Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 43:14
And from the bottom [upon] the ground [even] to the lower settle [shall be] two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle [even] to the greater settle [shall be] four cubits, and the breadth [one] cubit.
14. Two cubits up from the basement the fabric underwent the first contraction, being let in a cubit. Thus a ledge of a cubit broad was formed running all round the altar. A.V. appears to call this bench or ledge a “settle.” The altar narrowed in dimension not gradually like an obelisk, but at two places. Cf. the similar way in which the wall of the house retreated, Eze 41:6.
At a height of four cubits above the first inlet came another, of the same breadth of a cubit, so that a second ledge of a cubit broad was formed round the altar on its four sides.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The bottom – The basement just described is now called the bottom upon the ground. The altar (independently of the bottom) was composed of two stages called settles, the base of the upper settle (M) being less than that of the lower (L).
To the lower settle – That is, to the top of the lower settle, which was to be two cubits high.
From the lesser settle … to the greater settle – i. e., from the top of the lower settle to the top of the upper settle, called lesser and greater, because the height of the lower is less than that of the upper; The breadth here is the part of the lower settle not covered by the upper settle, projecting one cubit on every side.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
From the bottom; from the superficies of the first ledge, which was a cubit broad and a cubit high from the ground.
To the lower settle; to the top of that square settle which is called lower, because another settle is raised upon it.
Two cubits in height.
The breadth one cubit on every square, as the first and bottom settle, which by this account was two cubits larger in each square or side than the middle settle.
From the lesser settle; from the highest edge of the uppermost settle, down to the cubit broad ledge about the lower settle. The prophet measures now downward.
The greater; so called, because it exceeded the upper settle a cubit in breadth on each side. Four cubits in the height thereof.
The breadth one cubit, as the two other were.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And from the bottom upon the ground, even to the lower settle,…. From the basis or foundation of the altar, as it stood upon the ground, to the lower settle or “court” w, as it is called, where the priests stood; and in which they could walk round the altar, to do their business:
shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; that is, two cubits high, and one broad:
and from the lesser settle or court, to the greater settle or court, shall be four cubits, and, the breadth one cubit; the lowermost settle is called the lesser, not in quantity, but in height, it being but two cubits high from the ground; but the upper settle was four cubits from that, and one broad, for the priests to walk on round about; in all six cubits from the bottom.
w “atrium auxilii”, Montanus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Eze 43:14 And from the bottom [upon] the ground [even] to the lower settle [shall be] two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle [even] to the greater settle [shall be] four cubits, and the breadth [one] cubit.
Ver. 14. And from the bottom upon the ground. ] This so exact measuring of the altar may import, saith Polanus, the faithful and perfect preaching of the gospel by the apostles, and all faithful ministers of God’s word after them. 2Co 10:13-18 1Co 4:1 , 2Ki 11:1
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
bottom = hollow.
settle = ledge. The Hebrew word in this sense occurs only here, verses: Eze 43:17, Eze 43:20, Eze 43:19. The altar will be thus narrowed at the top (twelve cubits square). The height and breadth will be the same as Solomon’s, except that this will have these ledges for the priests to walk round.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the lower settle: These settles were ledges by which the altar was narrowed towards the top; and the whole of it may thus be computed:
Height – in CubitsBase Eze 43:13, 1 To first ledge Eze 43:14, 1 To upper ledge Eze 43:14, 4 To hearth Eze 43:15, 4 Total Height 10
Breadth – in CubitsUpper ledge Eze 43:17, 14 For higher ledge Eze 43:14, 2 For lower ledge Eze 43:14, 2 For base Eze 43:13, 2 Total Breadth 20
Hence the upper part of the altar was only twelve cubits square – Eze 43:16, the upper settle, or ledge, being in all fourteen cubits – Eze 43:17, deducting two cubits from its dimensions. Though this altar was the same in height, and breadth with that of Solomon, yet it differed materially from it in having settles or ledges; on which the priests walked round the altar, to officiate in offering sacrifices.
Reciprocal: Eze 45:9 – execute Eze 45:19 – and upon the four corners
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 43:14. Settle means “a border or ledge projecting from the face of the altar that would relieve the broad plainness of the instrument and add to its attractiveness. There were two of these borders; the first, one started two cubits from the bottom and it was a cubit wide. Then four cubits up from that border was the next one a cubit wide.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
The square altar rose above its foundation in three tiers, the largest one below, the next largest one above it, and the smallest one on top. The first, largest stage was two cubits (3 feet 4 inches) high and one cubit (20 inches) smaller than the foundation on each of its four sides. The second tier was four cubits (6 feet 8 inches) high and one cubit (20 inches) smaller than the first tier on each of its four sides.