{"id":21564,"date":"2022-09-24T09:04:31","date_gmt":"2022-09-24T14:04:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-ezekiel-421\/"},"modified":"2022-09-24T09:04:31","modified_gmt":"2022-09-24T14:04:31","slug":"exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-ezekiel-421","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-ezekiel-421\/","title":{"rendered":"Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 42:1"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 align='center'><b><i> Then he brought me forth into the utter court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into the chamber that [was] over against the separate place, and which [was] before the building toward the north. <\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p> <strong> 1<\/strong>. <em> the utter court<\/em> ] LXX. the <em> inner<\/em> court. Something may be said for both. On the one hand the entrance-way to the chambers was from the outer court, and the prophet might have been first brought to the outer court and then by this way to the chambers in the inner court. This, however, is rather a complicated movement, and is not indicated; and perhaps the &ldquo;inner&rdquo; of LXX. has most probability. The position of the prophet is pretty clear, it was on the E. of the chambers, to the N. of the longer wing and facing it, Fig. 3, Q. LXX. reads &ldquo;eastward&rdquo; for &ldquo;the way.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><em> into the chamber<\/em> ] <strong> unto the chambers.<\/strong> The word is sing. as collective. The &ldquo;separate place&rdquo; is the 20 cubits broad court running round the house on its three sides, Fig. 3, H. The longer wing of the block of cells ran along this &ldquo;separate&rdquo; place its whole length of 100 cubits, Fig. 3, G. The &ldquo;building toward the N.&rdquo; is the wall of the outer court with its blocks of cells (<span class='bible'>Eze 40:5<\/span>), Fig. 3, B, C. As there was nothing between the wing of chambers on the N. wall of the inner court and this &ldquo;building&rdquo; or wall of the outer court with its cells, except the mere level of the court, the one is said to be over against the other.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> 1 3<\/strong>. These verses may read consecutively: &ldquo;And he brought me forth into the inner court, the way toward the north; and he brought me unto the chambers that were over against the separate place, and that were over against the (wall-) building toward the north, 2 (even) in front of the length of 100 cubits with the doors toward the north; and the breadth was 50 cubits, 3 over against the 20 cubits belonging to the inner court, and over against the pavement belonging to the outer court, gallery (being) over against gallery in the third story.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> 1 12<\/strong>. The chambers in the inner court.<\/p>\n<p> In the inner court on the two sides N. and S. of the house or temple proper were erected blocks of cells for the use of the priests, where they ate the holy things and deposited their sacred garments. They are those referred to <span class='bible'>Eze 41:10<\/span>. The block on the N. side is fully described (<span class='bible'><em> Eze 42:1-9<\/em><\/span>), and that on the S. of the house is said to be similar in all respects (<span class='bible'><em> Eze 42:10-12<\/em><\/span>). The block on the N. extended from the &ldquo;separate place&rdquo; to the N. wall of the inner court, a breadth of 50 cubits, all the space available. The block of cells had two wings, one 100 cubits long running along the &ldquo;separate place,&rdquo; Fig. 3, G, the other 50 cubits long, Fig. 3, G, running along the N. wall of the inner court both measurements E. to W. Between the two wings of the block ran a walk of 10 cubits broad and 100 cubits long, i.e. the whole length of the longer wing, Fig. 3, O, and on this walk the doors into the chambers opened, i.e. looked to the N. (at least in the longer wing). The chambers were built in three stories, but those of the third story were narrower than those of the other two, because a &ldquo;gallery&rdquo; in the uppermost story took up some space. The chambers had no pillars like those in the outer court. There was an entrance-way leading to the chambers from the outer court, through the wall of the inner court, but its precise situation is not indicated.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P STYLE=\"text-indent: 0.75em\"><B>Utter court &#8211; <\/B>Outward court, so <span class='bible'>Eze 42:3<\/span>.<\/P> <P STYLE=\"text-indent: 0.75em\"><B>Into the chamber &#8230; before the building &#8211; <\/B>to the chambers (See L, Plan II)&#8230; over against etc. The building is the temple-building, for this row of chambers was built against eighty cubits of the wall bounding the separate place and twenty cubits of the wall of the temple-court.<\/P> <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Albert Barnes&#8217; Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P STYLE=\"margin-left: 0.9em\"> CHAPTER XLII <\/P> <P STYLE=\"margin-left: 0.9em\">  <I>This chapter gives us a description of the priests&#8217; chambers<\/I><\/P> <P STYLE=\"margin-left: 0.9em\">   <I>and their use, with the dimensions of the holy mount on which<\/I><\/P> <P STYLE=\"margin-left: 0.9em\">   <I>the temple stood<\/I>, 1-20. <\/P> <P>                     NOTES ON CHAP. XLII<\/P> <P> <\/P> <P> Verse <span class='bible'>1<\/span>. <I><B>He brought me forth into the utter court<\/B><\/I>] He brought him out from the temple into the <I>court of the priests<\/I>. This, in reference to the temple, was called the <I>outer court<\/I>; but the <I>court<\/I> <I>of the people<\/I> was beyond this.<\/P> <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Adam Clarke&#8217;s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P> After a particular view of the temple, and all its parts, with the inmost court, and all in it, the prophet is <\/P> <P><B>brought forth into the utter court; <\/B>called so in regard to that more inward, whence the prophet now cometh: it is likely, if not certain, this was the priests court, which had two others more outward, but because the prophet had been in one more inward than that of the priests, he giveth the name of outer to this court. <\/P> <P><B>Toward the north; <\/B>through the north gate, by which he descended into the court, where the staircase was by which he went up into the chambers, built over the pilasters and arches, so that underneath was a cloister, or gallery. <\/P> <P><B>The chamber; <\/B>either the singular number for the plural, or chamber for the row of chambers; or else, into one of the many that were there. <\/P> <P><B>The separate place:<\/B> whether you take it for the temple itself, or for that building equal to the temple, on the west part of the temple, still this row of chambers faced the north part of it. <\/P> <P><B>Before the building toward the north:<\/B> the south front of this range of chambers looked to the north front of the temple, and its buildings on that side, or to the north front of the separate place, and its buildings on that side, or to the north front of the separate place. <\/P> <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong>Then he brought me forth into the utter court, the way toward the north<\/strong>,&#8230;. After the dimensions of the gates and courts of this building had been shown, and that of itself, the holy and most holy place, with the ornaments thereof; the prophet is brought by his guide into the outward court, which encompassed the building to the north part of it; probably he came out of the north gate of the house into it. So the Targum renders it,<\/p>\n<p> &#8220;by the way of the gate which is open to the way of the north:&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>and he brought me into the chamber that was over against the separate place<\/strong>; or holy of holies; see <span class='bible'>Eze 41:12<\/span>, over against or before this, to the north of it, were a chamber or chambers; the singular being put for the plural; whither the prophet was brought to take a view of, being a new and distinct building from all others he had seen before; unto one of them, or to the place of them, as Jarchi, where they stood: there were two rows of them opposite to each other, and a walk between them; they are afterwards called the north and south chambers,<\/p>\n<p> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span>:<\/p>\n<p><strong>and which was before the building toward the north<\/strong>; this chamber or chambers were over against or before the whole fabric, to the north of it. The Jews here confess their ignorance, there being nothing in the first or second temple answerable to these. Lipman s expressly says these chambers were not in the second temple; perhaps they may design the Protestant reformed churches in the northern parts of the world; the religion of Protestants is by the Papists called the northern heresy: and if our northern churches are here pointed at and described, it is a great honour that is done them, to have a particular apartment allotted them in this wonderful building; compare <span class='bible'>Ps 48:2<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>s Tzurath Beth Hamikdash, sect. 71.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: John Gill&#8217;s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> The Cell-Building in the Outer Court for Holy Use<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:1<\/span>. <em> And he brought me out into the outer court by the way toward the north, and brought me to the cell-building, which was opposite to the separate place, and opposite to the building toward the north, <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:2<\/span>.<em> Before the long side of a hundred cubits, with the door toward the north, and the breadth fifty cubits, <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:3<\/span>.<em> Opposite to the twenty of the inner court and opposite to the stone pavement of the outer-court; gallery against gallery was in the third storey. <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>.<em> And before the cells a walk, ten cubits broad; to the inner a way of a hundred cubits; and their doors went to the north. <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:5<\/span>.<em> And the upper cells were shortened, because the galleries took away space from them, in comparison with the lower and the central ones in the building. <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:6<\/span>.<em> For they were three-storied, and had no columns, like the columns of the courts; therefore a deduction was made from the lower and from the central ones from the ground. <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span>.<em> And a wall outside parallel with the cells ran toward the outer court in front of the cells; its length fifty cubits. <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:8<\/span>.<em> For the length of the cells of the outer court was fifty cubits, and, behold, against the sanctuary it was a hundred cubits. <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:9<\/span>.<em> And out from underneath it rose up these cells; the entrance was from the east, when one went to them from the outer court. <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:10<\/span>.<em> In the breadth of the court wall toward the south, before the separate place and before the building, there were cells, <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:11<\/span>.<em> With a way before them, like the cells, which stood toward the north, as according to their length so according to their breadth, and according to all their exits as according to all their arrangements. And as their doorways, <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:12<\/span>.<em> So were also the doorways of the cells, which were toward the south, an entrance at the head of the way, of the way opposite to the corresponding wall, of the way from the east when one came to them. <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span>.<em> And he said to me, The cells in the north, the cells in the south, which stood in front of the separate place, are the holy cells where the priests, who draw near to Jehovah, shall eat the most holy thing; there they shall place the most holy thing, both the meat-offering and the sin-offering and the trespass-offering; for the place is holy. <\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:14<\/span>.<em> When they go in, the priests, they shall not go out of the holy place into the outer court; but there shall they place their clothes, in which they perform the service, for they are holy; they shall put on other clothes, and so draw near to what belongs to the people.<\/em> <\/p>\n<p> It is evident from <span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Eze 42:14<\/span>, which furnish particulars concerning the cells already described, that the description itself refers to two cell-buildings only, one on the north side and the other on the south side of the separate place (see Plate I <em> L<\/em>). Of these the one situated on the north is described in a more circumstantial manner (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:1-9<\/span>); that on the south, on the contrary, is merely stated in the briefest manner to have resembled the other in the main (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:10-12<\/span>). That these two cell-buildings are not identical either with those mentioned in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:44<\/span>. or with those of <span class='bible'>Eze 40:17<\/span>, as Hvernick supposes, but are distinct from both, is so obvious that it is impossible to understand how they could ever have been identified. The difference in the description is sufficient to show that they are not the same as those in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:44<\/span>. The cells mentioned in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:44<\/span> were set apart as dwelling-places for the priests during their administration of the service in the holy place and at the altar; whereas these serve as places for depositing the most holy sacrificial gifts and the official dresses of the priests. To this may be added the difference of situation, which distinguishes those mentioned here both from those of <span class='bible'>Eze 40:44<\/span>., and also from those of <span class='bible'>Eze 40:17<\/span>. Those in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:44<\/span> were in the inner court, ours in the outer. It is true that those mentioned in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:17<\/span> were also in the latter, but in entirely different situations, as the description of the position of those noticed in the chapter before us indisputably proves. Ezekiel is led out of the inner court into the outer, by the way in the direction toward the north, to  , the cell-building (that  is used here in a collective sense is evident from the plural  in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Eze 42:5<\/span>). This stood opposite to the <em> gizrah <\/em>, i.e., the separate space behind the temple house (<span class='bible'>Eze 41:12<\/span>.), and opposite to the  , i.e., neither the outer court wall, which is designated as  in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:5<\/span>, but cannot be intended here, where there is no further definition, nor the temple house, as Kliefoth imagines, for this is invariably called  . We have rather to understand by  the building upon the gizrah described in <span class='bible'>Eze 41:12<\/span>., to which no valid objection can be offered on the ground of the repetition of the relative  , as it is omitted in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:10<\/span>, and in general simply serves to give greater prominence to the second definition in the sense of &ldquo;and, indeed, opposite to the building (sc., of the separate place) toward the north.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p> As  belongs to  as a more precise definition of the direction indicated by  , the &#8216;   which follows in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:2<\/span> depends upon  , and is co-ordinate with  , defining the side of the cell-building to which Ezekiel was taken: &ldquo;to the face of the length,&rdquo; i.e., to the long side of the building, which extended to a hundred cubits. The article in  requires that the words should be connected in this manner, as it could not be used if the words were intended to mean &ldquo;on the surface of a length of a hundred cubits.&rdquo; Since, then, the separate place was also a hundred cubits, that is to say, of the same length as the cell-building opposite to it, we might be disposed to assume that as the separate place reached to the outer court wall on the west, the cell-building also extended to the latter with its western narrow side. But this would be at variance with the fact that, according to <span class='bible'>Eze 46:19-20<\/span>, the sacrificial kitchens for the priests stood at the western end of this portion of the court, and therefore behind the cell-building. The size of these kitchens is not given; but judging from the size of the sacrificial kitchens for the people (<span class='bible'>Eze 46:22<\/span>), we must reserve a space of forty cubits in length; and consequently the cell-building, which was a hundred cubits long, if built close against the kitchens, would reach the line of the back wall of the temple house with its front (or eastern) narrow side, since, according to the calculation given in the comm. on <span class='bible'>Eze 41:1-11<\/span>, this wall was forty cubits from the front of the separate place, so that there was no prominent building standing opposite to the true sanctuary on the northern or southern side, by which any portion of it could have been concealed. And not only is there no reason for leaving a vacant space between the sacrificial kitchens and the cell-buildings, but this is precluded by the fact that if the kitchens had been separated from the cell building by an intervening space, it would have been necessary to carry the holy sacrificial flesh from the kitchen to the cell in which it was eaten, after being cooked, across a portion of the outer court. It is not stated here how far this cell-building was from the northern boundary of the <em> gizrah <\/em>, and the open space (  ) surrounding the temple house; but this may be inferred from <span class='bible'>Eze 41:10<\/span>, according to which the intervening space between the <em> munnach <\/em> and the cells was twenty cubits. For the cells mentioned there can only be those of our cell-building, as there were no other cells opposite to the northern and southern sides of the temple house. But if the distance of the southern longer side of the cell-building, so far as it stood opposite to the temple house, was only twenty cubits, the southern wall of the cell-building coincided with the boundary wall of the inner court, so that it could be regarded as a continuation of that wall. &#8211; The further definition  , door to the north, is to be taken as subordinate to the preceding clause, in the sense of &ldquo;with the door to the north,&rdquo; because it would otherwise come in between the accounts of the length and breadth of the building, so as to disturb the connection. The breadth of the building corresponds to the breadth of the gate-buildings of the inner court.<\/p>\n<p> The meaning of the third verse is a subject of dispute. &ldquo;  ,&rdquo; says Bttcher, &ldquo;is difficult on account of the article as well as the number, inasmuch as, with the exception of the twenty cubits left open in the temple ground (<span class='bible'>Eze 41:10<\/span>), there are no  mentioned as belonging to the actual &#8216;   , and the numeral does not stand with sufficient appropriateness by the side of the following  .&rdquo; But there is not sufficient weight in the last objection to render the reference to the twenty cubits a doubtful one, since the &ldquo;twenty cubits&rdquo; is simply a contracted form of expression for &ldquo;the space of twenty cubits,&rdquo; and this space forms a fitting antithesis to the pavement (  ), i.e., the paved portion of the court. Moreover, it is most natural to supply the missing substantive to the &ldquo;twenty&rdquo; from the  mentioned just before, &#8211; much more natural certainly than to supply  , as there is no allusion either before or afterwards to any other cells than those whose situation is intended to be defined according to the twenty. We therefore agree with J. H. Michaelis, Rosenmller, Hvernick, and Hitzig, that the only admissible course is to supply  ; for the description of the priests&#8217; cells in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:44<\/span>, to which Kliefoth imagines that  refers, is far too distant for us to be able to take the word  thence and supply it to  . And again, the situation of these priests&#8217; cells to the east of the cell-building referred to here does not harmonize with the  , as the second definition introduced by the correlative  points to the stone pavement on the north. East and north do not form such a <em> vis&#8211;vis<\/em> as the double  requires. &#8211; Our view of the  eht is also in harmony with the explanatory relative clause, &ldquo;which were to the inner court,&rdquo; i.e., belonged to it. For the open space of twenty cubits&#8217; breadth, which ran by the long side of the temple house between the <em> munnach <\/em> belonging to the temple and the wall of the inner court, formed the continuation of the inner court which surrounded the temple house on the north, west, and south.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'> (Note: The statement of Kliefoth, that &ldquo;this space of twenty cubits in breadth did not belong to the inner court at all,&rdquo; cannot be established from <span class='bible'>Eze 40:47<\/span>, where the size of the inner court is given as a hundred cubits in length and the same in breadth. For this measurement simply refers to the space in front of the temple.)<\/p>\n<p> If, therefore, this first definition of the  refers to what was opposite to the cell-building on the south, the second  defines what stood opposite to it on the northern side. There the portion of the outer court which was paved with stones ran along the inner side of the surrounding wall. This serves to define as clearly as possible the position of the broad side of the cell-building. For Kliefoth and Hitzig are right in connecting these definitions with <em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:2<\/span><\/em>, and taking the words from  onwards as introducing a fresh statement. Even the expression itself   does not properly harmonize with the combination of the two halves of the third verse as one sentence, as Bttcher proposes, thus: &ldquo;against the twenty cubits of the inner court and against the pavement of the outer court there ran gallery in front of gallery threefold.&rdquo; For if the galleries of the building were opposite to the pavement on the north, and to the space in front of the temple on the south of the building, they must of necessity have run along the northern and southern walls of the building in a parallel direction, and  is not the correct expression for this.  , to the front &#8211; that is to say, one gallery to the front of the other, or up to the other. This could only be the case if the galleries surrounded the building on all four sides, or at any rate on three; for with the latter arrangement, the gallery upon the eastern side would terminate against those on the southern and northern sides. Again, the rendering &ldquo;threefold,&rdquo; or into the threefold, cannot be defended either from the usage of the language or from the facts. The only other passage in which the plural  occurs is <span class='bible'>Gen 6:16<\/span>, where it signifies chambers, or rooms of the third storey, and the singular  means the third. Consequently  is &ldquo;in the third row of chambers or rooms,&rdquo; i.e., in the third storey. And so far as the fact is concerned, it does not follow from the allusion to upper, central, and lower cells (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:5<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Eze 42:6<\/span>), that there were galleries round every one of the three storeys.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>. &ldquo;Before the cells there was a walk of ten cubits&#8217; breadth&rdquo; (<em> m<\/em>). In what sense we are to understand  , &ldquo;before,&rdquo; whether running along the northern longer side of the building, or in front of the eastern wall, depends upon the explanation of the words which follow, and chiefly of the words    , by which alone the sense in which  is to be understood can also be determined. Hvernick and Kliefoth take    , &ldquo;a way of one cubit,&rdquo; in the sense of &ldquo;the approaches (entrances into the rooms) were a cubit broad.&rdquo; But the words cannot possibly have this meaning; not only because the collective use of  after the preceding  , which is not collective, and with the plural  following, is extremely improbable, if not impossible; but principally because  , a way, is not synonymous with  , an entrance, or  , a doorway. Moreover, an entrance, if only a cubit in breadth, to a large building would be much too narrow, and bear no proportion whatever to the walk of ten cubits in breadth. It is impossible to get any suitable meaning from the words as they stand, &ldquo;a way of one cubit;&rdquo; and no other course remains than to alter   into   , after the    of the Septuagint. There is no question that we have such a change of  into  in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:16<\/span>, where even the Rabbins acknowledge that it has occurred. And when once  had been turned into  , this change would naturally be followed by the alteration of  into a numeral &#8211; that is to say, into  . The statement itself, &ldquo;a way of a hundred cubits&rdquo; (in length), might be taken as referring to the length of the walk in front of the cells, as the cell-building was a hundred cubits long. But  is hardly reconcilable with this. If, for example, we take these words in connection with the preceding clause, &ldquo;a walk of ten cubits broad into the interior,&rdquo; the statement, &ldquo;a way of a hundred cubits,&rdquo; does not square with this. For if the walk which ran in front of the cells was a hundred cubits long, it did not lead into the interior of the cell-building, but led past it to the outer western wall. We must therefore take  in connection with what follows, so that it corresponds to   : in front of the cells there was a walk of ten cubits in breadth, and to the inner there led a way of a hundred cubits in length.  would then signify, not the interior of the cell-building, but the inner court (   , <span class='bible'>Eze 44:17<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 21:27<\/span>, etc.). This explanation derives its principal support from the circumstance that, according to <span class='bible'>Eze 42:9<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Eze 42:11<\/span>, a way ran from the east, i.e., from the steps of the inner court gates, on the northern and southern sides, to the cell-buildings on the north and south of the separate place, the length of which, from the steps of the gate-buildings already mentioned to the north-eastern and south-eastern corners of our cell-buildings, was exactly a hundred cubits, <em> as we may see from the plan in Plate<\/em> I. This way (<em> l<\/em>) was continued in the walk in front of the cells (<em> m<\/em>), and may safely be assumed to have been of the same breadth as the walk. &#8211; The last statement of the fourth verse is perfectly clear; the doorways to the cells were turned toward the north, so that one could go from the walk in front of the cells directly into the cells themselves.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 42:5<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Eze 42:6<\/span> there follow certain statements concerning the manner in which the cells were built. The building contained upper, lower, and middle cells; so that it was three-storied. This is expressed in the words   , &ldquo;for the cells were tripled;&rdquo; three rows stood one above another. But they were not all built alike; the upper ones were shortened in comparison with the lower and the central ones, i.e., were shorter than these (  before  and  is comparative); &ldquo;for galleries ate away part of them&rdquo; &#8211; that is to say, took away a portion of them (  for  , in an architectural sense, to take away from). How far this took place is shown in the first two clauses of the sixth verse, the first of which explains the reference to upper, lower, and middle cells, while the second gives the reason for the shortening of the upper in comparison with the lower and the central cones. As the three rows of cells built one above another had no columns on which the galleries of the upper row could rest, it was necessary, in order to get a foundation for the gallery of the third storey, that the cells should be thrown back from the outer wall, or built as far inwards as the breadth of the gallery required. This is expressly stated in the last clause, &#8216;    .  , with an indefinite subject: there was deducted from the lower and the middle cells from the ground, sc. which these rooms covered.  is added for the purpose of elucidation. From the allusion to the columns of the courts we may see that the courts had colonnades, like the courts in the Herodian temple, and probably also in that of Solomon, though their character is nowhere described, and no allusion is made to them in the description of the courts.<\/p>\n<p> The further statements concerning this cell-building in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:7-9<\/span> are obscure.  is a wall serving to enclose courtyards, vineyards, and the like. The predicate to  follows in   : a boundary wall ran along the front of the cells (  stands for  rof sdn , as the corresponding   in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:8<\/span> shows). The course of this wall (<em> n<\/em>) is more precisely defined by the relative clause, &ldquo;which ran outwards parallel with the cells in the direction of the outer court,&rdquo; i.e., toward the outer court. The length of this wall was fifty cubits. It is evident from this that the wall did not run along the north side of the building, &#8211; for in that case it must have been a hundred cubits in length, &#8211; but along the narrow side, the length of which was fifty cubits. Whether it was on the western or eastern side cannot be determined with certainty from <span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span>, although   favours the eastern, i.e., the front side, rather than the western side, or back. And what follows is decisive in favour of the eastern narrow side. In explanation of the reason why this wall was fifty cubits long, it is stated in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:8<\/span> that &ldquo;the length of the cells, which were to the outer court, was fifty cubits; but, behold, toward the temple front a hundred cubits.&rdquo; Consequently &ldquo;the cells which the outer court had&rdquo; can only be the cells whose windows were toward the outer court &#8211; that is to say, those on the eastern narrow side of the building; for the sacrificial kitchens were on the western narrow side (<span class='bible'>Eze 46:19-20<\/span>). The second statement in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:8<\/span>, which is introduced by  is an indication of something important, is intended to preclude any misinterpretation of   &#8216; fo noitat , as though by <em> length<\/em> we must necessarily understand the extension of the building from east to west, as in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:2<\/span> and most of the other measurements. The use of  for the extension of the narrow side of the building is also suggested by the  , &ldquo;length of the wall,&rdquo; in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span>, where  would have been inadmissible, because  , the breadth of a wall, would have been taken to mean its thickness.   is the outer side of the temple house which faced the north.<\/p>\n<p> A further confirmation of the fact that the boundary wall was situated on the eastern narrow side of the building is given in the first clause of the ninth verse, in which, however, the reading fluctuates. The <em> Chetib<\/em> gives   , the <em> Keri<\/em>   . But as we generally find, the <em> Keri<\/em> is an alteration for the worse, occasioned by the objection felt by the Masoretes, partly to the unusual circumstance that the singular form of the suffix is attached to  , whereas it usually takes the suffixes in the plural form, and partly to the omission of the article from  by the side of the demonstrative  , which is defined by the article. But these two deviations from the ordinary rule do not warrant any alterations, as there are analogies in favour of both.  has a singular suffix not only in  (<span class='bible'>Gen 2:21<\/span>) and  (<span class='bible'>2Sa 22:37<\/span>, <span class='bible'>2Sa 22:40<\/span>, and <span class='bible'>2Sa 22:48<\/span>), instead of  (<span class='bible'>Psa 18:37<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Psa 18:40<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Psa 18:48<\/span>), which may undoubtedly be explained on the ground that the direction whither is thought of (Ges. 103. 1, Anm. 3), but also in  , which occurs more frequently than  , and that without any difference in the meaning (compare, for example, <span class='bible'>Deu 2:12<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Deu 2:21-23<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Jos 5:7<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Job 34:24<\/span>, and <span class='bible'>Job 40:12<\/span>, with <span class='bible'>1Ki 20:24<\/span>; <span class='bible'>1Ch 5:22<\/span>; <span class='bible'>2Ch 12:10<\/span>). And   is analogous to  in <span class='bible'>Zec 4:7<\/span>, and many other combinations, in which the force of the definition (by means of the article) is only placed in the middle for the sake of convenience (vid., Ewald, 293<em> a<\/em>). If, therefore, the <em> Chetib<\/em> is to be taken without reserve as the original reading, the suffix in  can only refer to  , which is of common gender: from underneath the wall were these cells, i.e., the cells turned toward the outer court; and the meaning is the following: toward the bottom these cells were covered by the wall, which ran in front of them, so that, when a person coming toward them from the east fixed his eyes upon these cells, they appeared to rise out of the wall. Kliefoth, therefore, who was the first to perceive the true meaning of this clause, has given expression to the conjecture that the design of the wall was to hide the windows of the lower row of cells which looked toward the east, so that, when the priests were putting on their official clothes, they might not be seen from the outside. &#8211;  commences a fresh statement. To connect these words with the preceding clause (&ldquo;underneath these cells was the entrance from the east&rdquo;), as Bttcher has done, yields no meaning with which a rational idea can possibly be associated, unless the  in  be altogether ignored. The lxx have therefore changed  , which was unintelligible to them, into    (  ), and Hitzig has followed them in doing so. No such conjecture is necessary if  be rightly interpreted, for in that case  must be the commencement of a new sentence.  (by the side of which the senseless reading of the <em> Keri<\/em>  cannot be taken into consideration for a moment) is the approach, or the way which led to the cells. This was from the east, from the outer court, not from the inner court, against the northern boundary of which the building stood.   is not to be taken in connection with   , but is co-ordinate with  , of which it is an explanatory apposition.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 42:10-12<\/span> the cell-building on the south of the separate place is described, though very briefly; all that is said in addition to the notice of its situation being, that it resembled the northern one in its entire construction. But there are several difficulties connected with the explanation of these verses, which are occasioned, partly by an error in the text, partly by the unmeaning way in which the Masoretes have divided the text, and finally, in part by the brevity of the mode of expression. In the first clause of <span class='bible'>Eze 42:10<\/span>,  is a copyist&#8217;s error for  , which has arisen from the fact that it is preceded by  (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:9<\/span>). For there is an irreconcilable discrepancy between   and   , which follows. The building stood against, or upon, the broad side (  ) of the wall of the court, i.e., the wall which separated the inner court from the outer, opposite to the separate place and the building upon it (   , from the outer side hither, is practically equivalent to  in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:1<\/span>; and  is to be taken in the same sense here and there). The relation in which this cell-building stands to the separate place tallies exactly with the description given of the former one in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:2<\/span>. If, then, according to <span class='bible'>Eze 42:2<\/span>, the other stood to the north of the separate place, this must necessarily have stood to the south of it, &#8211; that is to say, upon the broad side of the wall of the court, not in the direction toward the east (   ), but in that toward the south (   ), as is expressly stated in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:12<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span> also. Kliefoth has affirmed, it is true, in opposition to this, that &ldquo;the <em> breadth<\/em> of the wall enclosing the inner court must, as a matter of course, have been the eastern side of the inner court;&rdquo; but on the eastern side of the wall of the inner court there was not room for a cell-building of a hundred cubits in length, as the wall was only thirty-seven cubits and a half long (broad) on each side of the gate-building. If, however, one were disposed so to dilute the meaning of &#8216;    as to make it affirm nothing more than that the building stood upon, or against, the breadth of the wall of the court to the extent of ten or twenty cubits, and with the other eighty or ninety cubits stood out into the outer court, as Kliefoth has drawn it upon his &ldquo;ground plan;&rdquo; it could not possibly be described as standing   , because it was not opposite to (in face of) the <em> gizrah <\/em>, but was so far removed from it, that only the north-west corner would be slightly visible from the south-east corner of the <em> gizrah <\/em>. And if we consider, in addition to this, that in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Eze 42:14<\/span>, where the intention of the cell-buildings described in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:1-12<\/span> is given, only cells on the north and on the south are mentioned as standing   , there can be no doubt that by  we are to understand the broad side of the wall which bounded the inner court on the south side from east to west, and that   should be altered into   .<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 42:11<\/span> the true meaning has been obscured by the fact that the Masoretic verses are so divided as to destroy the sense. The words   belong to  in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:10<\/span>: &ldquo;cells and a way before them,&rdquo; i.e., cells with a way in front.  corresponds to the  in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>. &#8211;  , like the appearance = appearing, or constructed like, does not belong to  in the sense of made to conform to the way in front of the cells, but to  , cells with a way in front, conforming to the cells toward the north. The further clauses from  to  are connected together, and contain two statements, loosely subordinated to the preceding notices, concerning the points in which the cells upon the southern side were made to conform to those upon the northern; so that they really depend upon  , and to render them intelligible in German (English tr.) must be attached by means of a preposition: &ldquo;with regard to,&rdquo; or &ldquo;according to&rdquo; (<em> secundum <\/em>). Moreover, the four words contain two co-ordinated comparisons; the first expressed by keen  &#8230;  , the second simply indicated by the particle  before  (cf. Ewald, 360<em> a<\/em>). The suffixes of all four words refer to the cells in the north, which those in the south were seen to resemble in the points referred to. The meaning is this: the cells in the south were like the cells in the north to look at, as according to their length so according to their breadth, and according to all their exits as according to their arrangements (  , lit., the design answering to their purpose, i.e., the manner of their arrangement and their general character: for this meaning, compare <span class='bible'>Exo 26:30<\/span>; <span class='bible'>2Ki 1:7<\/span>). The last word of the verse,  , belongs to <span class='bible'>Eze 42:12<\/span>, viz., to   &#8216; , the comparison being expressed by  &#8211;  , as in <span class='bible'>Jos 14:11<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Dan 11:29<\/span>; <span class='bible'>1Sa 30:24<\/span> (cf. Ewald, <em> l.c.<\/em>). Another construction also commences with  .  is a nominative: and like their doors (those of the northern cells), so also were the doors of the cells situated toward the south. Consequently there is no necessity either to expunge  arbitrarily as a gloss, for which procedure even the lxx could not be appealed to, or to assent to the far-fetched explanation by which Kliefoth imagines that he has discovered an allusion to a third cell-building in these words. &#8211; Light is thrown upon the further statements in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:12<\/span> by the description of the northern cells. &ldquo;A door was at the head,&rdquo; i.e., at the beginning of the way.  corresponds to the way of a hundred cubits in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>, and   is the point where this way, which ran to the southern gate-building of the inner court, commenced &#8211; that is to say, where it met the walk in front of the cells (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>). The further statement concerning this way is not quite clear to us, because the meaning of the  .  .  is uncertain. In the Chaldee and Rabbinical writings the word signifies <em> decens, conveniens <\/em>. If we take it in this sense,   is the wall corresponding (to these cells), i.e., the wall which ran in front of the eastern narrow side of the building parallel to the cells, the wall of fifty cubits in length described in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span> in connection with the northern building (for the omission of the article before  after the substantive which it defines, compare <span class='bible'>Eze 39:27<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Jer 2:21<\/span>, etc.).  , <em> in conspectu <\/em>, which is not perfectly synonymous with  , also harmonizes with this. For the way referred to was exactly opposite to this wall at its upper end, inasmuch as the wall joined the way at right angles. The last words of <span class='bible'>Eze 42:12<\/span> are an abbreviated repetition of <em> <span class='bible'>Eze 42:9<\/span><\/em>;   is equivalent to   , the way from the east on coming to them, i.e., as one went to these cells.<\/p>\n<p> According to <span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Eze 42:14<\/span>, these two<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'> (Note: For no further proof is needed after what has been observed above, that the relative clause, &ldquo;which were in front of the separate place,&rdquo; belongs to the two subjects: cells of the north and cells of the south, and does not refer to a third cell-building against the eastern wall, as Kliefoth supposes.)<\/p>\n<p> cell-buildings were set apart as holy cells, in which the officiating priests were to deposit the most holy sacrifices, and to eat them, and to put on and off the sacred official clothes in which they drew near to the Lord.  were that portion of the meat-offering which was not burned upon the altar (<span class='bible'>Lev 2:3<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Lev 2:10<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 6:9-11<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 10:12<\/span>; see my <em> Bibl. Archologie<\/em>, I 52), and the flesh of all the sin- and trespass-offerings, with the exception of the sin-offerings offered for the high priest and all the congregation, the flesh of which was to be burned outside the camp (cf. <span class='bible'>Lev 6:19-23<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 7:6<\/span>). All these portions of the sacrifices were called most holy, because the priests were to eat them as the representatives of Jehovah, to the exclusion not only of all the laity, but also of their own families (women and children; see my <em> Archol<\/em>. I 45 and 47). The depositing (  ) is distinguished from the eating (  ) of the most holy portions of the sacrifices; because neither the meal of the meat-offering, which was mixed with oil, nor the flesh of the sin- and trespass-offerings, could be eaten by the priests immediately after the offering of the sacrifice; but the former had first of all to be baked, and the latter to be boiled, and it was not allowable to deposit them wherever they liked previous to their being so prepared. The putting on and off, and also the custody of the sacred official clothes, were to be restricted to a sacred place.  , on their coming, sc. to the altar, or into the holy place, for the performance of service. There not going out of the holy place into the outer court applies to their going into the court among the people assembled there; for in order to pass from the altar to the sacred cells, they were obliged to pass through the inner gate and go thither by the way which led to these cells (Plate I <em> l<\/em>).<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Keil &amp; Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><TABLE BORDER=\"0\" CELLPADDING=\"1\" CELLSPACING=\"0\"> <TR> <TD> <P ALIGN=\"LEFT\" STYLE=\"background: transparent;border: none;padding: 0in;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: none\"> <span style='font-size:1.25em;line-height:1em'><I><SPAN STYLE=\"background: transparent\"><SPAN STYLE=\"text-decoration: none\">The Vision of the Temple.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/I><\/span><\/P> <\/TD> <TD> <P ALIGN=\"RIGHT\" STYLE=\"background: transparent;border: none;padding: 0in\"> <SPAN STYLE=\"text-decoration: none\"><SPAN STYLE=\"font-style: normal\"><SPAN STYLE=\"font-weight: normal\"><SPAN STYLE=\"background: transparent\"><SPAN STYLE=\"text-decoration: none\">B. C.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><SPAN STYLE=\"text-decoration: none\"><SPAN STYLE=\"font-style: normal\"><SPAN STYLE=\"font-weight: normal\"><SPAN STYLE=\"background: transparent\"><SPAN STYLE=\"text-decoration: none\"> 574.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P> <\/TD> <\/TR>  <\/TABLE> <P>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1 Then he brought me forth into the utter court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into the chamber that <I>was<\/I> over against the separate place, and which <I>was<\/I> before the building toward the north. &nbsp; 2 Before the length of a hundred cubits <I>was<\/I> the north door, and the breadth <I>was<\/I> fifty cubits. &nbsp; 3 Over against the twenty <I>cubits<\/I> which <I>were<\/I> for the inner court, and over against the pavement which <I>was<\/I> for the utter court, <I>was<\/I> gallery against gallery in three <I>stories.<\/I> &nbsp; 4 And before the chambers <I>was<\/I> a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors toward the north. &nbsp; 5 Now the upper chambers <I>were<\/I> shorter: for the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and than the middlemost of the building. &nbsp; 6 For they <I>were<\/I> in three <I>stories,<\/I> but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore <I>the building<\/I> was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground. &nbsp; 7 And the wall that <I>was<\/I> without over against the chambers, toward the utter court on the forepart of the chambers, the length thereof <I>was<\/I> fifty cubits. &nbsp; 8 For the length of the chambers that <I>were<\/I> in the utter court <I>was<\/I> fifty cubits: and, lo, before the temple <I>were<\/I> a hundred cubits. &nbsp; 9 And from under these chambers <I>was<\/I> the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the utter court. &nbsp; 10 The chambers <I>were<\/I> in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, over against the separate place, and over against the building. &nbsp; 11 And the way before them <I>was<\/I> like the appearance of the chambers which <I>were<\/I> toward the north, as long as they, <I>and<\/I> as broad as they: and all their goings out <I>were<\/I> both according to their fashions, and according to their doors. &nbsp; 12 And according to the doors of the chambers that <I>were<\/I> toward the south <I>was<\/I> a door in the head of the way, <I>even<\/I> the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them. &nbsp; 13 Then said he unto me, The north chambers <I>and<\/I> the south chambers, which <I>are<\/I> before the separate place, they <I>be<\/I> holy chambers, where the priests that approach unto the <B>LORD<\/B> shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place <I>is<\/I> holy. &nbsp; 14 When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy <I>place<\/I> into the utter court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they <I>are<\/I> holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to <I>those things<\/I> which <I>are<\/I> for the people.<\/P> <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The prophet has taken a very exact view of the temple and the buildings belonging to it, and is now brought again into the outer court, to observe the chambers that were in that square.<\/P> <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I. Here is a description of these chambers, which (as that which went before) seems to us very perplexed and intricate, through our unacquaintedness with the Hebrew language and the rules of architecture at that time. We shall only observe, in general, 1. That about the temple, which was the place of public worship, there were private chambers, to teach us that our attendance upon God in solemn ordinances will not excuse us from the duties of the closet. We must not only worship in the courts of God&#8217;s house, but must, both before and after our attendance there, enter into our chambers, enter into our closets, and read and meditate, and <I>pray to our Father in secret;<\/I> and a great deal of comfort the people of God have found in their communion with God in solitude. 2. That these chambers were many; there were <I>three stories<\/I> of them, and, though the higher stories were not so large as the lower, yet they served as well for retirement, <span class='bible'>Eze 42:5<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 42:6<\/span>. There were many, that there might be conveniences for all such devout people as Anna the prophetess, who <I>departed not from the temple night or day,<\/I><span class='bible'><I> Luke ii. 37<\/I><\/span>. <I>In my Father&#8217;s house are many mansions.<\/I> In his house on earth there are so; multitudes by faith have taken lodgings in his sanctuary, and <I>yet there is room.<\/I> 3. That these chambers, though they were private, yet were near the temple, within view of it, within reach of it, to teach us to prefer public worship before private (<I>the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob,<\/I> and so must we), and to refer our private worship to the public. Our religious performances in our chambers must be to prepare us for the exercises of devotion in public, and to further us in our improvement of them, as our opportunities are. 4. That before these chambers there were <I>walks of five yards broad<\/I> (<span class='bible'><I>v.