TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
There was a wall around each of the four, with open stoves all around the bases of the walls.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
American Standard Version
And there was a wall round about in them, round about the four, and boiling-places were made under the walls round about.
World English Bible Messianic
There was a wall around in them, around the four, and boiling places were made under the walls all around.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And there went a wall about them, euen about those foure, and kitchins were made vnder the walles rounde about.
Young's Literal Translation
And a row is round about in them, round about to them four, and made with boilers under the rows round about.
In the KJVVerse 21,679 of 31,102
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Commentary on Ezekiel 46 verses 19–24
19 ¶ After he brought me through the entry, which was at the side of the gate, into the holy chambers of the priests, which looked toward the north: and, behold, there was a place on the two sides westward.
20 Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people.
21 Then he brought me forth into the utter court, and caused me to pass by the four corners of the court; and, behold, in every corner of the court there was a court.
22 In the four corners of the court there were courts joined of forty cubits long and thirty broad: these four corners were of one measure.
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.
24 Then said he unto me, These are the places of them that boil, where the ministers of the house shall boil the sacrifice of the people.
We have here a further discovery of buildings about the temple, which we did not observe before, and those were places to boil the flesh of the offerings in, Eze 46:20. He that kept such a plentiful table at his altar needed large kitchens; and a wise builder will provide conveniences of that kind. Observe, 1. Where those boiling-places were situated. There were some at the entry into the inner court (Eze 46:19) and others under the rows, in the four corners of the outer court, Eze 46:21-23. These were the places where, it is likely, there was most room to spare for this purpose; and this purpose was found for the spare room, that none might be lost. It is a pity that holy ground should be waste ground. 2. What use they were put to. In those places they were to boil the trespass-offering and the sin-offering, those parts of them which were allotted to the priests and which were more sacred than the flesh of the peace-offerings, of which the offerer also had a share. There also they were to bake the meat-offering, their share of it, which they had from the altar for their own tables, Eze 46:20. Care was taken that they should not bear them out into the outer court, to sanctify the people. Let them not pretend to sanctify the people with this holy flesh, and so impose upon them; or let not the people imagine that by touching those sacred things they were sanctified, and made any the better or more acceptable to God. It should seem (from Hag 2:12) that there were those who had such a conceit; and therefore the priests must not carry any of the holy flesh away with them, lest they should encourage that conceit. Ministers must take heed of doing any thing to bolster up ignorant people in their superstitious vanities.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 19–24. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Ezekiel
(Verse 19 and following) And he led me through the entrance that was on the side (or behind) the gate into the treasuries of the sanctuary, to the priests (or into chambers and rooms) that faced north. And there was a place there that faced west (or the sea: and as the LXX translated, separated). And he said to me: This is the place where the priests boil for the offense and for the sin (or for ignorance and therefore) where they boil the sacrifice (or the manna and the offering) so that they do not carry it out into the outer court, and the people may be sanctified. And he led me into the outer courtyard, and he led me around the four corners of the courtyard. And behold, there was a smaller courtyard in the corner of the courtyard, with a smaller courtyard in each corner of the courtyard. In the four corners of the courtyard, the smaller courtyards were arranged, forty cubits in length and thirty cubits in width. The measurements of each were the same: and a wall surrounded the four smaller courtyards in a circle. And kitchens were built underneath the colonnades around (or near) the dining areas, which Aquila interpreted as recesses, Symmachus as enclosures, and Theodotion put the Hebrew word Turoth itself. And he said, 'This is the house of the kitchens, where the ministers of the house cook the sacrifices of the people. For in Hebrew, Zeba means a man who holds a reed in his hand and a string of a mason, with which he measures the building. He led me, he says, through the entrance, which was on the side of the gate or behind the gate. He did not specify which gate, whether eastern, southern, or of another direction, but left it uncertain so that I would go to the place of the sanctuary, and to the treasury, or to the chambers of the priests, which faced north and the sea, namely, to the north and west. Holy Scripture has the custom of always calling the sea the west, according to the position of the land of Judaea. And it is to be noted that the place of the priests, where they cook sacrifices for transgressions, or ignorance, and for sins, so that they are not offered raw, is situated in the outer court facing north and west, from where the coldest wind arises and where the light of the sun sets. From this it is evident that whatever pertains to food is either for