Ezekiel 43:13

KJV

¶ And these [are] the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit [is] a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom [shall be] a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about [shall be] a span: and this [shall be] the higher place of the altar.

KJV (with Strong's)

And these are the measures {H4060} of the altar {H4196} after the cubits {H520}: The cubit {H520} is a cubit {H520} and an hand breadth {H2948}; even the bottom {H2436} shall be a cubit {H520}, and the breadth {H7341} a cubit {H520}, and the border {H1366} thereof by the edge {H8193} thereof round about {H5439} shall be a {H259} span {H2239}: and this shall be the higher place {H1354} of the altar {H4196}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These are the measurements of the altar in cubits (a cubit here is defined as a normal cubit [eighteen inches] plus a handbreadth [three inches]): the base, one cubit [twenty-one inches] deep and one cubit wide; with the molding surrounding it at its rim about a hand-span [nine inches] in width. The height of the altar is thus:

Berean Standard Bible

These are the measurements of the altar in long cubits (a cubit and a handbreadth): Its gutter shall be a cubit deep and a cubit wide, with a rim of one span around its edge. And this is the height of the altar:

American Standard Version

And these are the measures of the altar by cubits (the cubit is a cubit and a handbreadth): the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about a span; and this shall be the base of the altar.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 43:13 provides a meticulous description of the altar's dimensions within the visionary temple, specifying a unique "cubit and an hand breadth" as the standard measure. This detailed architectural blueprint underscores the divine precision required for worship and the profound sanctity of the place of atonement. It serves as a foundational element in God's design for a restored sanctuary, signaling His intent to dwell in holiness among His people once more.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 43:13 is intricately woven into the expansive temple vision found in [Ezekiel 40-48](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40-48 - The Temple Vision"). This vision provides a profound counterpoint to the earlier accounts of God's glory departing the first temple in [Ezekiel 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - The Departure of God's Glory") and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem. Chapter 43 specifically marks a pivotal moment: the majestic return of the Lord's glory to this new, idealized sanctuary, filling it with His presence ([Ezekiel 43:1-5](/ezekiel/43-1-5 "Ezekiel 43:1-5 - The Return of God's Glory")). Following God's declaration that this purified temple will be His perpetual dwelling, contingent upon Israel's repentance ([Ezekiel 43:6-12](/ezekiel/43-6-12 "Ezekiel 43:6-12 - God's Dwelling and Israel's Repentance")), the detailed measurements of the altar immediately follow. This sequence emphasizes the altar's paramount importance as the central apparatus for worship and atonement, essential for facilitating a holy relationship between God and His people in this renewed era.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel received this elaborate vision during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC), a period of profound national despair and spiritual crisis for the Israelites. The destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple, which had served as the physical and spiritual epicenter of their identity, led to deep questions about God's faithfulness and presence. In this context of displacement and loss, the visionary temple, with its precise dimensions and divine instructions, offered a powerful message of hope and future restoration. It served as a divine assurance that God had not abandoned His covenant people and that a time of renewed, pure worship in His presence was indeed coming. The specific measurement, "a cubit and an hand breadth," refers to a "long cubit" or "royal cubit," which was a common ancient Near Eastern practice for significant or sacred constructions. This larger cubit, also mentioned in [Ezekiel 40:5](/ezekiel/40-5 "Ezekiel 40:5 - The Measurement of the Temple Wall") for the temple wall, distinguished sacred structures from ordinary ones, emphasizing their elevated status and divine authority.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous description of the altar in Ezekiel 43:13 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel's prophecy and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Precision and Order**. God's meticulous attention to every dimension of the altar underscores His perfect, holy design and the non-negotiable standards for approaching Him. This divine blueprint demonstrates that worship is not arbitrary but must align with God's exact specifications. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Holiness of Worship and Atonement**. The altar, as the site of sacrifice, was the primary point of interaction between a holy God and sinful humanity. Its precise construction ensures that all approaches to God meet His exact standards for sacred space and pure worship, reflecting the divine demand for holiness seen throughout the Law, such as in [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy"). Thirdly, the entire temple vision, including these detailed measurements, serves as a profound message of **Future Hope and Restoration**. For a people in exile, this tangible blueprint offered a concrete promise of a future where God's presence would return to a purified Israel, enabling a renewed covenant relationship and worship, echoing the promises of national restoration found in passages like [Ezekiel 36:24-28](/ezekiel/36-24-28 "Ezekiel 36:24-28 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **measures (Hebrew, _middâh'_):** This term (H4060) refers to extension, height, or breadth, and also to a standard of measurement. In Ezekiel 43:13, it emphasizes the exact, divinely prescribed dimensions of the altar, highlighting God's meticulousness and the non-negotiable nature of His requirements for sacred objects and spaces. It conveys the idea of a precisely defined standard, not merely an approximation, reflecting divine authority.
