Ezekiel 43:17

And the settle [shall be] fourteen [cubits] long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it [shall be] half a cubit; and the bottom thereof [shall be] a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.

And the settle {H5835} shall be fourteen {H702}{H6240} cubits long {H753} and fourteen {H702}{H6240} broad {H7341} in the four {H702} squares {H7253} thereof; and the border {H1366} about {H5439} it shall be half {H2677} a cubit {H520}; and the bottom {H2436} thereof shall be a cubit {H520} about {H5439}; and his stairs {H4609} shall look {H6437} toward the east {H6921}.

The ledge measures a square twenty-four-and-a-half feet on each of its four sides; the molding around it ten-and-a-half inches [across]; and its base twenty-one inches [larger than the rest, all the way] around. Its steps face east.

The ledge shall also be square, fourteen cubits long and fourteen cubits wide, with a rim of half a cubit and a gutter of a cubit all around it. The steps of the altar shall face east.”

And the ledge shall be fourteen cubits long by fourteen broad in the four sides thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit round about; and the steps thereof shall look toward the east.

Commentary

Ezekiel 43:17 provides precise architectural details of the massive altar within the visionary temple described by the prophet Ezekiel. This verse specifies the dimensions of a particular ledge or 'settle' on the altar, highlighting its perfect symmetry and its eastward-facing stairs.

Context of Ezekiel's Temple Vision

The prophet Ezekiel received this elaborate vision of a new temple while in exile in Babylon, offering a message of hope and restoration to the Jewish people. Chapters 40-48 detail this future temple, its precise measurements, and the re-establishment of worship. This particular verse is part of the description of the great altar of burnt offering, which is central to the temple's function. The meticulous details underscore the divine origin and importance of this visionary structure, which many interpret as either a literal future temple during the millennial reign of Christ or a symbolic representation of God's ideal dwelling among His people and perfect worship.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Precision and Order: The exacting measurements ("fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad," "half a cubit," "a cubit about") emphasize God's meticulous nature and the divine blueprint for true worship. Every detail is purposeful, signifying perfection and holiness in His design.
  • Holiness of Worship: The altar is the focal point for atonement and communion with God. Its grand scale and precise construction signify the profound sanctity required for approaching the Almighty. This visionary altar speaks to an ideal state of worship.
  • Significance of the East: The mention that "his stairs shall look toward the east" is highly significant. In Israelite tradition, the east was often associated with the presence and glory of God. It was from the east that God's glory departed the old temple (Ezekiel 10:19) and to the east that Ezekiel saw it return to the new temple (Ezekiel 43:2). The eastward orientation of the altar's access points further emphasizes this connection to divine presence and future restoration.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "settle" translates the Hebrew term 'azārāh (Χ’Φ²Χ–ΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ”), which refers to a specific ledge or platform that was part of the altar's tiered construction. This term highlights the architectural complexity and layered design of this visionary altar. The "cubit" was a standard ancient unit of measurement, roughly equivalent to the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (approximately 18-21 inches). The dimensions given here describe an incredibly large and imposing altar, far grander than those in previous temples.

Practical Application and Reflection

While the physical temple and its altar described by Ezekiel may point to a future fulfillment, the principles behind this detailed vision remain relevant. God desires worship that is ordered, holy, and precise. The ultimate fulfillment of the altar's purpose is found in Jesus Christ, whose perfect sacrifice on the cross provided complete atonement, making direct access to God possible without the need for animal sacrifices or a physical temple altar. This vision reminds believers of God's faithfulness to His promises and His ultimate plan for a restored relationship with humanity, culminating in a new creation where His presence is fully manifest, as described in Revelation 21:22, where no temple is needed because God Himself is the temple.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 20:26

    Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

  • Ezekiel 40:6

    Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, [which was] one reed broad; and the other threshold [of the gate, which was] one reed broad.

  • Nehemiah 9:4

    ΒΆ Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, [and] Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

  • 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.

  • 1 Kings 6:8

    The door for the middle chamber [was] in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle [chamber], and out of the middle into the third.

  • Ezekiel 8:16

    And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, [were] about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.

  • Exodus 25:25

    And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
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