error or for sin. But if a sacrifice is offered also for ignorance, how much more for the consciousness of a transgression! Hence, Job offered a daily morning sacrifice for his sons, fearing that they had transgressed in ignorance. But what follows, 'So that they do not offer in the outer court, and the people who were not prepared for sanctification may be sanctified,' means that we should not lightly give holy things to those who are not sanctified, nor should we cast pearls before swine, nor give what is holy to dogs, as the Gospel says. Finally, Moses wished the people to be sanctified for three days from all impurity and from the embrace of their wives, so that they might approach Mount Sinai and receive the holy things when they were sanctified. But if they were commanded to be sanctified from their wives in order to approach and receive the words of God, it is clear that it is contained in the Law of the Apostles: 'Do not defraud one another, unless by consent for a time, so that you may give yourselves to prayer.' And with consent, we must abstain from our wives so that we may give ourselves to prayer. After this, it is written, 'And he led me into the outer court and led me around the four corners of the court. And behold, there was a small courtyard in the corner of the court, with small courtyards placed in each corner of the court, arranged in the four corners of the court.' That man, whom he often mentions, led him out from the place of the priests, which faced north or was separate, where the priests cook for transgressions, sins, or ignorance, and led him into the outer court. From this we understand that the court from which he went out was inside, and there were many courts in the Holy Scriptures, about which we read, 'You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.' And in John, 'And I have other sheep that are not of this fold, and it is necessary that I bring them also, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one fold and one shepherd.' For this in Greek is called αὐλὴ, which the simple Latin translation rendered as a sheepfold. But when he says, 'of this fold,' he shows that there is another one, which is either demonstrated in the multitude of the nations for the distinction from Israel or in heaven for the separation of the earthly fold. And according to the quality of merits, each office is assigned to a particular court, about which we have spoken more fully earlier. But this court that is now being discussed had small courtyards at each of its four corners, which the Seventy call minor, and we have called them small courtyards for the sake of easier understanding. They were forty cubits long and thirty cubits wide. Concerning these numbers, I remember that I have discussed in this same work that one refers to tribulations and narrowness, the other to perfect age. For forty days, Moses, Elijah, the Lord and Savior fasted in the wilderness, and they reach the priestly office not after the twenty-fifth year of age, but after the thirtieth. Therefore, the Lord was thirty years old when he came for baptism, and in this same work, the thirtieth year is mentioned at the beginning. Wherever there is food, there is also distress and temptation through which provisions are obtained. And when we reach the perfect age of man, everything must be trampled upon, and we must say, 'Having food and clothing, let us be content with these.' And, 'If the Lord gives me food to eat and clothes to cover me.' Or certainly, 'Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will destroy both it and them.' For we will not eat or drink in the future, but we will be nourished by the bread that descends from heaven, about which it is sung in the Psalms, 'Man ate the bread of angels.' And, 'My food is to do the will of him who sent me.' But concerning the measure of the small courtyards, which possessed the corners of the large court, it signifies the four regions of the world. For in the sweat of our faces we eat bread, and every laborally profiting conduces to the stomach. Those four small courtyards or one wall surrounded, and kitchens were built underneath the colonnades all around, or they had nearby alcoves, so that where there is food, there is also the preparation of measures. And lest the prophet might not know what these things that he saw were, he said to him, 'This is the house of the kitchens, where the ministers of the Lord cook the sacrifices of the people.' Indeed, the sacrifices of the people, which are offered for transgressions, sins, and ignorance, are the food and refreshment of the priests, so that they remember not to seek anything else when the meats are also prepared for their refreshment in the temple.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Ezekiel 46:23 provides a highly specific architectural detail within the prophet's grand vision of the future temple, describing circular rows of building equipped with designated "boiling places." These areas were meticulously designed for the preparation of sacrificial meat, underscoring the divine emphasis on order, purity, and proper procedure in the worship of God. The verse highlights God's comprehensive provision for every aspect of the restored sacrificial system, ensuring that all rituals could be performed with precision and reverence in the presence of His glory.