* **altar (Hebrew, _mizbêach'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to sacrifice" (H4196), the altar is the central piece of furniture for worship in the temple, where sacrifices were offered to God. Its prominent and detailed description in Ezekiel's vision underscores its critical role in atonement and communion with God. The altar represents the divinely appointed means by which sinful humanity could approach a holy God, making its specifications paramount to ensure proper reconciliation.
* **higher place (Hebrew, _gab'_):** This word (H1354) can refer to the back, top, or rim, an eminent or higher place. In the context of the altar, it denotes the elevated or uppermost part, specifically the hearth where the sacrifices were consumed by fire. This "higher place" is the most sacred part of the altar, the point of direct interaction with the divine in the sacrificial ritual, emphasizing the culmination and acceptance of the offering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And these [are] the measures of the altar after the cubits:":** This opening clause immediately establishes the subject of the verse: the precise dimensions of the altar. The phrase "after the cubits" indicates that the measurements will be given in terms of a standard unit of length, though the following clause clarifies that a specific, non-standard cubit is intended. This sets the stage for a highly technical and detailed description, emphasizing divine authority and exactitude in the construction of sacred objects.
* **"The cubit [is] a cubit and an hand breadth;":** This is a crucial clarification, defining the specific cubit being used for all measurements within this visionary temple. A standard cubit was typically around 18 inches (approximately 45 cm), but the addition of a "hand breadth" (approximately 3 inches or 7.5 cm) indicates a longer, "royal" or "sacred" cubit of roughly 21 inches (approximately 52.5 cm). This unique measurement signifies the extraordinary and sacred nature of the visionary temple, distinguishing it from ordinary human constructions and underscoring its divine origin and purpose.
* **"even the bottom [shall be] a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about [shall be] a span:":** This clause begins to describe the base structure of the altar. The "bottom" (or foundation/base) is specified as being a cubit high, and its "breadth" (or width) is also a cubit, establishing a square base. The "border thereof by the edge thereof round about" refers to a protective or decorative rim around the base, which is specified as a "span" (half a cubit, or about 10.5 inches/26 cm). This level of detail highlights the meticulous design and the importance of every component in the altar's construction, ensuring its stability, purity, and adherence to divine standards.
* **"and this [shall be] the higher place of the altar.":** This concluding phrase likely refers to the overall elevation and sacred prominence of the altar's base as described. It designates this foundational structure as the beginning of the "higher place" or the elevated platform upon which the sacrificial rituals would take place. It reinforces the altar's status as the most sacred and elevated point of worship within the temple complex, where the divine and human realms would meet through sacrifice.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 43:13 primarily employs **Precision** and **Symbolism**. The extreme **Precision** in detailing the altar's measurements, down to the cubit, handbreadth, and span, is a hallmark of Ezekiel's entire temple vision. This meticulous enumeration is not merely architectural instruction but a powerful literary device emphasizing the divine origin, perfect nature, and sacredness of the sanctuary. It conveys God's absolute authority and His demand for exact adherence to His will in matters of worship. This level of detail also serves a profound **Symbolic** purpose: the physical exactitude of the altar points to the spiritual exactitude and perfection required in approaching a holy God. The altar itself is a central **Symbol** of atonement and reconciliation, and its precise dimensions underscore the perfect and complete nature of the sacrifice that would be offered upon it, pointing forward to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice. The visionary nature of the temple itself, seen while the Israelites were in exile, also functions as a **Prophetic Symbol**, offering tangible hope and a blueprint for a future reality of God's renewed presence among His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 43:13, with its precise measurements for the altar, profoundly connects to the broader biblical themes of divine holiness, the necessity of atonement, and God's desire for a pure dwelling place among His people. The meticulous detail signifies that worship is not a casual endeavor but one that must adhere to God's exact standards, reflecting His perfect nature. This altar, the focal point of sacrifice, points to the foundational truth that access to God is only possible through a divinely appointed means of cleansing and reconciliation. It foreshadows the ultimate, perfect sacrifice that would fully satisfy God's holy requirements and provide complete access to His presence. The vision of a new temple and a meticulously designed altar offered hope for a future restoration of pure worship, culminating in the New Covenant's spiritual reality where God's presence indwells believers.