<\/I><\/span><span class='bible'> 4<\/span>), in which those that had lodgings in these chambers might meet for conversation, might walk and talk together for their mutual edification, might communicate their knowledge and experiences. For we are not to spend all our time between the church and the chamber, though a great deal of time may be spent to very good purpose in both. But man is made for society, and Christians for the communion of saints; and the duties of that communion we must make conscience of, and the privileges and pleasures of that communion we must take the comfort of. It is promised to Joshua, who was high priest in the second temple, that God will <I>give him places to walk in among those that stand by,<\/I><span class='bible'><I> Zech. iii. 7<\/I><\/span>.<\/P> <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; II. Here is the use of these chambers appointed, <span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 42:14<\/span>. 1. They were <I>for the priests<\/I> that approach unto the Lord, that they may be always near their business and may not be non-residents. <I>Therefore<\/I> they are called <I>holy chambers,<\/I> because they were for use of those that ministered in holy things during their ministration. Those that have public work to do for God and the souls of men have need to be much in private, to fit themselves for it. Ministers should spend much time in their chambers, in reading, meditation, and prayer, that their <I>profiting may appear;<\/I> and they ought to be provided with conveniences for this purpose. 2. There the priests were to deposit <I>the most holy things,<\/I> those parts of the offerings which fell to their share; and there they were to <I>eat them,<\/I> they and their families, in a religious manner, for <I>the place is holy;<\/I> and thus they must make a difference between those feasts upon the sacrifice and other meals. 3. There (among other uses) they were to lay their vestments, which God had appointed them to wear when they ministered at the altar, their linen ephods, coats, girdles, and bonnets. We read of the providing of priests garments after their return out of captivity, <span class='bible'>Neh 7:70<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Neh 7:72<\/span>. When they had ended their service at the altar they must lay by those garments, to signify that the use of them should continue only during that dispensation; but they must <I>put on other garments,<\/I> such as other people wear, when they <I>approached to those things which were for the people,<\/I> that is, to do that part of their service which related to the people, to teach them the law and to answer their enquiries. Their holy garments must be <I>laid up,<\/I> that they may be kept clean and decent for the credit of their service.<\/P> <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Matthew Henry&#8217;s Whole Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p style='margin-left:7.825em'><strong>EZEKIEL &#8211; CHAPTER 42<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:6.15em'><strong>TEMPLE AREA FOR HOLY WORKERS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Verses <\/strong>1-14:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Verse 1 certifies <\/strong>that when the survey of the house was completed the survey-man conducted Ezekiel into the outer court. (<span class='bible'>Eze 40:17<\/span>), by the way toward the north, by the inner north gate, <span class='bible'>Eze 40:23<\/span>, into the chamber over against the separate place, before the building to the north, <span class='bible'>Eze 41:12<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 41:15<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Verses 2-12 restate <\/strong>parts, dimensions, and priestly usages of the three story structure of 30 chambers to each floor of the building, adjoining the temple toward the east, north, and south.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Verse 12<\/strong> begins by locating the north door (entrance) at a distance of 100 cubits, before the &#8220;separate place&#8221; which was that length, <span class='bible'>Eze 41:13<\/span>. Ezekiel had previously discussed the chambers of the officiating priests, located on the north and south gates of the inner court, <span class='bible'>Eze 40:44-46<\/span>. He now turns to a more exact view and description of them as there were many chambers, described v. 3-12. So are there many mansions in the Father&#8217;s House, <span class='bible'>Joh 14:1-3<\/span>; with much room left, <span class='bible'>Luk 14:2<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Verse 13 certifies <\/strong>that the &#8220;holy chambers&#8221; were sanctified for two purposes: <strong>First, <\/strong>for the priests to store and eat their holy portion of sacrifices, not eaten at the altar, of the a) meat offering, b) the sin offering, and c) the trespass offering. And <strong>second, <\/strong>the assigned chambers for the officiating priests were places for them to store and change their officiating garments; <span class='bible'>Lev 6:16<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 6:26<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 24:9<\/span>; See also <span class='bible'>Lev 2:3<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 2:10<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 6:14<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 6:17<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 6:25<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 6:29<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 7:13-14<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Num 18:9-10<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 16:23<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Verse 14 specifically <\/strong>instructs the priests concerning difference between the officiating garments, &#8220;holy garments,&#8221; and those to be worn when among the people on social occasions, in the outer court.<\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>THE CHAMBERS OF THE PRIESTS. (Chap. 42)<\/p>\n<p>EXEGETICAL NOTES.<span class='bible'>Eze. 42:1<\/span>. <strong>Into the chamber<\/strong>to the chambers; the Hebrew is a collective noun. <strong>The building towards the north.<\/strong> The direction in which the chambers lay. Place a comma between <em>building<\/em> and <em>toward<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:2<\/span>. <strong>Before the length of a hundred cubits was the north door<\/strong><em>i.e<\/em>., before the separate place, which was that length. The seer had before spoken of chambers for the officiating priests on the north and south gates of the inner court (chap. <span class='bible'>Eze. 40:44-46<\/span>). He now returns to take a more exact view of them.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:4<\/span>. <strong>And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits breadth inward.<\/strong> The word for walk may mean <em>gangway,<\/em> and there may have been in the middle of the chambers a gangway leading inward, with stairs to the upper stories, ten cubits wide, while along the north front of the building there was a kerb of one cubit, as before the guard-chambers (chap. <span class='bible'>Eze. 40:12<\/span>), on which kerb the north doors (leading to the basement) opened. <em>Hengstenberg<\/em> calls the walk a <em>street<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:5<\/span>. <strong>Now the upper chambers were shorter.<\/strong> To be rendered thus:And the upper chambers were shortened, for galleries took off from them (literally, did eat of them), from the lower and from the middlemost chambers of the building. The building rose in terraces, as was usual in Babylonian architecture, and so each of the two upper stories receded from the one below it.<em>Speakers Commentary<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:7<\/span>. <strong>The wall that was without.<\/strong> The wall here must be one from north to south, fencing off from the outer court the passage along the east side of the chambers, and therefore fifty cubits long.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:8<\/span>. <strong>And, lo, before the Temple<\/strong>. This describes their position in a general way; more precisely, they lay over against partly the separate place and partly the Temple court.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:9<\/span>. <strong>As one goeth into them from the outer court.<\/strong> There was an entrance at the north of this passage by which the priests entered into the chambers and into the Temple court.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:10<\/span>. <strong>The chambers were in the thickness of the wall<\/strong>. The verse should be rendered:Breadthwise was the wall towards the east; in front of the separate place and of the building were the chambers.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:11-12<\/span>, assert that on the south side of the separate place was a block of chambers precisely similar to that on the north.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:13<\/span>. <strong>Where the priests shall eat the most holy things<\/strong>. In <span class='bible'>Lev. 10:13<\/span> it was prescribed that the priests should eat of the sacrifices in the holy place. This was originally before the altar in the inner courtnow separate chambers are assigned, and these become the holy place for this purpose. Only the meat-offeringsthe sin and guilt offeringsare mentioned, not the slain or peace offering, because only in the former were the portions falling to the priests most holy, and as such to be consumed by the priests alone, in their official function; whereas in the peace-offerings the priestly portion was consumed by the priests with their whole family, including even the females (<span class='bible'>Lev. 10:14<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:14<\/span>. <strong>When the priests enter therein.<\/strong> Another purpose for which these chambers were to be used was for the unrobing of the priests. Only after they have changed their garments which they have used in the service of God are they to enter into intercourse with the people in the outer court.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:15<\/span>. <strong>Measuring the inner house.<\/strong> Not the Temple, but the Temple and its courts, all that lay within the wall on the outside of the house (chap. <span class='bible'>Eze. 40:5<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:16<\/span>. <strong>He measured the east sidefive hundred reeds.<\/strong> The vast extent is another feature marking the ideal character of the Temple. It symbolises the great enlargement of the Kingdom of God in the times of the Messiah.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:20<\/span>. <strong>To make a separation<\/strong>. The sanctuary proper was the Most Holy Place as distinguished from the rest of the Temple; but the term was capable of extension, first to the whole Temple, then to all the ground that was separated to holy as distinguished from profane or common uses. No longer shall the wall of partition be to separate the Jew and the Gentile, for Christ hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us (<span class='bible'>Eph. 2:14<\/span>), but to separate the sacred from the profane.<\/p>\n<p><em>HOMILETICS<\/em><\/p>\n<p>WORKERS FOR GOD: THEIR PRIVILEGES AND DISTINCTION<\/p>\n<p>(<span class='bible'>Eze. 42:1-20<\/span>.)<\/p>\n<p><strong>I. That workers for God have ample provision for all their needs.<\/strong> These chambers were intended for shelter, rest, and refreshment for those who waited on God in worship; every necessary comfort and convenience was provided. The priests were wholly devoted to their sacred calling; they renounced the world and all its most tempting prizes, and gave themselves up body and soul to a life-long consecration to the work of the Temple. The law of worship demanded this complete self-renunciation; and at the same time it secured to the servant of God everything that was essential to his well-being and to help him in his hallowed work. The minister of the Divine Word must be relieved from the fret and care of worldly things, that he may be free to apply himself with a whole-hearted <em>abandon<\/em> to the study and interpretation of spiritual things (<span class='bible'>1Ti. 4:15<\/span>). Let him take care of the sacred deposit committed to his trust, and God will take care of him. The faithful worker for God need have no anxiety about the future: his anxiety should be undividedly centred on the duties of the present (<span class='bible'>Luk. 10:7<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Php. 4:19<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p><strong>II. That workers for God should prepare by devotions in private for the profitable worship of God in public<\/strong>. The chambers, though near the Temple, were separate from it, were strictly private, placed in the midst of stillness and retirement favourable to meditation and prayer. The power of the worker for God in public is acquired by diligent devotion in private. God is known in the greatness and glory of His character and the wisdom and righteousness of His ways; not in the midst of noise and uproar, but in quietness and solitude. The thinker must isolate himself for the time being from all distraction, and quietly and prayerfully wait on God. Be still, and know that I am God (<span class='bible'>Psa. 46:10<\/span>). Not in the wild commotion and brazen clangour of the battlefield, not in the whizzing hurricane of national strife and uproar, not in the rush and worry of excessive worldly care, are the holy secrets of Divine things divulged to the soul, but in the solitude of retirement, in the hush and stillness of some meditative retreat, where the tocsin of war is never heard and the peal of cannon and crash of arms never penetrate. Not that we are to indulge in a life of useless quietism and inactivity. We must ilence our meaningless clamour and pause in our demonstrative activities in order that God may speak and may work His purpose in us: then we receive our commission and are inspired to speak and work for Him. On the quiet pastoral slopes of Midian, Moses, in stillness and awe, witnessed the splendours of the Divine revelation; and then went forth to work, and his life thenceforward was a continuous scene of tireless and prodigious activity Among the rugged crags of Horeb, Elijah was favoured with a fuller revelation of the Divine characternot in the roaring tempest, the crashing earthquake, or the devouring fire, but in the subduing whisper of the still, small voiceand he rose up to do the will of God with a tenderer and a nobler spirit than he had known before. In the dreary solitudes of Patmos the beloved John beheld, in enraptured stillness, visions of the future history of the Church as they rolled before him in panoramic splendour, and then spent the rest of his life in writing and speaking about them for the benefit of the ages to come. And so the workers for God, in the quietness and secrecy of the closet, receive the blessing of the Lord that they may bear it forth to the public sanctuary and make their fellow-worshippers all the richer for sharing with them the outpoured endowments of Heaven.<\/p>\n<p>III. <strong>That workers for God should be distinguished by superior sanctity<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<p>1. <em>The character of their work demands it<\/em>. It is holy work; it has to do with holy things (<span class='bible'>Eze. 42:13<\/span>). In connection with the Temple of God a clear and unmistakable distinction is made between things sacred and profane (<span class='bible'>Eze. 42:20<\/span>). The law of cleansing observed in the Levitical ritual with such scrupulous minuteness was intended to set forth the absolute necessity of purity in all who took part in the ministrations of the Temple (<span class='bible'>Isa. 52:11<\/span>). Only the holy can comprehend and teach holiness. To understand philosophy we must be philosophic, to appreciate a poet we must be poetical, and to understand purity we must be ourselves pure. <\/p>\n<p>2. <em>The success of their work will be influenced by it<\/em>. It will be seen in its effects both upon themselves and upon others. How often is the best work for God marred by the intrusion into it of human imperfection and sin! It is said that Michael Angelo was once seen absorbingly engaged on an important painting with a lighted lamp fastened across his forehead, so that no shadow from himself might fall upon his work. Even so ought we to lift up the light of a God-given holiness that no shadow of self may darken and disfigure the work we are doing for Him. Man is never so great, so luminous, so grand, as when he is doing holy work with the light and help of the holy God.<\/p>\n<p>LESSONS.<\/p>\n<p>1. <em>To do the best work for God needs prayerful preparation<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p>2. <em>Work done for God has its own special rewards<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p>3. <em>Personal holiness requisite for the highest kind of success in work for God<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><em>GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:1-20<\/span>. By these buildings connected with the Temple and pertaining to its outward economy we should be reminded that the Lord bestows upon the pious the other necessaries of life also. In Him they find their entire satisfaction; but they use food, drink, intercourse with men and this world, as if they did not use all this. Thus to the pure all things are pure that they do with pure and upright heart. The Word of God makes us strong when it is with us, and blesses also outward things. The Lord has ordained that they who preach the Gospel shall live of the Gospel.<em>colampadius<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:1<\/span>. As this Temple was provided with many chambers, but each had its own purpose, so believing Christians must be sanctified chambers for the glory of Godone for this use, another for that (<span class='bible'>2Ti. 2:21<\/span>).<em>Starck<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:3<\/span>. The inner court. This was a figure of the Church invisible, as the outer court was of the visible and external.<em>Trapp<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:4<\/span>. <strong>The Social Instinct<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1. Leads to the place where congenial company is to be found. <br \/>2. Delights in the fellowships associated with the House of God. <br \/>3. Finds its supreme satisfaction in spiritual communion with the highest.<\/p>\n<p>Before the chambers was a walk of ten cubitsa way of one cubit. There is a broad way and a narrow way; a ten-cubit way and a one-cubit way. The Church at one time has prosperity and freedom; it is in a walk of ten cubits; and the time will come when it shall have greater latitude, liberty, and prosperity. At another time the Church is in straits, afflictions, temptations, and persecutions: it is in a way of one cubit.<em>Greenhill<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>A way of one cubit. A narrow way, but such as led into spacious walks of ten cubits breadth inward. Strait is the gate and narrow the way that leadeth unto life eternal; but they that hit it, hold it, shall walk arm-in-arm with angels (<span class='bible'>Mat. 7:14<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Zec. 3:7<\/span>). Through many tribulations we enter the Kingdom; but there God will set our feet in a large room (<span class='bible'>Act. 14:22<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Psa. 31:8<\/span>). Let it be remembered that this narrow way is but short; it is of but one cubit.<em>Trapp<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>We are not to spend all our time between the church and the chamber, though a great deal of time may be spent to very good purpose in both; but man is made for society and Christians for the communion of saints, and we must make conscience of the duties of that communion and take the comfort of its privileges and pleasures.<em>M. Henry<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:5-6<\/span>. <strong>The Law of Gradation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1. Recognised in the various duties and offices in the Church of God. <br \/>2. Regulates the distribution of intellectual and spiritual endowments. <br \/>3. Limits responsibility to gifts and opportunities.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:5<\/span>. While in the previous chapter the breadth increased with the elevation, it here becomes narrower. The progressive growth in grace is a wider consciousness of Christ, but a constantly narrowing self-consciousness (<span class='bible'>1Co. 15:9<\/span>). So is the service in the gospel, when with increasing years our view into eternity expands and similarly contracts in temporal matters; the nearer the day of reckoning is, our responsibility becomes the clearer to us and the more clearly do we see our many mistakes and disloyalties.There are three stages of life: youth, manhood, and old age, and the last is the narrowest of all.<em>Lange<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:6<\/span>. Had not pillars. The strength of this Temple was not everywhere alike; some parts had pillars, others had none, or not equal to others. So in the Church of Christ, some parts of it have strong pillars, eminent teachers, whereas other parts are wholly destitute, or have such as are weak.<em>Greenhill<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:7<\/span>. God is able to set walls around those who desire to keep themselves pure from the stains of the flesh and to protect them in the hour of trial and temptation. True believers are protected; no one can injure them (<span class='bible'>Joh. 10:27<\/span>).<em>Starke<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The wall of Gods protection extends as far as the Church, or any part of it.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:8-9<\/span>. <strong>Public and Private Worship<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1. Mutually helpful in the culture of spiritual life. <br \/>2. The use of the one does not supersede the use of the other. <br \/>3. Public worship a solemn testimony and the sphere where the most memorable blessings are realised. <br \/>4. Private worship an essential preparation for successful public worship. <br \/>5. Public worship a privilege, to be preferred before and above private worship.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:13-14<\/span>. <strong>The Blessing of Food and Clothing<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1. Abundantly provided for all the creatures of God. <br \/>2. Not sufficiently appreciated. <br \/>3. Eating and drinking a holy refection to be enjoyed with a thankful heart, which should be suitably expressed before and after partaking. <br \/>4. A proof of the universality of the Divine care and goodness.<\/p>\n<p>If we have to understand by the priests those brought up from childhood in the faith of Christ and walking in this way, then in these verses is figured their fellowship with one another in particular, their united inquiry into the Word and meditation thereon, and on the mystery of Christ, for growth of knowledge and increase of joy, so that they are prepared and adorned in one and the same faith, always to return to and worship at the altar, which is Christ.Glory and holiness in their connection; how this connection is stamped on this Temple and its arrangements and purposes, even to the most minute particulars.Profane ministers profane the sanctuary.We ought not to approach the holy table of the Lord with worldly, impenitent hearts.<em>Lange<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ministerial Duties and Privileges<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<p>1. <em>The priests approached unto the Lord<\/em>. In all administrations of the Gospel ministers approach near to God, and in all their approaches He looks to be sanctified by them. <\/p>\n<p>2. <em>The priests in Gods service had good accommodation<\/em>. Here is a Divine ordinance for ministers maintenance. Whatever good things people possess, they ought to communicate a part to their teachers (<span class='bible'>Gal. 6:6<\/span>; <span class='bible'>1Co. 9:13-14<\/span>). <\/p>\n<p>3. <em>Holy things are to be laid in holy places<\/em>. Holy hearts are fit places for God, Christ, the Spirit, the Gospel and all the ordinances of it. <\/p>\n<p>4. <em>Ministers ought to have other frames of spirit in them when they are nearer to God in the duties of His worship than at other times<\/em> (<span class='bible'>Eze. 42:14<\/span>). Then they are to put on holy garments, be clothed with zeal, fear, and all holy affections. They are to discharge their office with gravity and authority, that their ministry be not despised.<em>Greenhill<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:13<\/span>. Ministers must eat as well as other they are not of the chameleon kindcannot live on air; and the Lord Christ hath ordained that they which wait at the altar are partakers of the altar (<span class='bible'>1Co. 9:3<\/span>; <span class='bible'>1Co. 9:14<\/span>).<em>Trapp<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The chambers, though private, are to be near the Temple, which teaches us that our communion with God in our secret chambers is to prepare us for public devotions in the sanctuary, and to enable us to derive all the benefits from them which God has designed. There can be no real worship in public if there be not also worship in private. In the Temple of the Holy Ghost, the Church, there are multitudes dwelling by faith, and yet there is room for more.<em>Fausset<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Those that have public work to do for God and the souls of men have need to be much in private to fit themselves for it. Ministers should spend much time in their chambers, in reading, meditation, and prayer, that their profiting may appear; and they ought to be provided with conveniences for this purpose.<em>M. Henry<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:14<\/span>. The clerical coat does not make the clergyman, yet it is a defence and an admonition. The best clerical garment, and one which we may always put on and wear everywhere, is our sanctification in Christ. It is as great a mistake to carry about the clerical coat everywhere, like a monk, as to leave it at home from unclerical frivolity or worldly-mindedness. Paul became all things to all men, but not at the expense of his ministerial office.<em>Lange<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Ministers may not leave their station, lay aside their holy calling, entangle themselves with worldly cares and businesses, but make their ministry their business, giving themselves wholly to it. As in doing their office they must use all becoming gravity and authority as the ambassadors of Christ, so at other times they must familiarise themselves with their people, becoming all things to all men, in Pauls sense, that they may win some.<em>Trapp<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:15<\/span>. So wide and spacious will the New Testament Church be, in distinction from the Old Testament Church. A greater than Solomon in all his pomp and glory is here, for Jesus is the Light of all nations. The true Church is the collection of the scattered believers that are in the world.Observe, only after he had learned exactly the internal magnitude did the prophet learn the external. It is labour in vain to labour in investigating nature until we have first laid a good foundation in godliness. Without this we continue too much devoted to the contemplation of visible things and make them our idols, so that they become a stumbling-block and a snare to ourselves and other inexperienced people. But when thou hast come to know the inner meaning of spiritual things, and hast tasted the length, height, and depth of the love of God, then thou mayest busy thyself with all visible things. Thou wilt everywhere pause, and contemplating things with the spiritual eye, say, O Lord our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!<em>Lange<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:15-20<\/span>. <strong>The Messianic Church<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<p>1. <em>Its extent and latitude<\/em>. It is in all quarters of the world. <\/p>\n<p>2. <em>Its stability and firmness<\/em>. The buildings of this Temple are four-squarestable, firm, and lasting. So the Church is strong and permanent (<span class='bible'>Eph. 2:20<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa. 54:14<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Mat. 16:18<\/span>). <\/p>\n<p>3. <em>Its lustre and beauty<\/em>. Great buildings in the form of a square are beautiful and glorious. So the Church (<span class='bible'>Son. 6:4<\/span>). <\/p>\n<p>4. <em>Its safety<\/em>. This Temple had a wall round about (<span class='bible'>Eze. 42:20<\/span>). The wall of the New Jerusalem is great and high, sufficient to secure all who are within (<span class='bible'>Rev. 21:12<\/span>). <\/p>\n<p>5. <em>Its sanctity<\/em>. This wall was to separate between the sanctuary and the profane place (<span class='bible'>Eze. 42:20<\/span>). The Church is a company called out of and separate from the world, who have given up themselves to God and Christ.<em>Greenhill<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:16-20<\/span>. <strong>The Grandeur of the Divine Temple<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<p>1. <em>It is of vast extent<\/em>. He measured the east, north, south, and west sides, each side being 500 reeds (<span class='bible'>Eze. 42:16-19<\/span>)in all a square of 11\/7 of a mileexceeding the limits of all ancient Jerusalem. This signifies the great enlargement of the Church of God in future times. <\/p>\n<p>2. <em>It is immovably secure<\/em>. He measured by the four sides. Its square form betokened the strength and solidity of the wholean emblem of the kingdom that cannot be moved. <\/p>\n<p>3. <em>It marks off an unmistakable distinction between the holy and profane<\/em>. To make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place (<span class='bible'>Eze. 42:20<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p>Thus every way it exhibits to the eye of faith the true ideal of that pure and glorious Temple which, resting on the foundation of the eternal Son and girt round with all the perfections of Godhead, shall shine forth the best and noblest workmanship of Heaven.<em>Fairbairn<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze. 42:20<\/span>. In Christ all has assumed such a shape that through Him the sanctuary now always continues present in humanity; and the true altar of burnt-offering, Golgotha, is always before the eyes of the Most Holy Father, in order, for the sake of the sacrifice thereon offered, to love, sanctify, and protect us all.<em>Diedrich<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Gold is purged in the fire, shines in the water; as, on the other side, clay is scorched in the fire, dissolved in the water.<em>Trapp<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The Jews accounted the whole earth profanecommon or uncleancompared with Canaan, and Canaan common or less holy than Jerusalem, and every part nearer the Temple the more holy; and so here the outward court was enclosed to distinguish it by its comparative holiness; it was more holy than all without it.<em>Pool<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>A difference is to be put between common and sacred things, between Gods name and other names, between His day and other days, His Book and other books, His institutions and other observances; and a distance to be put between our worldly and religious actions, so as still to go about the worship of God with a solemn pause.<em>M. Henry<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Preacher&#8217;s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>E. The Priests Chambers in the Temple Yard 42:114<\/p>\n<p><strong>TRANSLATION<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>(1) Then be brought me forth into the outer court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into the chamber that was over against the separate place, and which was over against the building toward the north. (2) Before the length of a hundred cubits was the north door, and the breadth was fifty cubits. (3) Over against the twenty cubits which belonged to the inner court, and over against the pavement which belonged to the outer court, was gallery against gallery in the third story. (4) And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors were toward the north. (5) Now the upper chambers were shorter; for the galleries took away from these, more than from the lower and the middlemost, in the building. (6) For they were in three stories, and they had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore the uppermost was straitened more than the lowest and the middle most from the ground. (7) And the wall that was without by the side of the chambers, toward the outer court before the chambers, the length thereof was fifty cubits. (8) For the length of the chambers that were in the outer court was fifty cubits: and, 10, before the temple were a hundred cubits. (9) And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goes into them from the outer court. (10) In the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, before the separate place, and before the building, there were chambers. (11) And the way before them was like the appearance of the way of the chambers which were toward the north; according to their length so was their breadth: and all their egresses were both according to their fashions, and according to their doors. (12) And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door at the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one enters into them. (13) Then said he unto me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they are the holy chambers, where the priests that are near unto the LORD shall eat the most holy things, and the meal-offering, and the sin-offering, and the trespass-offering; for the place is holy. (14) When the priests enter in, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the outer court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy: and they shall put on other garments, and shall approach to that which pertains to the people.<\/p>\n<p><strong>COMMENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Across the Temple yard directly opposite the side-chambers of the Temple were the priests chambers. These chambers were briefly mentioned in <span class='bible'>Eze. 41:10<\/span>. The priests chambers consisted of two blocks or complexes of chambers separated from one another by a passageway ten cubits wide. Closest to the Temple was a rather large one-story building (100 by 50 cubits) which was divided into smaller chambers. These chambers were used for dining rooms and for storing the offerings given to the priests. They also served as a vestry (<span class='bible'>Eze. 42:13-14<\/span>). Across the passageway was a three-storied complex of chambers fifty cubits long. For aesthetic reasons a dividing wall extended another fifty cubits so that this second complex of chambers would balance in appearance the first block of priestly chambers. Apparently these priestly chambers could be entered from the outer court and from the passage between the two complexes of chambers.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong>XLII.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This chapter describes what is not only new in this vision, but also unknown in either the former or the later Temple. <span class='bible'>Eze. 42:1-14<\/span> are occupied with the account of certain chambers for the priests adjoining the inner court, but actually within the area of the outer. From <span class='bible'>Eze. 42:14<\/span> it is plain that these chambers, although thus situated in the outer court, were considered for ecclesiastical purposes as belonging to the inner. <span class='bible'>Eze. 42:15-20<\/span> describe a very large area enclosing the Temple and its courts as an additional safeguard to its sanctity.<\/p>\n<p> (1) <strong>Utter court.<\/strong><em>Outer court<\/em> (see Note on 40:31). The into of the next clause should be unto; so also in <span class='bible'>Eze. 46:19<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Before the building.<\/strong>The preposition is the same as that translated just before, and also twice in <span class='bible'>Eze. 42:3<\/span>, over against. The length of this chamber, or series of chambers, was 100 cubits (<span class='bible'>Eze. 42:2<\/span>), and as it appears from <span class='bible'>Eze. 46:19<\/span> that it did not reach to the western wall, it must have extended the whole remaining length of the building to the west of the separate place, across the separate place itself, and probably also across the chambers at the west end of the Temple (see Plan II., H, H [<span class='bible'>Eze. 40:44-49<\/span>]). The chamber on the north is particularly described in <span class='bible'>Eze. 42:1-9<\/span>, and in <span class='bible'>Eze. 42:10-12<\/span> mention is made more briefly of a corresponding one on the south.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Ellicott&#8217;s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> 1-3<\/strong>. <strong> <\/strong> Toy renders: &ldquo;Then he took me out to the outer court on the north and thence led me to the chamber building which faced the temple court on the south and the hall building on the north. Its length was a hundred cubits on the north side, and its width fifty cubits. There was a tier of galleries in the third story.&rdquo; The above rendering is not literal, and omits difficult words and phrases, but doubtless gives the general sense. The LXX. reads &ldquo;inner&rdquo; for <strong> outer <\/strong> court. The prophet&rsquo;s position was probably at <strong> <\/strong>, chart facing page 209. The &ldquo;building toward the north&rdquo; would then be C, with its adjoining pavement B. (For a brilliant suggestion of Professor Peters concerning the mutilated text, see <em> Journal Biblical Literature, <\/em> 12:47.)<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Whedon&#8217;s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> Further Buildings for the Use of the Priests (<span class='bible'><strong> Eze 42:1-12<\/strong><\/span><\/strong> <strong> ).<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'>&lsquo;Then he brought me out to the outer court, the way towards the north, and he brought me to the chamber that was over against the separate place, and which was over against the building, to the north.&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p> The heavenly visitant now took Ezekiel outside the sanctuary and across the temple yard to buildings on the far side of the temple yard, northward from &lsquo;the building&rsquo; (the sanctuary and its accompaniments). Compare here <span class='bible'>Eze 42:10<\/span> where &lsquo;the building&rsquo; is closely connected with the temple yard. This involves referring &lsquo;to the north&rsquo; as connected with the direction of movement rather than as an indication of where the building was. These buildings were totally different from any yet described. The &lsquo;outer court&rsquo; here probably actually means what he has previously called the inner court, looked on as &lsquo;outer&rsquo; compared with the temple yard which seems to be called the &lsquo;inner court&rsquo; in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:3<\/span>. He probably did not have technical names fixed in his mind as we do. (LXX agrees and thus translates &lsquo;the inner court&rsquo;). Compare the use of &lsquo;inner&rsquo; in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:15<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p> This is supported by <span class='bible'>Eze 42:13-14<\/span> where they would seem to be for the retaining of the priestly garments because they were holy and could not leave the area of the sanctuary, and for the eating and disposal of the animal sacrifices because they too were holy.<\/p>\n<p> However some argue that the building in mind was in the outer court. They interpret &lsquo;the building towards the north&rsquo; as being the chambers on the outer wall. Much depends on the meaning of &lsquo;over against&rsquo;. Are we to see it as meaning &lsquo;adjacent to&rsquo; or &lsquo;opposite&rsquo; or &lsquo;in the general direction of&rsquo;? In this case the rooms in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:13-14<\/span> must be other rooms, for example in the back building, or in the side chambers mentioned in <span class='bible'>Eze 41:5-7<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> The New Temple (<span class='bible'><strong> Eze 40:1<\/strong><\/span><\/strong> <strong> to <span class='bible'><strong> Eze 48:35<\/strong><\/span><\/strong> <strong> ).<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> The book of Ezekiel began with a vision of the glory of God and the coming of the heavenly chariot throne of God in order to speak directly to His people through Ezekiel (chapter 1). He then recorded the departure of God&#8217;s glory from Jerusalem and the Temple because of the sins of Israel (chapters 8 &#8211; 11). This was followed by the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Now it ends with another vision, the return of God&#8217;s glory to the land and to His people (chapters 40 -48) depicted in the form of a heavenly temple established on the mountains of Israel to which the glory of God returns, resulting in the final restoration of &lsquo;the city&rsquo; as &lsquo;Yahweh is there&rsquo;. Thus this part of the book follows both chronologically and logically from what has gone before.<\/p>\n<p> Furthermore at the commencement of the book Ezekiel received his divine commission as a prophet (chapters 1 &#8211; 3), then he pronounced oracles of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem for their sins, declaring that Jerusalem must be destroyed (chapters 4 &#8211; 24). He followed this up with oracles of judgment against the foreign nations who had opposed Israel (chapters 25 &#8211; 32). Then on hearing of Jerusalem&#8217;s fall (<span class='bible'>Eze 33:21<\/span>), the prophet proclaimed messages of hope for Israel, declaring that God would fulfil His promises to deliver and bless His people Israel, and would restore them to the land of their fathers and establish them in the land.<\/p>\n<p> Yes, more, that they would be established there everlastingly under a new David, with an everlasting sanctuary set up in their midst (stressed twice &#8211; <span class='bible'>Eze 37:26<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 37:28<\/span>) (chapters 34 &#8211; 39). And now he declares the presence of that new Temple, even now present in the land, invisible to all but him and yet nevertheless real in so much that it can be measured. It is &lsquo;the icing on the cake&rsquo;, the final touch to what has gone before (40-48). God is back in His land. For such an invisible presence, a glimpse of another world, present but unseen except by those with eyes to see, compare <span class='bible'>Gen 28:12<\/span>; <span class='bible'>2Ki 2:11-12<\/span>; <span class='bible'>2Ki 6:17<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Zec 1:7-11<\/span>. Indeed without that heavenly temple the glory could not return, for it had to be guarded from the eyes of man.<\/p>\n<p> The heavenly temple can be compared directly with the heavenly throne with its accompanying heavenly escort which Ezekiel saw earlier (chapter 1). That too was the heavenly equivalent of the earthly ark of the covenant, and huge in comparison. So Ezekiel was very much aware of the heavenly realm and its presence in different ways on earth, for he was a man of spiritual vision.<\/p>\n<p> But there is one remarkable fact that we should notice here, and that is that having been made aware of the destruction of Jerusalem, and looking forward to the restoration of Israel and its cities and the Satanic opposition they will face, and even speaking of the building of a new Temple, Ezekiel never once refers directly by name to Jerusalem in any way (in <span class='bible'>Eze 36:38<\/span> it is referred to in an illustration). This seems quite remarkable. It seems to me that this could only arise from a studied determination not to do so. He wants to take men&rsquo;s eyes off Jerusalem.<\/p>\n<p> Here was a man who was a priest, who had constantly revealed his awareness of the requirements of the cult, who had been almost totally absorbed with Jerusalem, who now looked forward to the restoration of the land and the people, and yet who ignored what was surely central in every Israelite&rsquo;s thinking, the restoration of Jerusalem. Surely after his earlier prophecies against Jerusalem his ardent listeners must have asked him the question, again and again, what about Jerusalem? And yet he seemingly gave them no answer. Why?<\/p>\n<p> It seems to me that there can only be two parallel answers to that question. The first is that Jerusalem had sinned so badly that as far as God and Ezekiel were concerned its restoration as the holy city was not in the long run to be desired or even considered. What was to be restored was the people and the land, which was his continual emphasis. Jerusalem was very secondary and not a vital part of that restoration. And secondly that in the final analysis the earthly Jerusalem was not important in the final purposes of God. Jerusalem had been superseded. His eternal sanctuary would be set up, but it would not be in the earthly Jerusalem (chapter 45 makes this clear). Rather it would be set up in such a way that it could more be compared to Jacob&rsquo;s ladder, as providing access to and from the heavenlies (<span class='bible'>Gen 28:12<\/span>) and a way to God, and yet be invisible to man. It is a vision of another world in its relationships with man (compare <span class='bible'>2Ki 6:17<\/span>). It was the beginnings of a more spiritual view of reality. And it would result in an eternal city, the city of &lsquo;Yahweh is there&rsquo; (<span class='bible'>Eze 48:30-35<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p> Now that is not the view of Jerusalem and the temple of men like Nehemiah (<span class='bible'>Neh 1:4<\/span>) and Daniel (<span class='bible'>Dan 9:2<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Dan 9:16<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Dan 9:19<\/span>), but they were God-inspired politicians thinking of the nearer political and religious future not the everlasting kingdom. (Daniel does of course deal with the everlasting kingdom, but he never relates Jerusalem to it. He relates the everlasting kingdom to Heaven). Nor do the other prophets avoid mentioning Jerusalem, and they do see in &lsquo;Jerusalem&rsquo; a place for the forwarding of the purposes of God (e.g. <span class='bible'>Isa 2:3<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 4:3-5<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 24:23<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 27:13<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 30:19<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 31:5<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 33:20-21<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 40:2<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 40:9<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 44:26-28<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 52:1-2<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 52:9<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 62:1-7<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 65:18-19<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 66:10-20<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Jer 3:17-18<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Jer 33:11-18<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Joe 2:32<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Joe 3:1<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Joe 3:16-20<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Oba 1:17-21<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Mic 4:2-8<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Zep 3:14-16<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Zec 2:2-4<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Zec 2:12<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Zec 3:2<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Zec 8:3-8<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Zec 8:15<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Zec 8:22<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Zec 9:9-10<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Zec 12:6<\/span> to <span class='bible'>Zec 13:1<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Zec 14:11-21<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Mal 3:4<\/span>), although some of these verses too have the &lsquo;new Jerusalem&rsquo; firmly in mind. And certainly God would in the short term encourage the building of a literal Temple in Jerusalem (Haggai and Zechariah). Thus all saw the literal Jerusalem as having at least a limited function in the forward going of God&rsquo;s purposes, simply because it was central in the thinking of the people of Israel. Although how far is another question. However, Ezekiel&rsquo;s vision went beyond that. It seems to be suggesting that in the major purposes of God the earthly Jerusalem was now of little significance. It was not even worthy of mention. It is now just &lsquo;the city&rsquo;.<\/p>\n<p> Yet we find him here suddenly speaking of the presence of a new Temple in the land of Israel. But even here, although it is referred to under the anonymous phrase &lsquo;the city&rsquo; (<span class='bible'>Eze 40:1<\/span>), Jerusalem remains unmentioned by name. And the temple is not sited in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is simply a place called anonymously &lsquo;the city&rsquo;, whose future name, once it is redeemed and purified, is &lsquo;Yahweh is there&rsquo; (<span class='bible'>Eze 48:35<\/span>). What Ezekiel is far more concerned to demonstrate is that the glory of Yahweh, and His accessibility to His own, has returned to His people in a new heavenly Temple, which has replaced the old, and is established on a mysterious and anonymous mountain, rather than to stress His presence in an earthly Jerusalem. Indeed he will stress that this temple is outside the environs of Jerusalem (<span class='bible'>Eze 45:1-6<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p> This should then awaken us to the fact that Ezekiel is in fact here speaking of an everlasting sanctuary (<span class='bible'>Eze 37:26<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 37:28<\/span>). This is no earthly Temple with earthly functions. There is no suggestion anywhere that it should be built, indeed&nbsp; <em> it was already there and could be measured<\/em>. It is an everlasting heavenly Temple of which the earthly was, and will be, but a shadow.<\/p>\n<p> It is true that a physical temple would be built, and they are specifically told that the altar described (but pointedly not directly &lsquo;measured&rsquo;) is to be made (<span class='bible'>Eze 43:18<\/span>), for physical sacrifices would require a physical altar, and that will be the point of contact with the heavenly temple, but the important thing would be, not the physical temple, but the invisible heavenly temple, present in the land, of which the physical was but a representation. The ancients regularly saw their physical religious artefacts as in some way representing an invisible reality, and so it is here. A fuller picture of the heavenly temple is given throughout the Book of Revelation. And this temple was now &lsquo;seen&rsquo; to be established in the land even before a physical temple was built. God had again taken possession of His land, and awaited the return of His people for the ongoing of His purposes.