Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.
17. The “settle” referred to here is the higher or greater one ( Eze 43:14). Its area was a square of 14 cubits. The verse appears to say that this uppermost ledge had a border and an “enclosure” or setting just as the basement had. If so the “setting” or bosom was that for the Harel arising out of the block, and its size, a cubit, is simply the ledge itself. There is no ground at least to suppose that the “border” and setting refer to the altar-hearth from which the measurer has descended and come down at any rate as far as the uppermost ledge. It may be made a question whether in the last half of Eze 43:17 he has not descended to the foot of the edifice, and whether the “border” and “bosom” be not those already referred to in connection with the basement ( Eze 43:13). For (1) the measurements are the same a span ( Eze 43:13) being equivalent to half a cubit ( Eze 43:17). (2) Immediately after mention of the “border” and bosom or setting the “steps” are referred to by which the altar as a whole was ascended, which seems to imply that the speaker conceived himself upon the ground ( Eze 43:17.) (3) Further in Eze 43:20 blood is to be put upon the horns of the altar-hearth, upon the four corners of the upper ledge (settle) and upon the “border” round about; and it is certainly natural that the blood should be put on all the stages of the altar, the top, the middle and the basement.
For squares read sides; for bottom basement; and by stairs is meant steps. The whole height of the altar was probably 12 cubits and the basement a square of 18. Thus height of basement 1 ( Eze 43:13) + 2 (lowest block) + 4 (higher block) + 4 (block of altar-hearth) + 1 (horn) = 12. On breadth see preliminary remark to Eze 43:13-17.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The settle – The lower settle (L), projecting beyond the upper settle (M) one cubit on every side.
His stairs – Jewish tradition says that the approach to the altar was by an inclined plane, because to go up by steps was forbidden Exo 20:26.
The number twelve was symbolic of the twelve tribes, four, of the earth; sixteen is the square of four, and fourteen the double of seven, the number of the covenant, as being composed of three, the number of God, and of four, the number of the world. Thus we have in the altar a special instance of Hebrew symbolism.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 17. And the settle] The ledge on which the priests walked round the altar, see Eze 43:14. By these settles or ledges the altar was narrowed towards the top. “The ascent shall look toward the east;” this ascent was an inclined plane. But these settles, or more properly ledges, as Bp. Newcome translates, may be thus computed. The altar itself was ten feet high and twenty broad; the same as that of Solomon, 2Ch 4:1.
| | Cubits |
| For the base, Eze 43:13, is in height . . . | 1 |
| From the surface of the base to the first ledge, Eze 43:14, is . . . | 1 |
| From the lower ledge to the upper, Eze 43:14, are . . . . | 4 |
| From the upper ledge to the ariel or hearth, Eze 43:15, are . . . | 4 |
| ___ In all . . . . | 10 |
| | |
| And as to the breadth, the upper ledge, Eze 43:17, was. . . . | 14 |
| Add a cubit on each side for the higher ledge, Eze 43:14, latter part . . | 2 |
| Add a cubit on each side for the lower ledge, Eze 43:14, former part . . | 2 |
| Add a cubit on each side for the base, Eze 43:13, . . . | 2 |
| ___ In all . . . . | 20 |
The altar of burnt-offerings, described Ex 27:1; Ex 38:1, was smaller than this, because it was to be removed from place to place with the tabernacle. This was designed for a permanent temple. See Bp. Newcome on this chapter.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The settle; so called now, since the uppermost carrieth the name of altar, proper to itself.
Fourteen cubits, as said in the former verse: nor can it be otherwise, since it is one cubit on each side broader than the altar, which was twelve cubits square.
The border; or a border, or ledge, fastened to the edge of the outside of this bench, that goes round about the settle.
Half a cubit; about eleven inches, being the half of this great cubit: now this border was for security to the priests in their going round the altar, that if a foot slipped, this border might stay it.
The bottom, the superficies, on which the priest treads when he is doing any thing on the altar, or the breadth of this bench within the border,
a cubit.
