and His desire for communion with His people. Its explicit designation here, overriding the initial "altar" label, powerfully emphasizes themes of fellowship, sustenance, and intimate divine presence over the singular focus on ritual sacrifice.
* **Before (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** This word, literally meaning "face" or "presence," when used with a preposition (as here, "before the LORD"), denotes being in the direct sight, presence, or immediate vicinity of someone. It signifies accessibility, intimacy, and a direct, unmediated relationship. The table's position "before the LORD" underscores its profound sacredness and its function as a focal point for direct communion with God Himself, rather than merely an object within a sacred space.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The altar of wood was three cubits high, and the length thereof two cubits;"**: This opening clause introduces the object with its initial designation as an "altar" and provides its precise dimensions. The material, "wood," is explicitly stated, and its height (three cubits, approximately 4.5 feet or 1.35 meters) and length (two cubits, approximately 3 feet or 0.9 meters) are given, suggesting a substantial but not overwhelming structure. The immediate use of "altar" brings to mind the sacrificial rites of the Old Covenant, creating an intentional tension with the subsequent clarification.
* **"and the corners thereof, and the length thereof, and the walls thereof, were of wood:"**: This segment reiterates and expands upon the material composition, emphasizing that the entire structure—including its corners, overall length, and vertical sides (or "walls")—was constructed entirely of wood. This detail is noteworthy because the Table of Showbread in the Tabernacle was overlaid with pure gold ([Exodus 25:24](/exodus/25-24 "Exodus 25:24 - Gold Overlay of the Table of Showbread")), making the unadorned wooden construction of Ezekiel's visionary table a distinct and potentially symbolic feature, perhaps signifying simplicity, humility, or a different covenantal reality.
* **"and he said unto me,"**: This transitional phrase identifies the speaker as the angelic guide who has been leading Ezekiel through the intricate temple vision since [Ezekiel 40:3](/ezekiel/40-3 "Ezekiel 40:3 - The Man with a Measuring Rod"). It serves to draw the prophet's, and thus the reader's, attention to an authoritative interpretation or crucial clarification of the object Ezekiel is observing, highlighting the divine significance of the statement that follows.
* **"This is the table that is before the LORD."**: This is the pivotal and climactic declaration of the verse. The angelic guide explicitly redefines the object, clarifying that despite its altar-like appearance or initial designation, its true identity and primary function are those of a "table." The phrase "before the LORD" powerfully conveys its sacred position in the immediate and direct presence of God, signifying a place of divine communion, abundant provision, and intimate fellowship, rather than solely a site for blood sacrifice.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 41:22 skillfully employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Juxtaposition**, where the object is first identified as an "altar" and immediately thereafter as a "table." This creates a deliberate tension and then resolves it, compelling the reader to consider the profound theological shift being communicated. It forces a re-evaluation of traditional temple functions and expectations. Closely related is **Symbolism**, as the "table" itself profoundly symbolizes divine provision, intimate communion, and unhindered fellowship, echoing the Table of Showbread in earlier temple traditions but with a new, heightened emphasis. The explicit wooden construction, in stark contrast to the gold-overlaid furniture of the Tabernacle, also carries **Symbolic** weight, potentially suggesting humility, simplicity, or a different covenantal reality that transcends the need for external adornment. Finally, the entire passage is an integral part of a **Prophetic Vision**, a common literary device in prophetic literature, where detailed and often enigmatic imagery is employed to convey future realities or profound spiritual truths in a tangible, yet sometimes mysterious, manner.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 41:22 offers a profound theological insight into the ultimate nature of God's desire for His people. The striking re-identification of an "altar" as a "table" signifies a monumental shift from a primary emphasis on atonement through sacrifice to a focus on intimate communion and divine provision. While the sacrificial system was divinely ordained and absolutely essential under the Old Covenant for dealing with sin and enabling a sinful humanity to approach a holy God, this visionary table suggests a future reality where direct fellowship and sustenance with God are paramount. It implies that the means of reconciliation will be so utterly complete that the primary mode of interaction will be one of shared life and nourishing communion in God's very presence. This vision anticipates a time of unhindered access and a deeper, more personal relationship, where the focus moves from what humanity offers to God (sacrifice) to what God abundantly offers to His people (provision and fellowship).