<\/p>\n<p> But a further point, putting these verses firmly in its context, is that this will make them realise that once they have come through the trials brought on them by Gog and his forces, fortified by the presence of God in their midst, they will be able to enter the eternal rest promised them by God, for His heavenly, everlasting temple was here so that He could dwell among them in an everlasting sanctuary. This was thus putting in terms that they could understand the heavenly future that awaited His people. It was a fuller and more perfect sanctuary (<span class='bible'>Eze 37:26-28<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Heb 9:11<\/span>). And it had relevance from the beginning as the sign that God had returned to His land.<\/p>\n<p> This section about the &lsquo;heavenly&rsquo; temple can be split into five parts. The first is a brief introduction in terms of the vision that Ezekiel experienced (<span class='bible'>Eze 40:1-4<\/span>). This is followed by a detailed description of the new temple complex with the lessons that it conveyed (<span class='bible'>Eze 40:5<\/span> to <span class='bible'>Eze 42:20<\/span>), the return of Yahweh to His temple (<span class='bible'>Eze 43:1-9<\/span>), the worship that would follow as a result of that temple (<span class='bible'>Eze 43:10<\/span> to <span class='bible'>Eze 46:24<\/span>), and the accompanying changes that would take place with regard to His people as they &lsquo;repossessed the land&rsquo; with the final establishment of a heavenly city (chapters 47-48), all expressed in terms of what they themselves were expecting, but improved on. To them &lsquo;the land&rsquo; was the ultimate of their aspirations, a land in which Yahweh had promised them that they would dwell in safety and blessing for ever. So the promises were put in terms of that land to meet with their aspirations. But there are clear indications that something even more splendid was in mind as we shall see. The land could never finally give them the fullness of what God was promising them, and once the temple moved into Heaven, &lsquo;the land&rsquo; would move there too.<\/p>\n<p> But we should perhaps here, in fairness to other commentators, pause to recognise that there are actually a number of main views (with variations) with regard to these chapters, which we ought to all too briefly consider for the sake of completeness, so as to present a full picture. As we consider them readers must judge for themselves which one best fits all the facts, remembering what we have already seen in Ezekiel the details of a vision that reaches beyond the confines of an earthly land. We must recognise too that accepting one does not necessarily mean that we have to fully reject the others, for prophecy is not limited to a single event, but to the ongoing action and purposes of God. Nevertheless we cannot avoid the fact that one view must be predominant<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> 1) Some have considered that what Ezekiel predicted was fulfilled when the exiles returned and re-established themselves in the land, rebuilding the physical temple and restoring the priesthood. However nothing that actually took place after the return from Babylon matches the full details of these predictions. Neither the temple built under Zerubbabel&#8217;s supervision, nor the temple erected by Herod the Great, bore any resemblance to what Ezekiel describes here. In fact, there has been no literal fulfilment of these predictions. And there does not seem to have been a desire for it. Thus this view disregards many of the main facts outlined and dismisses them as unimportant. It sees them as mainly misguided optimism or permissible exaggeration.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> 2) Others have interpreted this section spiritually. They have seen these predictions as fulfilled in a spiritual sense in the church, and certainly the New Testament to a certain extent confirms this view. Consider for example the use of the idea in chapter 47 in <span class='bible'>Joh 7:38<\/span>. But many consider that this approach fails to explain the multitude of details given, such as the dimensions of the various rooms in the temple complex. They point out that Ezekiel&#8217;s guide was careful to make sure that the prophet recorded these details exactly (<span class='bible'>Eze 40:4<\/span>). The reply would be that what they indicate symbolically is God&rsquo;s detailed concern for His people. This view presupposes that the church supersedes the old Israel in God&#8217;s programme (as many believe that the New Testament teaches) and that many of God&#8217;s promises concerning a future for Israel find part of their actual fulfilment in the church as God&rsquo;s temple and as the new Israel, symbolically rather than literally. There is certainly some truth in this position.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> 3) Still others believe that these chapters describe a yet future, eschatological temple and everlasting kingdom in line with <span class='bible'>Eze 37:24-28<\/span>, and following 38-39, but that they again do so only symbolically. These interpreters believe that the measurements, for example, represent symbolic truth concerning the coming everlasting kingdom, including the dwelling of God among His people, the establishing of true and pure worship, and the reception by His people of all that He has promised them in fuller measure than they can ever have expected, but they do not look for a literal temple complex and the establishment of temple worship. Indeed they consider that such would be a backward step in the progress of God&rsquo;s purposes.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> It is claimed by those who disagree with them that this view also overlooks the amount of detail given, so much detail, they would claim, that one could almost use these chapters as general blueprints to build the structures in view. To this the reply is partly that the detail is in fact not sufficient to prepare efficient blueprints, and partly that they bear their own message. Indeed they argue that all the many attempts to make a reliable blueprint have failed. If taken literally, they argue, there are problems with the detail that cannot be surmounted. They are therefore far better seen as depictions of the concern of God for perfection for His people.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> 4) Still others also take this passage as a an apocalyptic prophecy but anticipate a literal fulfilment in the future. While they accept that some of the descriptions have symbolic significance as well as literal reality, and that some teach important spiritual lessons, and can also be applied to the eternal state, nevertheless, they argue, the revelation finally concerns details of a literal future temple to be built to these specifications, details of a system of worship and priesthood which will be literally established, and actual physical changes in the promised land, which will occur when a people identifying themselves specifically as Israel, not the church, dwell there securely (i.e. during what they call the Millennium).<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> Those who disagree with them point among other things to the impracticality of the plans for the temple, the impossibility of now establishing a genuine Zadokite priesthood, the contradiction of establishing a system of sacrifices when the New Testament points to a better sacrifice, made once for all, which has replaced all others, the discrepancies and difficulties with regard to the siting of the temple, and the unfeasability of dividing the land in the way described.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> 5) And finally there is the view that we are proposing here, that the Temple of Ezekiel was never intended to be built by man, but was rather a genuine and real presence of the heavenly temple which was from this time present invisibly on earth (invisible to all but Ezekiel, as the armies of God were present but invisible to all but Elisha &#8211;<span class='bible'>2Ki 6:17<\/span>). It is saying that God has established Himself in His own invisible temple in the land ready to carry out His campaign into the future. This can then be seen as connected with the temple seen in Revelation in heaven, with the earthly temples to be built as but a shadow of the heavenly, and with the final temple in the everlasting kingdom. The strength of this position will appear throughout the commentary. Suffice to say at this point that there is nowhere in the chapters any suggestion that the temple should be built from the description presented (in complete contrast with the tabernacle &#8211; <span class='bible'>Exo 25:40<\/span>). And this is even more emphatically so because instructions&nbsp; <em> are<\/em> &nbsp;given to build an altar for worship. Given Ezekiel&rsquo;s visionary insight this fact in itself should make us hesitate in seeing this as any but a visionary temple already present in Israel at the time of measuring.<\/p>\n<p> Whatever view we take we cannot deny that the New Testament does see God&rsquo;s temple as being present on earth in His people (<span class='bible'>Eph 2:20-22<\/span>; 1Co 3:16-17 ; <span class='bible'>2Co 6:16<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Rev 11:1<\/span>), and that John in Revelation refers throughout to a temple in Heaven, and to a new Jerusalem, clearly related to some of the things described in these chapters. Furthermore his description of the eternal state, of life in &lsquo;the new earth&rsquo; after the destruction of the present earth, is partly based on chapter 47-48 (Revelation 21-22). And we might see that as suggesting that once the Messiah had been rejected God&rsquo;s heavenly temple was thought of as having deserted Israel, and as having gone up into Heaven where it was seen by John, although still being represented on earth, no longer by a building, but by His new people.<\/p>\n<p> Bearing all this in mind we will now consider the text.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> The Measuring of the Temple (<span class='bible'><strong> Eze 40:5<\/strong><\/span><\/strong> <strong> to <span class='bible'><strong> Eze 42:20<\/strong><\/span><\/strong> <strong> ).<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> There follows now the measuring in detail of the temple and the temple area, and we may ask what is the purpose of these detailed measurements? In actual fact they were very important for they confirmed the reality of the invisible temple and its purpose. While a visionary temple, it was nevertheless firmly grounded in reality. The measuring made clear to the people a number of facts which they needed to learn.<\/p>\n<p> Firstly it stressed that the tabernacle of God was now once more in the land awaiting them, although in visionary, not literal form. Secondly it pointed ahead to what was to come. And thirdly it stressed that He was a holy God and that approach to Him was not to be endeavoured lightly. Anything short of what appeared to be a detailed blueprint would not have achieved these aims. Those who heard Ezekiel speaking about it would naturally ask for details of what he had seen, and would indeed find their hearts dance within them at every little detail given, for it would remind them of the old temple which they thought they had lost for ever.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> 1) The detailing of the measurements made clear to the exiles that the temple in question was not just some pipe dream but was a genuine other-worldly temple that had been measured. It was confirmation of their hopes. Each detail had been considered and was being carefully described. So they could know that the new temple was real and truly &lsquo;existed&rsquo; in the purposes of God, for Ezekiel had seen it measured and could recount the detail.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> 2) The fact that it had been measured, not by Ezekiel but by a messenger of God, confirmed that it was God&rsquo;s own temple, provided by Him, a heavenly temple, a temple which could not be touched by this world, but of which Ezekiel was a witness.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> 3) The detailed measurements given, which could be compared with the detailed measurements provided for the tabernacle, confirmed that it was of God&rsquo;s design, like the tabernacle (but this time with no indication that it should be built to specification). It was confirmation that God was still interested in providing His people with the full and necessary resources for approaching and worshipping Him, while at the same time warning them that He was a holy God and not to be approached lightly. Thus while it was a portrayal of the heavenly, it was also &lsquo;down to earth&rsquo;, and would indeed eventually find its shadow in the earthly temple, which would be a simpler representation. While they made use of a their smaller earthly temple they would be able to visualise and acknowledge the glorious heavenly temple, of which it was a symbol.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> 4) The perfect symmetry of the measurements revealed the perfection of God, and the perfection of His plans and purposes for His people that were yet to be, and indeed of the temple itself. This was God&rsquo;s work and not man&rsquo;s.<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:3.6em'> 5) The measurement of each part of the temple demonstrated that it was being potentially &lsquo;brought into use&rsquo; for the people of God. We can compare with this how God elsewhere arranged for the &lsquo;measurement&rsquo; of Jerusalem to demonstrate that it belonged to Him, that He was beginning His actions on its behalf and that He had taken it under His protection (<span class='bible'>Zec 2:1-5<\/span>), something again done invisibly of which only the physical outcome was seen. We can also compare His arranging of the measurement of the new Jerusalem so as to bring out its perfection and readiness for use (<span class='bible'>Rev 21:15<\/span>). Here then was a temple ready for use and through which God was about to act.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> Israel&rsquo;s Glorification <\/strong> <span class='bible'>Eze 35:1<\/span> to <span class='bible'>Eze 48:35<\/span> deals with the topic of Israel&rsquo;s glorification. The description of the restored land of Israel and the new Temple and its worship (36-48) reveals a building and nation more majestic and beautiful that that found during the time of Solomon. These passages reveal the glorification that God has in planned for His people Israel. This glorification is different than what He has planned for the Church. The prophecies of this passage signify the fact that God has a much greater blessing in store for His people than any earthly kingdom in the past, even greater than Israel in its golden age of King Solomon. The future glories of the heavenly kingdom will far exceed the earthly. <em> The Book of Jubilees<\/em> (4.26-27) tells us that this Mount Zion will be sanctified in the new creation for a sanctification of the earth; through it will the earth be sanctified from all (its) guilt and its uncleanness throughout the generations of the world.<\/p>\n<p> From these last chapters in the book of Ezekiel we know that the full restoration of Israel involves three key events that will take place in order to make their restoration complete and everlasting. These events will involve the restoration of Israel as a nation (36-37), the battle against Gog and its allies (38-39), and the restoration of the Temple and its worship (40-46) and its land (47-48).<\/p>\n<p> Here is a proposed outline:<\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'> 1. Judgment upon Edom <span class='bible'>Eze 35:1-15<\/span><\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'> 2. The Restoration of Israel as a Nation <span class='bible'>Eze 36:1<\/span> to <span class='bible'>Eze 37:28<\/span><\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'> 3. The Battle against Gog and its Allies <span class='bible'>Eze 38:1<\/span> to <span class='bible'>Eze 39:23<\/span><\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'> 4. The Restoration of the Temple and its Worship and Land <span class='bible'>Eze 40:1<\/span> to <span class='bible'>Eze 48:35<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Everett&#8217;s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> The Restoration of the Temple <span class='bible'>Eze 40:1<\/span><\/strong> to <span class='bible'>Eze 46:24<\/span> deals with the issue of the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Everett&#8217;s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong><\/p>\n<p>The Cells of the Priests<\/p>\n<p> v. 1. Then He brought me forth into the utter court,<\/strong> the outer court of the Temple, the way toward the north; <strong> and He brought me into the chamber,<\/strong> a structure containing cells, <strong> that was over against the separate place,<\/strong> thus at least partly hiding this place, where refuse was stored, <strong> and which was before the building toward the north. <\/p>\n<p>v. 2. Before the length,<\/strong> that is, in front of the long side of this cell-building, <strong> of an hundred cubits was the north door, and the breadth was fifty cubits,<\/strong> <strong><\/p>\n<p>v. 3. over against the twenty cubits which were for the inner court,<\/strong> this passage separating this cell-building from the main structure of the Temple; <strong> and over against the pavement which was for the utter court,<\/strong> which extended on the other side of this building, <strong> was gallery against gallery in three stories,<\/strong> or, &#8220;gallery ran before gallery in the third,&#8221; so that the galleries of the two buildings were just opposite each other. <strong><\/p>\n<p>v. 4. And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits&#8217; breadth inward,<\/strong> extending from west to east, the long side, <strong> a way of one cubit,<\/strong> this denoting the narrow approach to the inner court, <strong> and their doors toward the north. <\/p>\n<p>v. 5. Now, the upper chambers were shorter,<\/strong> since the building became narrower as it rose in height, <strong> for the galleries were higher than these,<\/strong> they took away from the breadth, <strong> than the lower and than the middlemost of the building. <\/p>\n<p>v. 6. For they were in three stories, but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts,<\/strong> the third story and the second story did not rest upon pillars, therefore the building was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground, by the width of the gallery in either story. <strong><\/p>\n<p>v. 7. And the wall that was without,<\/strong> the enclosure, <strong> over against the chambers,<\/strong> serving as a dividing-wall or boundary-fence, <strong> toward the utter court on the forepart of the chambers, the length thereof was fifty cubits. <\/strong> This wall concealed, in a measure, the things that were carried on in certain parts of this building. <strong><\/p>\n<p>v. 8. For the length of the chambers that were in the utter court was fifty cubits; and, lo, before the Temple were an hundred cubits. <\/p>\n<p>v. 9. And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side,<\/strong> rather, &#8220;and from under it,&#8221; that is, the dividing wall, &#8220;were these chambers,&#8221; for, since their lower part was hidden by the boundary-wall, it might seem to one coming from the east that they arose out of this wall, <strong> as one goeth into them from the utter court,<\/strong> literally, &#8220;the entrance was from the east in coming to them from the outer court. &#8221; The purpose of the wall on this side was probably to hide the priests from the gaze of the curious, especially when they changed their garments. <strong><\/p>\n<p>v. 10. The chambers were in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east,<\/strong> resting on the wall which separated the outer court from the inner, <strong> over against the separate place and over against the building,<\/strong> the meaning being the same as in front of the length of a hundred cubits in verse 2. <strong><\/p>\n<p>v. 11. And the way before them was like the appearance of the chambers which were toward the north, as long as they and as broad as they,<\/strong> they agreed exactly in architecture and arrangement with this section of the Temple-buildings on the north; <strong> and all their goings out,<\/strong> their various entrances, <strong> were both according to their fashions and according to their doors. <\/strong> The meaning is that the cells on the south side of the building agreed in appearance with those on the north side. in length, in width, in the location of the portals. and in the arrangement, both outward nod inward. <strong><\/p>\n<p>v. 12. And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door in the head of the way,<\/strong> literally. &#8220;And like their doors,&#8221; namely, those of the cells toward the north, &#8220;so were also the doors of the cells toward the south: an opening was at the head of the way,&#8221; where the passages connecting the cell-buildings came together, <strong> even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them,<\/strong> as one approached the cells. <strong><\/p>\n<p>v. 13. Then said He unto me, The north chambers and the south chambers,<\/strong> the cells as just described, <strong> which are before the separate place,<\/strong> since they ran along in front of the long side, <strong> they be holy chambers,<\/strong> set apart for a most exclusive use, <strong> where the priests that approach unto the Lord shall eat the most holy things,<\/strong> the so-called priests&#8217; portions; <strong> there shall they lay the most holy things,<\/strong> setting them aside for later use, <strong> and the meat-offering and the sin-offering and the trespass-offering; for the place is holy. <\/strong> Cf <span class='bible'>Lev 2:3-10<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 6:9-20<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 7:6<\/span>; Leviticus 10-12. &#8220;Because neither the meal, mingled with oil, of the meat-offering nor the flesh of the sin- and guilt-offerings could be eaten by the priests immediately after the presentation of the offering, but first the one had to be baked and the other cooked; they were, until this preparation, allowed to be set aside, but not in any place one pleased. &#8221; <strong><\/p>\n<p>v. 14. When the priests enter therein,<\/strong> after performing the functions of their office, <strong> then shall they not go out of the Holy Place into the utter court,<\/strong> where they might come into contact with some unclean thing; <strong> but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister, for they are holy,<\/strong> the cells thus serving also as vestries; <strong> and shall put on other garments and shall approach to those things which are for the people. <\/strong> Just as the priests were here instructed to keep themselves strictly uncontaminated in the performance of their duties, so Christians will ever keep themselves unspotted from the world and from the deeds of the flesh. <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong>EXPOSITION<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This chapter furnishes a brief account of the priests&#8217; chambers in the outer court (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:1-14<\/span>), and a detailed measurement of the temple precincts (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:15-20<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:1-14<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The priests&#8217; chambers.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:1<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The survey of the house having been completed, the seer was conducted by his guide into the outer court (see on <span class='bible'>Eze 40:17<\/span>), by the way toward the north, <em>i.e.<\/em> by the inner north gate (see <span class='bible'>Eze 40:23<\/span>) and from the outer court into t<strong>he chamber that was over against the separate place<\/strong>, <strong>and which was before the building toward the north<\/strong>. That this chamber, or these chambers ( being a collective noun, though in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Eze 42:5<\/span> it occurs in the plural), were not the same cells as those mentioned in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:17<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Eze 40:44<\/span>, as Havernick supposes, is apparent from their situation and use. Those in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:44<\/span> were in the inner, while these were in the outer; and if the cells spoken of in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:17<\/span> were in the outer court, they were also on the pavement by the outer wall, while the chambers now alluded to were &#8220;over against,&#8221; or <em>in front of<\/em>,<em> <\/em>the <em>gizrah<\/em>, or separate place (see on <span class='bible'>Eze 41:12<\/span>), and &#8220;over against,&#8221; or in <em>front of<\/em>,<em> <\/em>&#8220;the building toward the north.&#8221; This building Kiel, Hengstenberg, Schroder, and Plumptre hold to have been the erection on the <em>gizrah<\/em>; Ewald, Kliefoth, Smend, and Currey believe it to have meant the temple. The question as to which view is correct is immaterial, since the row of chambers extended in front of parts of both buildings. Ewald, as usual, follows the <strong>LXX<\/strong>; and translates, &#8220;brought me to the fifteen (another Greek text has five) cells;&#8221; but of this the Hebrew contains nothing.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:2<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>With this verse the Authorized and Revised Versions begin a new sentence, and are in this at one with Smend; but the majority of expositors place the second verse under the regimen of the verb, &#8220;he brought me,&#8221; in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:1<\/span>, and understand the seer to state that he was planted down <strong>before the length<\/strong> (or, long side) <strong>of an hundred cubits<\/strong>, <em>with the door toward the north<\/em>,<em> and the breadth fifty <\/em>cubits. That is to say, the building which contained the sacristies, or priests&#8217; chambers, was a hundred cubits long and fifty bread. As the building on the separate place was also a hundred cubits long (<span class='bible'>Eze 41:13<\/span>), it might seem as if this erection ran exactly parallel to that, and this view is taken by Hengstenberg, Schroder, and Plumptre; but Kliefoth, Keil, and Currey, on the authority of <span class='bible'>Eze 46:19<\/span>, locate a priests&#8217; kitchen behind the priests&#8217; chambers towards the west, and reserve for it forty cubits, on the plausible ground that it would not likely be smaller in size than the sacrificial kitchen for the people (see <span class='bible'>Eze 46:22<\/span>). Hence, if the building under consideration began forty cubits east of the gizrah wall, it would extend twenty cubits over the end and along the length of the temple.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:3<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Considerable difficulty attaches to the words of this verse. <strong>The twenty cubits which were for the inner court<\/strong> (better, <em>the twenty which belonged to the inner court<\/em>)<em> <\/em>have been taken by Kliefoth to signify the watchers&#8217; coils in the inner court, west of the north door (<span class='bible'>Eze 40:40-46<\/span>), and by Plumptre to indicate an inner area of twenty cubits square, round which the galleries in three stories ran. Both of these views, however, have this against them, that they are purely conjectural, the text in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:40-46<\/span> saying nothing about twenty cubits in connection with the priests&#8217; chambers, and the text under review making no suggestion of an inner area of twenty cubits, but only of the already well-known &#8220;inner court.&#8221; Hence the opinion of Ewald, Hengstenberg, Keil, Schroder, and Currey has most in its favor, that the &#8220;twenty&#8221; alongside of which the chamber now alluded to lay, meant the twenty cubits clear space which surrounded the temple on the south, west, and north sides (see <span class='bible'>Eze 41:12-14<\/span>), and which could properly be spoken of as &#8220;for the inner court,&#8221; rather as &#8220;belonging to the inner court,&#8221; since it was practically a continuation of the same. <strong>The pavement which was for<\/strong> (or, <em>belonged to<\/em>)<em> <\/em><strong>the outer court<\/strong>, was manifestly that already described as running along the inside of the outer wall (see <span class='bible'>Eze 40:17<\/span>). If, as is likely, this pavement was continued along the north side of the inner court wall, then the priests&#8217; chambers must have stood upon it, and been over against it on the east side, as Currey explains; but the easier and more natural supposition is that adopted by Keil, that the second &#8220;over against&#8221; points to that which faced the chambers on the north, viz. the pavement, as the first marked their boundary on the south. <strong>Gallery against gallery<\/strong> (see on <span class='bible'>Eze 41:15<\/span>). In three stories; or, in the third story (Revised Version). Whether these galleries existed in each of three stories of the building, or only in the third, cannot be determined. If , &#8220;in the thirds&#8221; occurs elsewhere only in <span class='bible'>Gen 6:16<\/span>, to denote the chambers or rooms of the third story in the ark, as Smend observes, &#8220;the expression might also quite naturally signify three stories, one above another.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Before the chambers a walk<\/strong>. Whether this walk ran along the longer, <em>i.e.<\/em> northern, or in front of the eastern side of the chambers, and how it stood related to the <strong>way<\/strong>, which is likewise mentioned in connection with the chambers, are litigated questions. The <strong>LXX<\/strong>. identifies the two, and understands a way in front of the chambers of ten cubits broad and a hundred cubits long. Ewald and Keil so far agree with the <strong>LXX<\/strong>. as to change the one cubit way into a hundred-cubit way; but whereas Ewald thinks of a passage ten cubits broad and a hundred cubits long, running from west to east between two sets of chambers, Keil speaks of a <em>walk <\/em>of ten cubits broad and a hundred cubits long in front of the cells, extending into a way of equal breadth and length, leading westward into the inner court. Havernick&#8217;s, Hengstenberg&#8217;s, and Kliefoth&#8217;s idea, favored by Schroder, and probably the best, is that of a walk of ten cubits in front of the cells, and a <em>way <\/em>of one cubit leading into them from the walk. Dr. Currey reverses this, and makes a walk of ten cubits leading inward, and a <em>way<\/em>, or kerb, of one cubit in front. Plumptre agrees that the passage leading into the chambers was ten cubits broad, but regards the one cubit as denoting the thickness of the wall separating the <em>walk <\/em>from the interior of the chambers.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:5<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The rendering of the Revised Version sufficiently explains this otherwise obscure verse, &#8220;Now the upper chambers were shorter,&#8221; or narrower, &#8220;for the galleries took away from these;&#8221; literally, <em>did eat of them<\/em>,<em> <\/em>&#8220;<em>more <\/em>than from the lower and the middlemest in the building.&#8221; In other words, the chambers rose in terrace form, each of the upper stories receding from that below it, as was customary in Babylonian architecture.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:6<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> supplies the reason for this shortening of the upper stories. The chambers <strong>had not pillars<\/strong> (see on <span class='bible'>Eze 40:49<\/span>) as the courts had. Though it is not otherwise stated, these appear to have had colonnades like these in the Herodian (Josephus, &#8216;Aut.,&#8217; 15. 11. 5) and probably also the Solomonic temple (<span class='bible'>Act 3:11<\/span>); and hence the second and third stories required to recede in order to find supports for their respective galleries.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The wall<\/strong>; or, <em>fence<\/em>the Hebrew term being not , as in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:5<\/span>, or , as in <span class='bible'>Eze 41:5<\/span>, both of which signify the wall of a city or a building, but  (or , as in <span class='bible'>Eze 41:10<\/span>), which means a fence or hedge, as in <span class='bible'>Eze 13:5<\/span><strong>without, over against<\/strong>or, <em>by the side of <\/em>(Revised Version)<strong>the chambers, toward the outer court<\/strong>, cannot have been a rampart along the north side of-the chambers, since this was a hundred cubits long, but must have been a wall upon the side of the chambers (east or west) fencing off the outer court from the passage which led down by the side of the chambers. That this fence was on the east side is rendered probable by the circumstance that the sacrificial kitchen lay upon the west (see <span class='bible'>Eze 46:19<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Eze 46:20<\/span>), and by the statements which follow in <span class='bible'>Eze 13:8<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Eze 13:9<\/span>. The fence was doubtless intended to screen the side windows of the lower chambers from public gaze, since these were to be occupied as robing and disrobing rooms for the priests who should officiate in the temple (see <span class='bible'>Eze 13:14<\/span>; and <span class='bible'>Eze 44:19<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:8<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>According to the statement contained in this verse, <strong>the chambers that were in the outer court<\/strong>, <em>i.e.<\/em> the chambers whose windows looked into the outer court, projected fifty cubits into the outer court; <em>i.e.<\/em> this was their breadth or depth from north to south; whereas those <strong>before the temple were an hundred cubits<\/strong>; <em>i.e.<\/em> the chambers whose windows fronted the temple, were a hundred cubits from east to west.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:9<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The chambers were approached by an entry (in the text <strong>the entry<\/strong>, this being a well-known and recognized part of the structure) which ran along the east side of the building, and led from the outer to the temple court. As this (the outer) court was higher than that (the temple), and could only be reached by steps, &#8220;the entry&#8221; is represented as lying under the chambers. It was manifestly this &#8220;entry&#8221; that was screened by the fence mentioned in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:10-12<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A similar suite of chambers, corresponding in every detail, is depicted as having stood upon the south side of the temple and in front of the gizrah. The only question among interpreters is whether <span class='bible'>Eze 42:10<\/span> relates to the north or south suite, or to an east suite. Schroder and Currey see in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:10<\/span> a repetition, from another point of view, of what has already been stated about the north chambers, viz. that, viewed from the outer court, they appeared in the thickness or breadth of the wall (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span>) and (lengthwise) over against the separate place and the buildings, <em>i.e.<\/em> the gizrah and the temple. Ewald, Smend, and Keil decide that <span class='bible'>Eze 42:10<\/span> forms part of the description of a south set of chambers only; but in order to make this good they alter the text by substituting , &#8220;the south,&#8221; for , &#8220;the east.&#8221; Plumptre agrees with Kliefoth and Hengstenberg in holding that two similar sets of chambers are described, one on the east side and one on the south side of the inner court wall. The principal objection to this is the fact that only two suites, the north and the south, are referred to by the guide in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Eze 42:14<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span><\/strong><strong>, <\/strong><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:14<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>These state the uses of the chambers just described, and now named <strong>holy chambers<\/strong>, to denote their separation and dedication to sacred purposes. Those purposes, again, are defined as two. The chambers were to serve as dining-halls and robing rooms for the priests when they officiated in the temple. <strong>The most holy things<\/strong>; literally, <em>the holy of the holies <\/em>(comp. <span class='bible'>Eze 41:4<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 43:12<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 45:3<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 48:12<\/span>; Le <span class='bible'>Eze 2:3<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 6:1-14 :17<\/span>, 25, 29; <span class='bible'>Eze 7:1<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Eze 7:6<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 10:12<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Eze 10:17<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 14:13<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 24:9<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 27:28<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Num 18:9<\/span>), signified those portions of the different sacrificial offerings which were to be eaten by the priests as the servants and representatives of Jehovah (see Keil&#8217;s &#8216;Biblische Archaologie,&#8217; 1.  46) or of the people. Under the Law these were appointed to be eaten in the holy place beside the altar (Le <span class='bible'>Eze 10:12<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Eze 10:13<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Num 18:10<\/span>); in Ezekiel&#8217;s temple, a special quarter in the near vicinity of the house should be reserved for this purpose. There those portions of the sacrifices that could be eaten were to be consumed; as <em>e<\/em>.<em>g<\/em>.<em> <\/em>the flesh of the sin and trespass offerings, and the meal of the meat offering; but as these could not be at once used, they were to be deposited there until they were prepared for eating, the flesh by being boiled and the meal by being mixed with oil. The obvious intention of this was to convey an idea of the special sanctity of the worship in which the priests were engaged; and just for this reason also they were required to array themselves in <strong>other garments<\/strong> (Le <span class='bible'>Eze 16:23<\/span>) when they entered on their priestly functions. The putting on and off of these holy clothes took place in the chambers now referred to.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:15-20<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>The temple precincts<\/em>.<em> <\/em>The seer&#8217;s guide, having completed his measurement of the house with its courts, proceeds to measure its encompassing wall, for this purpose conducting the prophet out by the east gate, and measuring, first the east, next the north, thirdly the south, and lastly the west wall, each five hundred reeds in length, or three thousand cubits, so that the entire area of the quadrangle amounted to 3000 x 3000 = 9,000,000 square cubits, equivalent to 2,250,000 square yards.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:15<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The inner house<\/strong> was not the temple as distinguished from its courts, but the temple with its courts, which lay within the wall about to be measured.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:16<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Five hundred reeds<\/strong>. Ewald, Hitzig, and Smend, with others, following the <strong>LXX<\/strong>; regard this wall as that of the outer court, and change the &#8220;reeds&#8221; into &#8220;cubits;&#8221; but the majority of expositors adhere to the text, and understand the wall to be that of a great quadrangle which encompassed the whole structure, or the outer court and all within.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:20<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>To make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane.<\/strong> In these words the prophet indicates the purpose designed to be served by this particular wall; and although it may be said the outer court divided between the &#8220;sanctuary,&#8221; or <em>that which was holy<\/em>,<em> <\/em>and the &#8220;profane,&#8221; <em>or that which was common,<\/em> yet a more decided separation would assuredly be made by extending in the way described the precincts of the house. The objections usually offered to the view which regards the present measurements as those of a larger quadrangle encompassing the outer court, are not sufficient to make that view impossible.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>See drawing, The Temple and Its Precincts<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Legend for the Temple and Its Precincts<\/p>\n<p><strong>C,<\/strong> temple court, 500 cubits square<\/p>\n<p><strong>P,<\/strong> the temple precincts, 3000 cubits square.<\/p>\n<p><strong>(1)<\/strong> It is said that the &#8220;sanctuary&#8221; always refers to the house as contrasted with its courts, especially with the outer court, and that in this sense it should here be taken; but the rendering, &#8220;that which is holy,&#8221; shows how the idea of special sanctity might easily be extended to the whole structure, including courts as well as house (see <span class='bible'>Psa 114:2<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Dan 9:20<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p><strong>(2)<\/strong> It is urged that there is no other instance in which the measurements are represented as having been taken by &#8220;reeds&#8221; in the plural; but a glance at <span class='bible'>Eze 45:1<\/span>, etc; and <span class='bible'>Eze 48:16<\/span>, will show that this is incorrect.<\/p>\n<p><strong>(3)<\/strong> It is represented that in the center of such a huge quadrangle the house, with its courts and gates, would wear an insignificant appearance; but, while this might have been so had the area been crowded with other buildings, it is rather likely that in the midst of so large a vacant space the temple and its courts stand out with increased clearness, if not with augmented size.<\/p>\n<p><strong>(4)<\/strong> It is added that the summit of Mount Moriah could not admit of the construction of such a vast quadrangle; and it is answered that this shows the temple was an ideal house, never meant to be built upon the literal Moriah. <\/p>\n<p><strong><em>See drawing, The Ground Plan of the Temple<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Legend for the Ground Plan of the Temple<br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>N. G; <\/strong>etc; gateways.<\/p>\n<p><strong>O,<\/strong> outer court.<\/p>\n<p><strong>P,<\/strong> pavement.<\/p>\n<p><strong>K,<\/strong> cooking-chambers for the priests.<\/p>\n<p><strong>B,<\/strong> boiling-houses for the people.<\/p>\n<p><strong>c,<\/strong> chambers on the pavement.<\/p>\n<p><strong>G,<\/strong> the gizrah.<\/p>\n<p><strong>C,<\/strong> priests&#8217; chambers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>F,<\/strong> fence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I,<\/strong> inner court.<\/p>\n<p><strong>E. G; N. G; S. G; <\/strong>gates.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A,<\/strong> altar of sacrifice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>W,<\/strong> watchers&#8217; chambers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>HP<\/strong> and <strong>H,<\/strong> the house.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>HOMILETICS.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:1<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The outer court.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There was an outer court in the temple of Jerusalem, held to be less sacred than the courts nearer to the holy place; to this court Gentiles were admitted.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I.<\/strong> <strong>THERE<\/strong> <strong>IS<\/strong> <strong>AN<\/strong> <strong>OUTER<\/strong> <strong>COURT<\/strong> <strong>IN<\/strong> <strong>ALL<\/strong> <strong>RELIGION<\/strong>. There are always people who seem to stand midway between the Church and the world. In some cases they are like Elijah&#8217;s contemporaries, halting between two opinions (<span class='bible'>1Ki 18:21<\/span>). They may be described as like the scribe who was &#8220;not far from the kingdom of God&#8221; (<span class='bible'>Mar 12:34<\/span>). Feeling a certain attraction for religion, they are drawn into association with public worship. Others, like the money-changers and cattle-vendors whom our Lord disturbed, find it possible to make worldly profit for themselves by hanging on to the fringe of religious ordinances.<\/p>\n<p><strong>II.<\/strong> <strong>THEY<\/strong> <strong>WHO<\/strong> <strong>ARE<\/strong> <strong>IN<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>OUTER<\/strong> <strong>COURT<\/strong> <strong>ENJOY<\/strong> <strong>CERTAIN<\/strong> <strong>PRIVILEGES<\/strong>. These people can see what is going on in the more sacred interior of the temple. Though they take no part in the services, they are able to witness the sacrificial rites. Similarly, there are regular attendants at Christian churches who do not enter into the more intimate life of the community nor enjoy its highest advantages. Yet they have some privileges. It is something to see the door, if we have not yet knocked at it. Knowing the way ought to be a preparation for entering it. In a professedly Christian country, where New Testament facts are familiar to most people, and where few are quite out of the range of potential religious influences, privileges are enjoyed which bring a responsibility not shared by the more ignorant heathen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>III.<\/strong> <strong>THEY<\/strong> <strong>WHO<\/strong> <strong>ARE<\/strong> <strong>IN<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>OUTER<\/strong> <strong>COURT<\/strong> <strong>MISS<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>BEST<\/strong> <strong>BLESSING<\/strong>. At most they have Esau&#8217;s blessing, not Jacob&#8217;s. Like Balsam, they see the Christ, but &#8220;not near;&#8221; therefore, like that unhappy prophet of Moab, they must be excluded from the covenant of promise. It is an aggravation to the torment of Dives that he can see Lazarus in Abraham&#8217;s bosom. The knowledge of Christian truth and the sight of Christian grace do not save the souls of men who will not yield themselves to Christ in heart and life. We have to beware of a common snare. Many are tempted to believe that they are safe because they are in some sort of external association with religion. We need to understand distinctly that this will not avail. There must be personal membership in the kingdom of heaven for all who will enjoy the real blessings of the kingdom.<\/p>\n<p><strong>IV.<\/strong> <strong>IT<\/strong> <strong>IS<\/strong> <strong>NOW<\/strong> <strong>POSSIBLE<\/strong> <strong>FOR<\/strong> <strong>THOSE<\/strong> <strong>WHO<\/strong> <strong>ARE<\/strong> <strong>IN<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>OUTER<\/strong> <strong>COURT<\/strong> <strong>TO<\/strong> <strong>ENTER<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>INNER<\/strong> <strong>COURT<\/strong>. This was even true of the old, narrow Jewish religion, on the condition that the Gentile proselyte was circumcised and became a Jew. It is certainly true of the free, world-wide Christian gospel. None need linger in the outer court. There is room within the privileged Church for every soul on earth, and a welcome from Christ for all who will come. But observe, in conclusion, the distinction between outer and inner courts in the Christian Church is spiritual, not visible. Professed Church-members may be in the outer court; while those who join no earthly community, and are regarded by their brethren as religious Bohemians, are in the inner court if their hearts and lives are truly near to Christ.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Holy places.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In a Protestant reaction against the superstition that attaches magical sanctity to certain sites, we have perhaps lost hold of the truths of which that superstition was a perversion.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I.<\/strong> <strong>THERE<\/strong> <strong>IS<\/strong> A <strong>SANCTITY<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>ASSOCIATION<\/strong>. We may own to a revulsion for a man who would botanize on his mother&#8217;s grave. Every Englishman must feel a thrill of national pride when he visits the field of Waterloo, as every Greek must have done when treading the plain of Marathon. Though a man may have traveled far and have acquired wealth that has raised him above his humble origin, it is but natural that he should look back to the cottage home of his childhood with tender affection as to the most sacred shrine on earth. It may be from superstition, or it may be from sentiment; but whichever be the cause, it is surely no strange thing to confess that the house of God in which a man has worshipped for years gathers to itself a peculiar consecration. There his burdened soul has been cheered; there the light has pierced his darkness; there he has sat side by side with the loved and lost, and if the place that once knew them now knows them no more, does not the very sense of change and the very pain of the vacancy add a new sacredness to the place, while dear memories of a beautiful past cling to its very walls and drape them with a sweet, sad sanctity?<\/p>\n<p><strong>II.<\/strong> <strong>THERE<\/strong> <strong>IS<\/strong> A <strong>SANCTITY<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>USE<\/strong>. The sacred chambers were to be used by the priests, and in them sacrificial meals were to be eaten. Thus the sanctity of sacred usage was to be attached to these rooms. The commonest thing becomes holy when it is consecrated to a holy purpose. The shop may be a temple, the counter an altar, and the wares sacrifices, when the business is carried on for the glory of God in quiet obedience to his will of righteousness. Thus the very bells on the horses may have &#8220;Holiness to the Lord&#8221; inscribed upon them. It is in this direction that we should move when we would abolish too narrow distinctions between the secular and the sacred. We should lose the distinction, not by making religion earthly, but by making earth religious; not by desecrating the spiritual functions, but by consecrating things of the outer world.<\/p>\n<p><strong>III.<\/strong> <strong>THERE<\/strong> <strong>IS<\/strong> A <strong>SANCTITY<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>LIFE<\/strong>. This is the only true sanctity. The other forms of sanctity are its reflections and results. True holiness resides in the heart, and there alone. That is the holy place in which the holy man dwells. The presence of the priest sanctifies the temple-chambers. But it is not the &#8220;linen ephod&#8221; or any badge of office that makes the true priest. Every man who has habitual access to the presence of God is a true priest of God. He who walks with God treads holy ground. A halo of sanctity surrounds the heavenly life. Whether this life be spent in a temple court, a hermit&#8217;s cell, a Christian home, or in the hard, fierce world, it is encircled with holiness, and it weaves about it its own sacred tabernacle.