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Ezekiel 46:23, like much of the temple vision, primarily employs Detailed Description and Precision as literary devices. The meticulous enumeration of architectural elements, down to the specific function of "boiling places" and their arrangement in "rows round about," serves to convey the divine blueprint's absolute exactitude and comprehensive nature. This extreme detail underscores the importance of order and holiness in God's presence. Furthermore, the Repetition of "round about" (Hebrew çâbîyb) creates a sense of enclosure and completeness, emphasizing the self-contained and perfectly ordered nature of these specific areas within the larger temple complex. This repetition also contributes to the visionary, almost hypnotic, quality of Ezekiel's descriptions, drawing the reader into the prophet's experience of divine revelation. The entire vision, including this verse, functions as Symbolism, representing God's desire for a restored, pure, and holy relationship with His people, where every aspect of worship is consecrated and meticulously ordered.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 46:23, with its focus on "boiling places" for sacrificial meat, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous concern for the details of worship and His provision for communion with His people. The very existence of these practical, yet ritually significant, areas within the visionary temple underscores that true worship is not merely spiritual sentiment but also involves tangible acts of obedience and careful adherence to divine instruction. God's holiness demands order and purity in every aspect of approaching Him, even in the preparation of food. This attention to detail reflects God's character as a God of order, who desires His people to approach Him with reverence and intentionality, ensuring that every aspect of their service is acceptable and contributes to a holy environment for His presence. The provision for these places also speaks to God's desire for fellowship, as many sacrifices culminated in shared meals, symbolizing restored relationship and sustenance in His presence.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the physical temple and its sacrificial system are no longer operational, having been fulfilled in Christ, the principles embedded in Ezekiel 46:23 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse calls us to consider the meticulousness with which God approaches worship and our relationship with Him. It challenges us to move beyond casual or haphazard approaches to our faith, inviting us to cultivate intentionality, reverence, and purity in every aspect of our spiritual lives. Just as every detail of the visionary temple was designed for holiness, so too should our lives, as "living sacrifices," be consecrated to God. This means thoughtfully preparing our hearts for corporate worship, engaging in personal devotion with discipline, and striving for holiness in our daily conduct, recognizing that God desires not just our presence, but our wholehearted and ordered devotion. It reminds us that our spiritual "boiling places"—the areas where we prepare ourselves to meet God—should be places of purity, intentionality, and reverence, reflecting the seriousness with which God views our communion with Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the primary purpose of the "boiling places" described in Ezekiel's temple vision?
Answer: The primary purpose of the "boiling places" (Hebrew: mᵉbashshᵉlâh) was to provide designated, ritually clean areas for the priests to cook and prepare the meat portions of certain sacrifices, particularly the peace offerings. According to Mosaic Law, specific parts of these offerings were to be consumed by the priests and the worshiper who brought the sacrifice. These boiling places ensured that the sacred meat was handled and prepared according to divine regulations, maintaining the purity and sanctity required for all aspects of temple service and consumption of holy food, as detailed in passages like Leviticus 7:15.
How does the meticulous detail of Ezekiel's temple vision, including these "boiling places," relate to Christian worship today?
Answer: While the physical temple and its sacrificial system are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the principles conveyed through Ezekiel's meticulous vision remain highly relevant for Christian worship. The divine emphasis on order, purity, and intentionality in the temple's design underscores God's holiness and His desire for reverent worship. For believers today, this translates into a call for spiritual discipline, intentionality in approaching God, and a pursuit of holiness in all aspects of life. We are called to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1), and our corporate worship should reflect order, reverence, and a focus on God's glory, as encouraged in 1 Corinthians 14:40. The detailed provision for every aspect of worship in Ezekiel's vision reminds us that God cares deeply about how we approach Him.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 46:23, with its detailed description of "boiling places" for sacrificial meat, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The meticulous provisions for preparing sacrifices in the visionary temple point forward to the perfect and singular sacrifice of Jesus, which completely and eternally atoned for sin, eliminating the need for further animal sacrifices. Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, whose body was the ultimate "boiling place" where the wrath of God against sin was consumed, making full reconciliation possible. Furthermore, the New Testament reveals that believers, individually and corporately, become the new temple where God's Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16). The emphasis on purity and order in the Old Testament temple now translates into the call for believers to live holy lives, offering spiritual sacrifices of praise, prayer, and service (Hebrews 13:15-16). Through Christ, we have direct access to God's presence, not through physical rituals in a temple with "boiling places," but through the new and living way opened by His shed blood, enabling us to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22).