Ezekiel 46:23

And [there was] a row [of building] round about in them, round about them four, and [it was] made with boiling places under the rows round about.

And there was a row ^{H2905} of building round about ^{H5439} in them, round about ^{H5439} them four ^{H702}, and it was made ^{H6213} with boiling places ^{H4018} under the rows ^{H2918} round about ^{H5439}.

There was a wall around each of the four, with open stoves all around the bases of the walls.

Around the inside of each of the four courts was a row of masonry with ovens built at the base of the walls on all sides.

And there was a wall round about in them, round about the four, and boiling-places were made under the walls round about.

Context

Ezekiel 46:23 is part of the extensive and highly detailed vision of the future temple that the prophet Ezekiel received during the Babylonian exile. Chapters 40-48 meticulously describe the temple’s architecture, its courts, gates, and the rituals associated with it. This particular verse, describing "boiling places" within specific rows of building, highlights the practical elements necessary for the sacrificial system. The vision served as a message of hope and a blueprint for a restored, pure worship of God after the return from exile, emphasizing God's continued presence among His people. It underscores the divine order and precision expected in worship, beginning with the initial measurements and descriptions in Ezekiel 40 and the return of God's glory to the temple in Ezekiel 43.

Key Themes

Sacrificial Worship: The "boiling places" were essential for preparing the meat of the sacrifices, ensuring that the offerings were handled correctly according to God's commands. This detail emphasizes the sanctity and precision required for approaching God, particularly for offerings like the peace offerings where portions were eaten by the priests and worshippers.
Divine Order and Purity: The meticulous design of the temple, down to these practical elements, signifies God's desire for a perfect and holy environment for His presence. It speaks to the importance of ritual purity and the proper execution of worship, where every aspect serves the purpose of reverent communion with the divine.
God's Provision: Even in the smallest architectural details, the vision shows God's provision for every need related to worship, ensuring that all aspects of service could be carried out seamlessly and according to His will.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "boiling places" directly translates the Hebrew term מְבַשְּׁלוֹת (mevashshelot), which refers to places for cooking or boiling. This term specifically denotes areas where the meat of the peace offerings or sin offerings would be cooked by the priests for consumption, as stipulated in Mosaic law. The meticulous inclusion of such functional areas within the visionary temple underscores their essential nature for the proper conduct of priestly duties and the consumption of sacrificial portions, reinforcing the idea of a fully operational and biblically faithful worship system.

Practical Application

While the physical temple and its sacrificial system are fulfilled in Christ, this vision still holds significant spiritual application for believers today. It reminds us of God's desire for order and purity in worship. Though we no longer offer animal sacrifices, believers are called to offer themselves as "living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God," which is our reasonable service. The meticulousness of the visionary temple encourages us to approach God with reverence, intentionality, and a desire for holiness in our spiritual lives and corporate worship. It speaks to the seriousness with which God views our devotion and the importance of preparing our hearts to meet Him, reflecting the perfect sacrifice of Christ that made true access to God possible.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.