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:14<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Holy garments.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The priests were to keep their holy garments in their holy chambers, wearing them in the sacred offices of the temple, and exchanging them for their common clothing before mixing with the people. This regulation was a necessary part of the Old Testament ceremonial, with its suggestions of separateness and external holiness. But it was susceptible of abuse, and some of the modern reproductions of it are certainly far from being commendable.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I.<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>ANCIENT<\/strong> <strong>SIGNIFICANCE<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>HOLY<\/strong> <strong>GARMENTS<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong><em> The necessity of holiness in all worship<\/em>. God must be worshipped with clean hands and a pure heart&#8221; in the beauty of holiness&#8221; (<span class='bible'>Psa 96:9<\/span>). The old heathenish divorce of religion from morality could not be permitted under the Jewish economy. All that was most formal and external was intended to keep before the minds of the worshippers a clear perception of God&#8217;s horror of sin, and a vivid presentation of his supreme love for righteousness.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> <em>The<\/em> <em>experience<\/em> of <em>holiness by individual men<\/em>.<em> <\/em>Not only were the chambers in which the priests ate the sacrificial meals to be holy, but even the garments worn by the priests were also to be sacred. The sanctity attaches to the person. The very bodies of Christian people are temples of the Holy Ghost (<span class='bible'>1Co 6:19<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong><em> The renewal of holiness in every act of worship<\/em>.<em> It is necessary to see <\/em>that we are in a fit condition to approach God. It is not sufficient that we were once pardoned and cleansed. Unhappily, fresh defilement is repeatedly contracted. It is therefore necessary that renewed cleansing should be received. This was suggested by Christ&#8217;s washing his disciples&#8217; feet (<span class='bible'>Joh 13:4<\/span> <span class='bible'>10<\/span>). By Christ we can be fitted for entering the presence of God.<\/p>\n<p><strong>II.<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>COMMON<\/strong> <strong>ABUSE<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>HOLY<\/strong> <strong>GARMENTS<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> <em>In distinction of persons<\/em>.<em> <\/em>The priest in his robes appeared as a more holy man than the common worshipper in his every-day dress. This was inevitable under the old Jewish system, but it should not be permitted in the present day. Yet what is called &#8220;the cloth&#8221; is often supposed to carry a certain sanctity, and clerical attire is thought by the superstitious to mark a spiritual separateness. But no such separateness exists in the Christian Church, all the members of which constitute &#8220;an holy priesthood&#8221; (<span class='bible'>1Pe 2:5<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> <em>By observing seasons<\/em>.<em> <\/em>The priests wore their holy garments for a time, and then laid them aside and assumed their ordinary apparel. Some people put on their religion as they put on their Sunday clothes. They are saints at church, and sinners in the world; holy on Sunday, and profane on the weekdays. This is all delusive. No man can live two honest lives. Religion claims our whole being and time. For the true Christian all days are sacred to Christ&#8217;s service.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong> <em>With mere external profession<\/em>.<em> <\/em>The holiness resides only in the garment; the religion is nothing better than a clothingit is no inspiration. Such religion, like that of the Pharisees who cleansed the outside of the cup and platter, is hypocrisy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>HOMILIES BY J.R. THOMSON<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span><\/strong><strong>, <\/strong><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:14<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sacerdotal sanctity.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If the Jews were a peculiar, a consecrated, a holy people, it may be said that their sanctity was concentrated in the templethe building which was &#8220;holiness unto the Lord,&#8221; and in the holy priesthood, set apart for the ministrations of the sanctuary. The angel who showed Ezekiel the temple of vision laid great stress upon this characteristic of the marvelous and symmetrical building.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I.<\/strong> <strong>CEREMONIAL<\/strong> <strong>HOLINESS<\/strong>. This is exhibited as affecting:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> The <em>priests<\/em>,<em> <\/em>who were set apart from the rest of the people. How should they be clean who bear the vessels of the Lord!<\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> Their <em>residences<\/em>.<em> <\/em>During the period of their officiation in the temple services and sacrifices, they had their dwelling in certain chambers within the precincts, and these chambers were deemed holy places,<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong> Their <em>food<\/em>. They are said to &#8220;eat the most holy things;&#8221; <em>i.e.<\/em> there were certain regulations as to food which were prescribed for them that had no reference to the people generally.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4.<\/strong> Their <em>garments<\/em>.<em> <\/em>The priests were provided with raiment which they were required to wear when ministering before the Lord. Holy functions necessitated holy vestments.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5.<\/strong> Their <em>offerings<\/em>.<em> <\/em>As the reader of this passage is reminded, it was the duty of the priests to present meal offerings, sin offering, and guilt offerings. As these were offered upon the holy altar to the holy God, they themselves were holy. It thus appears that everything connected with the position, the life, the ministrations, of the priests was marked by ceremonial sanctity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>II.<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>SPIRITUAL<\/strong> <strong>SIGNIFICANCE<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>CEREMONIAL<\/strong> <strong>HOLINESS<\/strong>. What was the purpose of all the arrangements described in this and other passages of Old Testament Scripture? Why was this artificial separation introduced into the religion and life of the Hebrew people? A complete answer to these questions is perhaps not possible. But it is evident that it was intended to convey to Israel and to mankind:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> A conception of the <em>holy nature of God<\/em>.<em> <\/em>Very different was the character claimed for himself by Jehovah from the character attributed to the deities of the heathen nations around. Whilst these deities were disfigured by selfishness, cruelty, and lust, Jehovah&#8217;s attributes were righteousness, holiness, and benevolence. Everything connected with the worship of God, as practiced in the temple at Jerusalem, was adapted to convey to men&#8217;s minds the idea of God&#8217;s infinite and spotless holiness.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> A conception of the <em>holy character of acceptable worship<\/em>.<em> <\/em>Concerning idolatrous worship, we know that it was distinguished by perfunctoriness and superstition, and in some cases by impurity. Religious rites among the heathen are usually corrupt, or else mechanical and spiritually valueless. On the contrary, the worship of the true Hebrew, as is evident to the attentive reader of the Book of Psalms and of the prophets, was a sincere, holy, and spiritual worship. It was well understood that no other worship could be acceptable to the holy and heart-searching King of kings. And the arrangements described in this passage of the Book of Ezekiel were evidently adapted to produce and to deepen this impression.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong> A conception of the <em>holy services of obedience and praise<\/em>.<em> <\/em>Sacrifices were enjoined and required of the pious Hebrew; but sacrifices were not the only or the chief services to be presented by the devout worshipper. In connection with these, and beyond these, were the offerings which God ever delights to accept from his own peoplespiritual offerings of devotion and of active services. And if these are distinguished by one characteristic above another, that characteristic is true holiness.T.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:15-19<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The symmetry of the sanctuary.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The measurements which are in this part of Ezekiel&#8217;s prophecies given with such abundance and such minuteness are intended primarily to convey the impression that the temple which was seen in vision was a building of perfect beauty, harmony, and completeness. But the material building was a figure of a spiritual edifice, and the material qualities ascribed to it were significant of moral attributes of the profoundest interest. And the structure, made without hands, yet possessing every quality that can command admiration and reverence, is none other than the Church of the living God.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I.<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>SYMMETRY<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>CHURCH<\/strong> <strong>FOLLOWS<\/strong> <strong>FROM<\/strong> <strong>ITS<\/strong> <strong>BEING<\/strong> <strong>PLANNED<\/strong> <strong>BY<\/strong> <strong>GOD<\/strong>&#8216;S <strong>WISDOM<\/strong>. The tabernacle was constructed according to the pattern shown by God to Moses in the mount. The plan and details of Solomon&#8217;s temple are attributed to Divine inspiration. And the Church of Christ is in the New Testament compared to the temple, with its Divine foundation, its ample precincts, its spiritual sacrifices, its accepted worshippers. All the productions of the Divine mind are perfect. When God looks upon his works he pronounces them to be &#8220;very good.&#8221; Upon the Church, as upon what possesses a higher interest and value than aught material, Divine wisdom has expended all its resources. And the perfectly symmetrical product is just what might be expected. In God s mind the spiritual temple is faultlessly perfect; and the actual Church is destined to realize the glorious ideal.<\/p>\n<p><strong>II.<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>SYMMETRY<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>CHURCH<\/strong> <strong>RESULTS<\/strong> <strong>FROM<\/strong> <strong>ITS<\/strong> <strong>CONSTRUCTION<\/strong> <strong>UPON<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>MODEL<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>CHRIST<\/strong> <strong>HIMSELF<\/strong>. The humanity of the Lord Jesus was the temple of God. And when he departed from earth he left his representative in the Church which he redeemed and sanctified, and which he appointed to continue in his stead unto the end of time. The temple of his body was succeeded by the spiritual temple, built up of loyal and living souls. If Christ contained within himself, if Christ exhibited in his life, every moral perfection, it is manifest that the Church, which is his body, must perpetuate the spiritual excellences which existed in himself.<\/p>\n<p><strong>III.<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>SYMMETRY<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>CHURCH<\/strong> <strong>IS<\/strong> <strong>WROUGHT<\/strong> <strong>BY<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>INSPIRATION<\/strong> <strong>AND<\/strong> <strong>GOVERNMENT<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>HOLY<\/strong> <strong>SPIRIT<\/strong>. There is a Divine presence in the Church, which, so far from being merely passive, is vital, energetic, and transforming. Who has not admired the action of certain physical and vital principles which produce the marvelous symmetry of crystals, and the yet more marvelous symmetry of every form of vegetable and animal life? What takes place in the natural kingdom is transcended by what occurs in the spiritual realm, although these results are not in the same way apparent to the senses of the observer, and appeal rather to his spiritual discernment and susceptibilities. But the provision for the growth and prosperity of Christ&#8217;s Church, the provision for ministers and officers, for cooperation and sympathy in Church worship and Church work, all tell of a Spirit informing, inspiring, and directing the whole, and producing a result of marvelous and admirable harmony and spiritual beauty.<\/p>\n<p><strong>IV.<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>SYMMETRY<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>CHURCH<\/strong> <strong>WILL<\/strong> <strong>REACH<\/strong> <strong>ITS<\/strong> <strong>FULL<\/strong> <strong>AND<\/strong> <strong>PERFECT<\/strong> <strong>DEVELOPMENT<\/strong> <strong>IN<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>HEAVENLY<\/strong> <strong>STATE<\/strong>. Who call read this portion of Ezekiel&#8217;s prophecies, and the corresponding chapters from the Book of the Revelation, without forming the conviction that, however this world may be the scene of the Church&#8217;s discipline, the scene of the Church&#8217;s maturity is elsewhere, is above? The heavenly temple is, in glory anti beauty, faintly imaged by the Church militant on earth. Yonder all imperfections shall be removed, all deficiencies shall be supplied, all holy tendencies shall be fully developed, all promise shall be fulfilled. There the city and the temple are one; for of the heavenly Jerusalem it is said, &#8220;The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple thereof.&#8221;T.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:20<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Separation between the holy and the common.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The walls described by the prophet served another purpose than the most obvious one of enclosing a space and supporting a roof. They had a symbolical meaning. They were walls of separation. The several portions of the temple were invested with varying degrees of holiness, and in this arrangement there was no doubt a Divine significance and intention. There were parts reserved for Israelites, parts reserved for the priests, and one part into which the high priest alone was permitted to enter. In this way separation was effected between the more and the less holy, and between the holy and the common.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I.<\/strong> <strong>SUCH<\/strong> <strong>SEPARATION<\/strong> <strong>WAS<\/strong> <strong>APPOINTED<\/strong> <strong>BY<\/strong> <strong>DIVINE<\/strong> <strong>WISDOM<\/strong>. It Was not, as similar arrangements in heathen temples may have been, a device of human ingenuity and a provision of human and sacerdotal policy. It was part of the Divine intention of which the whole was the outworking and expression.<\/p>\n<p><strong>II.<\/strong> <strong>SUCH<\/strong> <strong>SEPARATION<\/strong> <strong>WAS<\/strong> <strong>INTENDED<\/strong> <strong>FOR<\/strong> <strong>HUMAN<\/strong> <strong>INSTRUCTION<\/strong>. The Israelites needed to be taught the elements of religious knowledge, and to be trained in rudimentary religious life. The means adopted to this end were in harmony with their condition, and with the stage of intellectual and spiritual development which they had, reached. A wall of separation was certainly something very visible, tangible, and unmistakable; they who looked upon it, and who by it were prevented from approaching some sacred spot, were thereby taught most precious truths as to the character of the God to whose honor the temple was reared, as to the nature of his laws and his worship, as to the conditions of acceptance with him. Discrimination between the good and the wicked, the exclusion of the latter and the admission of the former into Divine favor,such were moral lessons which the provisions connected with the temple precincts were admirably fitted to impress upon the minds of a rude and rebellious people.<\/p>\n<p><strong>III.<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>LESSONS<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>SUCH<\/strong> <strong>SEPARATION<\/strong> <strong>WERE<\/strong> <strong>OFTEN<\/strong> <strong>CORRUPTED<\/strong> <strong>BY<\/strong> <strong>HUMAN<\/strong> <strong>PREJUDICE<\/strong> <strong>AND<\/strong> <strong>UNSPIRITUALITY<\/strong>. The tendency of human nature is to rest in the symbol instead of passing on to that which is symbolized, to mistake the shadow for the substance. The material was designed to lead to the spiritual; but the importance which properly belonged only to the spiritual was sometimes attributed to the material. This was so not only with reference to the case before us, but with reference to all the provisions of a similar and symbolical nature which existed in connection with the temple and its worship. And Christians must not imagine themselves free from a similar liability to error. Even in our spiritual dispensation the same mistake is committed, and church buildings and sacraments are sometimes substituted for the great spiritual realities which they represent.<\/p>\n<p><strong>IV.<\/strong> <strong>THERE<\/strong> <strong>IS<\/strong> A <strong>SENSE<\/strong> <strong>IN<\/strong> <strong>WHICH<\/strong> <strong>SUCH<\/strong> <strong>SEPARATION<\/strong> <strong>WAS<\/strong> <strong>TEMPORARY<\/strong>, <strong>AND<\/strong> <strong>HAS<\/strong> <strong>BEEN<\/strong> <strong>ABOLISHED<\/strong> <strong>BY<\/strong> <strong>CHRISTIANITY<\/strong>. One great work of our Divine Savior was to break down the middle wall of partition that fenced off Jews from Gentiles, and to make of two &#8220;one new humanity.&#8221; It was a first lesson of Christianity that men should give up calling any man or any thing &#8220;common or unclean.&#8221; The change was brought about, not by leveling things sacred, but by raising things secular, and by steeping everything in a Divine light, pure and lustrous. All Christians are admitted into the true Israel; all are enrolled in the sacred priesthood; all are welcomed to fellowship with Heaven.<\/p>\n<p><strong>V.<\/strong> <strong>THERE<\/strong> <strong>IS<\/strong> A <strong>SENSE<\/strong> <strong>IN<\/strong> <strong>WHICH<\/strong> <strong>SUCH<\/strong> <strong>SEPARATION<\/strong> <strong>ENDURES<\/strong>, <strong>INASMUCH<\/strong> <strong>AS<\/strong> <strong>GOD<\/strong> <strong>EVER<\/strong> <strong>ENCOMPASSES<\/strong> <strong>AND<\/strong> <strong>ENCLOSES<\/strong> <strong>HIS<\/strong> <strong>PEOPLE<\/strong> <strong>WITHIN<\/strong> <strong>WALLS<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>LIVING<\/strong> <strong>HOLINESS<\/strong>. He delights to include, but takes no pleasure in exclusion. Into the heavenly city, which is a temple, there enters not anything unclean or common. From such contamination the blessed and glorified are forever preserved. There is around the citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, the worshippers of the heavenly temple, a wall which preserves them forever from all molestation and from every incursion of evil. But <em>within <\/em>there is no distinction; there is one heart, one service, and one song.T.<\/p>\n<p><strong>HOMILIES BY W. CLARKSON<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:4-14<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Separation and society.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What did those &#8220;chambers&#8221; mean, of which we read so much in this vision? Their immediate use, as intimated to the prophet, is given in the thirteenth and fourteenth verses. They were for the personal accommodation of the priests; that they might there, in a place which was nowise profane but thoroughly holy, eat that part of the sacrifices which fell to their share; and that they might there robe and unrobe, so as to serve in sacred vestments and mingle with the people in ordinary dress. Their object, therefore, was to maintain the separateness or sanctity of the priests. It has been suggested that they also answered this general purpose by constituting places for sacred retirement and devotion; possibly for the accommodation of those who, like Anna the prophetess, &#8220;departed not from the temple, night or day&#8221; (<span class='bible'>Luk 2:37<\/span>). Those who were to minister in the temple were to be provided with rooms which were separated from the commerce and the strife of the outer world, where there would be nothing to contaminate or interrupt. But what meant the &#8220;walk of ten cubits breadth&#8221; (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>)? Was not this for <em>society<\/em>,<em> <\/em>as<em> <\/em>the chambers were for separation? Matthew Henry suggests that these &#8220;walks of five yards broad were for those that had lodgings in the chambers, that there they might meet for conversation, might walk and talk together for their mutual edification, might communicate their knowledge and experiences; for,&#8221; he adds with characteristic good sense, &#8220;we are not to spend all our time between the church and the chamber.&#8221; We learn<\/p>\n<p><strong>I.<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>DUTY<\/strong> <strong>AND<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>PRIVILEGE<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>SEPARATION<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> That which is <em>obligatory and constant<\/em>;<em> <\/em>viz. to be separate in spirit and in sympathy from sin; to stand apart, in spirit, from all that is in any way unchristian.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> That which is <em>obligatory and frequent<\/em>; viz. to separate ourselves much and generally from the society of the sinful. Jesus Christ was thus &#8220;separate from sinners&#8221; (<span class='bible'>Heb 7:26<\/span>). It is the sacred duty of most good men, and of all the young, to keep aloof from the vicious and profane; to decline the society, and firmly to refuse the friendship, of those who fear not God and whose conduct is unprincipled and deleterious.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong> That which is <em>wise and occasional<\/em>; viz. to retire into the seclusion of the quiet chamber, where there is no disturbing voice to prevent our close communion with the Father and Savior of our spirits.<\/p>\n<p><strong>II.<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>SERVICE<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>SOCIETY<\/strong>. There are truths to be learned and there are influences to be gained in solitude which cannot be secured in society; but, on the other hand, there is a service which only society can render us. To meet men and to know them as they are living their daily life of toil and struggle; to come into close contact with their difficulties, their doubts, their joys, and their sorrows; to exchange ideas with them; to learn what their experience and their wisdom have to teach us, and to convey to them what we ourselves have learned in the solitary place; to be in the world, and still above it;this is not only the true triumph of Christian principle, it is the fair and open opportunity of Christian usefulness.C.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class='bible'>Eze 42:15-20<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The size and strength of the kingdom.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The particularity with which these measurements are given shows the importance attached by the prophet to the external dimensions  The compass assigned to the sacred buildings exceeded the limits of all ancient Jerusalem  Here is another of those traits intended to render manifest the ideal character of the whole description&#8221; (Fairbairn). The fulfillment is found in the glorious magnitude of the Church of Christ, of which the temple was designed to be the type. We look, then, at<\/p>\n<p><strong>I.<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>SIZE<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>KINGDOM<\/strong>. The kingdom of Christ is indeed of vast dimensions; it requires a heavenly messenger to compute it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> It is <em>inclusive of all classes and characters<\/em>.<em> <\/em>It is not confined to rich or poor, or to those who have &#8220;neither poverty nor riches;&#8221; it is not intended for the learned any more than for the unlearned; it is the home of those who have been devout and upright all their days, and it offers an asylum to those who have wandered away into the darkness and fallen into the depths of sin.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> It is <em>unlimited by race<\/em>.<em> <\/em>The Jew at first imagined that the kingdom was for him only; but it was not long before the providence and the grace of God demonstrated that the kingdom of Christ was open to the whole Gentile world; and missionary labors have proved that there is no climate beneath the sun where the seeds of Christian truth will not spring up and bear flower and fruit.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong> It is <em>extended through all time<\/em>.<em> <\/em>Nineteen centuries have nearly gone since John declared that the kingdom was &#8220;at hand,&#8221; and, so far from there being any signs of completion, there is more active and successful evangelization than at any previous period of Church history. The prophet might well see a large space measured when the area of the kingdom was in question.<\/p>\n<p><strong>II.<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>STRENGTH<\/strong> <strong>OF<\/strong> <strong>THE<\/strong> <strong>KINGDOM<\/strong>. This temple is a perfect square, five hundred reeds on every side. &#8220;Buildings which are four-square are the most stable, firm, and lasting.&#8221; The kingdom of Christ is immovably strong, and nothing can withstand it, because:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> <em>It rests on the basis of Divine truth<\/em>.<em> <\/em>Not &#8220;cunningly devised fables,&#8221; but well-established facts, are the foundation on which the fair, spiritual edifice is restingthe <em>facts <\/em>of the Incarnation, of the works of beneficent power wrought, of the words of truth and grace spoken, of the resurrection from the dead accomplished by Jesus Christ; the <em>facts <\/em>of the apostolic ministry, of the opposition offered to the gospel and of its steady, spiritual, glorious triumph over it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> <em>It meets the deep and abiding needs of our humanity<\/em>.<em> <\/em>Beneath all skies, under all conditions, through all changes and circumstances, after all political and social revolutions, man wants the same things to be truly and profoundly satisfied. He wants a Divine Father of his spirit; a salvation from sin; a refuge in time of trouble; a source of elevation in all the meanness and littleness of earthly life; hope in death. This the gospel of Christ is always offering him. To hungering, toiling, sorrowing, burdened humanity Jesus Christ is ever saying, &#8220;Come unto me  I will give you rest.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong><em> It relies on the Divine power and presence<\/em>.<em> <\/em>&#8220;All power is given to me in heaven and in earth; go ye, <em>therefore<\/em>,<em> <\/em>and teach all nations  lo, I am with you always,&#8221; etc. (<span class='bible'>Mat 28:18-20<\/span>). In the presence, the sympathetic and active presence, of the all-powerful Redeemer we have the strongest assurance that the kingdom will extend and prevail; it is strong in its present and mighty Lord.C.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Complete Pulpit Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong><em><span class='bible'>Eze 42:1<\/span><\/em><\/strong><strong>. <\/strong><strong><em>Into the utter court<\/em><\/strong><strong><\/strong> That is, to the outer part of the court, which court was the inner, or court of the priests, as appears from what follows. <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>CHAPTER 42<\/p>\n<p>1And he led me forth to the outer court, the way northwards, and brought me to the chamber [that is, what there was of chambers] which is over against the gizrah, and [in fact] which is over against the building, toward the north. 2Before the length [in front of the length] of a hundred cubits, the opening toward the north, and the breadth fifty cubits. 3Over against the twenty of the inner court, and over against the pavement of the outer court; gallery [was] before gallery in the third (that is, galleries). 4And before the chambers was a walk ten cubits broad, to the inner [court] way of one cubit, and their openings to 5the north. And the upper chambers were shortened, for the galleries consume [take away] from them, from the [the space of the] lower and also from the 6[the space of the] middle as respects the building. For they were three-storied and had no pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore [space was] taken 7away from the lowest and the middle, from the ground. And a dividing-wall which is outside, close by the chambers, toward the outer court, in front of the chambers, its length was fifty cubits. 8For the length of the chambers which are to the outer court was fifty cubits; and [yet] lo, before the temple a hundred cubits. 9And from under it [the dividing-wal] were these chambers: 10the entrance was on the east in coming to them from the outer court. In the breadth of the dividing-wall of the court, toward the east, fronting the gizrah, 11and fronting the building, were chambers. And a way before them; as the look of the chambers which were towards the north, as their length so their breadth 12and all their outgoings, and as their arrangements, and as their openings, So also the openings of the chambers which were toward the south, an opening was at the head of the way, the way in face of the dividing-wall turned to it, toward the east in Coming [thence] to them [or: eastwards when one came to them (the chambers)]. 13And he said to me, The chambers of the north, the chambers of the south, which are in front of the gizrah, these are chambers of holiness, where the priests who approach Jehovah shall eat the most holy things; there shall they set down the most holy things, and [that] the meat-offering, 14and the sin-offering, and the guilt-offering, for the place is holy. The priests when entering shall not go out of the holy place to the outer court, and [but] there they shall lay down their garments wherein they shall minister; for they are holiness; they shall put on other garments, and [so] approach to 15that which [belongs] to the people. And he finished the measures of the inner house, and led me out the way of the gate whose face is toward the east, and measured it [the house] round and round. 16He measured the east side on [with] the measuring-rod five hundred [cubits?] rods [measured by rods] on the measuring-rod around. 17He measured the north side, five hundred in rods with the measuring-rod. 18He measured the south side, five hundred in rods with the 19measuring-rod. He turned to the west side; he measured five hundred in 20rods with the measuring-rod. Toward the four winds measured he it; a wall was to it round and round, the length five hundred, and the breadth five hundred, to separate between the holy and the profane.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:1<\/span>. Sept.: &#8230; .  .   .   .   ,  .     . Vulg.: <em> et contra dem vergentem ad oquilonem<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:2<\/span>. &#8230;    Vulg.: <em> in facie  ostii aquilonis et latitudinis<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:3<\/span>.      .  . , .     .  .  ,   . Vulg.: <em> ubi erat porticus juncta porticui triplici<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>. &#8230;     , . Vulg.: <em> ad interior a respiciens vi cubiti unius. Et<\/em>  (5) <em>ubi erant  humiliora, quia supportabant porticus, qu ex illis eminebant de inferioribus et de mediis dificii<\/em>. (Another reading: , fem.)<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:5<\/span>. .           ,   , .     . , .  .<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:6<\/span>.            . . Vulg.: <em> Tristega  propterea eminebant de  a terra cubitis quinquaginta<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span>. .  ,   .       o .    Vulg. <em>Et peribolus exterior secundum<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:8<\/span>. &#8230;    .   . ,  <\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:9<\/span>. Sept.: .   .     .     Vulg.: <em>Et erat subter gazo phylacia hc introitus ab oriente ingredientium in ea<\/em>(Qeri:   and  f).<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:10<\/span>.      .        .  <\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:11<\/span>. .     ,    .   .      .     .    . Vulg.: <em> et omnis introitus eorum et similitudines et ostia eorum<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:12<\/span>.    .           , .      . Vulg.: <em>Secundum  qu via erat ante vestibulum separatum per viam orientalem ingredientibus<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span>. &#8230;    ,        Vulg.: <em> ante dificium separatum  gazophylacia sancta  ad dominum in sancta sanctorum<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:14<\/span>.      , .          .        ,        . (Another reading: , masc. Qeri: ).<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:15<\/span>. &#8230;          .    .<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:16<\/span>. .    .  .    .    .  . . Vulg.: <em> contra ventum  calamos in calamo mensur<\/em>(many codd. and all translations read  instead of .)<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:17<\/span>. .    .          . <\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:18<\/span>. .    . .  . . . , . Vulg.: <em> quingentos calamos  per circuitum<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:19<\/span>. . . .  . .  . . , . Vulg.: <em>Et ad ventum occidentalem<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:20<\/span>.       . .   .   ,  .   ,  .         .Vulg.: <em> mensus est murum ejus undique  cubitorum  cubitorum, dividentem inter<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>EXEGETICAL REMARKS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:1-14<\/span>. <em>The Chambers of Holiness<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The leading forth of <span class='bible'>Eze 42:1<\/span> is easy to be understood, both from <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 41<\/span>. and from the outer court, where the structure of cells for the priests about to be described is situated, for  suggests to us such a structure. Comp. moreover, <span class='bible'>Eze 40:17<\/span> sq. and <span class='bible'>Eze 40:44<\/span> sq. The outer court here harmonizes with the first passage, while its purpose does not; the one there was designed for the people. It would harmonize with the second passage that there too the purpose was for the priests; on the other hand, the inner court does not harmonize.That it is added: <strong>and brought me<\/strong>, etc., is quite in the copious style of Ezekiel, as the immediately following will likewise show. The general statement: <strong>the way northwards<\/strong>, is made more precise by the closer fixing of the locality, in which the expression: <strong>over against the gizrah<\/strong>, repeats itself in: <strong>over against the building<\/strong> (situated there, <span class='bible'>Eze 41:12<\/span> sq.), just as the northern direction mentioned in the outset does by: <strong>towards the north<\/strong>. Hengst. expresses the opinion that, considering the object of the gizrah-building, an adjacent building on either side withdrawing it from view was very appropriate, and that the description is designed to point to that.In <span class='bible'>Eze 42:2<\/span>,  can hardly (as Hengst.) mean: before the length (determined for the gizrah. from east to west), for the repeated  is merely a continuation. It was the front-length of the cell building to which Ezekiel sees himself brought, as also the <strong>opening toward the north<\/strong> shows that the doors of the building opened northwards.The hundred cubits of length agree with <span class='bible'>Eze 41:13<\/span>, so that both buildings simply cover each other as to length; whereas the sacrificial kitchens (<span class='bible'>Eze 46:19<\/span>) embarrass Keil, who needs for them still forty cubits of length westwards behind the cell building; while Hengstenberg claims for them no separate building, but, as is usually the case with kitchens, places them below in the cell building. According to Keil, the cell building would stretch along still before the temple.By the description in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:3<\/span> : <strong>over against the twenty<\/strong>, etc., the breadth of fifty cubits is put in relation to the twenty cubits breadth of free space belonging to the inner court (<span class='bible'>Eze 41:10<\/span>), and at the same time more closely stated to be in a southern direction towards the temple (Hengst.: eastward), as the following: <strong>over against the pavement<\/strong> (<span class='bible'>Eze 40:17<\/span>), on its part points out clearly the northern direction; or a reference to what is farthest out, the outer court, is added to the reference made by the first  to what is inmost.By the statement that <strong>gallery<\/strong> ran <strong>before gallery in the third<\/strong>, Hengst. understands: that one looked down from the walk before the chambers of the third story to another walk that was before the chambers of the second story (?). Keil: one gallery in front of the other or towards it (?). Kliefoth takes = ( on, over), but what would  mean? Also,  does not mean, as he supposes with Bttcher: into the threefold. As <span class='bible'>Eze 41:10<\/span> can refer only to our verse, we shall in the case of  have to think of the first-mentioned galleries of the gizrah house, <span class='bible'>Eze 41:15<\/span> sq.; and this so much the more as the description of the cell structure was determined immediately (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:1<\/span>) after this building. Thus the galleries of the two buildings ran front to front; and this is said only of the <strong>third<\/strong>, namely, the two third galleries, for the first mention of the middle ones is in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:5<\/span>; the highest also caught the eye first, and with them at the same time the height of the building could be given as of three stories.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>walk<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span><strong>before the chambers<\/strong>, which was <strong>ten cubits broad<\/strong>, can only be supposed as extending from west to east before the northern long side of the building. <strong>To the inner court<\/strong> (<span class='bible'>Eze 8:3<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 8:16<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 10:3<\/span>) <strong>was a way of one cubit<\/strong> in breadth; this denotes the narrow approach to the inner court, on which the wider passage round the east wall of the building abutted; and according to this account, returning to the walk, it is said of the doors of the chambers or of the galleries, that they opened on the passage to the north. Hengstenberg makes the <strong>walk<\/strong> to be the approach to the chambers, from which one had access to the interior of the chambers, and this interior to be one cubit from the street, which was the thickness of the walls (!). Keil, who can extract no suitable sense from the text, reads with the Sept.:  , thus making a way of a hundred cubits long lead through the north gate into the inner court (!).<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:5<\/span> harmonizes the galleries with the chambers, speaking first of the <strong>upper<\/strong> as <span class='bible'>Eze 42:3<\/span> had spoken of the <strong>third<\/strong> galleries. These chambers are said to be <strong>shortened<\/strong>, and indeed they were the narrowest; and therefore it is remarked of them alone in the first place, for (the details will become clear in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:6<\/span>) the galleries took away from their breadth ( only here, instead of ). They were shorter, it is said, than the <strong>lower<\/strong> above all, but also than the <strong>middle<\/strong>. So Keil understands the second and third  in a comparative sense. If it is to be taken as the first, that in , then that one must be understood of the chambers in general, and the more exact definition must be given with the two following , as Hengstenberg says: in the case of the middle ones, the half of the space which in relation to the lower was cut off by the galleries from the upper. He makes to be building spacespace which otherwise might have been built upon. The mode of expression indicates that the prophet means to say: the structure, which had lower, middle, and upper chambers (<strong>for they were three-storied<\/strong>, <span class='bible'>Eze 42:6<\/span>), was shortened in the upper chambers, since the galleries there in particular occupied part of the breadth which the under chambers had entire, and which even the middle chambers had; the reason is, they had no <strong>pillars<\/strong> to support the upper galleries to the three stories of chambers, and so the upper chambers were necessarily contracted, and consequently had to lose in breadth, since the galleries which ran along the outer walls had to seek support in rests which were taken from the chambers. The explanatory expression: <strong>from the ground<\/strong>, throws light upon the  of the previous verse; hence the building there comes into consideration as to the ground-space which it could afford on its lower floor for the under and the middle chambers, which thus, especially the first, were broader than the upper, although self-evidently the middle chambers too must have been shortened by their gallery in comparison with the under. As the building became higher, the chambers became shorter.We have to notice the reference to the <strong>pillars of the courts<\/strong>, of which nothing has been said hitherto, and we shall have to suppose them where they are wanting here, namely, in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:17<\/span> sq. and 44 sq. The chambers there, too, may have had stories.The whole description of the galleries, and the way in which this description is kept in connection with the building on the gizrah, is hardly intended merely to make plain the possibility of access to the chambers of the second and third stories, but is designed to give us the impression, that from the galleries, so easily accessible from the chambers, an equally prompt supervision over this hinder and interior part of the environs of the sanctuary was made possible, as by the guardrooms in the case of the gates; if the chambers here correspond to these guardrooms, then the galleries here correspond to the barriers there.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span>. , that which fences off, is a dividing-wall, a boundary-fence, which is measured fifty cubits long, and consequently is to be sought for opposite the breadth of the building and on the east side, where the narrow way (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>) led to the inner court, in distinction from which the further description will have respect to the outer court. In the first place, however, it is said to be <strong>outside<\/strong>, for if this wall ran along the chambers, its position is made plainer by the phrase: <strong>towards the outer court<\/strong> (where  may remind us of , <span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>); as also: <strong>in front of the chambers<\/strong>, illustrates still better the phrase: <strong>close by<\/strong> (running equally with) <strong>the chambers<\/strong>. If this wall concealed the narrow access to the inner court, still more so did it the under chambers on the east towards the outer court, and what had to be performed in these chambers, for<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:8<\/span>the length of the wall corresponded to the <strong>length of the chambers which are to the outer court<\/strong>, that is, which here come into consideration for this court, as the eye fell on them in looking from the east. The proper length of a hundred cubits on the north side<strong>before the temple<\/strong>, because the temple rose behind in its length as point of view and boundaryis very perceptibly distinguished by  from the above-mentioned so-called <strong>length<\/strong> (the breadth of fifty cubits). The reason why there is no mention of a dividing-wall in the case of the chambers of this northern long side perhaps is, that their windows and galleries (comp. on <span class='bible'>Eze 42:3<\/span>) lay towards the gizrah, and only the doors opened towards the north (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>). <span class='bible'>Eze 42:9<\/span>. So the east side chambers rose up <strong>from under<\/strong> the dividing-wall, which concealed them only below, but did not cover them so as to cut off the light from them.The observation regarding the <strong>entrance<\/strong>, that it was <strong>on the east<\/strong>, which is still further described by: <strong>in coming to them from the outer court<\/strong>, may indeed be understood in distinction from the narrow way which led along there to the inner court (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>), but is rather to be taken as a corroboration, that whereas people for the most part got at these chambers from the east, a fence was requisite on this side also of the outer court. Hengstenberg converts the , sufficiently intelligible by the clause: <strong>in coming<\/strong>, etc., into a door which the fence-wall must have had.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:10<\/span> makes the transition to a parallel building on the other side, by first repeating the last described, in such a manner, however, that no misunderstanding is possible; hence <strong>breadth<\/strong> is said, and not length, as in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span>. The chambers were <strong>in the breadth of the dividing-wall<\/strong>, for they were situated in this breadth. The <strong>court<\/strong> to this wall is the just now mentioned (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:9<\/span>) outer court, and the expression: <strong>toward the east<\/strong>, likewise borrowed from <span class='bible'>Eze 42:9<\/span>, is a closer description of the position of the dividing-wall and consequently of the chambers, so that  is not to be changed into , which definition comes afterward in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:12<\/span>. The description: <strong>fronting the gizrah<\/strong>, and (as <span class='bible'>Eze 42:1<\/span>): <strong>fronting the building<\/strong> (upon it), which occupied the whole length, signifies exactly the same as: in front of the length of a hundred cubits, in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:2<\/span>; hence the chambers were concealed on this side also by the gizrah building. That which in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span> is called , is in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:11<\/span> by way of variety called , but any misunderstanding is guarded against by the observation: <strong>as the look<\/strong>, etc. (that the chambers had the same look as those <strong>toward the north<\/strong>). The comprehensive: <strong>as the look<\/strong>, etc., said on the occasion of mentioning the <strong>way<\/strong>, is specialized by what follows. We would express it thus: As in relation to their length, so in relation to their breadth and in relation to all their, etc. The <strong>arrangements<\/strong> are what concerns the way and manner of the whole, and the particulars. Finally, the <strong>openings<\/strong>, although already comprehended in the <strong>outgoings<\/strong>, are, on account of an appendage to be immediately given to the north chambers, once more specially mentioned.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:12<\/span>, in the first place, shows that the chambers spoken of are to be conceived of as <strong>toward the south<\/strong>, in the same way as their patterns were toward the north (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:11<\/span>); it then proceeds to mention a door-opening, which, while only supposed in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span>, is now described in detail. Leading into the inner court, it was situated where the way began, or had its head at the wall of the court; hence it was constructed in this wall, wherefore it is added that the way proceeded , in <strong>face<\/strong> of the <strong>dividing-wall<\/strong>, that is, so that this wall had it as it were before its eyes.  is perhaps so often repeated because the narrower walk in question (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:4<\/span>) is distinguished as  from the longer and broader walks.  is collective, because said at the same time for the north side,  occurs only here; it is derived from , which Meier interprets by: to bend off, to bend, to incline, translating the adjective here: bending, turning, or stretching towards, which would be quite suitable to , but would still more vividly express the thought: the dividing-wall inclined itself to the way passing before its eyes. Gesenius, taking for guide the rabbinical , which means: noble, graceful, but also: insignificant, renders  by: convenient, suitable, which Keil transforms into this, that it denotes the wall corresponding to the cells, and running the same distance with them before the east narrow side of the building. In the remainder, similar to <span class='bible'>Eze 42:9<\/span>.The interpretation given of <span class='bible'>Eze 42:10<\/span> sq., almost the same as that of Keil, supposes only two cell buildings, whereas Kliefoth and Hengstenberg reckon three, adding an eastern priests court. Keil places the building here at or on the broad-side (?) of the court-wall over against the separate place.<\/p>\n<p>In <span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span> (as <span class='bible'>Eze 40:45<\/span> sq.) his guide tells the prophet the purpose for which the north and south chambers were intended (only these two kinds of chambers are mentioned, completely refuting the idea of more than two buildings of the kind).<strong>Which are in front<\/strong>, etc., since they ran along in front of the long side (hence also simply <strong>gizrah<\/strong>) of the off-place., not <em>abstr. pro concr.