* [Exodus 25:23-30](/exodus/25-23-30 "Exodus 25:23-30 - Instructions for the Table of Showbread")
* [Luke 22:19-20](/luke/22-19-20 "Luke 22:19-20 - The Institution of the Lord's Supper")
* [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 41:22 serves as a powerful and transformative reminder that God's ultimate desire is not merely for ritualistic adherence, religious duty, or a transactional relationship based on appeasement, but for deep, personal, and intimate communion with His people. The profound transformation of an "altar" into a "table before the LORD" beckons us to critically examine our own approach to God. Do we primarily perceive our relationship with Him as one of obligation, duty, or appeasement, constantly striving to earn His favor? Or do we joyfully embrace the profound invitation to sit at His table, to receive His abundant provision, and to revel in His unhindered presence? This verse encourages us to transcend a performance-based faith and move towards one rooted in intimate fellowship, recognizing that in Christ, the ultimate and perfect sacrifice has been made, opening the way for us to feast at God's table. It calls us to seek spiritual nourishment from Him daily, to fully embrace His sustaining grace, and to delight in the unparalleled privilege of being "before the LORD." Our worship, then, becomes less about what we are compelled to give and more about what we are freely given—His life, His presence, His love, and His sustenance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the striking shift from "altar" to "table" challenge or affirm your current understanding of your relationship with God?**
* **In what tangible ways do you currently experience God's provision and intimate communion in your daily life?**
* **What does it practically mean for you to "sit at the table that is before the LORD" in your personal walk of faith?**
* **Beyond mere religious duty, how can you intentionally cultivate a deeper sense of God's presence and spiritual nourishment in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why is the structure first called an "altar" and then "the table"?**

Answer: The initial designation as an "altar" (Hebrew: _mizbêach_) likely refers to its appearance, dimensions, or general sacred function within the visionary temple's inner sanctuary, as altars were central to Israelite worship and sacrifice. However, the immediate and authoritative clarification by the angelic guide—"This is the table" (Hebrew: _shulchân_)—is profoundly significant. This re-identification signals a crucial theological emphasis. It deliberately shifts the focus from a place of blood sacrifice (which altars typically facilitated for atonement) to a place of communion, fellowship, and divine provision. This visionary temple, unlike the Tabernacle or Solomon's Temple, emphasizes a future reality where the primary mode of interaction with God is not through repeated atonement rituals but through shared sustenance and unhindered presence, powerfully anticipating the New Covenant.

**Does this vision describe a literal future temple?**

Answer: The interpretation of Ezekiel's intricate temple vision (chapters [Ezekiel 40-48](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40-48 - The Temple Vision")) is a subject of ongoing and diverse theological debate among scholars. Some interpret it as a precise blueprint for a literal, physical temple to be constructed in Jerusalem during a future millennial reign of Christ. Others view it as primarily a symbolic representation of spiritual realities, such as the New Testament church as God's dwelling place, the heavenly temple, or the perfect worship that will characterize the new heavens and new earth. A third perspective suggests it was a conditional prophecy that was never fully realized due to Israel's unfaithfulness, but whose enduring spiritual principles remain eternally valid. Regardless of the exact mode of fulfillment, the profound spiritual truths conveyed—God's desire for His presence among His people, His holiness, and His intimate communion—are universally applicable and deeply enriching for believers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 41:22, with its striking re-identification of an "altar" as "the table that is before the LORD," finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In the Old Covenant, the altar was the designated place where sacrifices were made for the atonement of sins, providing a temporary and foreshadowing means for humanity to approach a holy God. However, Christ Himself became the ultimate, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering His own body on the cross ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). His completed work on Calvary definitively eliminated the need for repeated animal sacrifices, thereby fundamentally transforming the primary mode of interaction with God. The "table before the LORD" in Ezekiel's vision thus powerfully prefigures the new covenant reality where, through Christ's perfect sacrifice, believers are invited not to an altar of death and judgment, but to a table of life, communion, and fellowship. Jesus declared Himself to be the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), offering true spiritual sustenance and eternal life to all who believe in Him. The Lord's Supper, where believers partake of bread and wine in sacred remembrance of His body broken and blood shed, stands as the quintessential "table before the LORD" in the New Testament, signifying our ongoing fellowship with Christ and with one another in His abiding presence ([1 Corinthians 10:16-17](/1_corinthians/10-16-17 "1 Corinthians 10:16-17 - The Cup of Blessing and the Bread")). Through Christ, we have not only complete atonement but also intimate, unhindered access to God's very presence, where we are nourished by Him and commune with Him, fulfilling the deepest longings and spiritual realities foreshadowed in Ezekiel's visionary table.

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

Malachi 1:7

Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] contemptible.

Malachi 1:12

But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] polluted; and the fruit thereof, [even] his meat, [is] contemptible.

Ezekiel 23:41

And satest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oil.

Ezekiel 44:16

They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge.

Revelation 8:3

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

Exodus 30:1

¶ And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: [of] shittim wood shalt thou make it.

Exodus 30:3

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.