Stairs, or steps, for such they needed; and probably each stair about one fourth of a cubit, to carry them up to the first and second settles. These stairs were placed eastward, that he who went up should have his face to the west, his back to the east; his face toward God, not toward the rising sun, as they who made the sun their idol.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. settleledge [FAIRBAIRN].
stairsrather, “theascent,” as “steps” up to God’s altar were forbiddenin Ex 20:26.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof,…. Here Kimchi confesses his ignorance. Jarchi interprets it, the top of the altar, with the place of the horns, and of the feet of the priests, and was twenty eight cubits by twenty eight, the fourteen mentioned being to be measured from the middle z; and he seems to be right in making it to be the upper part of the altar, and not the lower settle, as some; the focus or hearth where the wood was laid, and the sacrifice burnt; and which had a projection of a cubit on each side, and so made the twelve cubits, the length and breadth of the altar, fourteen:
and the border about it shall be half a cubit; or the enclosure, as the Targum; the ledge about it, which went round the altar, to keep the fire or sacrifice from falling, or that the feet of the priests might not slip: the Jews expound it of the horns:
and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; or the foundation, as the Targum; which was between the altar, and the border on which the priests walked, when they went round it, to do the business of it: here Kimchi owns his ignorance again;
and his stairs shall look towards the east; steps to the altar were forbidden by the law of Moses, Ex 20:26 wherefore, as the height of the altar of Solomon, and so of the second temple, required some way and method of ascent to the top of it, to do the business upon it; the Jews had what they call “kibbesh”, a way made of earth thrown up, which rose gradually, and led to the top of it, and was about two and thirty cubits long, and sixteen broad a; but here steps or stairs are expressly mentioned, which show that this refers to times when the Mosaic and ceremonial laws should be abolished. These stairs were placed eastward, so that those that went up them looked toward the west, toward the temple and house of God, where he dwelt; and turned their backs to the east, or rising sun, in direct opposition to the worshippers of the sun, whose faces were to the east. How many steps or stairs there were to the altar is not said; Starckius conjectures there might be twelve or fourteen of them, and allows for each step half a cubit; but as the altar was ten, or, as others, eleven cubits high, there should be twenty steps or more, of such a measure. These may signify the several ways and means of coming to, and increasing in, the knowledge of the doctrine of the altar, or of Christ’s satisfaction for sin; as hearing, reading, prayer, meditation, &c.
z So Lipman. Tzurath Beth Hamikdash, sect. 40. Vid. Misn. Middot, c. 3. sect. 1. a So Lipman. Tzurath Beth Hamikdash, sect. 43.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
“And the settle shall be fourteen long by fourteen wide in its four sides. And the border about it shall be half a cubit, and its bosom shall be a cubit about, and its steps shall look towards the east.”
The next stage down, the ‘higher settle’, was to be fourteen cubits by fourteen. There would be a one cubit surround with a half cubit rim. Thus the next step down was sixteen cubits, but this is not mentioned. This draws attention to the measurements of the top two sections, twelve by twelve representing the official number of the tribes of Israel, fourteen by fourteen representing twice seven, intensified divine perfection. The main interest of the ancients in numbers was in their significance.
There were to be steps up to the altar. Previously steps had been forbidden (Exo 20:24-26), but they were essential with an altar of this size. The stepped shape of the altar and the steps leading up to it were both an indication that the altar was the means by which they reached heavenward.
The Altar Is To Be Built and Sanctified (Eze 43:18-27).
Instructions were now given for the building and cleansing of the earthly altar. The very fact that an altar was to be built was indirect confirmation of God’s willingness for them to build a new temple for themselves, although actually, as long as they had an altar, worship could function without a temple, as Ezr 3:2-3 makes clear. Thus it was not the direct equivalent of a command to build the temple. The first essential was that man should have his approach to God made possible by the shedding of blood, and that required an altar. But by making it according to the pattern of the heavenly altar they ensured its spiritual connection with the heavenly temple. An earthly temple could follow.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eze 43:17. And his stairs And its ascent. Eze 43:21. He shall burn it] It shall be burnt.
REFLECTIONS.1st, The temple was great and glorious, but infinitely greater the glory of the divine Inhabitant, who condescended there to take up his abode.
1. The same bright vision which had before been seen by the prophet, again appears from the east. It was the glory of the God of Israel; like many waters his voice was heard far off, his gospel having spread into distant lands, and the earth shined with his glory; his church, as the moon, reflecting the lustre that she has borrowed from him the Sun of righteousness.