<\/em>, but as throughout, <strong>holiness<\/strong>, corresponding to the holiness of Jehovah, which is no single divine attribute (comp. <span class='bible'>Eze 20:39<\/span> sq., and on <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 24<\/span>. p. 343, etc.), but the expression of the entire relation of God to Israel (Bhr, <em>der Salom. Tempel<\/em>, p. 56 sq.). This relation is once more strongly pronounced in  , by which are designated the priests portions of the offerings, that is, of the offerings named (<strong>meat-offering, sin-offering, and guilt-offering<\/strong>), which had to be eaten by the priests alone, to the exclusion of their families (<span class='bible'>Lev 2:3<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 2:10<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Lev 6:9<\/span> sq., 19 sq., <span class='bible'>Eze 7:6<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Eze 10:12<\/span>); hence the detailed account of their status (Hengst.: who are near the Lord) and official character. In the case of the heave-offering or wave-offering, the priests portion was partaken of even by the female members of the priests families (<span class='bible'>Lev 10:14<\/span>). Comp. Bhr, <em>Symb. des Mos. Kultus;<\/em> Kurtz, <em>Der Alttestamentliche Opferkultus<\/em>. On the distinction between eating and setting down Keil says: Because neither the meal mingled with oil of the meat-offering, nor the flesh of the sin and guilt-offerings, could be eaten by the priests immediately after the presentation of the offering, but first the one had to be baked and the other cooked, they were, until this preparation, allowed to be set aside, but not in any place one pleased.The different designation:   , shows the distinction from the previous .<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:14<\/span> still adds, with similar emphasizing of the <strong>priests<\/strong>, that after performing their functions (, as the context shows, is not: when they come to the service) in the <strong>holy place<\/strong>, that is, the inner room, they are not to repair without ceremony <strong>to the outer court<\/strong> (as Keil supposes, had they been obliged to pass out through the inner gate in order to get to the sacred cells), butand for this the door, <span class='bible'>Eze 42:12<\/span>, is excellently adaptedthe official garments in which they (, to order well, to administer, in the Piel of respectful services before kings and princes, especially of service before Jehovah) performed the sacred service are to be put aside, laid down in the chambers mentioned, and exchanged for common garments., namely: the priestly garments.In  we are instinctively reminded of  in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span>.  explains more closely the  , that the people come into consideration there. Not until the service of God is completed are the priests allowed to come into converse with them.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:15-20<\/span>.<em>The Circumference of the whole<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:15<\/span>. What was begun in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:3<\/span> sq. was now <strong>finished<\/strong>. The antithesis of the <strong>measures of the inner house<\/strong> is: <strong>and he measured it round and round<\/strong>. The prophet therefore is led out, , which may mean the way to the gate, but also the way through it. The return to the east gate (comp. <span class='bible'>Eze 40:6<\/span>) depicts to us Ezekiels re-entrance into the outer court; and thus the expression: <strong>round and round<\/strong>, will the more readily point to the wall (<span class='bible'>Eze 40:5<\/span>) from which he then (hence now from the opposite direction) came to the east gate. The <strong>inner house<\/strong> comprehends the whole interior up to the wall, of which it is said, <span class='bible'>Eze 40:5<\/span>, that it was    . Keil disputes, without due grounds, the reference of the suffix in  to , although we must concede to him that some indefiniteness may adhere to the suffix; at all events, <strong>round and round<\/strong> is not the wall as wall, which would have also its inner side, but as that which surrounded the house from without, and denoted the outside in reference to the house, so that we are pointed to the outside of the wall-girt sanctuary. Meanwhile, however, if nothing more definite follows, this only says that, after finishing all the measurings in the interior, a total measurement of the whole was taken outside on the circumference of the sanctuary.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:16<\/span>. The measuring begins with the east gate; and hence on the east, , in the signification it has in the common expression: to the four winds, meaning the four directions whence the wind principally comes, is here said of the east side, as in the following of the north, south, and west sides.Hengst. takes  as a blending of  and , and translates: five hundred cubits, measured in rods with the measuring-rod. That  cannot mean five hundred is clear, but what is the meaning of five cubits? Hence the Qeri: . Then, however, we get by what follows: five hundred rods, or we must say with Hengst. that by: <strong>rods on the measuring-rod around<\/strong>, is intended to be observed that the measure would be obtained by measuring not in cubits, but in rods, with the measuring-rod described at the commencement. At all events, <span class='bible'>Eze 40:5<\/span> favours this view, as also the square of five hundred cubits for the whole of the sanctuary, already, on <span class='bible'>Eze 40:27<\/span>, observed to be correct, has to be harmonized with the detailed statements. The blending, too, of a hundred and cubits would agree well with the brevity of similar statements; only, such brevity and obscurity in the case of a summing up, a general survey of the spatial relations of the sanctuary, as Hengst. supposes, is difficult to conceive and hard to accept. On the other hand, the abbreviation: <strong>five hundred<\/strong> (thus read with the Qeri), measured by rods, is easy of acceptation, when it is so very clear, not only from the definition of the rod given in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:5<\/span>, but from a presupposed after-reckoning of all the statements of measuring hitherto coming into consideration, that only cubits can be meant; even in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:20<\/span>, where otherwise it might be expected, all mention of rods is omitted. Ewald, too, and Bttcher and Hitzig have decided in favour of cubits. That Ezekiel gives elsewhere all the greater measures in cubits and not in rods, as Hengst. insists on, has, however, no significance when the prophet had to refer to a wider space, a space separating the sanctuary from the rest of the land, a space independent of all that had gone before, and which therefore might have been measured by rods, as Klief. and Keil hold. Comp. however, <span class='bible'>Eze 45:2<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:17<\/span>. <strong>Five hundred<\/strong>, and the same in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:18<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Eze 42:19<\/span>, merely the number; and this Hengst. explains by saying that, in the case of the other sides, the mere number suffices, so that the number given is self-evidently of cubits, according to <span class='bible'>Eze 42:16<\/span>.Is the question decided in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:20<\/span>? But <strong>toward the four winds<\/strong>, that is, in the direction of the four cardinal points (it is said  in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:19<\/span>, by which, however, at the same time, may be indicated the going round and round), is a mere <em>rsum<\/em> of what has been described singly in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:16-19<\/span>. Accordingly, the suffix also in  is to be understood exactly as in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:15<\/span>, that is, as referring to the house.What now is to be understood by the wall which was to the house ()? It is called , as in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:5<\/span>, and, exactly as there, it is said that it was  . It is not, indeed, said, as Hengst. expresses himself: he measured it, namely, the wall, round about; but the observation here, that the house had a wall, gives no further information than that the measuring will have had respect to this compass of the house! Keil, indeed, refuses to understand the  in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:16-17<\/span> of a square five hundred rods in length and breadth on these two sides, yet he gets in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:20<\/span> a space which measured five hundred rods towards each of the cardinal points, that is, a surrounding wall five hundred rods in length on each side; in whole, an area of two hundred and fifty thousand square rods, while the temple, with its courts, claims only two hundred and fifty thousand square cubits. Hengstenberg, at the mention of this in fact so much more considerable space than that of the sanctuary, but neither further defined nor filled up, is reminded of the Hungarian who, looking at a bare expanse, said: Nothing but space, and finds a mere vacuum on each of the four sides intolerable. But when he finds nothing corresponding in Solomons temple, the form of which, however, is perpetually before the prophets eyes, and in reply to What he otherwise expresses regarding the enormous extent of useless space, Kliefoth, in giving the purpose intended: <strong>to separate<\/strong>, etc., says: In the case of the tabernacle and Solomons temple the outer court served for this purpose, whereas, in the case of Ezekiels temple, the outer court also still belongs to the sanctuary, and is itself holy; and the purpose of separating the sanctuary from the common ground must be effected by this surrounding space, which, in this respect, takes the place in regard to Ezekiels temple which the outer court took in the case of that of Solomon. Keil disputes the latter statement, and says that the tabernacle had no outer court, and in Solomons temple the outer court already formed a part of the sanctuary. He continues: Only in the ease of the latter temple, the outer court bordered immediately on the common soil of the city and of the land, so that the pollution of the land produced by the sin of the people could press without obstacle even into the sacred space of the courts. To this a limit shall be set in the sanctuary of the future, by this environing space set apart for separating the holy from the profane. That the extent of the temple, with its courts, is not rendered insignificant by the twenty-five times greater size of the space in question, Keil proves from the circumstance that it is not covered with buildings, and hence comes into consideration merely as so significant a separation from the profane, by which strongly marked separation peculiar to Ezekiels temple, the inviolable holiness of this sanctuary is, on the contrary, illustrated in an enhanced measure. That the surface of Mount Moriah affords no room for this is certainly no proof against the above-mentioned view of Keil and Kliefoth, for <span class='bible'>Eze 40:2<\/span> speaks only of a very high mountain.<\/p>\n<p>[Throughout <span class='bible'>Eze 42:16-20<\/span> Dr. Fairbairn abides by the rendering of the English version: reeds or rods, not cubits, and adds: We regard the immense extent of the sacred area as a symbol of the vast enlargement that was to be given to the kingdom of God in the times of Messiah. It was immeasurably to surpass the old in the extent of its territory, and in the number of its adherents, as well as in the purity of its worship. The wall that surrounded the sacred buildings is expressly said, in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:20<\/span>, to have been for separating between the holy and profane; not, therefore, as in <span class='bible'>Rev 21:12<\/span>, and very common elsewhere, for defence and safety; as, indeed, its comparative want of elevation might seem to render it unfit for such a purpose. But its square form, and the square appearance of the entire buildings (as in Johns city, <span class='bible'>Rev 21:16<\/span>), betokened the strength and solidity of the whole, along with a vast increase in extent and number. A perfect cube, it was the emblem of a kingdom that could not be shaken or removed. And thus every way it exhibited, to the, eye of faith, the true ideal of that pure and glorious temple, which, resting on the foundation of the Eternal Son, and girt round by all the perfections of Godhead, shall shine forth the best and noblest workmanship of Heaven.Fairbairns <em>Ezekiel<\/em>, p. 470.W. F.]<\/p>\n<p><strong>HOMILETIC HINTS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On Ch. 42<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:1<\/span> sq.: As this temple was provided with many chambers, but each had its own purpose, so believing Christians must be sanctified chambers for the glory of God,one for this use and another for that, <span class='bible'>2Ti 2:21<\/span> (Starke).<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:5<\/span> sq. While in the previous chapter the breadth increased with the elevation, it here becomes narrower. The progressive growth in grace is a wider consciousness of Christ, but a constantly narrowing self-consciousness (<span class='bible'>1Co 15:9<\/span>).So is the service in the gospel, when with increasing years our view into eternity expands, and similarly contracts in temporal matters; the nearer the day of reckoning is, our responsibility becomes the clearer to us, and the more clearly do we see our many mistakes and disloyalties.There are three stages of life: youth, manhood, and old age, and the last is the narrowest of all (Starck).<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:7<\/span> sq. God is able to set walls around those who desire to keep themselves pure from the stains of the flesh, and to protect them in the hour of trial and temptation.True believers are protected, no one can injure them, <span class='bible'>Joh 10:27<\/span> sq. (Starck.)The protection which is in an evangelically-understood official and priestly dignity.If Gods servants have no place under heaven, yet they have one in heaven (Starck).By these buildings connected with the temple, and pertaining to its outward economy, we should be reminded that the Lord bestows upon the pious the other necessaries of life also. In Him they find their entire satisfaction; but they use food, drink, intercourse with men, and this whole world, as if they did not use all this. Thus, to the pure all things are pure that they do with pure and upright heart. The word of God makes us strong when it is with us, and blesses also outward things. David never saw a righteous man forsaken (<span class='bible'>Psalms 37<\/span>). So also has the Lord ordained that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel, <span class='bible'>1Co 9:13-14<\/span> (col.).Oh, how sweet it is to cling to the temple like Anna! <span class='bible'>Luk 2:37<\/span> (Starck).<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:13<\/span> sq. If we have to understand by the priests the early Christians, or those brought up from childhood in the faith of Christ and walking in this way, then in these verses is figured their fellowship with one another in particular, their united inquiry into the word and meditation thereon and on the mystery of Christ for growth of knowledge and increase of joy, so that they are prepared and adorned in one and the same faith, alway to return to and worship at the altar, which is Christ (Coco.).In word, in work, in everything, be Jesus read, and He alone (Tersteegen).Glory and holiness in their connection; how this connection is stamped on this temple and its arrangements and purposes, even to the most minute particulars.His office secures enjoyment, too, to the minister of the gospel, but enjoyment from the holy; the Lord wills to be enjoyment to His own.Profane ministers profane the sanctuary.These two verses form a fitting text for introduction and ordination sermons.That which is seemly for every Christian is, however, special duty for the priests. One should be able to discover in a preacher of the gospel, above all else, above all science, knowledge, culture, etc., that he is in the enjoyment of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world.So also we ought not to approach the holy table of the Lord with worldly, impenitent hearts (Calov.).From <span class='bible'>Eze 42:14<\/span> much pastoral wisdom may be learned.But the lesson is not that a pastor may for a time lay aside his clerical robes or hang them on a nail to make merry with the world (Berl. Bib.).A true minister of the gospel does not want to be called a clergyman in distinction from the laity,a Pharisaic title, which the church regulations of our fathers do not know, and which modern State bureaucracy ought to abolish,but as. he is so in the spirit of the gospel in contrast to the world, even to the so-called world of culture.The wrong and dangerous sociability of a minister of the word. The clerical coat does not make the clergyman, yet it is a defence and an admonition. The best clerical garment, and one which we may always put on and wear everywhere, is our sanctification in Christ.It is as great a mistake to carry about the clerical coat everywhere, like a monk, as to leave it at home from unclerical frivolity or worldly-mindedness.Paul became all things to all men (<span class='bible'>1Co 9:19<\/span>; <span class='bible'>1Co 9:22<\/span>), but not at the expense of his ministerial office.When we sinners come in contact with Christ by faith, we are made clean, and become a holy, reasonable sacrifice, acceptable to God. But when once we are consecrated to God, we have to be on our guard that we on no occasion defile ourselves (col.).<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:15<\/span> sq. God gathers His Church from all the four quarters of the world, <span class='bible'>Isa 49:12<\/span> (Starke).So wide and spacious will the New Testament Church be, in distinction from the Old Testament Church. A greater than Solomon in all his pomp and glory is here; for Jesus is the Light of all nations, <span class='bible'>Isa 42:6<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isa 49:6<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Luk 2:32<\/span>(Starck).All believers in the whole world belong to this temple. The true Church is the collection of the scattered believers that are in the world (Starck).Observe, only after he had learned exactly the internal magnitude did the prophet learn the external. It is labour in vain to labour in investigating nature until we have first laid a good foundation in godliness. Without this we continue too much devoted to the contemplation of visible things, and make them our idols, so that they become a stumbling-block and a snare to ourselves and other inexperienced persons. But when thou hast come to know the inner meaning of spiritual things, and hast tasted the length, height, and depth of the love of God, then thou mayest busy thyself with all visible things. Thou wilt everywhere pause, and, contemplating things with the spiritual eye, say: O Lord our God, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth! Thou who hast made the heavens, declare Thy glory, etc. For by the contemplation of outward things thou wilt be borne along to the praise of the divine glory and the overflowing love of the heavenly Father toward His people, for whose sake He has made also this whole artistically-compacted framework of visible things (Heim-Hoff.).The prophet has now depicted everything so fully and clearly, in order to preach to his contemporaries, as babes in understanding, in a way intelligible to them, the consoling truth that Gods Church is eternal through His grace, and that He will always rebuild His house among us, provided we only desire to be His. Whatever is lost must truly be restored more glorious than ever to them who love God; and where Gods word finds lovers, His kingdom, too, increasingly assumes shape. But in Christ all has assumed such a shape, that through Him the sanctuary now always continues present in humanity; and the true altar of burnt-offering, Golgotha, is always before the eyes of the Most Holy Father, in order, for the sake of the sacrifice thereon offered, to love, sanctify, and protect us all. We thank thee, O most gracious eternal God and Father, who hast set up an eternal sanctuary for us sinners, never to depart from us, and hast sanctified us by the blood of Thy Son, and now givest unto us the four ends of the earth to embrace by Thy gospel; grant unto us to remain faithful in contemplation of Thee, and, ever fuller and fuller of Thy Spirit, to praise Thee through Jesus Christ. Amen (Diedrich).<\/p>\n<p><strong>DOCTRINAL REFLECTIONS<\/strong> ON CH. 4046<\/p>\n<p>1. Hvernick rightly finds the nervous and lofty unity in the prophecies of Ezekiel manifested in this section also. The visions of the prophet find here their fairest completion and perfect rounding off. Already in the exposition (on <span class='bible'>Eze 40:1<\/span> sq.) the harmony with the former part of Ezekiels prophecy has been remarked. <span class='bible'>Eze 43:3<\/span> expressly refers back to <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 1, 8<\/span>. The free conformity in expression between our chapters and the whole closing portion generally, and the earlier chapters, has been often proved (comp. Philippson, p. 1294). The proof is the more striking when we consider the complete difference of the subject. That we have a vision here too harmonizes not only with <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 1, 8<\/span>, but in general with the prophetic character of Ezekiel, <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 8, 15<\/span>, <span class='bible'>17<\/span>. The prophet has repeatedly hinted at this close of his book. Thus <span class='bible'>Eze 11:16<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 20:40<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 36:38<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 37:26<\/span> sq. The last passage in particular might be regarded as the text for <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 40<\/span> sq. The eighth and following chapters required by the necessity of the idea our conclusion of the book.<\/p>\n<p>2. In regard to analogies in the other prophets, Ezekiels contemporaries, as we may well conceive, will chiefly come into consideration. Hence, above all, Ezekiels fellow-labourer Jeremiah. Jeremiah represents the restoration and renewal of Israel as a rebuilding of Jerusalem, <span class='bible'>Jer 31:38<\/span> sq. (with this comp. in our prophet, <span class='bible'>Eze 47:13<\/span> sq., <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 48<\/span>). <span class='bible'>Jer 33:18<\/span> is similar to <span class='bible'>Eze 44:9<\/span> sq. <span class='bible'>Hag 2:7<\/span> sq. follows entirely the thought here of a new temple, insisting on its glory in view of a meagre present. But still more analogous are the night-visions of Zechariah (<span class='bible'>Eze 2:5<\/span> [1] sq., <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 4<\/span>, <span class='bible'>Eze 6:13<\/span> sq., <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 14<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p>3. The parallel between Isaiah and Ezekiel, as it stands in relation to the vision in <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 1<\/span> (p. 41), is not completed by citing <span class='bible'>Isaiah 60<\/span> as corresponding to the close of our book; but we shall have to seek the culminating point of Isaiahs prophecy for the culmination of Ezekiels, in accordance with the office of this prophet to be the prophet of Jehovahs holiness to obdurate Israel, just as for the commencement <span class='bible'>Isaiah 6<\/span> is covered by <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 1<\/span>not so much in the close as in Ezekiel  53. The corresponding pendant to our closing chapters is the life-like description given there of the Messiah and His sacrifice of Himself. It is this self-sanctification of Jehovah through His servant Israel which in Isaiah corresponds to the self-glorification of Jehovah in Ezekiel (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 40<\/span> sq.) by means of the new sanctuary and the new nationality; and this, again, accords with Ezekiels office, to behold the glory of Jehovah in the misery of the exile. In this respect Ezekiel stands to Isaiah somewhat as Easter and Pentecost do to Good Friday.<\/p>\n<p>4. The different views, especially regarding the vision of the temple, may be distinguished generally as subjective and objective. I. The views which derive the explanation of <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 40<\/span> sq. solely or chiefly from Ezekiels subjectivity: (1) Already Villalpandus saw everywhere here only reminiscences of Solomons temple and of Solomons era, and consequently a similar line of thought to that in <span class='bible'>Ezr 3:12<\/span>. Similarly Grotius, only that he reconciled the differences between Ezekiels temple and that of Solomon by ascribing them to the temple at the time of its destruction, just as Bunsen refers in this connection to <span class='bible'>2 Kings 16<\/span>. According to both these expositors, Ezekiel traced out from reminiscences a pattern for the future restoration. Thus, according to Ewald, Ezekiel becomes a prophetic lawgiver. Such an undertaking, quite unusual in the case of earlier prophets, is explained from the predominating thoughts and aspirations of the better class of those days for the restoration of the subverted kingdom. Ezekiel probably meditated long, with passionate longing and lively remembrance, on the institutions of the demolished temple, etc.; what appeared to him great and glorious became impressed upon his mind as a pattern, with which he compared the Messianic expectations and demands, etc., until at length the outline of the whole arrangement which he here writes down pressed itself upon him! Above all, he sketches the holy objects, temple and altar, with the utmost exactness and vividness, as if a spirit (!) impelled him, now when they were destroyed, at least to catch up their image in a faithful and worthy form for the redemption that will one day certainly come; so that he must have diligently instructed himself in these matters from the best written and oral sources (!). Thus it is quite in keeping with Ezekiels way of prophesying, that he introduces everything as if he had been borne in spirit into the restored and completed temple, accompanied throughout by a heavenly guide, and had learned exactly from him all the single parts of this unique building as to their nature and use. The paragraph <span class='bible'>Eze 47:1-12<\/span> is, in Ewalds opinion, from its great, all-embracing sense, quite adapted to bring to a close briefly and pithily all these presentiments! Yet when precepts more moral are to be given, or the perfected kingdom has to be described in its extent, reaching even beyond the temple, this assumed form (!) easily passes over into the simple prophetic discourse. (2) While the foregoing view looks to realization, Hitzig, for example, entirely rejects the idea that Ezekiel considered such things (as our chapters contain) possible, feasible, or probable, and relatively commanded and prescribed them. One does not or did not reflect that the prophets calling was to express the demands of the idea, indifferent in the first instance about their realization. All is pure fancy, a mere castle-in-the-air, a kind of Platonic sketch, as Herder expresses himself. The self-criticism of this view of our chapters can hardly be more suitably given than when Hitzig continues: Inasmuch as this or that could be set in order otherwise than he imagines, he would not in regard to plans and proposals have resisted obstinately, but would have known how to distinguish the unessential of the execution from the essential of the thing itself. He sketches the future in the form he must wish it to take, in which it really would have the fairest appearance. If the reality falls short of the image, then the idea is defectively realized; but the fault lies in the reality, not in the idea, and Ezekiel is not responsible for it. This, moreover, is merely what already Doederlein and others have held with respect to the closing portion of our book. Similarly Herder: Ezekiels manner is to paint an image entire and at length; his mode of conception appears to demand great visions, figures written over on all sides, even tiresome, difficult, symbolical acts, of which his whole book is full. Israel in his wandering upon the mountains of his dispersal, among other tongues and peoples, had need of a prophet such as this one was, etc. So also as regards this temple. Another would have sketched it with soaring figures in lofty utterances; he does so in definite measurements. And not only the temple, but also appurtenances, tribes, administration, land, etc. How far has Israel always, so far as depended on his own efforts, remained below the commands, counsels, and promises of God! (3) Bttcher has attempted to combine both views, and after him Philippson, who expresses himself to the following effect: Ezekiel the prophet, sunk in himself, brooding over matters in the distance and in solitude, had not, like Jeremiah, upon whom the immediate reality pressed, viewed the occurrences simply as punishment of defection and degeneracy, but was conscious also of their inward signification, which came to him in the appearance of a vision. Hence he represented the destruction of the temple as a suspension of the relation of revelation between God and Israel; and so much the more necessary was it to represent the restoration of that same relation as the return of God into the restored sanctuary. Now, from the peculiar character of Ezekiel, this necessarily had to assume a form at once ideal and real,ideal in its entirety as something future, real as individual and special, matter of fact in its appearance. As the indubitable motive of the prophet, the following is given: to keep alive in the exiles in the midst of Babylonian idolatry the idea of the one temple, and the priestly institute consecrated to it, as the centre of the religion of the one God; and at the return into Palestine to confirm the life of the people in their calling, by the removal of all elements of strife, and by approximation to the Mosaic state of things. Hengstenbergs view is surprisingly near the above one; he says: With the exception of the Messianic section in <span class='bible'>Eze 47:1-12<\/span>, the fulfilment of all (!) the rest of the prophecy belongs to the times immediately after the return from the Chaldean exile. So must every one of its first hearers and readers have understood it. Jeremiah, whom Ezekiel follows throughout, had prophesied the restoration of the city and temple 70 years after the beginning of the Chaldean servitude, falling in the fourth year of Jehoiakim. Thirty-two years had already elapsed. Forty years after the devastation of Egypt (<span class='bible'>Eze 29:13<\/span>), the nations visited by the Chaldeans shall get back to their former state. According to <span class='bible'>Eze 11:16<\/span>, the restoration is to follow in a brief space after the destruction of the temple. We have before us a prophecy for which it is essential (!) to give truth and poetry (! !), which contains a kernel of real thoughts, yet does not present them naked, but clothed with flesh and blood, that they may be a counterpoise to the sad reality, because they fill the fancy, that fruitful workshop of despair, with bright (!) images, and thus make it an easier task to live in the word at a time when all that is visible cries aloud, Where is now thy God? The incongruity between the prophecy of Ezekiel and the state of things after the exile, vanishes at once by distinguishing between the thoughts and their clothing, and if we can rightly figure to ourselves the wounds for which the healing plaster is here presented, and at the same time the mental world of the priest (Ezekiel), and the materials given in the circumstances surrounding him, for clothing the higher verities which he had to announce to the people. II. The views which above all look to and keep hold of the objectivity of the divine inspiration of Ezekiel. The very regard which must, in one way or other, be paid to the circumstances under which the people for whom, and the Babylonian exile in which, Ezekiel prophesied, objectivizes in some measure his subjectivity, so that not all the views hitherto cited of our chapters and the ones that follow are to be designated as purely subjective; the properly objective, however, will be, that the hand of Jehovah was upon him, that he was brought in visions of God to the land of Israel. Here the distinction is drawn by his own hand between the prophet of Israel and the fanciful Jewish priest; and not only this, but the unavoidable and irreconcilable alternative presents itself: either Ezekiel was a man of God, or a deceiver, for whom the fact that he had deceived himself also with assumed divine objectivity were no excuse, but would only be his self-condemnation. The case of Ezekiel, for the sake of truth, is too solemn for thinking of poetic clothing in the case before us. The subjective for the form before us, is to keep in mind when considering it what that form is. It has pleased God to speak to us through men. If we take full account of the national peculiarity of Israel in general during the whole old covenant, and of the peculiar personality in the case of our vision here, that is, that Ezekiel is the priest-prophet, that he above all other prophets is, as Umbreit says, a born symbolist ( in the temple which he erects he makes known his greatness as a symbolist, as well by what he says as by what he passes over in silence),if we concede to Umbreit the surprising skill in popularizing instruction which he observes in Ezekiel, we shall have to accept as the ultimate ground why Israel was the mediator of the worlds salvation, and Ezekiel was chosen to behold the temple of the future, divine wisdom and its purpose for the world, that is, the objective   above everything subjective. In accordance with this principle, we have to judge of (1) the view objectivized in this sense of a model for the rebuilding of the temple after the return from the exile, the supporters of which assume a building-plan issued under divine authority, given by Jehovah through the prophet. Although there is a resemblance between <span class='bible'>Exo 25:9<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Exo 25:40<\/span> and <span class='bible'>Eze 40:4<\/span>, yet it is not said to Ezekiel regarding Israel: according to all that I show thee, the pattern of the dwelling, etc., even so shall ye make it; the prophet is only to convey, announce () all that he sees to the house of Israel. From this circumstance, and not because the reality fell short of the idea (Hitzig, Herder), or, as Philippson adduces here, the similar fate of so many Mosaic precepts, the fact is explained that the post-exile temple was built without any regard to our vision. Only the fundamental reference to Solomons temple, which in general obtains in Ezekiel also, meets us in <span class='bible'>Ezr 3:12<\/span>. This fact, the more remarkable considering the nearness of time, shows that <span class='bible'>Eze 40:4<\/span>, soon after it was written, and when fully known, was not regarded as a divine building-specification. We do not need, therefore, to express, as Hengst., the obvious impossibility of erecting a building according to the specifications here given. The circumstance that the building materials are not given has at least not prevented the temple of Ezekiel from being, with more or less success, constructed and fashioned after his statements. Bunsen says that the temple here forms a very easily realized, congruous whole, of which an exact outline may be made, as the prophet also has evidently done. Umbreit, too, holds this latter view. And although we have to do not with an architect but with a prophet, yet nothing stands in the way of our believing that the subjectivity of Ezekiel was preeminently qualified for this vision, from the fact that he possessed architectural capacity (Introd.  7). (2) The symbolical view. It corresponds generally to the character of Holy Writ. (Comp. Lange, Rev. Introd. p. 11.) In particular it pays due regard to the law of Moses, to the part of it relating to worship, the subject here. Especially when the whole worship of Israel is concentrated in the temple, a symbolical view respecting a vision thereof will be quite in place. Thereby only its due right is given to this objective, to the divine idea, in the shape which it has above all assumed in<\/p>\n<p>Israelitish worship. The symbolical character, moreover, is specially appropriate for the prophetic writings. As has already been often said and pointed out, the symbolical predominates in Ezekiel; and as to these concluding chapters, Hvernick adduces, as indicating their general character, the description of the circuit of the new temple (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:15<\/span> sq.), the representation of the entrance, etc. of the divine glory (<span class='bible'>Eze 43:1<\/span> sq.), the river (<span class='bible'>Eze 47:1<\/span> sq. etc.), and observes that it is just such passages that form the conclusion to the previous description, and hence cast a light on it. Comp. on <span class='bible'>Eze 43:10<\/span> sq. But everything architectonic is not a symbol, although everything of that nature will indeed primarily relate to the building to be erected, and will thereby at the same time in some way serve the idea of the whole. This character comes out clearly even in individual statements of number, yet all such measurements are not therefore to be interpreted symbolically. Nay, as the exposition shows, there are here bare numbers, resisting every attempt to trace them back to the idea. It is sufficient in respect to the numbers, that (comp. Umbreit, p. 259 sq.) 4, as signature not only of regularity but also of the revelation of God in space, <em>e.g.<\/em> in the quadrangle of the temple; 3, the signature of the divine, <em>e.g.<\/em> in the sets of three gates; 10, perfection complete in itself, occurring often; likewise the sacred number 7; and the number 12 in the tables for preparing the offerings (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 40<\/span>), represent symbolism. (On the symbolism of numbers, comp. Lange on Rev. Introd. p. 14.) Umbreit rightly maintains: It is a symbolical temple, notwithstanding the arid and dry description, in which only exact specifications of the number of cubits and the apparently most insignificant calculations and measurings occur; as he says, quite in keeping with the poverty of the immediately succeeding age and the dignity of the most significant inwardness. (3) The Messianic view (for which comp. Lange on Kings, p. 60 sq.) is only the taking full advantage of and applying the symbolic view in general. Symbol and type, emblem and pattern, must mutually interpenetrate one another in a law like that of Israel. What separates Israel from the heathen is its law; what qualifies Israel for the whole world is its promise. But now, because of sin, the law has come in between the promise and the fulfilment; that sin becoming the more powerful as transgression may make manifest for faith the grace which alone is still more powerful, and that consequently the necessity of the promise should be the more apparent; that is, the pedagogy of the law (and especially of its ethical part) to Christ. Thus the law of Israel is the theocratic expression of Israel, the servant of God, as he ought to be, and hence prefigures the servant of Jehovah who is the fulfilling of the law, as He is the personal fulfilling of Israel, inasmuch as in Him who was delivered for our transgressions, and raised again for our , Israel after the Spirit is represented; so that here out of the law relating to worship rise up, as on the one hand sacrifice and the priesthood, so on the other the concentration of the whole of worship in the temple, this parable of the future, with reference to which Christ, <span class='bible'>John 2<\/span>, gives the : Destroy () this temple, and in three days I will raise it up (), saying this of the temple of His body; as also the disciples remembered when He had risen from the dead, and as the accusation against Him ran (<span class='bible'>Mat 26:61<\/span>). Accordingly the law, and especially the temple and its service, is    : the future  is given in the    (   , <span class='bible'>Hebrews 10<\/span>). This reference to the future, says Ziegler (in his thoughtful little work on the historical development of divine revelation), is the most dynamical among all the references of the law; its significance for its own time is so weak and unimportant, that it seems to exist solely for the sake of the future, although its office is the opposite of the office of the New Testament, which is formed and abiding in the hearts of men (  ,  ); still it was a sensible type, a strongly marked and distinctly stamped shadow of the coming substances, and yet, moreover, a veil which concealed it. What has been said shows the typical signification of the vision of Ezekiel, in which the symbolical view of it is completed, and the pedagogic and providential necessity of that form borrowed from the legal worship in which it is enshrined. Here is more than what (as Hengstenberg can say) suffices to employ the fancy. For the anointed one is   . But as the Messianic view of our chapters is thus justified by the symbolic view, when we have taken into account the law, particularly the law of worship in Israel, so likewise the already (Doct. Reflec. 1) noted connection of <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 40<\/span> sq. with the previous chapters, especially with <span class='bible'>Eze 37:26<\/span> sq. (p. 351), yields the same result, as also the position after Ezekiel 38, 39 and the relation to this prophecy will have to be taken into consideration. What holds good of <span class='bible'>Eze 37:26<\/span> sq. will also be a hint for our chapters. But even the Talmudists saw themselves compelled (principally because of the treatment of the law of Moses, to be spoken of presently) to acknowledge that the exposition of this portion would be first given in Messianic times, as the best (according to Philippson) Jewish expositors recognised here the type of a third temple. The saying of Jesus in John ii. possibly alluded to the exegetical tradition of the Jews. Hvernick accommodates as follows: The shattered old theocratic forms rather than new ones were above all cognate to the priestly mind of Ezekiel; so he sees nothing perish of that which Jehovah has founded for eternity; those forms beam before him revivified, animated with fresh breath, and lit up in the splendour of true glory; he recognises their full realization as coming in first in Messianic times. As errors are still committed, <em>e.g.<\/em> by Schmieder, in the symbolizing of particulars, so the Messianic typology of a Cocceius has deserved, although only in part, the anathema on mystical allegories, which above all modern criticism utters; for our defect in understanding in respect of many particulars will always have to be conceded. The Christian idea, however, the Old Testament typical symbolizing of which we have here to expound, is not only the idea of Christ, but also the idea of the Christian Church, the kingdom of God in Christ. If the resurrection of the Anointed One comes into consideration in the first respect, so in the latter does the consummation of the kingdom of grace, after its last affliction, into the kingdom of glory; comp. <span class='bible'>Rev 21:22<\/span>. The one is as eschatological in the wider, that is, christological in the narrower sense, as the other is eschatological in the narrower, or christological in the wider sense. By the translating of our passage into the higher key of Johns Apocalypse, the relation of <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 40<\/span> sq. to Ezekiel 38, 39 must be so much the more evident. Comp. Doct. Reflec. on xxxviii. and xxxix. We refer, finally, to what has been said in the Introduction,  7, that Jehovahs building in Ezekiel here (still more in its already actual reality for the seer, so that what already existed had only to be measured to him) forms the architectonic antithesis to the buildings of Nebuchadnezzar. As the figure of Gog with his people may have presented itself to our prophet through means of Babylon (comp. Doct. Reflec. on Ezekiel  38 39, p. 375), so from that same quarter may have been derived the representation given of the kingdom of God in its victorious opposition to the world. Hitzig, too (as we now first see when treating of the closing chapters), supposes that there probably flitted before the eyes of the author living in Chaldea, when describing his quadrangle, the capital of the country and the temple of Belus,the former, like the latter, forming a square, with streets intersecting one another at right angles. Umbreit says of the vision of Ezekiel as a whole: It is a great thought, which presents itself unadorned to our view in the prophetico-symbolic temple: God henceforth dwells in perfect peace, revealing Himself in the unbounded fulness of His glory, which is returning to Jerusalem, in the purest and most blissful unison with His sanctified people, making Himself known in the living word of progressive, saving, and sanctifying redemption. Everything is placed upon the ample circuit of the temple, whose extended courts receive all people, and through whose high and open gates the King of Glory is to enter in (<span class='bible'>Psa 24:7<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Psa 24:9<\/span>), and then upon the order and harmony of the divine habitation, the well-proportioned building (<span class='bible'>Eze 42:10<\/span>); and the revelations of the holiest are stored up in the pure, deep water of His word, which in life-giving streams issues from the temple. The stone tables of the law are consumed (?), and the fresh and free fountain of eternal truth streams forth from the temple of the Spirit, quickening and vivifying in land and sea, awakening by its creative and fructifying power a new and mighty race on earth. And thus hast thou, much misjudged yet lofty seer, in the unconscious depth of thy mysteriously flowing language, set up upon the great, undistinguishing (comp. <span class='bible'>Jer 31:34<\/span>), well-proportioned, and beautifully compacted building, a type of the simple yet lofty temple of Christ, from which flows the spiritual fountain of life ! From this Messianic view of the section we have to reject (4) the chiliastic-literal view, according to which Ezekiel describes what may be called either the Jewish temple of the future, or the Jewish future of the Christian Church. It is interesting to observe what kind of spirits meet together here in the flesh; <em>e.g.<\/em> Baumgarten and Auberlen, Hofmann and Volck (who acts as champion for him, and that partly with striking power of demonstration against Kliefoth), are combined here only in general because they make the community of God at our Lords <em>Parousia<\/em> to be an Israelite one. Comp. moreover, p. 357 and  10 of the Introduction. Auberlen (<em>Daniel and the Revelation of John<\/em>, p. 348 sq., Clarks tr.) expresses the apocalyptic phantasm as follows: Israel brought back to his own land becomes the people of God in a far higher and more inward sense than before, etc.; a new period of revelation begins, the Spirit of God is richly poured forth, and a fulness of gracious gifts is conferred, such as the apostolic Church possessed typically (!). (One can hardly go farther in the delusion of deeper knowledge of Scripture than to make primitive and original Christianity a type of Judaism!) But this rich spirit-imparted life finds its completed representation in a priestly as well as in a kingly manner. That which in the ages of the Old Covenant obtained only outwardly in the letter, and that which conversely in the age of the Church withdrew itself into inward, hidden spirituality, will then in a pneumatic (!) manner assume also an outward appearance and form. In the Old Covenant the whole national life of Israel in its various manifestationshousehold and state, labour and art, literature and culturewas determined by religion, but only in an external legal manner; the Church, again, has to insist above all on a renewal of the heart, and must leave those outward forms of life free, enjoining it on the conscience of each individual to glorify Christ in these relations also; but in the millennial kingdom all these spheres of life will be truly Christianized from within outwardly. Thus looked at, it will no longer be offensive (?) to say that the Mosaic ceremonial law corresponds to the priesthood of Israel, and the civil law to its kingship. The Gentile Church could adopt only the moral law; so certainly the sole means of influence assigned to her is that which works inwardly,the preaching of the word, the exercise of the prophetic office.<\/p>\n<p>(The Romish Church, however, has known how to serve itself heir <em>satis superque<\/em> to the Jewish ceremonial law!) But when once the priesthood and the kingship arise again, then alsowithout prejudice to the principles laid down in the Epistle to the Hebrews (?)the ceremonial and civil law of Moses will unfold its spiritual depths in the cultus and the constitution of the millennial kingdom (<span class='bible'>Mat 5:17-19<\/span>). The present is still the time of preaching, but then the time of the liturgy shall have come, which presupposes a congregation consisting solely of converted people, etc. etc. When Hengstenberg calls such interpretation altogether unhappy, that is the least that one can say about it; but even that could not have been said if Ezekiels descriptions really had the Utopian character which Hengstenberg attributes to them. He, however, justly animadverts upon the incongruity of expecting the restoration of the temple, the Old Testament festivals, the bloody sacrifices (!!), and the priesthood of the sons of Zadok, within the bounds of the New Covenant. Comp. Keil, p. 500 sq., who, both from the prophetic parts of the Old Testament and from the New, refutes at length the notion of a transformation of Canaan before the last judgment, and a kingdom of glory at Jerusalem before the end of the world. (Auberlen, who looks on the first resurrection as a bodily coming forth of the whole community of believers from their hitherto invisibility with Christ in heaven, makes the now transformed Church again return thither with Christ, and the saints rule from heaven over the earth; and from this he concludes that the intercourse between the world above and the world below will then be more active and free, etc. Hofmanns transference of the glorified Church to earth, and his further connecting therewith the national regeneration of Israel, Auberlen declares to be incompatible with the whole of Old Testament prophecy, to say nothing of its internal improbability.)<\/p>\n<p><strong>ADDITIONAL NOTE ON Ezekiel 40-46<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[Dr. Fairbairns classification of the views which have been held of Ezekiels closing vision generally, and in particular of the description contained in it respecting the temple, is as follows: 1. The <em>historico-literal<\/em> view, which takes all as a prosaic description of what had existed in the times immediately before the captivity, in connection with the temple which is usually called Solomons. 2. The <em>historico-ideal<\/em> view, that the pattern exhibited to Ezekiel differed materially from anything that previously existed, and presented for the first time what <em>should have been<\/em> after the return from the captivity, though, from the remissness and corruption of the people, it never was properly realized. 3. The <em>Jewish-carnal<\/em> view, held by certain Jewish writers, who maintain that Ezekiels description was actually followed, although in a necessarily imperfect manner, by the children of the captivity, and afterwards by Herod; but that it waits to be properly accomplished by the Messiah, who, when He appears, shall cause the temple to be reared precisely as here described, and carry out all the other subordinate arrangements,a view which, strangely enough, is in substance held also by certain parties in the Christian Church, who expect the vision to receive a complete and literal fulfilment at the period of Christs second coming. 