* [Exodus 27:1-8](/exodus/27-1-8 "Exodus 27:1-8 - Instructions for the Altar of Burnt Offering")
* [Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice for All Time")
* [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling Place Among Humanity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed blueprint of the altar in Ezekiel's vision, far from being an archaic architectural note, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is a God of order, precision, and holiness, and He expects reverence and intentionality in our approach to Him. Just as the physical altar needed to meet divine specifications for sacrifice, our spiritual worship and lives should be offered in "spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), reflecting the holiness of God and the perfection of Christ's sacrifice. This passage encourages us to consider the seriousness and sacredness of our relationship with God, recognizing that our access to Him is not by our own merit or design, but through His gracious provision. It calls us to live lives that are set apart, measured by His standards, and continually purified by the atoning work of Christ. The hope of a restored sanctuary in Ezekiel's day can inspire us to anticipate the full realization of God's presence among His people, both now in the church and ultimately in the new heavens and new earth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine precision in Ezekiel's temple vision challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character and His expectations for worship?**
* **In what ways can we ensure that our "spiritual worship" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")) is offered with the same reverence and intentionality that the physical altar demanded?**
* **How does the detailed description of the altar in Ezekiel's vision deepen your appreciation for the sufficiency and perfection of Christ's sacrifice?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "cubit and an hand breadth" measurement?**

Answer: The "cubit and an hand breadth" (approximately 21 inches or 52.5 cm) signifies a "long cubit" or "royal cubit," which was a larger unit of measurement than the common cubit (about 18 inches). Its consistent use throughout Ezekiel's temple vision, as also mentioned in [Ezekiel 40:5](/ezekiel/40-5 "Ezekiel 40:5 - The Measurement of the Temple Wall") for the temple wall, highlights the extraordinary and sacred nature of this visionary temple. It distinguishes God's dwelling place from ordinary human constructions, emphasizing its divine origin, unique holiness, and elevated standard. It suggests that everything associated with God's presence and worship must exceed common human standards, reflecting His transcendence and perfection.

**Why are these measurements so detailed for a visionary temple?**

Answer: The meticulous detail in the measurements serves several profound purposes. Firstly, it underscores God's absolute precision and order in all things, especially concerning His dwelling place and worship. It communicates that God is a God of exact standards, leaving no room for human improvisation where His holiness is concerned. Secondly, for the exiled Israelites, these concrete details provided tangible hope and assurance of a future restoration. The specificity made the vision feel real and attainable, a divine blueprint for a renewed covenant relationship. Thirdly, the measurements carry significant symbolic weight, pointing to the perfect and complete nature of the atonement and worship that would occur there, ultimately foreshadowing the perfection of Christ's sacrifice. This precision also serves to teach about the seriousness and sacredness of approaching God, as seen in the strict regulations for the tabernacle in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle") and following chapters.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel's visionary altar, with its precise and elevated measurements, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The meticulous dimensions of this altar, designed for sacrifice and atonement, powerfully foreshadow the perfect and singular sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") on the cross. The "higher place of the altar" where offerings were consumed by fire points to the complete and final nature of Christ's work, which fully satisfied God's righteous demands. Unlike the repeated sacrifices on earthly altars that could never fully take away sins ([Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law as a Shadow")), Christ offered Himself "once for all" ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's One Sacrifice")) as the perfect, unblemished offering. He is not only our sacrifice but also our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), who entered the true, heavenly sanctuary, not made with human hands, and secured eternal redemption for us ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11-12 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's Heavenly Priesthood")). Thus, the detailed, holy altar of Ezekiel's vision ultimately directs our gaze to Christ, who, by His perfect life and atoning death, became the ultimate means by which humanity can draw near to a holy God, establishing a new and living way through the veil of His flesh ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through the Veil of Christ's Flesh")).

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

Exodus 27:1

¶ And thou shalt make an altar [of] shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof [shall be] three cubits.

Exodus 27:8

Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make [it].

2 Chronicles 4:1

¶ Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.

Ezekiel 40:5

¶ And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits [long] by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.

Ezekiel 41:8

I saw also the height of the house round about: the foundations of the side chambers [were] a full reed of six great cubits.