2. This glory of God filled the house; and when the prophet in humble adoration had fallen prostrate on the earth, the Spirit took him up, and brought him to the inner court, to behold God’s glory, and receive his instructions; and the man, Christ Jesus, stood by him; for through him alone can we hold communion with God, or hear his voice with comfort.
2nd, God, having taken possession of his temple, admonishes them of the obligations lying upon them, to be more faithful to him than, they had ever yet been.
1. They had formerly grievously offended, and had been deservedly punished. They and their kings had been gross idolaters, and worshipped on the high places. They had corrupted the service of the sanctuary by their own inventions; had even dared to erect their idols and altars in that sacred place; and by such abominations had provoked God’s wrath and indignation against them. Note; They who faithlessly depart from God, provoke him to take up the scourge, and to plague them for their offences.
2. He calls on them to repent, and graciously promises on that condition to make them such as he would have them be. They must put away their whoredoms, their idolatrous services, and the carcases of their kings; which some suggest were buried in or near the house of God; or perhaps the idols themselves are meant, as loathsome in God’s sight as a putrid corpse in ours; and in order to induce them hereunto, the prophet must shew them the house, that a sense of the mercy which God hath in store for them may work upon their hearts, and his goodness lead them to repentance; and if they expressed shame and confusion on the view of their past conduct, then he must go farther, and give them a more distinct view of the glorious fabric and all its parts; and give them in writing all the ordinances thereof, that they may keep them and do them. And while God is thus using the strongest motives, he promises to make them effectual to every penitent, believing soul. They shall defile my name no more; yea, he will engage their hearts to his blessed self, and, in consequence thereof, dwell in the midst of them for ever, yea, with all his faithful people, as their God. Note; (1.) When we begin to return to God, every step we take will give us fresh reason for deeper humiliation and self-loathing. (2.) They who are restored to God’s favour, will above all things desire to walk henceforth in his ways.
3. The law of God’s house is declared; not only the sanctuary, but the whole mountain is now most holy; no veil in the gospel church excludes the believer, but by the blood of Jesus we have boldness to enter into the holiest, Heb 10:19 and are called upon as his disciples to perfect holiness in the fear of God.
3rdly, We have,
1. The altar: typical of the Lord Jesus, through whom all our sacrifices find acceptance with God; and the sinner who flies to the horns of this altar shall find a sure refuge from fear of evil.
2. The consecration of the altar, and the service to be performed on it, which God promises to accept. Christ, by offering his own blood as the atonement, has consecrated himself as the altar, and every believer is now a spiritual priest, ordained to offer spiritual sacrifices thereon, acceptable and well-pleasing to God through him.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Eze 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.
Ver. 17. And his stairs shall look toward the east. ] As leading to the Sun of righteousness, and the light of eternal blessedness, arising out of heaven.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
stairs. Steps were forbidden in Ex. Eze 20:26, but may be permitted here.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
and the border: Exo 25:25, Exo 30:3, 1Ki 18:32
his stairs: Rather, “its ascents,” maalothehoo probably an inclined plane; for the law ordained that the priest should not ascend by stairs. Exo 20:26
look toward: Eze 8:16, Eze 40:6, 1Ki 6:8, Neh 9:4
Reciprocal: Eze 43:14 – the lower settle Eze 43:20 – and on the four
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 43:17. The altar was 12 cubits long and the settle or ledge was 14 cubits long, which means that the ledge was one cubit in its extension beyond the side of the altar. The ledge had a border about it that was half a cubit, probably something added to gfve it a finished appearance. At the bottom of this altar there was a flange or base all round the piece that was a cubit broad. The stairs means the approach to the altar, not steps as we usually think of the parts, for that was forbidden by the law of Moses (Exo 20:26) which was the basis for the present institution.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
The second tier was 14 cubits (23 feet 4 inches) square. It too had a curb around its upper edge that formed a gutter, and that curb was half a cubit high (10 inches, cf. Eze 43:13). There were to be steps up to the altar from the east. Formerly the Lord had forbidden the use of steps leading up to His altars (Exo 20:24; Exo 20:26). The total size of this altar was about 18 cubits (30 feet) square at the bottom, 20 feet square at the top, and 16 feet 8 inches high. Solomon’s brazen altar had been smaller (cf. 2Ch 4:1). This design made this altar resemble a small ziggurat.