4. The <em>Christian-spiritual<\/em> or typical view, according to which the whole representation was not intended to find either in Jewish or Christian times an express and formal realization, but was a grand, complicated symbol of the good God had in reserve for His Church, especially under the coming dispensation of the gospel. From the Fathers downwards this has been the prevailing view in the Christian Church. The greater part have held it, to the exclusion of every other; in particular, among the Reformers and their successors, Luther, Calvin, Capellus, Cocceius, Pfeiffer, followed by the majority of evangelical divines of our own country.<\/p>\n<p>To this fourth and last view Dr. Fairbairn himself strenuously adheres, expounding, illustrating, and defending it at considerable length, and with marked ability and success. We give his remarks in a somewhat condensed form.<\/p>\n<p>1. First of all, it is to be borne in mind that the description purports to be a vision,a scheme of things exhibited to the mental eye of the prophet in the visions of God. This alone marks it to be of an ideal character, as contradistinguished from anything that ever had been, or ever was to be found in actual existence after the precise form given to it in the description. Such we have uniformly seen to be the character of the earlier visions imparted to the prophet. The things described in chap, 13 and 811, which were seen by him in the visions of God, were all of this nature. They presented a vivid picture of what either then actually existed or was soon to take place, but in a form quite different from the external reality. Not the very image or the formal appearance of things was given, but rather a compressed delineation of their inward being and substance. And such, too, was found to be the case with other portions, which are of an entirely similar nature, though not expressly designated visions; such, for example, as <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 4, 12<\/span>, 21, all containing delineations and precepts, as if speaking of what was to be done and transacted in real life, and yet it is necessary to understand them as ideal representations, exhibiting the character, but not the precise form and lineaments, of the coming transactions.  Never at any period of His Church has God given laws and ordinances to it simply by vision; and when Moses was commissioned to give such in the wilderness, his authority to do so was formally based on the ground of his office being different from the ordinarily prophetical, and of his instructions being communicated otherwise than by vision (<span class='bible'>Num 12:6<\/span>). So that to speak by way of vision, and at the same time in the form of precept, as if enjoining laws and ordinances materially differing from those of Moses, was itself a palpable and incontrovertible proof of the ideal character of the revelation. It was a distinct testimony that Ezekiel was no new lawgiver coming to modify or supplant what had been written by him with whom God spake face to face upon the mount.<\/p>\n<p>2. What has been said respecting the <em>form<\/em> of the prophets communication, is confirmed by the <em>substance<\/em> of itas there is much in this that seems obviously designed to force on us the conviction of its ideal character. There are things in the description which, taken literally, are in the highest degree improbable, and even involve natural impossibilities. Thus, for example, according to the most exact modes of computation, the prophets measurements give for the outer wall of the temple a square of an English mile and about a seventh on each side, and for the whole city [<em>i.e.<\/em> including the oblation of holy ground for the prince, the priests, and the Levites] a space of between three and four thousand square miles. Now there is no reason to suppose that the boundaries of the ancient city exceeded two miles and a half in circumference (see Robinsons <em>Researches<\/em>, vol. i.), while here the circumference of the wall of the temple is nearly twice as much. And then, taking the land of Canaan at the largest, as including all that Israel ever possessed on both sides of the Jordan, it amounted only to somewhere between ten and eleven thousand square miles. Surely the allotment of a portion nearly equal to one-half of the whole for the prince, the priests, and Levites is a manifest proof of the ideal character of the representation; the more especially, when we consider that that sacred portion is laid off in a regular square, with the temple on Mount Zion in the centre.  The measurements of the prophet were made to involve a literal incongruity, as did also the literal extravagances of the vision in chap. 38, 39, that men might be forced to look for something else than a literal accomplishment. <\/p>\n<p>3. Some, perhaps, may be disposed to imagine that, as they expect certain physical changes to be effected upon the land before the prophecy can be carried into fulfilment, these may be adjusted in such a manner as to admit of the prophets measurements being literally applied. It is impossible, however, to admit such a supposition. For the boundaries of the land itself are given, not new boundaries of the prophets own, but those originally laid down by Moses. And as the measurements of the temple and city are out of all proportion to these, no alterations can be made on the physical condition of the country that could bring the one into proper agreement with the other. Then there are other things in the description, which, if they could not of themselves so conclusively prove the impossibility of a literal sense as the consideration arising from the measurements, lend great force to this consideration, and, on any other supposition than their being parts of an ideal representation, must wear an improbable and fanciful aspect. Of this kind is the distribution of the remainder of the land in equal portions among the twelve tribes, in parallel sections, running straight across from east to west, without any respect to the particular circumstances of each, or their relative numbers. More especially, the assignment of five of these parallel sections to the south of the city, which, after making allowance for the sacred portion, would leave at the farthest a breadth of only three or four miles a piece! Of the same kind also is the supposed separate existence of the twelve tribes, which <em>now<\/em>, at least, can scarcely be regarded otherwise than a natural impossibility, since it is an ascertained fact that such separate tribeships no longer exist; the course of Providence has been ordered so as to destroy them; and once destroyed, they cannot possibly be reproduced.  Of the same kind, farther, is the very high mountain on which the vision of the temple was presented to the eye of the prophet; for as this unquestionably refers to the old site of the temple, the little eminence on which it stood could only be designated thus in a moral or ideal, and not in a literal sense. Finally, of the same kind is the account given of the stream issuing from the eastern threshold of the temple, and flowing into the Dead Sea, which, both for the rapidity of its increase and for the quality of its waters, is unlike anything that ever was known in Judea, or in any other region of the world. Putting all together, it seems as if the prophet had taken every possible precaution, by the general character of the delineation, to debar the expectation of a literal fulfilment; and I should despair of being able in any case to draw the line of demarcation between the ideal and the literal, if the circumstances now mentioned did not warrant us in looking for something else than a fulfilment according to the letter of the vision.<\/p>\n<p>4. Yet there is the farther consideration to be mentioned, viz. that the vision of the prophet, as it must, if understood literally, imply the ultimate restoration of the ceremonials of Judaism, so it inevitably places the prophet in direct contradiction to the writers of the New Testament. The entire and total cessation of the peculiarities of Jewish worship is as plainly taught by our Lord and His apostles as language could do it, and on grounds which are not of temporary, but of permanent validity and force. The word of Christ to the woman of Samaria: Woman, believe me, the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father, is alone conclusive of the matter; for if it means anything worthy of so solemn an asseveration, it indicates that Jerusalem was presently to lose its distinctive character, and a mode of worship to be introduced capable of being celebrated in any other place as well as there. But when we find the apostles afterwards contending for the cessation of the Jewish ritual, because suited only to a church in bondage to the elements of the world, and consisting of what were comparatively but weak and beggarly elements; and when, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, we also find the disannulling of the Old Covenant, with its Aaronic priesthood and carnal ordinances, argued at length, and especially because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof, that is, its own inherent imperfections, we must certainly hold, either that the shadowy services of Judaism are finally and for ever gone, or that these sacred writers very much misrepresented their Masters mind regarding them. No intelligent and sincere Christian can adopt the latter alternative; he ought, therefore, to rest in the former. And he <em>will<\/em> do so, in the rational persuasion, that as in the wise administration of God there must ever be a conformity in the condition of men to the laws and ordinances under which they are placed, so the carnal institutions, which were adapted to the Churchs pupilage, can never, in the nature of things, be in proper correspondence with her state of manhood, perfection, and millennial glory. To regard the prophet here as exhibiting a prospect founded on such an unnatural conjunction, is to ascribe to him the foolish part of seeking to have the new wine of the kingdom put back into the old bottles again, and while occupying himself with the highest hopes of the Church, treating her only to a showy spectacle of carnal superficialities. We have far too high ideas of the spiritual insight and calling of an Old Testament prophet, to believe that it was possible for him to act so unseemly a part, or contemplate a state of things so utterly anomalous. And we are perfectly justified by the explicit statement of Scripture in saying, that a temple with sacrifices now would be the most daring denial of the all-sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ, and of the efficacy of the blood of His atonement. He who sacrificed before, confessed the Messiah; he who should sacrifice now, would most solemnly and sacrilegiously deny Him.<span class=''>1<\/span><\/p>\n<p>5. Holding the description, then, in this last vision to be conclusively of an ideal character, we advance a step farther, and affirm that the idealism here is precisely of the same kind as that which appeared in some of the earlier visions,visions that must necessarily have already passed into fulfilment, and which therefore may justly be regarded as furnishing a key to the right understanding of the one before us. The leading characteristic of those earlier visions, which coincide in nature with this, we have found to be the historical cast of their idealism. The representation of things to come is thrown into the mould of something similar in the past, and presented as simply a reproduction of the old, or a returning back again of what is past, only with such diversities as might be necessary to adapt it to the altered circumstances contemplated; while still the thing meant was, not that the outward form, but that the essential nature of the past should revive. In this connection, Dr. Fairbairn refers to the vision of the iniquity-bearing in <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 4<\/span>; to the sojourn in the wilderness spoken of in <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 20<\/span>; to the ideal representation given of the king of Tyre in <span class='bible'>Eze 28:11-19<\/span>; and to the prediction of Egypts humiliation in <span class='bible'>Eze 29:1-16<\/span>. Now in all these cases, he goes on to remark, of an apparent, we should entirely err if we looked for an actual repetition of the past. It is the <em>nature<\/em> of the transactions and events, not their precise form or external conditions, that is unfolded to our view. The representation is of an ideal kind, and the history of the past merely supplies the mould into which it is cast. The spiritual eye of the prophet discerned the old, as to its real character, becoming alive again in the new. He saw substantially the same procedure followed again, and the unchangeable Jehovah must display the uniformity of His character and dealings by visiting it with substantially the same treatment. If, now, we bring the light furnished by those earlier revelations of the prophet, in respect to which we can compare the prediction with the fulfilment, so as to read by its help, and according to its instruction, the vision before us, we shall only be giving the prophet the benefit of the common rule, of interpreting a writer by a special respect to his own peculiar method, and explaining the more obscure by the more intelligible parts of his writings. In all the other cases referred to, where his representation takes the form of a revival of the past, we see it is the spirit and not the letter of the representation that is mainly to be regarded; and why should we expect it to be otherwise here? In this remarkable vision we have the old produced again, in respect to what was most excellent and glorious in Israels past condition,its temple, with every necessary accompaniment of sacredness and attractionthe symbol of the divine presence withinthe ministrations and ordinances proceeding in due order withoutthe prince and the priesthoodeverything, in short, required to constitute the beau-ideal of a sacred commonwealth according to the ancient patterns of things. But, at the same time, there are such changes and alterations superinduced upon the old as sufficiently indicate that something far greater and better than the past was concealed under this antiquated form. Not the coming realities, in their exact nature and glorious fulnessnot even the very image of these things, could the prophet as yet distinctly unfold. While the old dispensation lasted, they must be thrown into the narrow and imperfect shell of its earthly relations. But those who lived under that dispensation might get the liveliest idea they were able to obtain of the brighter future, by simply letting their minds rest on the past, as here modified and shaped anew by the prophet; just as now, the highest notions <em>we<\/em> can form to ourselves of the state of glory is by conceiving the best of the Churchs present condition refined and elevated to heavenly perfection. Exhibited at the time the vision was, and constructed as it is, one should no more expect to see a visible temple realizing the conditions, and a reoccupied Canaan, after the regular squares and parallelograms of the prophet, than in the case of Tyre to find her monarch literally dwelling in Eden, and, as a cherub, occupying the immediate presence of God, or to behold Israel sent back again to make trial of Egyptian bondage and the troubles of the desert. Whatever might be granted in providence of an outward conformity to the plan of the vision, it should only be regarded as a pledge of the far greater good really contemplated, and a help to faith in waiting for its proper accomplishment.<\/p>\n<p>6. But still, looking to the manifold and minute particulars given in the description, some may be disposed to think it highly improbable that anything short of an exact and literal fulfilment should have been intended. Had it been only a general sketch of a city and temple, as in the 60th chapter of Isaiah, and other portions of prophecy, they could more easily enter into the ideal character of the description, and understand how it might chiefly point to the better things of the gospel dispensation. But with so many exact measurements before them, and such an infinite variety of particulars of all sorts, they cannot conceive how there can be a proper fulfilment without corresponding objective realities. It is precisely here, however, that we are met by another very marked characteristic of our prophet. Above all the prophetical writers, he is distinguished, as we have seen, for his numberless particularisms. What Isaiah depicts in a few bold and graphic strokes, as in the case of Tyre, for example, Ezekiel spreads over a series of chapters, filling up the picture with all manner of details,not only telling us of her singular greatness, but also of every element, far and near, that contributed to produce it, and not only predicting her downfall, but coupling it with every conceivable circumstance that might add to its mortification and completeness. We have seen the same features strikingly exhibited in the prophecy on Egypt, in the description of Jerusalems condition and punishment under the images of the boiling caldron (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 24<\/span>) and the exposed infant (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 16<\/span>), in the vision of the iniquity-bearing (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 4<\/span>), in the typical representation of going into exile (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 13<\/span>), and indeed in all the more important delineations of the prophet, which, even when descriptive of ideal scenes, are characterized by such minute and varied details as to give them the appearance of a most definitely shaped and lifelike reality.<\/p>\n<p> Considering his peculiar manner, it was no more than might have been expected, that when going to present a grand outline of the good in store for Gods Church and people, the picture should be drawn with the fullest detail. If he has done so on similar but less important occasions, he could not fail to do it here, when rising to the very top and climax of all his revelations. For it is pre-eminently by means of the minuteness and completeness of his descriptions that he seeks to impress our minds with a feeling of the divine certainty of the truth disclosed in them, and to give, as it were, weight and body to our apprehensions.<br \/>7. In farther support of the view we have given, it may also be asked, whether the feeling against a spiritual understanding of the vision, and a demand for outward scenes and objects literally corresponding to it, does not spring, to a large extent, from false notions regarding the ancient temple and its ministrations and ordinances of worship, as if these possessed an independent value apart from the spiritual truths they symbolically expressed? On the contrary, the temple, with all that belonged to it, was an embodied representation of divine realities. It presented to the eye of the worshippers a manifold and varied instruction respecting the things of Gods kingdom. And it was by what they saw embodied in those visible forms and external transactions that the people were to learn how they should think of God, and act toward Him in the different relations and scenes of lifewhen they were absent from the temple, as well as when they were near and around it. It was an image and emblem of the kingdom of God itself, whether viewed in respect to the temporary dispensation then present, or to the grander development everything was to receive at the advent of Christ. And it was one of the capital errors of the Jews, in all periods of their history, to pay too exclusive a regard to the mere externals of the temple and its worship, without discerning the spiritual truths and principles that lay concealed under them. But such being the case, the necessity for an outward an literal realization of Ezekiels plan obviously alls to the ground. For if all connected with it was ordered and arranged chiefly for its symbolical value at any rate, why might not the description itself be given forth for the edification and comfort of the Church, on account of what it contained of symbolical instruction? Even if the plan had been fitted and designed for being actually reduced to practice, it would still have been principally with a view to its being a mirror in which to see reflected the mind and purposes of God. But if so, why might not the delineation itself be made to serve for such a mirror? In other words, why might not God have spoken to His Church of good things to come by the wise adjustment of a symbolical plan?  Let the same rules be applied to the interpretation of Ezekiels visionary temple which, on the express warrant of Scripture, we apply to Solomons literal one, and it will be impossible to show why, so far as the ends of instruction are concerned, the same great purposes might not be served by the simple delineation of the one, as by the actual construction of the other.<span class=''>2<\/span><\/p>\n<p>It is also not to be overlooked, in support of this line of reflection, that in other and earlier communications Ezekiel makes much account of the symbolical character of the temple and the things belonging to it. It is as a priest he gives us to understand at the outset, and for the purpose of doing priest-like service for the covenant-people, that he received his prophetical calling, and had visions of God displayed to him (see on <span class='bible'>Eze 1:1-3<\/span>). In the series of visions contained in Ezekiel 8-11, the guilt of the people was represented as concentrating itself there, and determining Gods procedure in regard to it. By the divine glory being seen to leave the temple was symbolized the withdrawing of Gods gracious presence from Jerusalem; and by His promising to become for a little a sanctuary to the pious remnant in Chaldea, it was virtually said that the temple, as to its spiritual reality, was going to be transferred thither. This closing vision comes now as the happy counterpart of those earlier ones, giving promise of a complete rectification of preceding evils and disorders. It assured the Church that all should yet be set right again; nay, that greater and better things, should be found in the future than had ever been known in the past,things too great and good to be presented merely under the old symbolical forms; these must be modelled and adjusted anew to adapt them to the higher objects in prospect. Nor is Ezekiel at all singular in this. The other prophets represent the coming future with a reference to the symbolical places and ordinances of the past, adjusting and modifying these to suit their immediate design. Thus Jeremiah says, in Ezekiel  31:3840: Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the city shall be built to the Lord from the gate of Hananeel to the corner gate. And the measuring line shall go forth opposite to it still farther over the hill Gareb (the hill of the leprous), and shall compass about to Goath (the place of execution). And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields to the brook Kedron, unto the corner of the horse-gate toward the east, shall be holy to the Lord. That is, there shall be a rebuilt Jerusalem in token of the revival of Gods cause, in consequence of which even the places formerly unclean shall become holiness to the Lord: not only shall the loss be recovered, but also the evil inherent in the past purged out, and the cause of righteousness made completely triumphant. The sublime passage in <span class='bible'>Isaiah 60<\/span> is entirely parallel as to its general import. And in the two last chapters of Revelation we have a quite similar vision to the one before us, employed to set forth the ultimate condition of the redeemed Church. There are differences in the one as compared with the other, precisely as in the vision of Ezekiel there are differences as compared with anything that existed under the Old Covenant. In particular, while the temple forms the very heart and centre of Ezekiels plan, in Johns no temple whatever was to be seen. But in the two descriptions the same truth is symbolized, though in the last it appears in a state of more perfect development than in the other. The temple in Ezekiel, with Gods glory returned to it, bespoke Gods presence among His people to sanctify and bless them; the no-temple in John indicated that such a select spot was no longer needed, that the gracious presence of God was everywhere seen and felt. It is the same truth in both, only in the latter represented, in accordance with the genius of the new dispensation, as less connected with the circumstantials of place and form.<\/p>\n<p>8. It only remains to be stated, that in the interpretation of the vision we must keep carefully in mind the circumstances in which it was given, and look at it, not as from a New, but as from an Old Testament point of view. We must throw ourselves back as far as possible into the position of the prophet himself. We must think of him as having just seen the divine fabric which had been reared in the sacred and civil constitution of Israel dashed in pieces, and apparently become a hopeless wreck. But in strong faith in Jehovahs word, and with divine insight into His future purposes, he sees that that never can perish which carries in its bosom the element of Gods unchangeableness; that the hand of the Spirit will assuredly be applied to raise up the old anew; and not only that, but also that it shall be inspired with fresh life and vigour, enabling it to burst the former limits, and rise into a greatness and perfection and majesty never known or conceived of in the past. He speaks, therefore, chiefly of gospel times, but as one still dwelling under the veil, and uttering the language of legal times. And of the substance of his communication, both as to its general correspondence with the past and its difference in particular parts, we submit the following summary, as given by Hvernick:1. In the gospel times there is to be on the part of Jehovah a solemn occupation anew of His sanctuary, in which the entire fulness of the divine glory shall dwell and manifest itself. At the last there is to rise a new temple, diverse from the old, to be made every way suitable to that grand and lofty intention, and worthy of it; in particular, of vast compass for the new community, and with a holiness stretching over the entire extent of the temple, so that in this respect there should no longer be any distinction between the different parts. Throughout, everything is subjected to the most exact and particular appointments; individual parts, and especially such as had formerly remained indeterminate, obtain now an immediate divine sanction; so that every idea of any kind of arbitrariness must be altogether excluded from this temple. Accordingly, this sanctuary is the thoroughly sufficient, perfect manifestation of God for the salvation of His people (<span class='bible'>Eze 40:1<\/span> to <span class='bible'>Eze 43:12<\/span>). 2. From this sanctuary, as from the new centre of all religious life, there gushes forth an unbounded fulness of blessings upon the people, who in consequence attain to a new condition. There come also into being a new glorious worship, a truly acceptable priesthood and theocratical ruler, and equity and righteousness reign among the entire community, who, being purified from all stains, rise indeed to possess the life that is in God (<span class='bible'>Eze 43:13<\/span> to <span class='bible'>Eze 47:12<\/span>). 3. To the people who have become renewed by such blessings, the Lord gives the land of promise; Canaan is a second time divided among them, where, in perfect harmony and blessed fellowship, they serve the living God, who abides and manifests Himself among them<span class=''>3<\/span> (<span class='bible'>Eze 47:13-23<\/span>).Fairbairns <em>Ezekiel<\/em>, pp. 436450.W. F.]<\/p>\n<p>5. In connection with the wall with which the description begins, mention is forthwith made (<span class='bible'>Eze 40:5<\/span>) of the house. This makes clear in the outset what is the principal building, to which all else is subordinate, although the wall is called a building. However large, then, that which the wall comprehends may appear to be,and it is said in 40:2 to be a city-like building,the house is still the kernel. Comp. the measuring from it in 40:7 sq. Hence the symbolized idea is the dwelling of Jehovah as a permanent one, especially when we compare <span class='bible'>Eze 37:26<\/span> sq. As type, the realization of the idea is to be found in the Word become flesh (<span class='bible'>Joh 1:14<\/span>), as also the    (<span class='bible'>Joh 4:23<\/span>) farther shows that the worship in spirit and in truth, and thereby the fulfilling of the worship at Jerusalem, has come with Christ. Salvation ( ) is of the Jews, as our vision also sets forth in an architectonic form; they worship what they know. But as the law was given by Moses, so grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. The original influence of the sanctuary on the first constituting of Israel as a people through the making of a divine covenant is still held by in <span class='bible'>Eze 37:26<\/span> sq. (Yes, Israel is Jehovahs family, His house,    , <span class='bible'>Joh 1:11<\/span>; Jehovahs covenant with Israel is a marriage-covenant, <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 16<\/span>.) The visibility of Jehovahs dwelling, even in the vision here, although spiritual, must be looked on as a pledge of the entire relation of Jehovah to Israel, and especially of the promise of the Messiah. This is the sacramental character of Ezekiels vision of the temple specially insisted on by Hengstenberg. But the temple as the abode of Jehovah is a place of farther revelation, for Jehovah is the Self-revealing One. The very name Jehovah contains a pledge for the whole future of the kingdom of God, the Church of the future. Now this name, as is well known, coincides most essentially and intimately with the destination of this house; Ezekiel repeatedly emphasizes the fact that it is the name of His holiness, just as in connection therewith the sanctification of Israel is again and again expressed. Now, as this expresses also the ultimate aim of all Jehovahs revelation in Israel, we must have got before us in the sanctuary the perspective to the end of Gods way with Israel and mankind in general, the vision of Israel fulfilling its destiny of being Gods tabernacle with men, and the consummation of the world in glory, <span class='bible'>Revelation 21, 22<\/span>. But the holiness of Jehovah, the sanctification of Israel, is signified forthwith by the wall round about the house.<\/p>\n<p>6. The significance of the wall, however, comes first info consideration in respect to the court of the people, so that in special the sanctification of Israel as the end and object of Jehovahs dwelling in their midst is before all thus symbolically expressed. If the house is the central point of the whole, still the court completes the idea of the house; as we have the temple in its entirety, as it was meant to be, only when it has the two courts conjoined with it. The reference to the city, and farther to the whole land, which undoubtedly was always contained in the idea of the court, is moreover expressly given shape to in Ezekiel (comp. <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 48<\/span>). The court here represents the Israel in the widest extent that appears before Jehovah, as it lives in the light of His countenance and of intercourse with Him; that is to say, it refers to the idea proper of a holy people. When, accordingly, the visionary-prophetic description in Ezekiel exhibits a striking difference from the brevity, incompleteness, and indefiniteness of the historical account in the books of Kings and Chronicles, this indicates, as respects the idea, another Israel than the people had hitherto been. Hvernick remarks on the wide compass, in order to contain the new community, and the sanctuary extending itself on all sides of the temple indiscriminately, that which was formerly undefined is now, as he says, to receive a higher, a divine sanction. Bhr, speaking of Solomons temple, says that the almost total indefiniteness of its court is owing to its human character in contrast to the idea and purpose of the house, and that even the court of the tabernacle, although measured and defined more exactly than that of the temple, shows numbers and measurements which indicate imperfection and incompleteness. This latter statement might possibly give a hint as to Ezekiels description of the courts of the temple, which is, on the contrary, so exact and detailed, and would at least be plainer than what Bhr says of the human as not divine, etc., while yet he must concede to the court a mediate divineness. Israel in the wilderness might, as Jehovahs host, as the people under His most special guidance, still in some measure stamp this relation on the court of the tabernacle. In Solomons temple, on the contrary, the self-development, left more to the freedom of the people, especially as they now had kings like other nations, and when their position under Solomon was so influential, would be expressed in the characteristic indefiniteness of the peoples part in the sanctuary. But the Israel of the future, Ezekiel in fine would say, will be exactly and distinctly Jehovahs possession. Hvernick (and Bhr too) cites for the conformation of the court, shaping itself according to the need of the people and the times, its well-known division by Solomon into two courts. After referring to <span class='bible'>2Ch 20:5<\/span>, and the various <em>annexes<\/em>, the cells, and the frequent defilement of this locality (<span class='bible'>2Ki 23:11-12<\/span>), he concludes thus: The treading of the courts (<span class='bible'>Isa 1:12<\/span>) has now come to an end; the repentant people are ashamed of their sins, and draw near to their God in a new spirit, <span class='bible'>Eze 43:10<\/span>. The new condition of the courts is a figure, an expression of the new condition of the community. (Comp. <span class='bible'>Zec 3:7<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Rev 11:2<\/span>.) Thus in Ezekiels symbolism the new garnishing of the courts comes to view as the quickening anew, the glorious restoration of the community of Israel. [Comp. additional note on p. 388.W. F.]<\/p>\n<p>7. But the description in our vision begins with the gates, dwelling specially on the east gate. For the copiousness with which the gates are described, comp. <span class='bible'>Eze 43:11<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 48:31<\/span> sq. Hvernick, against Bttcher, dwells on their significance (p. 641 sq.); makes them since Solomon have acquired under his successors the disturbing character of the incidental; remarks that the law says nothing definitely regarding them; points out the profane use to which they were put (<span class='bible'>Jer 20:2<\/span>); and maintains that, on the contrary, the prophet assigns to them a definite relation to the whole of the building, so that they are thoroughly in conformity with the idea of the building. But the contrast to <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 8<\/span> and those that follow is to be very specially observed. Brought to the gates of the temple, the prophet had been witness of the idol-worship prevalent there. And he had seen the Shechinah departing out of the east gate. To this we have now a beautiful and complete contrast. Henceforth Jehovah will no longer see the holy passages in and out so contemptuously desecrated and defiled (<span class='bible'>Eze 43:7<\/span> sq.); on the contrary, the holy bands that keep the feast and offer sacrifice shall go in and out with the prince of the people in their midst (<span class='bible'>Eze 46:8<\/span> sq.; comp. <span class='bible'>Rev 21:25<\/span> sq.). But above all, the glory of Jehovah shall enter in by the east gate (<span class='bible'>Eze 43:1<\/span> sq.). Hence this gate is the pattern for all the others, etc.<\/p>\n<p>8. From the relation on the whole to the temple of Solomon, Bunsen thinks that in general the old temple was the model; only, on the one hand, the disposition of the parts was simpler and less showy, and on the other, an effort was exhibited to attain to symmetry in the proportions and regularity in general. While Tholuck and others remark on the colossal size in different respects, as indicating the pre-eminence of the future community, Hengstenberg finds throughout always very moderate dimensions. Unmistakeably there is a reference throughout to the temple which Ezekiel had seen with his own eyes; this explains the brevity and incompleteness partially attaching to the description, although in respect to the sanctuary proper this peculiarity of Ezekiel, who is otherwise so pictorial, demands some farther explanation. That the knowledge of the temple, whenever it could be supposed, is supposed in our vision (comp. on <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 41<\/span>), especially when what was seen presented itself, as it were, in short-hand to the prophet, is only what we should naturally expect. But it corresponded also to the typology of Solomon and the glorious age of Solomon, which had entered so deeply into the consciousness of Israel, and was so popular, when Solomons temple forms the foil for the still future revelation of glory and the form it assumes. Ezekiels vision presupposes, indeed, that which it passes over in silence, but certainly not always that which it suppresses, as having to be supplied from the days of Solomon. A supposition of this kind is least of all permissible for the metallic ornaments, of which nothing whatever is said in passages in which, on the contrary, <em>e.g.<\/em> <span class='bible'>Eze 41:22<\/span>, what is made of wood is particularly mentioned, or when explanations are made, such, for example, as: This is the table which is before Jehovah. The old is presupposed, and also something new and different is inserted in the old when not put in its place. What Hvernick observes generally regarding the use made of the sacred symbols of the Old Testament and the allusions to the law by our prophet, may be applied to the way in which reference is made to Solomons temple and the knowledge of it supposed: He lives therein with his whole soul, but by the Spirit of God he is led beyond the merely legal consciousness, he rises superior to the legal symbolism, etc. In the prophetic description in the chapters before us, we can perceive a struggle as of a dawning day with the clouds of morning; and if something testifies to the derivation of our vision from a higher source than a fancy, however pious, would be, we may take that something to be the sudden advent of peculiar and quite unexpected lights, which have in them at least something strange and surprising in the case of Ezekiel, who was not only familiar with ancestral tenets and priestly tradition, but strongly attached to both. One might sometimes say a less than Solomon is here (<span class='bible'>Mat 12:42<\/span>), and yet not be satisfied with Hengstenbergs reference to the troublous times in which temple and city were to be rebuilt, but (as Umbreit beautifully says) will feel constrained to take still more into consideration the worth of the most significant inwardness for the poverty of the immediately succeeding times, in view of the new temple for the new covenant, so that whatever of apparently meagre simplicity attaches to our temple-vision may have to be read according to the rule given in <span class='bible'>Mat 6:29<\/span>. Umbreit aptly says: In the interior of the abode of the Holy One of Israel, quite a different appearance indeed is presented from that in Solomons temple, and the splendour of gold and brilliant hues is in vain sought for therein; no special mention is made of the sacred vessels, and only the altar of incense is changed into a table of the Lord, which, instead of all other symbols, simply suggests the purely spiritual impartation of the divine life. The ark of the covenant was destroyed by the fire of God, and our prophet no more than Jeremiah cared to know about a new one being made, as also, indeed, it was actually wanting in the so-called second temple. It is enough that the cherubim resume their place in the sanctuary, and, entering through the open doors, now fill the whole empty house, in which the distinctions of the old temple are very significantly left out; for we no longer see the veils, and the whole temple has become a holy of holies. In the same strain Hvernick says: If Jehovah wills to dwell among a new people, He must do so in a new manner, although in one analogous to the former. It is the same temple, but its precincts have become different, in order to contain a much more numerous people; and all the arrangements and adjustments here testify to the faithfulness and zeal with which the Lord is sought and served. The whole sacred temple area has become a holy of holies; in this temple there is no place for the ark of the covenant (<span class='bible'>Jer 3:16<\/span>), instead of which comes the full revelation of the Shechinah. On the one hand, the legal form of worship is retained in every iota, or tacitly supposed; on the other, a new element, as with <span class='bible'>Eze 41:22<\/span>, almost exactly what Christendom calls the Lords table, sheds its light over everything previously existing. On the one hand, the numbers and proportions express a magnitude and beauty, a majestic harmony, surpassing both the tent and the temple (<span class='bible'>Eze 41:1<\/span>); on the other, there are unmistakeable indications, as respects the  , in the simplicity and plainness of the whole and the parts, of an  , a , and  and here and there even a hint is perceptible of the outward poverty of the Church in the last times. Moreover, as the temple of Ezekiel consolingly presented to those who returned from the exile, approaching the more closely to them as respects its human character, its divinity and spirituality in their temple building, so again it contained a sacred criticism on the splendid edifice erected by Herod 500 years later (of the <em>immensa opulentia<\/em> of which the Roman Tacitus speaks),a criticism which He who walked in this last temple of Israel, and who was Himself the fulfilling of the temple, completed  , and as , .<\/p>\n<p>9. The treatment of the side-building (<span class='bible'>Eze 41:5<\/span> sq.), especially in its connection with the temple-house, and the detailed description, kept now first in due correspondence with the sanctuary, of the building on the gizrah (<span class='bible'>Eze 41:12<\/span> sq.), are worthy of observation, although not so important as Hvernick makes them. With a touch of human nature, Hengstenberg connects the side chambers with Ezekiels dearest youthful reminiscences, reminding us at the same time of Samuel, who, as well as Eli, had even his bedroom in such a side-chamber of the tabernacle. According to Hvernick, Ezekiels description is meant to keep the <em>annexe<\/em> in fairest proportion to the sanctuary itself, etc.; it is the perfect building, instead of the still defective and imperfect one described in <span class='bible'>1 Kings 6<\/span>. The side-building and the gizrah are evidently distinguished in relation to the temple as addition and contrast. The description, too, given of both, suggests a still farther realization of the temple-idea, as regards priestly service and other modes of showing reverence to God, and also of the in spirit and in truth for this future worship.<\/p>\n<p>10. As to the temple of Ezekiels vision considered sthetically, Bhrs thoughtful analysis (<em>Der sal. Tempel<\/em>, pp. 7 sq., 269 sq.) is so much the more applicable, as this visionary temple is still more animated and dominated by the religious idea of Israel, which in its futurity is the Messianic idea. The temple before us is in the highest sense of the word music of the future, although only a variation of an old theme. The import of this old theme, Solomons temple and the original tabernacle, will first find full expression in Ezekiels temple, whether its measures and numbers are the old ones or different. We must not employ here the classical criterion of the beautiful; sensuous beauty of form is not to be found here. The adornment of the edifice is limited to cherubim and palms, either together or separate; and of the cherubim it must be granted that, sthetically considered, they are figures the reverse of beautiful. We meet, however, with nothing tasteless or repulsive, like the dog or bird-headed human forms, the green and blue faces of the Egyptian gods, or the many armed idols of the Indian cultus. But what a difference is there between the temple of Ezekiels vision and the fancy edifice, for example, the description of which is to be found in the younger Titurel (strophe 311415, edited by Hahn; comp. Sulp. Boisseree on the description of the temple of the Holy Grail, Munich 1834),the wondrous sanctuary on Mont Salvage, in which the ideal German architecture consecrates its poetic expression under the influence of reminiscences of <span class='bible'>Rev 21:11<\/span> sq.! (The chapel of the Holy Cross at Castle Karlstein, near Prague, presents to this day a partial imitation, and on a reduced scale, of the temple of the Grail.) A large fortress with walls and innumerable towers surrounds the temple of the Grail, like an extensive and dense forest of ebony trees, cypresses, and cedars. Instead of the guard-rooms (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 40<\/span>) and the express charge of the house (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 44<\/span>) of Ezekiel, are the guardians and protectors of the Grail,the templars, a band of spiritual knights of the noblest kind, humble, pure, faithful, chaste men. And whatever of precious stones, imagery, gold, and pearls the poetic fancy was able to imagine, is collected around the shrine of the Holy Grail. In the heathen temple, with its attempts to represent the divine, and especially in the Greek temple, conformably to the innate artistic taste of the Greeks, with such beautiful natural scenery cherishing and demanding this taste, where sky, earth, and sea on every side suggest the divine as also the beautiful, the execution, form, and shape, distribution and arrangement of the parts, as well as all its decorations, correspond to the demands of sthetics; but already in Solomons temple the ethical-religious principle of the covenant, and consequently of the theocratic presence of Jehovah among His people, penetrates and pervades everything else. Thus the tabernacle, and also the whole temple building, culminates in the holy of holies, which contains the ark of the covenant with the tables of the law, and in which the atonement <em>par excellence<\/em> is completed. A relation like this, then, is served by any form which rather fulfils its office than strives after artistic configuration, and the form has answered its purpose, provided it only is a religiously significant form. Solomons temple, says Bhr, cannot stand as a great work of art before the forum of the sthetic. Human art in general goes along with nature, hence its mainly heathenish, its cosmic (, decoration) character. Jehovah, on the contrary, is holiness, and no necessity of nature of any kind, no nationality as such, no deification of nature, no magic consecration binds Him to Israel, but the freest covenant grace, which has as its aim the sanctification of Israel as His people, with a view to all mankind. That Phnician artists executed the building of Solomons temple (comp. for this the exhaustive critique of Bhr in the work quoted above, p. 250 sq.)although (Krause, <em>die drei ltesten Kunsturkunden der Freimaurer-brderschaft,<\/em> Dresden 1819) freemasonry makes grand masters after Solomon, who is held to represent the Father (omnipotence), King Hiram as Son (wisdom), and Hiram Abif as Spirit (harmony, beauty)concerns chiefly the technical working in wood and metal. If the artistic execution, thus limited, of the temple decoration bore on it a Phnician character, and the employment of table work coated with silver showed signs of Hither Asia in general, yet the Phnician element, this mundane configuration, would not amount to much more than what the Greek language was, in which the gospel of the New Covenant, as well as that of the Old, came before the world. But a specifically Christian element, the really fundamental element in the first and oldest Christian church architecture, namely, that what is also called (it is true) Gods house is simply an enclosure of the congregation (; ,   , <em>domus ecclesi<\/em>), is an approximation to the extension of the outer court in Ezekiel, which extension is quite in unison with the Christological method of our prophet, with the peculiar regard he pays to the people of the Messiah (Introd.  9). Comp. <span class='bible'>2Co 6:16<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eph 2:20<\/span> sq.; <span class='bible'>1Pe 2:4<\/span>. The Christian community forms in future the house of God, the temple; as also its development, externally and internally, is in the New Testament called edification, building. Voltaire has declared that he could remember in all antiquity no public building, no national temple, so small as Solomons; and J. D. Michaelis held that his house in Gttingen was larger; whereas Hengstenberg ascribes to Solomons temple, inclusive of the courts, an imposing size. The prominence given in Ezekiel to the east gate of the new temple, although the holy of holies still lies towards the west, may remind us of the projecting eastward of Christian church buildings from the earliest age, and especially of the Concha closing them on the east. As the glory of the God of Israel comes from the east (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 43<\/span>), so in the east is the Dayspring from on high (<span class='bible'>Luk 1:78<\/span>; the Sun of Righteousness, Mal. 3:20 [4:2]), the Light of the world (<span class='bible'>Joh 8:12<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Isaiah 4<\/span>), which has brought a new day, the precursor and pledge of the future new morning and day of eternal glory (<span class='bible'>Rom 13:12<\/span>; <span class='bible'>2Ti 4:8<\/span>). If the light-concealing stained windows of the Middle Ages are not to be traced back to the parts shut up and covered in Ezekiels temple, still the powerful tendency to elevation upwards, so appropriate to the Gothic style, has at least some support in the pillars (<span class='bible'>Eze 40:14<\/span>), and even suggests an    (<span class='bible'>Php 3:20<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Col 3:1<\/span> sq.).<\/p>\n<p>11. The designation of the temple in <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 43<\/span>. as the place of Jehovahs throne, etc., might make us suppose the existence of the ark of the covenant, unless its significance as (to borrow Bhrs words) centre, heart, root, and soul of the whole edifice necessarily demanded an express mention, when, for example, we have in Ezekiel most exact accounts of the altars; comp on <span class='bible'>Eze 41:22<\/span>. Solomons temple (<span class='bible'>1 Kings 8<\/span>) first became what it was meant to be from the fact that the ark of the covenant came into it. But the post-exile temple had an empty holy of holies, as Tacitus (<em>Hist.<\/em> v. 9) relates of Pompey, that he by his right as conqueror entered the temple, from which time it became known that no divine image was in it, but only an empty abode, and that there was nothing in the mystery of the Jews. (Comp. Josephus, <em>Bell. Jud.<\/em> v. 5. 5) The most probable supposition is, that the ark of the covenant disappeared at the destruction of Solomons temple, that it was consumed by fire. For the traditions of what became of it are mere myths; <em>e.g.