Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 40:40
And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, [were] two tables; and on the other side, which [was] at the porch of the gate, [were] two tables.
40. at the side without ] Side, lit. shoulder, is used generally of the side of the gate projecting lengthways into the court ( Eze 40:18), or of the side lengthways of a wall (Eze 41:2). According to this interpretation the tables would be at the sides of the gate in the inner court. Others think that the “shoulders” might be the front parts of the gate-building on either side of the steps leading up to it, and that thus the tables would stand in the outer court, two at each angle formed by the steps and the front of the gate. This use of “shoulder” is less natural, but cf. Eze 47:1-2; 1Ki 7:39.
as one goeth up north gate ] For as one goeth up (oleh) might be read at the stairs (olah, as R. V. mar.). The difficulty lies in the word north or northwards. A.V. renders “the north gate” which is most natural. Others think of the E. gate and render: and on the side without, on the N. as one goeth up to the entry of the gate, i.e. on the left hand of the person going up. But this is extremely improbable. Such a designation of the left hand of a person has no examples, besides that here the word “north” is too far distant from the other word “one going up.” A possible rendering would be: by the stair, at the entry to the gate northwards, i.e. on the N. side of the entry (Lev 1:11). On the whole “the N. gate” of A.V. is most probable, but the language hardly decides which gate is meant. See after Eze 40:43.
side which was at the porch ] side of the porch, lit. belonging to the porch.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
On either side of the entrance of the north gate (from the inner court), were two tables on the one side and two tables on the other side of the porch.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
On the right hand without, and probably in the open air, or else under the cloister that went eastward, stood two, and on the left hand two, in like manner, for the same end and use, to slay the sacrifices.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, were two tables,…. Or, “the door of the north gate” p; not the first, upon coming up the eight steps; but passing through that gate, and along the porch where the three little chambers and the two tables on each side were, before mentioned; and coming to the inmost gate, which opens directly into the inward court, on the outside of that towards the altar, were two other tables, for the same use as before:
and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables; there were two on one side of the gate, and two on the other, that is, the last gate of the porch, in all eight tables; four within the spaces between the little chambers in the porch, and four as you come out of it, on each side of the last gate.
p “ad ostium portae aquilonaris”, Junius & Tremellius. So Cocceius and Starckius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(40) At the side without.If there could be any doubt that this means in the outer court, it would be removed by the explanation as one goeth up, lit., at this ascent. These tables were of stone (Eze. 40:42), and they stood, two on each side, just in advance of the steps, for the purpose (Eze. 40:42) of slaying the sacrifices upon them.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Eze 40:40 And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, [were] two tables; and on the other side, which [was] at the porch of the gate, [were] two tables.
Ver. 40. As one goeth up to the entry of the north. ] Hereby was signified, say some, that our corrupt affections must be mortified, and our lives laid down, if need be, for the truth’s sake, seem it never so hard to be done. Sicut a Septentrione venti flant asperi, as north winds are cold and comfortless.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
at the side: Two tables were on each side, as you come into the porch of the gate; and two on each side of the inner part of the gate that looked towards the altar; in all eight tables, on which they slew and cut up the victims. It does not appear that any such tables were used either in the tabernacle or temple; and this seems to intimate the introduction of a new and more spiritual dispensation. See the references.
as one goeth up: or, at the step, Eze 40:35
Reciprocal: Eze 44:4 – the way
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 40:40. A. great many beasts would be slain to meet the services of the people and many places of the entries to the building, 8 tables in all.