<\/em> in 2 Maccabees 2, that Jeremiah, among other things, by divine command hid the ark in a cave in Mount Nebo, but when they who had gone with him could not again find the place, he rebuked them, and pointed to the future, when the Lord would again be gracious to His people and reveal i to them, and the glory of the Lord and the cloud would appear as formerly. [The Mishna makes it be hid in a cave under the temple, a statement which the Rabbins endeavour to confirm from <span class='bible'>2Ch 35:3<\/span>. Carpzov supposes the ark included in <span class='bible'>2Ch 36:10<\/span>, and holds that it was restored by Cyrus, <span class='bible'>Ezr 1:7<\/span>; a statement which Winer rightly cannot find in that passage, but rather the reverse; while at the same time he is unable to agree with Hitzig, who concludes from <span class='bible'>Jer 3:16<\/span> that the ark of the covenant was no longer in existence even in the days of this prophet. According to the Mishna (Joma v. 2), there had been put in its place an altar-stone rising three fingers above the ground, on which the high priest on the great day of atonement set the censer.] That the symbolical designation of the temple expressed in Ezekiel with reference to the ark of the covenant is simply a legal technical term may be the more readily believed, as in certain respects in contrast thereto, at least in distinction therefrom (although this is strangely denied by Hengst.), the whole precincts of the temple, in consequence of the re-entrance of the glory of Jehovah, became a holy of holies in accordance with the law of this house; comp. on <span class='bible'>Eze 43:12<\/span>. W. Neumann expounds <span class='bible'>Jer 3:16<\/span> of the new birth of Israel, when Jehovah will be glorified in the midst of His saints, that these shall no longer celebrate the ark of the covenant. He rejects the opinion of Abendana, who, from 43:17 of the same chapter, inferred that the whole of Jerusalem is to be a holy dwelling-place, and holds to Rashis view, that the entire community will be holy, and that Jehovah will dwell in its midst as if it were the ark of the covenant. For the ark of the covenant as such is a symbolical vessel. As it contains within it the law, which testifies to the covenant (<span class='bible'>Deu 4:13<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Deu 26:17<\/span> sq.), so the covenant-people are represented in it, the bearers of the law through worldly life, until the days when it shall be written on the hearts of the saints (<span class='bible'>Jer 31:31<\/span> sq.). The Capporeth represents the transformation of the creature transformed by Israels perfection in the Lord (?), the new heavens and the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness, <span class='bible'>Isa 66:22-23<\/span>. If this is the thought which lies at the root of the symbolism, then when the ark of the covenant is no longer kept in commemoration, the shadows of the Old Covenant have passed away, all has become new, and the redeemed are the holy seed (<span class='bible'>Isa 6:13<\/span>), to whom Jehovahs law has become the law of their life. The eloquent silence in our prophet regarding the ark of the covenant will, moreover, be understood in respect to the man who speaks as Jehovah (comp. on <span class='bible'>Eze 43:7<\/span>), that is, in a Messianic-christological sense, notwithstanding that Ezekiels Christology (Introd.  9) has the Messianic people principally in view.<\/p>\n<p>12. Ezekiels vision rests throughout on the law of Moses. Were it otherwise in our chapters, Ezekiel could have been no prophet of Israel, nor the Mosaic law the law of God. This legal character was, moreover, well adapted to put an arrest on a mere fancy portraiture, if not to make it altogether impossible. As to the departure from the law of Moses, which, however, he must concede, Philippson maintains that it is not great, and is limited to the number of victims (? ?). Hengstenberg denies any difference, calling it merely alleged. On the other hand, Hvernick, with whom many agree, speaks of Ezekiels many differences and definitions going beyond the law of the Old Covenant, while at the same time he rejects the idea that the prophet forms the transition to the farther improved system of the Pentateuch (Vatke), and affirms against J. D. Michaelis the unchangeable character of the law of Moses. Hvernick says: These discrepancies rather show with so much the more stringent necessity, that a new condition of things is spoken of in the prophet, in which the old law will continue in glorious transformation, not abrogated, but fulfilled and to be fulfilled, coming into full truth and reality. Bunsen speaks to this effect: Ezekiels design was to make the ritual more spiritual, and to break the tyranny of the high-priesthood. For mention is nowhere made of a high priest, whereas a high-priestly obligation, although slightly relaxed, is laid upon the priests (<span class='bible'>Eze 44:22<\/span>). The daily evening sacrifice falls away, and among the yearly feasts we miss Pentecost and the Great Day of Atonement, all which accords with the absence of the high priest and the ark of the covenant; instead of these comes an additional feast of atonement at the beginning of the year (<span class='bible'>Eze 45:18<\/span> sq.), and the amount of the morning sacrifice and the festal sacrifices is enhanced. There is, indeed, much reference to the original law throughout, and it is anew set forth with respect to transgressions and abuses that had crept in, special weight being laid on the precepts concerning clean and unclean (<span class='bible'>Eze 44:17<\/span> sq.; comp. <span class='bible'>Eze 22:26<\/span>); but still more does Ezekiel go beyond the law, and gives additional force to its precepts. We must call to mind the position generally of prophecy to the law of Moses. As prophecy is provided for in the law in the proper place (comp. our Comment on Deut. p. 134), namely, when Moses departure demanded it, so its foundation is traced back in <span class='bible'>Deu 18:16<\/span> sq. to Sinai, and thus it is thenceforth comprehended historically in the legislation. But although it thus stands and falls with the law, having by its own account, like all the institutions of Israel, its norm in the law, yet it rejoices in its extraordinary fellowship with God, its divine endowment and inspiration. And this not in order, like the priesthood, to teach after the letter, and to serve in the ceremonial; but the provision made and charge given already on Mount Sinai, as they make the official duty of prophecy to be the representation of Gods holy will against every other will, so they give to it the character of a legitimate as well as legitimatized officiality, which, like Moses, has to serve as the chosen means of intermediation in relation to the will of the Most High Lawgiver revealing itself; the calling is ordained in Israel for the continuity of the divine legislation. This latter qualification of the prophets of Jehovah in Israel afforded a foundation for their deepening of the legal worship, as opposed to hypocrisy and torpid formality, for their spiritual interpretation of the ceremonial; as, in view of their position towards the future, a consideration of the ecclesiastical and civil law in their bearing on the future followed as a matter of course. The idea which for this end dominates Ezekiels closing vision is the holiness of Jehovah, and the corresponding sanctification of Israel, their separation to Jehovah as a possession. It is the root idea which the law expresses and symbolizes in all its forms, whether of morality, worship, or polity. And as it is said already in <span class='bible'>Exodus 19<\/span> : Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, so it is also said in <span class='bible'>1 Peter 2<\/span> of the Christian community, that they who are lively stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (comp. <span class='bible'>1Pe 2:9<\/span>). Peter thus makes a New Testament use of the same mode of expression regarding worship, which, carried out in Old Testament form, is Ezekiels representation of Jehovahs service of the future, when Jehovah shall dwell for ever in His people. Comp. <span class='bible'>Eze 20:40<\/span>. Ezekiels position, therefore, to the law of Moses is not that of freedom from legal restraints,a position which might be subjective and arbitrary,but what he applies from the law for the illustration of the future, and the way in which he does so, passing by some things, more strongly emphasizing others, or putting them into new shapes, derives its legal justification from the idea of the law as it shall be realized in a true Israel, that is, the Messianic Israel. That the Messiah, who says in <span class='bible'>John 17<\/span> : And for them I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth, remains as a person in the background, is quite in correspondence with Ezekiels Christology (Introd.  9), which, as already said, characterizes the times and the salvation of the Messiah through the Messianic people.<\/p>\n<p>13. The proper significance of the new temple lies in the full revelation of Jehovah in His sanctuary, in the new and living fellowship into which God enters with His people by this His dwelling among them (Hv.). As being a return, which it is in relation to <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 11<\/span>, the entrance of the glory of the Eternal has, although with a New Testament application, corresponding to the:            (<span class='bible'>Mat 28:20<\/span>), also its Apocalyptic significance, as John says before the close of his Revelation (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 22<\/span>):  ,  .<\/p>\n<p>14. If the idea of the court is unquestionably that of the people, whose Messianic perfection as Israel Ezekiel is to behold, then, since everything on the mountain of the vision here is most holy (<span class='bible'>Eze 43:12<\/span>), the immediately following detailed description of the altar of burnt-offering and its consecration can only point to the future manifestation of Jehovahs holiness and the sanctification of His peculiar people (<span class='bible'>1Pe 2:9<\/span>). What holds good of the altar refers also to the whole court; the blessing of the altar includes in it that of the community. By means of the expiation of the altar, the purpose of the divine love, to see a holy people assembled, is effected. The first act, consequently, in which the significance of the new sanctuary is expressed, is the complete expiation of the people, and its efficacy in this respect far surpasses in extent and glory that of the old sanctuary (Hv.). Accordingly, if they who are sanctified are perfected    by the   (<span class='bible'>Heb 10:14<\/span>), the full and complete offering on Golgotha, then the idea also of this altar of burnt-offering upon the very high mountain must be fulfilled. But as the offering which fulfils is the most personal priestly offering, so the sanctification of the people in Ezekiels typical temple takes place on the altar of burnt-offering in the priests court, which therefore still remains separated from the court of the people, as in Solomons temple, whereas in the tabernacle there was only one court. The symbolical representation of the dominant idea of the sanctification of the people was, from their being represented by the priests, rightly localized in a priests court, which gives it due prominence here, where everything hinges on locality and arrangement. Thus also, as Bhr observes, in the camp of Israel the priestly family in its four main branches encamped close around the sanctuary on its four sides. [Comp. with this section the Additional Note on <span class='bible'>Eze 43:13-27<\/span>, p. 410.W. F.]<\/p>\n<p>15. As the shutting of the east gate (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 44<\/span>) for the future puts the key of Ezekiels temple into the hand of Him who, according to the typology of the law and the prediction of the prophets, is the Coming One of Israel, so the princes sitting and eating in the east gate must be taken as throwing light on the Messianic future of the people of the promise. It is very evident that by the prince is not to be understood the high priest of Israel. This interpretation, which was a Maccabean prolepsis, has now been abandoned. Kliefoth, Keil, and Hitzig justly dispute the indefinite sense which Hvernick gives to the , yet they do not sufficiently attend to what may be said in defence of Hvernicks indefiniteness, and which certainly tells against those who make the future theocratic ruler to be one with the King David of Ezekiel 34, 37, because he too is called , as indeed he is also called . They must own, however, that there is a difference between: My servant David shall be king over them, between the one shepherd who is prince for ever, and the  here, who comes into consideration <em>qu<\/em> . Now if this must be granted, then it is only with justice that Hvernick observes that the designation  sets before us the original, or, as he calls it, the purely natural constitution of the Israelites (<span class='bible'>Exo 22:27<\/span> [28]), although not so much because the time of the exile had again limited the people to this original constitution, or left them only a poor remainder of it, as because, looking, as in our vision we always should do, at the Messiah and His times, the discrepancy between theocracy and kingly power, which showed itself at the rise of the latter under Samuel, is to be adjusted on the original ground of the peculiarity of Israel. The  is the prince of the tribe, as the tribal constitution of Israel put the juridical power and the executive into the hands of the natural superiors, the heads, of families and tribes. And even when in time of need, as in the days of the judges, a dictatorship, the power of one over all others, is had recourse to, it is <em>potestas delegata<\/em>, and is on both sides considered as nothing else. With a tribal constitution such as the natural constitution of Israel was, the want of an outward <em>centrum unitatis<\/em> might in itself be painfully felt, and the instituting of one be looked on as a political necessity; but that for Israel the necessity of the time as such should have demanded a permanent institution of the kind, is strikingly refuted by the days of the judges, for the present aid of Jehovah answered to the momentary distress, and raised up the competent helper from out of the tribes of Israel,then when they entreated and wept, the faithfulness of God helped them, and sooner than they supposed all distress was over,just as the former examples of Moses and Joshua showed that in the Israelitish theocracy the right men were not wanting at the right time. Jehovah alone, as on another side the fundamental canon of the priesthood still held up before the people, claimed as His due to be Israels king in political respects also. Originally there could be beside Him no other political sovereign, but merely the institution, in subordination to Him, of the princes of the tribes, and a sort of hegemony of a single tribe. The unity of the religious sentiment, which made the twelve externally separate tribes internally one community, had in earlier times made up for the want of an external <em>centrum unitatis<\/em>, and the free authority of certain individual representatives of this sentiment was quite in harmony therewith. Hence Jehovah says in <span class='bible'>1 Samuel 8<\/span> : They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. Thus the demand of the people requesting a king must, having regard to Samuel, who occupied in Israel a position similar to that of Moses, be looked on as a symptom of disease, although the disease was one of development. We may concede to the elders of Israel who come before Samuel, Samuels age, which they urge; and still more, as the occasion of their demand, the evil walk of his sons. We can point to the picture exhibited in the later period of the judges, when everything, even the temporary alliance of individual tribes, appears to be in a state of dissolution; we can along therewith take into account the pride of Ephraim, in whose midst the sanctuary stood, and to whose claims of superiority, even over Judah, all the tribes were more or less compelled to bow. Nay, even in the law (<span class='bible'>Deu 17:14<\/span> sq.), where it refers to the future taking possession of Canaan, the future development of an Israelitish kingdom is taken into view by Jehovah Himself, and the very form foreseen in which the demand came to Samuel: I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are about me. But although this possible desire of the people, because tolerated, is not expressly blamed, yet neither the self-derived resolution there: when thou sayest: I will, etc., nor the pattern: like all the nations that are about me, is spoken of approvingly; nor can there be behind the emphatic command: thou shalt in any wise set him to be king over thee whom Jehovah thy God shall choose, anything but a presupposed conflict with the kingly authority of Jehovah, against which provision must be made in the very outset. Accordingly, when Jehovah Himself takes into view the earthly kingship for Israel, He does so in a way not very different from what Christ says in <span class='bible'>Matthew 19<\/span> regarding the Mosaic permission of divorce because of Israels hard-heartedness:      . But Jehovah is the Physician of Israel, who (<span class='bible'>Numbers 21<\/span>) made Moses set the brazen serpent on a pole, as a remedy against the bite of the fiery serpents. That which expresses to the full the sentiment of the people under Samuel is also the undisguised: like all the nations; with this their request before Samuel closes emphatically as its culminating point. Although to Samuel the thing that personally concerned him: that he may judge us, which they gave as their object in the case of the king to be appointed, was displeasing, was in his eyes the bad element in the request, Jehovah first set the matter before him in the light that in His eyes the request for the king () was rather a rejection of His reigning over them, and explained to him the: like all the nations, in the mouth of the elders of the people, by their hereditary disposition: they forsook Me, and served other gods. Kingly power, such as the heathen nations have from early times, is a necessary self-defence of polytheism against its own divisive and centrifugal elements in the realm of politics; it is a socialistic attempt to arrange a life in community, and that is to unite, both to make the internal unity and order strong and powerful externally, and to keep them so. For , from , is derived from: judging, as still attested by the Syrian signification: to advise, and also by the fact that the kingly power in Israel arose from that of the judges: the ruler is he who stands over the opposing parties, over the strife, he who unites; very different from whom is , the tyrant, , the coming to power by the right of the strongest. Thus kingly power is from the first peculiar to heathenism; <\/p>\n<p>and because the boundary between the human and the divine is to the heathen consciousness a fluctuating one, kingship, especially in connection with the idolatrous worship thereof which grew up among the heathen nations, comes to be regarded as the contrast to the theocratic relations of the monotheistic people of Israel. Accordingly, when the people of Jehovah ask a king such as all the nations have (comp. <span class='bible'>1Sa 8:20<\/span>), this indicates that the theocratic consciousness is darkened and weakened in them; and thus a visible king appears necessary to them, because the invisible Ruler has, as it were, disappeared from their view. In times of religious and moral insensibility, inquiries are always directed to the political constitution; not to the state of society, but to the civil arrangements. And when Israel, forgetting the divine national prerogative they had enjoyed since leaving Egypt, placed themselves on a level with the heathen, then they must have looked on themselves with eyes like those of the heathen; it could not but occur to them, that in comparison with heathen monarchy they were, as Ziegler says, a people poorly and weakly organized, visibly only republican, and therefore easy to be overcome by the heathen, whose power was concentrated in monarchy. Thus Israels disease in desiring a monarchy like the nations was, that they had become infected by the political miasma of the polytheistic spirit of the age. For while the first king of Israel, Saul, very soon entered on the path of the heathen, the monarchy which is in accordance with the law of Israel first assumes shape with David, and then chiefly internally, and with Solomon, and then almost entirely externally. This, too, explains the significance of these two types of kings for the Messianic idea. Ziegler calls David: the king among kings. He comprehended thoroughly the office of a king in a theocracy; he was the best mediator between the people and Jehovah. Because he was the servant of Jehovah, he was also the lawful king. Through him the kingdom became the very best means for attaining to the divine purposes. Comp. Doct. Reflec. 14, etc. on <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 34<\/span>, and Doct. Reflec. 21 on <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 37<\/span> But already with Davidso that Solomons sinking down from the greatest external kingly glory into the surrounding polytheism, and the after-division of the royal power through its being broken into two kingdoms, only furnish the foil to itthe wider and higher future of Israel was founded in spirit, namely, as this future should be realized in the Messiah. According to the flesh, the Coming One of Israel is the son of David; according to the spirit of Messianic prophecy, David is the historico-personal basis, its personal foundation, a thoroughly prophetic personality; as Ziegler says: Partly inasmuch as he is manifestly a    in many phases of his character and life, even in the minute particulars,that, like Christ, he began his official career in his thirtieth year, and that he went weeping over the Kedron, and ascended the Mount of Olives with covered head; but also partly because in his psalms he manifests himself a prophet in the narrower sense of the word, a prophet who by his psalms really adds new elements of revelation to the old, his prophecies entering into the most minute details, his Son is the Spirit of his poetry. If the people were comprehended in Moses as the  as to the law, we may say of David that they are gathered together in him as to the theocratic kingdom. Hence these are far-seeing divine thoughts, and bearing special reference to the Messianic salvation which in <span class='bible'>1 Samuel 8<\/span>. Jehovah repeatedly urged upon Samuel, viz. to listen to the voice of the people, although the people will not at all listen to Samuels voice. Not that Israel had, as Ziegler supposes, to be set by the monarchy on a level with he world in order to be preserved in the world,for it was just the monarchy that destroyed its national existence, by drawing it into the politics of the great world,but (and this is the sole object in view in the law regarding the king in <span class='bible'>Deuteronomy 17<\/span>) the possible conflict with Jehovahs royal dominion over Israel was guarded against by this, that in the Israelitish monarchy, especially as represented by David personally and by Solomon regally, Jehovah made His Anointed for eternity assume a preparatory shape, that is, filled the heathen-political form of government, which might be and still more might become such a contrast to the true, the theocratic Israel, with that which is the final purpose of Gods dominion over Israel (just as already to the patriarchs kings were promised as their descendants). Accordingly in Deuteronomy also, as the Israelitish kingship rises up as on the foundation of the judgeship, so, parallel therewith, and in connection with the priestly office, the prophetic office rises up as a continuation of the revelation by Moses ( or , <span class='bible'>Deuteronomy 18<\/span>), in whom, according to Peter, was the  . And not less significantly does the prince in Ezekiel sit and eat in the gate, through which the glory of Jehovah had entered, and which it has Messianically sanctified. With him Israel appears again as what it was, just as the elders of Israel asked from Samuel a king like the nations, to be chief representative of Israel according to its tribal constitution; he who can be styled directly ,<span class=''>4<\/span> will be so in Messianic consecration and sanctification, so that Christian kingship might be symbolized. Umbreit observes: Whereas at first every particular tribe had its <em>Nasi<\/em>, they now are all reunited under a single one. Thus an old name, and yet again new in its signification. From this Umbreit infers a prince clothed with great splendour (?), like another Melchizedek, who may combine well the rights of the state and of the Church in one spirit, etc. etc. Yet surely Hvernick is right in finding indicated here the true and complete harmony of civil and ecclesiastical order in the days of the Messiah. Christ has no vicar; to no one but Himself shall the kingdoms of the world belong; but to pious princes (to princes as they ought to be), to lawful magistrates and lords, pertains a prerogative over the faithful, which again is a duty and a service (Cocc.). Comp. what is said on this point in the exposition of <span class='bible'>Eze 46:2<\/span>. [See also Additional Note on p. 417.]<\/p>\n<p>16. In regard to the priests of Ezekiels temple, Hengstenberg thinks the prophet wishes to draw away the view from the dreary present,the priests without prospect of office, the ruins of the priesthood,and, on the contrary, presents to the eye priests in office and honour, in whom the Mosaic ordinances are again in full exercise and authority; and next he wishes to labour for the regeneration of the priesthood. It is only surprising, when in accordance with Hengstenbergs general view of our chapters the fancy is worked on here too by ideas of Mosaic priests, that the idea of the high priest is wanting, that this most powerful impression is disregarded. But as regards the removal of the degradation of the pre-exile priesthood, the mention of Zadok sets forth too prominently for this end just the age of David and Solomon. Ezekiels priests certainly are Mosaic priests, but the Mosaic priests had a people to represent of whom it is said in <span class='bible'>Exo 19:6<\/span> : Ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation (at the passover the whole people acted as priests); so that it is certainly Mosaic, although according to the inmost idea of the Mosaic law, when the people of the future are in Ezekiel specially represented by the priests. But it is quite peculiar to Ezekiel, that, in order duly to set forth the sanctification of the people by the lofty holiness of their priests, the high priest appears in certain respects absorbed into the priests, and these are represented in a high-priestly aspect. As the people are dealt with in <span class='bible'>Eze 44:6<\/span> sq. for the bad priests set to keep the charge of Jehovahs holy things (44:8), so the exemplification of priestly instruction of the people given in 44:23 is that of the true priests teaching to discern the difference between the holy and the profane, the unclean and the clean: the high-priestly sanctity of the priests is to serve for a high-priestly sanctification of the people; the high-priestly idea is to become a national reality, just as the aggregate of these Old Testament letters (for which comp. <span class='bible'>Zechariah 6<\/span>) is the fulfilling word of the body of Christ as the Church. For the figure of Zadok, the typical high priest, taken from the very specially Messianically-typical age of David and Solomon, corresponds to only such a Messianic prospect. Zadoks sons are called the true priests of the people, just as the true Shepherd of the people (Ezekiel 34, 37) is a descendant of David. And here we have a parallel exactly similar to that of <span class='bible'>Jeremiah 33<\/span>, where the continuance of the Levitical priesthood is guaranteed in like manner as the continuance of the race of David, and similarly as to the increase of both,in which respect there shall, according to <span class='bible'>Isaiah 66<\/span>, be taken of the Gentiles for priests and for Levites; and so in this way the position of priests among the Gentiles, promised to Israel in <span class='bible'>Isaiah 61<\/span>, fulfils itself as a universal priestly position. Hvernick makes a special blessing for the priesthood be connected with the general blessing of the theocracy, inasmuch as not its hitherto meagre (?) form, but the priestly office, as a faithful expression of the idea inherent in it, will be established in perpetuity; and he compares <span class='bible'>Mal 3:3<\/span> : A new priesthood, made anew by the power of the Lord, arises on the soil of the Old Testament priesthood in the new theocracy; just as Ezekiels main concern is the priestly office in general, so also the idea of a really spiritual priesthood comes to light in his writings, etc. When Hengstenberg compares <span class='bible'>Psalms 24<\/span> for the reformation of the priesthood, we observe that the demands on His people, spoken of there from the coming of the Lord of glory, are no specially priestly demands, but are addressed to the whole house of Israel; and the same is really the case with <span class='bible'>Isaiah 40<\/span>, which he also cites. The Messianic references of the priesthood of the sons of Zadok, whereby (neither by Zadok personally, nor by Samuel) the prophetic word spoken to Eli (<span class='bible'>1Sa 2:27<\/span> sq.) is fulfilled, is not only maintained by the Fathers, but also by Keil;<span class=''>5<\/span> comp. on <span class='bible'>1Sa 2:35<\/span> sq. The Berleburg Bible observes: As in the person of Solomon the Spirit of prophecy pointed to the true and anointed Solomon, so also in this priest it points to the great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Hengst. remains quite on the ordinary priestly ground; the prospect into the New Testament relations remains completely closed. According to him, the prophet has to do only with what is to be accomplished after brief delay, etc. On the other hand, Umbreit says: The priesthood is quite in accordance with the transformation of the house of God. The old class of mediators between Jehovah and His people, consecrated by descent, has disappeared, and we no more find the high priest than we find the ark of the covenant. Instead of the Levites, who, together with the people, have to bear the guilt of the profanation of the covenant, there have come now only the inwardly worthy, the sons of Zadok, who should fulfil their significant name by maintaining fidelity in this ideal sense; and the supreme enhanced law of the new priesthood is the maintaining of inward purity from every outward stain, etc. Their outward support is the holy gift of Jehovah, so that they can say with the godly man in <span class='bible'>Psalms 16<\/span> : Jehovah is my portion and my cup; my lot has fallen to me in pleasant places (<span class='bible'>Psa 16:5<\/span> sq.). [Comp. Additional Note at pp. 419, 420.]<\/p>\n<p>17. The temple building, with its sacred architecture on the basis of the first tabernacle, as Solomons temple most richly displays it, symbolizes essentially the same as that which in the priesthood of the temple of Ezekiels vision is illustrated liturgically by the ministrations in this temple. For the accomplished dwelling of the Holy One in Israel proclaims His people to be a sanctified, and therefore a holy people. These are the worshippers that the Father desires (<span class='bible'>John 4<\/span>), a kingdom of priests, or a royal priesthood (<span class='bible'>1 Peter 2<\/span>); just as the prince, representing the people civilly and politically, fulfils his idea in King-Messiah; while the priests, the sons of Zadok, represent them ecclesiastically and spiritually. This is the purpose and constitution of Israel, the people of God. What the temple is in spirit, the representation by the priesthood of the new temple gives in truth, that is, in faithfulness and trueness of life. In the former, everything is most holy; in the latter, all are high-priestly. But in Christ the idea to be represented is realized in so much the more priestly a manner, because we have here the community of the Lord, the , where, in the case of Israel, was the congregation of the people, the , the . We might, moreover, find some difficulty in reconciling the omissions, and also the occasional so pregnant additions and stricter definitions taken from the idea of the law, in the ordinances regarding the priesthood, with what Hengst. maintains, namely, that the aim is, by a few well-chosen strokes, to bring out the thought of the restoration of the Mosaic priesthood in its customs and its rights, while it has been so easy for the exposition (which comp.) to show the prominence given throughout to the priestliness and sanctity of the priests office and the priestly order with reference to the people to be represented. As, moreover, the prince is, in <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 44<\/span>, advanced to a privileged relation to the sanctuary (comp. <span class='bible'>Eze 45:13<\/span> sq.), so along with teaching, instruction, especially in holiness (  ) and sanctification ( , <span class='bible'>Eze 44:23<\/span>), the settlement of disputes by the judgment of God, the establishing of righteousness (as is perhaps indicated in the name Zadok), is specified in 44:24 among the official duties of the priests. The prince eats in the east gate in the enjoyment of peace; the priests have always to restore peace.<\/p>\n<p>18. As, on the one hand, the burnt-offering is the predominant note in this temple-system of the future, so, on the other, in <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 45<\/span> oblation is said in reference to the whole land. It is the same idea of devotion to Jehovah which is expressed by both,the national life consecrated to the Lord in fellowship with Him (comp. the sacrificial feasts, in the east gate, of the prince of this people), Israels state of grace. The disquisition on the oblation of holiness, etc., preliminary to Ezekiel 47, 48, and for which <span class='bible'>Eze 44:28<\/span> sq. furnishes the occasion, is significant from the very fact of being thus occasioned. For where priests and Levites are taken account of expressly according to their ministry in relation to Jehovah (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 45<\/span>), there the whole house of Israel (45:6), and the prince in particular, with their portions of land, appear in the light of sacred property belonging to Jehovah, and also as His servants, who, while His more peculiar servants, the priests, are to see to holiness and sanctification, have to endeavour after judgment and righteousness. In this way the new nationality dedicated to the Lord (chiefly by the burnt-offering, and symbolized by the oblation) has to exhibit itself in civil, social, and secular life. It is actually a new nationality in relation to land and people; but, considered by itself, and apart from <span class='bible'>Eze 44:28<\/span> sq., it appears to mean the division of the land, and especially the oblation. Spring has come, yea, the fields are now already white for the harvest (<span class='bible'>John 4<\/span>). The oblation of holiness announces itself as the commencement of the future harvest. Ewald: The holy portion, which is previously taken from the rest of the land (like the tithes from the fruits of the field), and set apart for its own special purpose, is here very expressively mentioned in the outset, and with manifest reference to the now completed description of the temple (44:2; comp. <span class='bible'>Eze 42:20<\/span>); while the prophet evidently hastens more quickly over the portions connected therewith of the common Levites and the city of Jerusalem, in order to come to the portion and duties of the prince, etc.<\/p>\n<p>19. Hvernick says on <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 45<\/span> : After the description of a so newly reviving order of things in church matters, it appears as a matter of course that the land itself must be treated as a new land, and stand in need of a new special division. This division stands in a converse relation to that under Joshua. While at that time the people before all, each particular tribe, receive their portion, and not until afterwards was a fixed seat in the land assigned to Jehovah, here Jehovah first of all receives a holy gift, which is presented to Him. A portion of land is separated for the sanctuary and the priests, and one of equal size for the Levites. The new temple is moreover kept separate by a kind of suburb, in order to point out its special holiness.<\/p>\n<p>20. The design of the Mosaic regulation, according to which priests and Levites, especially the latter, were to dwell dispersed among all the tribes, whereby the curse formerly uttered with respect to Levi by Jacob in his blessing of the patriarchs (<span class='bible'>Genesis 49<\/span>) became fulfilled as a blessing for Levi and for all Israel, was to settle the tribe among Israel in accordance with its calling. Bhr says: If the Levites were to preserve the law and word of God, and thereby spread religious knowledge, promote religious life, pronounce judicial decisions in accordance therewith, etc., then it was not only suitable, but necessary, that they should not all dwell in one place, in one district. Their dwelling dispersed reminded them to spread the light of the fear of God and piety among the whole people, to give preference to no tribe, and to neglect none. On this we observe, that it is certainly not to be looked on as an abolition of the Mosaic ordinance that in Ezekiel priests and Levites are all concentrated in one place,the negation of the former would necessarily have to be formally announced,but the fulfilment simply comes in place of the former arrangement, inasmuch as the end proposed by that arrangement and regulation is present with and in the future Church. Hengst. thinks the relation of the priests and Levites to the sanctuary is meant to be made clear by their concentration in its neighbourhood. But already before this the cities of the priests at least were to be found in those tribal districts which lay nearest to the place of worship. The idea from which the grouping of the priests and Levites around the sanctuary has to be understood is rather what Jeremiah predicts: that they shall no more teach every man his brother, etc., that from the least to the greatest they all shall know Jehovah (<span class='bible'>Jer 31:34<\/span>). The aim of dividing Levi among all the tribes, viz. to care for, preserve, and spread abroad everywhere the law and the testimony, is thus attained. The people of the future will be such that their liturgical representation and the dwelling of their priests and Levites in the neighbourhood of the temple suffice; and besides, this significantly brings out the thought that Levi, this election from the elect people, is a people of God in the people of God (Bhr). For, what was designed by the appointed cities, in which we already see them collected while they were dispersed among all the tribes, is fully accomplished in the land of the priests and the Levites (<span class='bible'>Ezekiel 45<\/span>); and if Bhrs interpretation of the number of the 48 cities of the priests and Levites as referring to the sanctuary (<em>Symb. d. mos. Kult<\/em>. ii. p. 51) needed confirmation, it might have it here, where what this interpretation makes of Levis dwelling in the midst of Israel is expressly stated of the dwelling-place of the priestly Levites: a holy place for the sanctuary (45:4). Accordingly it is with this diversity as respects the Mosaic law, which Philippson calls the real diversity, exactly as Christ says in <span class='bible'>Matthew 5<\/span>.: I am come not to destroy (), but to fulfil, and that: not one jot or one tittle shall pass from the law till all be fulfilled.<\/p>\n<p>21. The sanctuary, the land of the priests and Levites, and the princes portion, form almost the centre of the land. The city does not include the sanctuary, but is situated beside it, also in the midst of the land. No jealousy about the possession of them can any longer separate the tribes (Hv.). This whole district, says Bunsen, is not to lie in the territory of a single tribe, which might thereby appear privileged, but, as accords with its sanctity, is separated from the tribal territories. In other words, the union-authority of the confederacy is to have a special seat for manifesting its activity. No wiser political idea could be devised. Hence Jerusalem still remains Jerusalem, but it no longer belongs to Benjamin. The central sanctuary is that which unifies also the tribes of Israel, just as the priesthood, royalty, and public property grouped around it give local expression to the unity and oneness of the whole. Instead of the violence-inflicting and heaven-assailing tower of Babel (Neteler), the tabernacle of Shem has become a divine sanctuary, which then no longer symbolizes solely Jehovahs dwelling in Israel, but is at the same time a type for mankind in general of His tabernacle with men (<span class='bible'>Rev 21:3<\/span>), and of their being united to and under Him. Comp. the Doct. Reflec. on Ezekiel 47, 48.<\/p>\n<p>22. Chiliasmand this is conceivable of the Jewish Chiliasm, whereas such a final Judaism cannot but prove injurious to modern Christian Chiliasm (<span class='bible'>Gal 3:3<\/span>)forgets, while studying these closing chapters of our prophet, the beginning of his prophecy, the cosmic character of <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 1<\/span>, which relates to creation generally, and on which the whole book is based. But indeed if   in <span class='bible'>Romans 11<\/span> is the people, <em>i.e<\/em>. Israel after the flesh, then it is only logically consistent to interpret the requickening in <span class='bible'>Ezekiel 37<\/span> as a bodily resurrection of all dead Jews. Those who are raised become by this fact, or as at one stroke, converted to Christ; those who are alive are Christians already, or will become so in consequence of this; and this whole Israel returns to Palestine, and forms in a transformed state, as it is already marked out for being by this awakening, the focus of the millennial kingdom for fresh salvation to all nations. It is illogical to wish to pick out one piece here, and to understand another merely spiritually; but he who here says A must also say B. Whether the converted Jews are to live in their own land, under kings of the house of David, as a people who are to be preserved and finally also converted, as Kliefoth allows to be the doctrine of Scripture, or whether King David will then return and rule over Israel in glory, is rather an antiquarian than a theological question. Scripture teaches none of these fancies; nor does it speak of a kingdom of glory in the earthly Jerusalem, in which the Gentile Church is to be joined to Israel under the dominion of the then reappeared Christ-Messiah (as Baumgarten). According to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, it has been the destination of Israel, as the people separated from all nations from the time of their first fathers, to be a blessing to mankind. And the more its national theocracy expanded itself to universal Christocracy, which comprehended also the Gentiles under the blessing of the Messiah, the more evidently there becomes exhibited in Israel, with its ecclesiastical and political forms, the preformation of an Israel which wholly is what Israel exhibits only in type,a people of God that comprehends the redeemed, the saints of all mankind; in which accordingly, as to its worship, and as to its nationality in general, traced back to its original idea, and also viewed with respect to its future realization, the whole and (what is specially emphasized) every part always exhibits holiness and sanctification, the service of the holy God in spirit and in truth (<span class='bible'>Psa 22:28<\/span> [<span class='bible'>Psa 22:27<\/span>] sq., Psa 47:10 [<span class='bible'>Psa 47:9<\/span>], <span class='bible'>Psa 102:16<\/span> [<span class='bible'>Psa 102:15<\/span>] sq.; <span class='bible'>Isa 26:2<\/span>; Isaiah 51, 60; <span class='bible'>Luk 1:17<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Rom 9:24<\/span> sq.; <span class='bible'>2Co 6:16<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Tit 2:14<\/span>; <span class='bible'>1Pe 2:5<\/span> sq., <span class='bible'>1Pe 2:9-10<\/span>, etc.). Nation and nationality are historical and hence perishable colourings of the idea of mankind, which have entirely faded since the eternal idea of Israel has been fulfilled in Christ, in whom there is neither Jew nor Greek (<span class='bible'>Galatians 3<\/span>), but man, the new man (<span class='bible'>Ephesians 2<\/span>)     . What could be fulfilled according to the letterwhich, however, is the expression borne by the spirit of fulfilmenthas been fulfilled in the people of Israel by their rising and revival from the graves of the exile, by their return thenceforth to Canaan under Judah as Jews, by the period of the Maccabees, certainly in historical prelude only to the ideal, the entire, true fulfilment of the spirit-letter in the kingdom of God through Christ; according to which fulfilment the elect people are the people of the elect from all mankind, and the Jewish people now neither exist as a people, nor have a future such as Kliefoth would assign to them, namely, to be holy in the same way that every Christianized nation (!) now is, for        (<span class='bible'>1Th 2:16<\/span>). For the Church of God in Christ, so far as it belongs to this world, the representation of its spiritual life in a service of atoning sacrifices and cleansings, as here in Ezekiel, can be no antithesis; for still, according to <span class='bible'>Hebrews 12<\/span>, the   has to be laid aside, and (<span class='bible'>Jam 3:2<\/span>)    (comp. <span class='bible'>Eze 45:20<\/span>). But to Ezekiel no other representation of the future could be given than in types of the sacred past of Israelas of its law, so of the Davidic royalty and of Canaan as the land of promise. But however prominent, observes Keil, is the Old Testament clothing of the Messianic prophecy in Ezekiel, yet even in this guise lineaments are found by which we recognise that the Israelitish-theocratic guise is only the drapery in which is concealed the New Testament form of the kingdom of God; and he very justly refers to <span class='bible'>1Pe 1:10<\/span> sq., while he farther says: Even although the prophets, in their uninspired meditations on what they had prophesied as moved by the Holy Ghost, may not have known the typical signification of their own utterances, yet we who live in the times of fulfilment, and know not only the beginning in the appearing of our Lord, etc., but a considerable course of the fulfilment too in the eighteen hundred years spread of the kingdom of heaven on earth, have not so much to inquire after what the Old Testament prophets thought in their searching into the prophecies with which they were inspired by the Holy Ghost,if these thoughts of theirs could be in any way ascertained,but we have to inquire, in the light of the present measure of fulfilment (comp. <span class='bible'>2Pe 1:19<\/span>), what the Spirit of Christ, which enabled the prophets to behold and prophesy the future of His kingdom in figures of the Old Testament kingdom of God, has announced and revealed to us by these figures. Apart from the occasional references of Ezekiels representation to paradise, to the first creation (comp. on <span class='bible'>Eze 36:35<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Eze 16:53<\/span>), to which there is a return in Christ through Gods new creation, the whole handling of the Mosaic law in Ezekiel, of its forms of worship as hieroglyphs of the future to be prophesied of the true Israel, can be understood only from the point of view of a transmutation of the law into its fulfilment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Footnotes:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span class=''>[1]<\/span>Douglas <em>Structure of Prophecy<\/em>, p. 71.<\/p>\n<p><span class=''>[2]<\/span>See the <em>Typology of Scripture<\/em>, vol. i. Ezekiel 1, 2, for the establishment of the principles referred to regarding the tabernacle: and vol. ii. part iii., for the application of them to particular parts.<\/p>\n<p><span class=''>[3]<\/span>Hvernick, <em>Comm.<\/em> p. 623.<\/p>\n<p><span class=''>[4]<\/span>It will each time be a more definite person, but that does not determine who it will be: only this perhaps is implied, that each nation may retain what is natural to it, what accords with its special character and historic development. The Bible dictates neither a church constitution nor a state constitution; but in Ezekiel there is symbolized what in every constitution, in itself human, ought to be the abiding, the higher: the humanly highest one () sits and eats in the east gate of the Highest, of Jehovah.<\/p>\n<p><span class=''>[5]<\/span>The final fulfilment comes with Christ and His kingdom; accordingly, the Lords Anointed, before whom the approved priest shall alway walk, is not Solomon, but David and Davids Son, whose kingdom shall endure for ever (Keil).<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, Critical, Doctrinal, and Homiletical by Lange<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> CONTENTS<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> The same subject is prosecuted through this Chapter, as in the former. Ezekiel is further introduced into the several apartments of this magnificent place.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class='bible'>Eze 42:1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> I beg the Reader not to lose sight of this wonderful person, who is the Prophet&#8217;s guide on this occasion. None but He, that is the Wonderful Counsellor, can be competent to instruct an inspired Prophet, in whom are held all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. <span class='bible'>Isa 9:6<\/span> ; <span class='bible'>Col 2:3<\/span> .<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Hawker&#8217;s Poor Man&#8217;s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong> XIX<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> THE FINAL CONDITION OF THE REDEEMED<\/p>\n<p> Ezekiel 40-48<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> The date of this prophecy as given in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:1<\/span> is about 572 B.C., thirteen years after his last prophecy before this one and fourteen years after the fall of the city of Jerusalem. Thus, there is an interval of thirteen years between the last writing of Ezekiel before this and this one.<\/p>\n<p> As to what Ezekiel was doing during the thirteen years between his last prophecy and this one, we have no record whatever. Perhaps after he had prophesied the restoration of Israel and the glorious messianic age as found in Ezekiel 36-37, Ezekiel was thinking and pondering in his mind over the messianic kingdom. He was thinking of what it would be like, what would be its constitution, what would be its temple, what would be its temple service, what would be the relation between the king and the priesthood and what would be the condition of the people.<\/p>\n<p> After those long years of thinking and pondering in his own mind, at last the vision broke upon him. A great many visions have come to God&#8217;s prophets and God&#8217;s servants along the line that they had been thinking and meditating. Thus the vision broke upon Ezekiel, and he saw in this vision the final condition of the restored and redeemed people of Israel. He does not picture any method of salvation in these chapters because he conceives of the people as enjoying salvation; they are in a condition of salvation, saved forever. It is the kingdom of God that he has in mind, the kingdom of God set up on earth with its center in Jerusalem and existing in all its glory, blessedness, and beauty. We call it the millennium, for to Ezekiel it was the millennial period of the world&#8217;s history.<\/p>\n<p> This picture is cast in the Jewish mold. The best place to the Jew on this earth was in Palestine, his own land. There was death and burial and all the various incidents of life in this blessed age. There were families, there was a city of a certain size, a tabernacle of a certain size, and buildings, and chambers; there was a priesthood, there were sacrifices, there was to be a Prince of the line of David, the messianic Prince. All these things were to comprise the glorious messianic age, was all cast in the Jewish mold, and not to be taken as literal.<\/p>\n<p> Now, in these chapters Ezekiel gives the religious side of the kingdom of Israel. He deals very little with anything but the religious phase. He touches on the geographical side of the country, a little on the civil side of affairs, but puts the emphasis almost entirely upon the religious and ecclesiastical. To Ezekiel religion was the foundation of a nation, for the foundations of national existence and the great informing principles in all national life from the beginning of history to the present time, have been the religious conceptions of the people.<\/p>\n<p> Ezekiel, in vision, was brought by the hand of God into the land of Israel, and set down upon a very high mountain, whereon was, as it were, the frame of a city. Placed upon this high mountain Ezekiel opens his eyes in vision and sees a man, who appears to him as a man of brass. This is an angelic and supernatural being. He has a line of flax in his hand, also a measuring reed, and stands at the gate of this great structure.<\/p>\n<p> <span class='bible'>Eze 40:1-4<\/span> gives the introductory remarks of Ezekiel showing how this vision occurred. He was standing facing the west and also facing the east gate of the great sanctuary. Before him lay an enclosure, a tabernacle, 500 cubits square, measuring probably 800 feet or about 250 yards square. This enclosure was surrounded by a wall six cubits high and six cubits broad, or thick. Right before him was a gate, the east gate, approached by seven steps. The gate itself was really a large building, twenty-five cubits broad altogether and fifty cubits long, reaching into the court of the temple. Inside that gate was the outer court. That outer court was 150 cubits from the outer wall to the inner wall, and one hundred cubits from the inside entrance of the gate to the next gate on the inner wall. This outer court ran around three sides of the enclosure and on these three sides were the pavements and chambers round about on the walls.<\/p>\n<p> He then approached the inner court and that had a gate facing east just the same size as the gate on the outer court, approached by eight steps showing the gradations up into the holy place. Right in front of the gate which was the same size as the other gate, was a square place of 100 cubits and in the center of that was the altar for the burnt offerings. Right behind the gate approached by ten steps was the temple building itself. There was the porch, there the holy place behind it, and the most holy place behind that, and chambers around on three sides. There was a space of five cubits on either side of this temple building and chambers twenty cubits wide on the outside of that space. The raised pavement on which the temple stood was exactly 100 cubits square and reached back to the wall that surrounded the inner court. To the north of the outer court was a gate exactly the same as that of the east gate; to the south, a gate exactly the same as the one Ezekiel entered; on the west there was no gate at all. To the inner court there was a gate to the north and a gate to the south, exactly like the one to the east which Ezekiel entered.<\/p>\n<p> A more detailed description of the temple with its parts is found in <span class='bible'>Eze 40:5-16<\/span> . There he describes the outer gate by which he approaches, ascending seven steps. The outer gate has a threshold, and the entrance into the outer court has on either side three lodges or guard chambers, intended for sentinels who abode there and watched the multitudes that thronged the gates into the temple courts. This entire gate was twenty-five cubits wide by fifty cubits long, reaching fifty cubits into the outer court minus the breadth of the wall.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 40:17-19<\/span> he describes the outer court just inside that gate. That outer court is altogether 150 cubits wide minus the wall and reaches around three sides. It is covered with a pavement and around on these three sides next the wall are chambers, large rooms. What these were for he does not tell us; doubtless they were intended for service in connection with the temple worship.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 40:20-23<\/span> we have described the north gate which is exactly the same as the one on the east which he entered. In <span class='bible'>Eze 40:24-27<\/span> he describes the south gate which is exactly the same as the east and the north gate.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 40:28-37<\/span> he describes the inner court. He enters the gate of the inner court by an approach of eight steps, passes through that fifty cubits deep into the inner court. There is &amp; south gate and a north gate exactly the same, all facing the great altar in the center of the court 100 cubits square in the temple area itself.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 40:38-43<\/span> he describes the tables that are on either side of the north gate that enters into the inner court. Outside in the outer court are four tables for killing the sacrifices and washing them; inside are four tables for the sacrifices, and there are other large stone tables upon which they would lay the instruments for slaying their sacrifices. It was the law of Leviticus that the sacrifices were to be slain north of the altar, so all these tables and instruments are at the north gate which approaches the inner court north of the great altar.<\/p>\n<p> Now in the inner court we have on either side of that court which is about 250 cubits square counting the thickness of the walls on the north side and on the south side, large chambers. These chambers were for the use of the priests in their ministrations. Those on the north were for the use of those who helped the priests in their services; the south for the sons of Zadok who were the leaders among the priests. In <span class='bible'>Eze 40:38-49<\/span> , he approaches the temple itself and the porch facing the temple building; ten steps brings him up on to the raised platform which is exactly 100 cubits square and which contains all the great temple buildings.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 41:1-14<\/span> , he describes the porch, gives the measurements, then the dimensions of the tabernacle which is forty cubits long and twenty cubits wide; then the holy of holies which is exactly twenty cubits square. Ezekiel does not go into the holy of holies; only the messenger goes in and brings out the measurements and tells them to Ezekiel. The walls are six cubits thick; then there are little chambers on either side, and there are walls five cubits thick beyond them. The lower chambers are four Cubits wide, the next, five; the next, six, just the same as those of Solomon&#8217;s Temple. All around on either side of that Temple with its chambers, which was nearly forty cubits wide altogether, was an open space of five cubits, and outside of that, again on this pavement of ten cubits, along the two sides were buildings used as chambers for the priests.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 41:15-26<\/span> he describes the inside of the temple proper. It is made of wood, beautifully carved wood, cherubim carved as was Solomon&#8217;s Temple; palm trees carved and engraved upon the wood also, and only one altar, no table of shewbread, no golden candlestick, no ark of the covenant, no laws written on tables of stone; they were written on the tables of the heart now and there is no need for an ark of the covenant or for these other things, only an altar representing the prayers and worship of the people. There are doors into the holy place and folding doors into the most holy place. We do not read that Solomon made any doors between those apartments.<\/p>\n<p> Now in <span class='bible'>Eze 42:1-14<\/span> , the other buildings that are inside this inner court are described. This inner court, as we have said, is about 250 cubits square; 100 cubits are taken up by the altar, 100 for the temple buildings and chambers, then there are fifty cubits on either side along the north and south sides. Now these are described in the section we have just mentioned. They are chambers, and one row is three stories high, extending along 100 cubits on the north side of the temple buildings, and south side also a row 100 cubits long. These are for the priests, in which they store their garments, and in which they dress that they may appear before the people in the outer court and perform the services in the inner court.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 42:15-20<\/span> , we have the measurements of the outer wall and the whole area of the buildings. Here he gives the general measurements. Now note that he says 500 reeds. A reed is six cubits. Thus he gives the general measurements such as I have described. Thus far he has been describing the temple and we readily see it is impossible to give all the details.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 43:1-12<\/span> we enter upon a new theme: the vision of the entrance of Jehovah into this house, this temple, to abide forever. Notice that Ezekiel says in the latter part of verse <span class='bible'>Eze 43:3<\/span> : &#8220;The visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar.&#8221; The same magnificent picture of the four cherubim appears here now right at the gate of the temple and Jehovah thus enters into the temple by the east gate, there to abide forever. Note what he says to Ezekiel as he enters, verses <span class='bible'>Eze 43:6-7<\/span> : &#8220;And I heard one speaking unto me out of the house; and a man stood by me. And he said unto me, Son of man, this is the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. And my holy name shall the house of Israel no more defile.&#8221; Thus he goes on to describe the new and blessed condition of Israel and how they are purified from all their sins. Then in <span class='bible'>Eze 43:10-12<\/span> Ezekiel shows to the people this vision of the great temple that they are to have, and he says that they shall be ashamed of their iniquities when they see and learn the pattern. It is a perfect temple, perfect equipment, divinely measured and symbolizes the relation of Jehovah to his people.<\/p>\n<p> Now in <span class='bible'>Eze 43:13-17<\/span> he describes the altar of burnt offerings in the center of that 100 cubits square in the court. Bight in front of the east, north, and south gates: that altar has a base eighteen cubits square and one cubit thick, resting upon the solid earth; then another place above that sixteen cubits square, and another one fourteen cubits square, and the uppermost one twelve cubits square with four projections, or horns, one at each corner. So the altar stands high and is twelve cubits, or about twenty feet, square.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 43:18-27<\/span> he describes the sacrifices and the ceremonies relating to the altar. The sacrifices and ceremonies are to be performed by the sons of Zadok and they are to cleanse the altar and purify it and make it ready for the sacrifices of God.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 44:1-3<\/span> , he says that the east gate was to be kept forever shut, because through that gate Jehovah had entered and he had entered to remain forever, and therefore the gate by which he had entered must be closed forever, and no being in heaven nor on earth should pass through it.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 44:4-14<\/span> , we have the subordinate position of the Levites. The Levites previous to the exile had become idolatrous, almost to a man; they had gone after the worship of idols (but many of the priestly families had remained faithful to Jehovah) and because of that Ezekiel says that the Levites should not serve in the temple, but should be degraded to a secondary position and only the sons of Zadok could minister in the inner court.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 44:15-30<\/span> , Ezekiel gives the precepts and the rules regarding the priests. These priests were of the sons of Zadok. Doubtless, Ezekiel himself belonged to that line. They alone were to go into the inner court; the people were allowed in the outer courts, but only the priests in the inner court. They were to have linen garments and everything was to be so pure and so clean that they were not allowed to wear any garments that would hold perspiration; not one drop of perspiration was allowed to remain in their clothing; they were to be scrupulously clean. Their beards were not to be shaved; they were not to drink any wine while performing the services; they were to marry only a certain class of women, the widow of a priest or a virgin of the house of Israel; they were to teach the people, and they were to be the judges in all cases of the law. The priests were to judge between the litigants. They were to have no possessions, verse <span class='bible'>Eze 44:28<\/span> : &#8220;I am their inheritance; and ye shall give them no possessions in Israel; I am their possession.&#8221; They were to have all the first-fruits of the land and certain other material resources.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 45:1-8<\/span> , we have the portion of land assigned to the priests. In almost the center of this land of Israel, a space 25,000 cubits wide extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the river Jordan was set apart for the prince and the priests and the city and the temple. In the center of that was a section 25,000 cubits long and 25,000 cubits wide divided thus: 10,000 cubits of the northern part was for the Levites, 10,000 cubits in the center, for the priests and in the center of that was this section we have just described; south of that, 5,000 cubits wide and 25,000 cubits long was the city area and in the center of that was the city itself, about two miles square; lands on either side also about two miles square; the whole section was about eight miles square. The Levites had a section about two by eight miles; the priests had a section about two by eight miles, and the city, a little more than two by eight. At each end of this section reaching to the Mediterranean Sea on the west side, and to the Jordan on the east, was the portion of the prince, or royal family, the messianic king.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 45:9-17<\/span> we have the ordinances for the prince. He was strictly commanded to be just and square in his dealings, and strange to say, the prince received the tithes from all the people of Israel, and he supplied the priests with all their sacrifices, and sustained them out of what the people brought to him. The prince was a very important personage. He was really the Messiah, the messianic King.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 45:18-25<\/span> we have the ordinances for cleansing the temple, for the atonement, for the Passover, and the various offerings, for which see the text.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 46:1-15<\/span> , we have the ordinances for the feasts. They are going to have sacrifices, feasts, pilgrimages, in this blessed messianic age, according to Ezekiel, and he lays down rules for the feasts of the new moon, the sabbath, the Passover, and all other appointed feasts. It is to be the Levitical system carried out to perfection all through the ages. But remember that this is only the Jewish mold into which these blessed events are cast.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 46:16-18<\/span> , Ezekiel says that a prince cannot forfeit permanently his inheritance. If he does deed it to any member of another noble family, it reverts back to the royal family in time. Thus these two portions of land are reserved to the line of David forever.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 46:19-24<\/span> we have described the kitchens for the priests. They are to have kitchens in the temple, and in the far northwest corner of the inner court, and the far southwest corner of this inner court are great buildings that serve as kitchens where the priests are to boil their meat for these services in the temple; then in the same corners of the outer court are large buildings where they are going to boil the meat and sacrifices for the people. The Levites are to do this, as they are not allowed in the inner court.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 47:1-12<\/span> Ezekiel describes a stream which issues from the temple and flows down to the inner court and outer court and out by the east gate through which Ezekiel had entered and through which Jehovah had entered, and which is forever closed, down across the land toward the valley of the Jordan and the Dead Sea. Many have preached from that chapter on &#8220;The River of Life.&#8221; It ran through that desert land, and coursed down to the awful wilderness surrounding the Dead Sea, making everything green and the trees bore their fruit every month, the analogue of John&#8217;s vision of the River of Life flowing through the great city of God. Then it flows through those deserts and into the Dead Sea healing the water which became alive with fishes and everything the river touches lives. It flows down into the barren deserts, the dead seas of life, the worthless places, and heals them. There are certain portions by that Dead Sea that Ezekiel says were given to salt, the marshes. These were not healed but were given to salt as they needed the salt in the east for their sacrifices and their food, that was a hot climate. Thus closes the vision of Ezekiel of the land of Israel. The land is rich and verdant, teeming with life and fruitage; it is the blessed messianic age. (See the author&#8217;s sermon on &#8220;The River of Life.&#8221;)<\/p>\n<p> <span class='bible'>Eze 47:13-23<\/span> describe the boundaries of the Holy Land and the privilege of strangers attaching themselves to the tribes. The boundaries of the Holy Land we cannot exactly fix but they extend west to the Mediterranean Sea; to about the entering in of Hamath for the northern boundary; the eastern boundary is the valley of Jordan down through the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea; the southern boundary is by way of Kadeshbarnea and to the brook of Egypt. That is Ezekiel&#8217;s Holy Land.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 48:1-7<\/span> , he tells what tribes are going to live north of the oblation. This tract of land, 25,000 cubits wide and reaching from the Mediterranean to the Jordan, is the oblation; the tribes that are to live north of the oblation we find in verses 1-7. To the far north is Dan; south of him is Asher, reaching from the Mediterranean to the Jordan Valley; the same for Napthali, and a similar section for Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben, and Judah, bordering on the oblation which was the center and contained the portion for the Levites, temple, city, and prince. Why he has them in that order we cannot tell.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 48:8-22<\/span> we have the oblation itself and its divisions again described: 25,000 cubits wide, reaching from the Mediterranean to the Jordan and in the center of that square, 10,000 to the north for the Levites, 10,000 for the priests and in the center of that, the temple; then a section, 5,000 wide to the south for the city. We see by this that Ezekiel does not think that the temple should be in the city, and he separated them by a distance of about three miles. The city is about two miles square. It has land on either side of it which is to support the people. Ezekiel makes no provision for the growth of the city, nor for the increase of the Levites, nor for the priests; there they are and they are going to abide forever.<\/p>\n<p> In <span class='bible'>Eze 48:23-29<\/span> , he gives the tribes south of the city, and the first one is Benjamin. Ezekiel puts Judah north and Benjamin south, while before, they had always been the reverse. Below that is Simeon, then Issachar, then Zebulun, and Gad; previously they had been closer together.<\/p>\n<p> Then <span class='bible'>Eze 48:30-35<\/span> tell of the gates of the city. There are three on each of the four sides. This is the analogue of John&#8217;s magnificent vision of the holy city &#8220;on the east three gates, on the north three gates, and on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.&#8221; He goes on to show which tribes shall enter in by these several gates: three tribes on one side, etc., grouping Ephraim and Manasseh under the name of Joseph. He closes by saying, <span class='bible'>Eze 48:35<\/span> , &#8220;And the name of the city from that day shall be Jehovah-shammah,&#8221; Jehovah is there, that is, all this land is to be sanctified by the presence of Jehovah, from Dan in the far north to Gad in the far south. As one approaches the oblation, it is to be more holy; the domain of the priests and the sanctuary, still more holy. The outer court, the inner court, the temple platform, the holy place, then the most holy of all.<\/p>\n<p> That is Ezekiel&#8217;s picture of the great messianic age. He believed that all the people that inhabited this land were people who had a new heart and a right spirit, who had the old stony heart taken out of them and a heart of flesh given them; that God&#8217;s laws were written in their hearts and on their minds; that they walked in his statutes and in his law; converted people, regenerated people, living in bliss upon the earth.<\/p>\n<p> Will this ever be literally fulfilled? Can it be possible that when Jesus Christ comes this will be fulfilled as Ezekiel pictures it? Our pre-millennialist brethren believe that this will be literally fulfilled. They believe that Christianity must revert back to Judaism with Jerusalem as its center. To me it is unthinkable that our gospel with its worldwide vision and mission can become so cabbined, cribbed, coffined, and confined that it will be shut up to Palestine and to Judaism. That would be an unthinkable anticlimax.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong> QUESTIONS<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> 1. What was the date of the writing of this prophecy?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 2. What was Ezekiel doing during the thirteen years between his last prophecy before this and this one and what the bearing on this last prophecy?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 3. Give a bird&#8217;s eye view of the temple as Been by Ezekiel.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 4. Give a more detailed description of the temple with its parts.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 5. Describe Jehovah&#8217;s entrance into this temple and give its significance.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 6. Describe the altar of burnt offerings and the sacrifices to be offered thereon.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 7. What is the ordinance regarding the east gate and why?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 8. What the ordinance respecting the position of the Levites and why?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 9. What ordinances regarding the priests?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 10. What provisions were made for the priests?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 11. What are the ordinances regarding the prince and what special provision for the people by the prince?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 12. What are the ordinances for cleansing the temple, etc.?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 13. What are the ordinances for the feasts?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 14. What are the ordinances for the inheritance of the prince?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 15. What is the special provision for the work of the priests and Levites?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 16. Describe Ezekiel&#8217;s &#8220;River of Life&#8221; and give its significance.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 17. Give the boundaries of Ezekiel&#8217;s holy land.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 18. What are tribes are to be north of the oblation?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 19. Describe the oblation itself.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 20. What are the tribes south of the oblation?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 21. Describe the gates of the city and give the position of the tribes.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> 22. What do you say of the fulfilment of this magnificent prophetic picture by Ezekiel?<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: B.H. Carroll&#8217;s An Interpretation of the English Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> Eze 42:1 Then he brought me forth into the utter court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into the chamber that [was] over against the separate place, and which [was] before the building toward the north.<\/p>\n<p> Ver. 1. <strong> Then he brought me forth into the utter court,<\/strong> ] <em> scil., <\/em> Of the temple, at both ends and on either side whereof there were spacious places, in manner of our churchyards, saith one. <em> Sequitur locus valde confusus et multo impeditissimus,<\/em> saith Castalio. This is a very dark and difficult chapter, the sense whereof I would fain learn of some other, for I know not what to make of it: thus he. Oecolampadius also to like purpose, after R. Solomon, and thus prayeth, <em> Suggerat Dominus conanti quae ad gloriam illius, certe quae non officiant, precor, &amp;c., i.e., <\/em> The Lord help our honest endeavours, that we may do what may be for his glory, and not for the hurt of any reader. That was a holy prayer of his colleague Zuinglius in like case, and may it be ours also, <em> Deum Opt. Max. precor ut vias nostras dirigat, &amp;c., <\/em> I beseech Almighty God to direct our ways, and if at any time, Balaam-like, we shall obstinately resist the truth, let him set his angel against us, who, with the terror of his sword, may so dash this ass (our ignorance, I mean, and presumptuous boldness) against the wall, that we may feel our feet (that is, our carnal sense and reason) crushed and broken; that we no longer dishonour the name of our Lord God. <em> a<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><em> a<\/em> Zuing. <em> Epist., <\/em> lib. iii.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: John Trapp&#8217;s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> Ezekiel Chapter 42<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> The survey of the house or sanctuary being ended, the prophet is given to see the cells or chambers for the priests.<\/p>\n<p> &#8220;And he brought me forth into the outer court, the way toward the north, and brought me into the cell that [was] opposite the separate place, and that [was] opposite the building toward the north. Before the length of a hundred cubits [was] the north door, and the breadth fifty cubits. Opposite the twenty [cubits] which [were] for the inner court, and opposite the pavement, which [was] for the outer court, [was] gallery against gallery, in three [stories]. And before the cells [was] a walk of ten cubits in breadth inward, a way of one cubit, and their doors [were] toward the north. And the upper chambers [were] shorter, for the galleries contained more than these, than the lower and the middle one, of the building. For they [were] in three [stories], but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore it was contracted from the lower and the middle ones from the ground. And the wall which [was] without, opposite the cells, by the way of the outer court before the cells &#8211; its length [was] fifty cubits. For the length of the cells which [belonged] to the outer court [was] fifty cubits; and, behold, before the temple [were] a hundred cubits. And below these cells [was] the entrance from the east, in one&#8217;s going into them from the outer court. In the breadth of the wall of the court eastward, before the separate place, and before the building [were] cells. And the way before them [was] as the appearance of the cells which [were] northward, as long and broad as they; and all their outlets according to their fashions and according to their doors. And according to the doors of the cells which [were] toward the south, a door at the head of the way, the way directly before the wall eastward, when one entereth into them.&#8221; (Vers. 1-12)<\/p>\n<p> This account of the chambers for the priests is followed by express regulations as to their eating in them, their laying the offerings in their service, and their dress within and without.<\/p>\n<p> &#8220;And he said to me, The cells northward [and] the cells southward, which [are] before the separate place, [are] cells of the holy place, where the priests who draw near to Jehovah shall eat the most holy things; there they shall place the most holy things, both the meat-offering, and the sin-offering, and the trespass-offering, for the place [is] holy. When the priests enter in, they shall not go forth from the holy [place] into the outer court, but they shall leave there their garments with which they ministered, for they [are] holy, and put on other garments, and shall approach the [place] that [is] for the people.&#8221; (Vers. 13, 14)<\/p>\n<p> The closing paragraph is a summary of the general extent. &#8220;And he finished the measurements of the inner house, and brought me out by way of the gate that looketh eastward, and measured it round about. He measured the east side with the measuring-reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring-reed, round about. He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring-reed round about. He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed. Turning to the west side, he measured five hundred reeds with the measuring-reed. He measured it by its four sides; it had a wall round about, five hundred long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the holy and the profane place.&#8221; (Vers. 15-20)<\/p>\n<p> It is well known that there has been no little debate as to the reading in verse 16, and whether the word here used should be taken in the sense of &#8220;reeds&#8221;* or not; for that of the text (&#8220;five cubits&#8221;) is clearly an error of transcription, and the &#8220;five hundred&#8221; of the Keri must be adopted. Some would strike out the measure altogether (and the LXX waver in the verses). Doubtless the space would be far larger than Mount Moriah as it is; but this is a small difficulty to the believer, who looks for great physical change according to prophecy. To view it as hyperbolical, and yet as leaving the literal interpretation intact, seems to me not only unbelieving but absurd. But when men yield themselves up to unbelief in the presence and power of the Spirit, we must not expect faith in the word of God to be strong; and when they attenuate the effects of the first coming of the Saviour as to the reconciliation of His own, why be surprised if the glorious results of His return and kingdom are perverted and frittered away?<\/p>\n<p> *Mr. H. A. Wassell (Holy Land, W. J. Johnson, 1875) says, &#8220;This is evidently a mistake, as it would make the Temple six times as broad as the measurements of the previous chapters; and I may further observe that the measurements of the other parts of the Temple that we have not yet come to exactly agree in making the Temple 500 cubits square. The Septuagint has in this place cubits instead of reeds, and it is a singular fact that the area on Mount Moriah is about 500 cubits or over 300 yards broad.&#8221; (pp. 25, 26)<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: William Kelly Major Works (New Testament)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eze 42:1-9<\/p>\n<p> 1Then he brought me out into the outer court, the way toward the north; and he brought me to the chamber which was opposite the separate area and opposite the building toward the north. 2Along the length, which was a hundred cubits, was the north door; the width was fifty cubits. 3Opposite the twenty cubits which belonged to the inner court, and opposite the pavement which belonged to the outer court, was gallery corresponding to gallery in three stories. 4Before the chambers was an inner walk ten cubits wide, a way of one hundred cubits; and their openings were on the north. 5Now the upper chambers were smaller because the galleries took more space away from them than from the lower and middle ones in the building. 6For they were in three stories and had no pillars like the pillars of the courts; therefore the upper chambers were set back from the ground upward, more than the lower and middle ones. 7As for the outer wall by the side of the chambers, toward the outer court facing the chambers, its length was fifty cubits. 8For the length of the chambers which were in the outer court was fifty cubits; and behold, the length of those facing the temple was a hundred cubits. 9Below these chambers was the entrance on the east side, as one enters them from the outer court.<\/p>\n<p>Eze 42:1 he brought me See note at Eze 41:1.<\/p>\n<p>NASB, NRSV,<\/p>\n<p>NJB, JPSOAouter court<\/p>\n<p>TEVouter courtyard<\/p>\n<p>RSVinner court<\/p>\n<p>The Hebrew OT Text Project of the UBS gives outer an A rating (very high probability).<\/p>\n<p>Eze 42:4<\/p>\n<p>NASB, NRSV,<\/p>\n<p>REBa way of one hundred cubits<\/p>\n<p>NKJVat a distance of one cubit<\/p>\n<p>The MT has one cubit, but the Septuagint and Peshitta have one hundred cubits. The Expositors Bible Commentary (p. 967) says that an inner walk (BDB 237) of Eze 42:4 can be understood as a step (1&#215;10 cubits). There are many ambiguous and rare terms and phrases in this section that remain unknown. See Special Topic: Cubit .<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>utter = outer. <\/p>\n<p>chamber = storeroom. Hebrew. lishkah. See note on Eze 40:12. <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Chapter 42<\/p>\n<p>Then he brought me into the outer court, to the north: and he brought me into the chamber that was against the separate place ( Eze 42:1 ),<\/p>\n<p>And as I say, I&#8217;m going to leave you with this. You may take this diagram home. And the separate place is that area, you&#8217;ll notice, that surrounds the temple house itself. And he begins to describe for him here this separate place that was about the temple house, verse Eze 42:13  there.<\/p>\n<p>where the priests that approach the LORD shall eat the most holy things ( Eze 42:13 ):<\/p>\n<p>So you see this little chamber for the priests, and there are four of them off of this separate place, where the priests eat before the Lord of the portion of the sacrifices that are brought.<\/p>\n<p>and they shall lay the most holy things, the meal offerings, the sin offerings, the trespass offerings; for the place is holy. And when the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the outer court, but they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy; they shall put on other garments, and shall approach those things which are for the people ( Eze 42:13-14 ).<\/p>\n<p>So there are special robes for the priests when they are in this place and they&#8217;re not to be worn outside. &#8220;<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Through the Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Eze 42:1<\/p>\n<p>Eze 42:1-12<\/p>\n<p>Here is contained a special description of the chambers for housing the priests, and also special information regarding the outer court.<\/p>\n<p>Priest Chambers and External Temple Measurements<\/p>\n<p>(Eze 42:1-12)<\/p>\n<p>Then he brought me forth into the outer court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into the chamber that was over against the separate place, and which was over against the building toward the north. Before the length of a hundred cubits was the north door, and the breadth was fifty cubits. Over against the twenty cubits which belonged to the inner court, and over against the pavement which belonged to the outer court, was gallery against gallery in the third story. And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits&#8217; breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors were toward the north. Now the upper chambers were shorter; for the galleries took away from these, more than from the lower and the middlemost, in the building. For they were in three stories, and they had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore the uppermost was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground. And the wall that was without by the side of the chambers, toward the outer court before the chambers, the length thereof was fifty cubits. For the length of the chambers that were in the outer court was fifty cubits: and, lo, before the temple were a hundred cubits. And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the outer court. In the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, before the separate place, and before the building, there were chambers. And the way before them was like the appearance of the way of the chambers which were toward the north; according to their length so was their breadth: and all their egresses were both according to their fashions, and according to their doors. And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door at the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them (Eze 42:1-12).<\/p>\n<p>Eze 42:1-12 lists the measurements of the chamber buildings in the outer court.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>The next section of description deals with the general scheme of buildings surrounding the Temple proper. On the north and south sides were chambers, which are described. These were the holy chambers for the use of the priests, in which they ate the holy things, kept all the materials for the offerings, and changed their garments for the work of their sacred office.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, the outside measurements of the whole Temple buildings were given. Passing through the east gate, the angel accompanying Ezekiel measured the east side, the north side, the south side, and the west side, each of which was 500 reeds. In all probability, in harmony with other measurements given, the word &#8220;cubits&#8221; should be substituted for &#8220;reeds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: An Exposition on the Whole Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Chapter Forty-two<\/p>\n<p>The Many Mansions Of The Fathers House<\/p>\n<p>This chapter takes up, more particularly, the arrangements for the comfort of the priests of the Lord, the chambers or abodes where those who served might find accommodations during their stay at the temple. These, as we have seen, are the many mansions in the Fathers house, depicting the places of rest in heaven, of which Jesus spoke in His last discourse to His disciples (John 14:l-3).<\/p>\n<p>Then he brought me forth into the outer court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into the chamber that was over against the separate place, and which was over against the building toward the north. Before the length of a hundred cubits was the north door, and the breadth was fifty cubits. Over against the twenty cubits which belonged to the inner court, and over against the pavement which belonged to the outer court, was gallery against gallery in the third story. And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors were toward the north. Now the upper chambers were shorter; for the galleries took away from these, more than from the lower and the middlemost, in the building. For they were in three stories, and they had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore the uppermost was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground. And the wall that was without by the side of the chambers, toward the outer court before the chambers, the length thereof was fifty cubits. For the length of the chambers that were in the outer court was fifty cubits: and, lo, before the temple were a hundred cubits. And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the outer court. In the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, before the separate place, and before the building, there were chambers. And the way before them was like the appearance of the way of the chambers which were toward the north; according to their length so was their breadth: and all their egresses were both according to their fashions, and according to their doors. And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door at the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them-vers. 1-12.<\/p>\n<p>On three sides of the temple proper and facing on the court itself there were three-story apartments, suitable as dwelling-places for the priests. It was as though God would have His worshippers close to Himself, according to the word, Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: they will be still praising Thee (Psa 84:4). He delights to abide amid the praises of His people.<\/p>\n<p>Then said he unto me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they are the holy chambers, where the priests that are near unto Jehovah shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meal-offering, and the sin-offering, and the trespass-offering; for the place is holy. When the priests enter in, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the outer court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy: and they shall put on other garments, and shall approach to that which pertaineth to the people-vers. 13-14.<\/p>\n<p>The priests were to eat of the holy things within the temple enclosure in the chambers, or rooms prepared for them. In this they picture Gods priestly house today feeding by meditation upon Christ who is the satisfying portion of His peoples hearts. He has said, He that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me (Joh 6:57). All the offerings spoke of Him, and the priests fed upon these.<\/p>\n<p>Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east, and measured it round about. He measured on the east side with the measuring reed five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about. He measured on the north side five hundred reeds with the measuring reed round about. He measured on the south side five hundred reeds with the measuring reed. He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed. He measured it on the four sides: it had a wall round about, the length five hundred, and the breadth five hundred, to make a separation between that which was holy and that which was common-vers. 15-20.<\/p>\n<p>In this section we have the final measurements completing Ezekiels tour of the temple area, as seen in the vision. There are certain difficulties and perplexities as to these measures which are not easily explained, but we may be sure the original text was without fault, and if in later manuscripts discrepancies appeared they were the result of copyists mistakes.<\/p>\n<p>The entire temple area is what is here before us-a spacious courtyard surrounded by a great wall with gates on the four sides. The entire space, according to the specifications given here, is far too large for the top of Mount Moriah on which the temple of Solomon, and the temple of Zerubbabel, and that of Herod, stood. So if all is to be taken literally we must understand some great convulsions of nature in the Jerusalem area that will alter considerably the topography of the land. If all is symbolic there need be no difficulty. In Gods due time He will make everything plain.<\/p>\n<p>Even the seeming vagueness of some of the details regarding the court, the sanctuary and the priests apartments, might well remind us that Gods ways are not our ways nor are His thoughts our thoughts. Much that He has in store for both His earthly and His heavenly people is far beyond our present understanding, but in due time all will be made clear. Till then it is ours to trust and wait patiently for the glory yet to be revealed.<\/p>\n<p>As the wise-hearted in Israel meditated on the description and dimensions of this vast temple and its environs they must have been impressed with the greatness of Gods plan for their future blessing and the meticulous care which He will take in the working out of all His counsels.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Commentaries on the New Testament and Prophets<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>CHAPTER 42<\/p>\n<p>1. The priests chambers in the inner court (Eze 42:1-14) <\/p>\n<p>2. The final measurements (Eze 42:15-20) <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Gaebelein&#8217;s Annotated Bible (Commentary)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>he brought: Eze 40:2, Eze 40:3, Eze 40:24, Eze 41:1 <\/p>\n<p>the utter court: Eze 40:20, Rev 11:2 <\/p>\n<p>chamber: This seems to denote a row of chambers in three stories; which appear to have been situated in the inner court &#8211; here called the outer court in reference to the temple, Eze 42:13, Eze 42:14, just before the separate place, at the entrance from the north. Eze 42:4, Eze 41:9, Eze 41:12-15 <\/p>\n<p>Reciprocal: Eze 40:14 &#8211; the court Eze 40:17 &#8211; the outward Eze 42:10 &#8211; over against<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Eze 42:1. The utter court means the outer one that was on the north side. The separate place was the one commented upon in chapter 41: 12, There was one of the chambers at this place and Ezekiel was taken into it.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Section 2 (Eze 42:1-20).<\/p>\n<p>The arrangements provided to preserve the service of the Sanctuary in separation from defilement<\/p>\n<p>1. Two cell buildings are now described. They are located on the north and south sides of the separate place, and are three stories high. Again the familiar factors, 3, 5, and 10, are prominent in the measurements.<\/p>\n<p>2. The special purposes of these buildings are then stated. They are called holy; in them the priests eat the most holy things; to them is brought the priests, portion of the offerings; then after entering into the holy place the priests must only pass out by going through these buildings. In them they change their garments, laying aside the holy linen in which they minister in the inner court or the house before going into the outer court to the people (ver. 14; Eze 44:17-19). This is to avoid hallowing the people with their garments. The details of the sacrifice and the ordinances as to priestly service will occupy us later. Here the point is that all must be kept in its proper separation from all contact with the common, thus insisting upon the essential holiness of all pertaining to the inner courts, temple buildings, and priestly place.<\/p>\n<p>3. Finally, after all of the inner house has been measured, the prophet is brought out by way of the east gate and into a large space, four-square, of 500 reeds on each side, enclosed with a wall of which the dimensions are not given. This appears as the extreme outer line of separation &#8220;between that which is holy and that which was common.&#8221; This would form a great square of 3,000 cubits, in the centre of which would be the Sanctuary square of 500 cubits.<\/p>\n<p>This whole concept presents a rebuke to and correction of the laxity and loss of the just consciousness of the great difference between Jehovah and Israel. The prophet shows this was entirely absent from the life of the nation, so that rulers and people had violated the sanctity of the temple, even introducing idolatrous worship. They had grievously failed to maintain His holiness in separation from evil. By these courts and gates, and wide open spaces which surround them, Jehovah is signifying by concrete example the truth of His surpassing glory, absolute pre-eminence, and essential holiness.<\/p>\n<p>{Verse 15. Not the gate itself, as the following dimensions show, but the enclosure, or with the LXX, &#8220;the plan of the house.&#8221; This measurement appears to be along the wall referred to in Eze 40:5. -(J. Bloore).}<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Grant&#8217;s Numerical Bible Notes and Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Eze 42:1-4. Then he brought me forth into the outer court  Outer with respect to the temple itself, or the outer part of the court, which court was that of the priests, as appears from what follows. Into the chamber that was over against the separate place  Chamber is put for chambers. Before the length, &amp;c., was the north door  This north door faced one of the cloisters, the length of which was a hundred cubits, and its breadth fifty, which was the proportion of all the cloisters. Over against the twenty cubits which were for [or, which belonged to] the inner court, and over against the pavement which was for [or, belonged to] the outer court  One side of these building looked upon the void space about the temple, which contained twenty cubits, mentioned Eze 41:10; and the other side was toward the pavement belonging to the outer court, described Eze 40:17. And before the chamber was a walk of ten cubits  According to our reading of this verse, there seem to have been two rows of these chambers, and a walk between them of ten cubits breadth, with an entrance into it from the chambers of the breadth of one cubit. But the LXX., Syriac, Houbigant, and Bishop Newcome, after a walk of ten cubits breadth, add, and of a hundred cubits long.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Eze 42:4. Before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits. This chapter describes the rows of chambers as a hundred cubits long, and an entrance of one cubit on each side, which make the way two cubits. These chambers were very numerous, in allusion to which our Saviour says, In my Fathers house there are many mansions. Joh 14:2.<\/p>\n<p>Eze 42:13-14. Chambers where the priests shall eatand lay the most holy things. Here is the ordinary use of upper rooms; the princes also and the council occupied chambers; and the records were kept in the temple.<\/p>\n<p>Eze 42:16. Five hundred reeds. The reed was six cubits. The Hebrew text and Montanus are as the English; but the LXX read cubits; and the very learned Capellus has taken much pains to prove that the reading of the LXX is correct. My opinion is that the LXX, who very often take astonishing liberties with the original, were desirous to accommodate Ezekiels vision to their diminished temple. St. John, on the contrary, gives a very enlarged idea of the new Jerusalem and its temple; and it is not likely that this vision should diminish the size. Besides, the cuts in the Synopsis, and Dr. Lightfoots remarks, perfectly coincide with the Hebrew text. Hence the square circumference of the inner courts of this temple was twelve thousand cubits, or about a mile and a furlong in the square, while all the other apartments and wings were in proportion. <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Sutcliffe&#8217;s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Eze 42:1-14. On the northern (Eze 42:1) and southern (Eze 42:10) sides of the inner court and facing the Temple were two blocks of three-story buildings used as refectories (Eze 42:13) and dressing rooms (Eze 42:14; cf. Eze 44:19) for the priests.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Peake&#8217;s Commentary on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:bold\">The priests&rsquo; eating and dressing rooms 42:1-14<\/span><\/p>\n<p>This is a very difficult section to interpret because the description of these structures is obscure in the Hebrew text.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>Ezekiel&rsquo;s guide next took him out the north inner gate into the outer court and showed him another building. It stood between the &quot;separate area,&quot; the 20-cubit (33 feet 4 inches) space that bordered the temple proper, and &quot;the building toward the north,&quot; evidently the complex of rooms in the outer court that stood against the north wall of the temple complex. The length of this building, east to west, was 100 cubits (166 feet 8 inches), and its width, north to south, was 50 cubits (83 feet 4 inches). This structure had a door on its north side.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>THE IMPORT OF THE VISION<\/p>\n<p>WE have now reached the last and in every way the most important section of the book of Ezekiel. The nine concluding chapters record what was evidently the crowning experience of the prophets life. His ministry began with a vision of God; it culminates in a vision of the people of God, or rather of God in the midst of His people, reconciled to them, ruling over them, and imparting the blessings and glories of the final dispensation. Into that vision are thrown the ideals which had been gradually matured through twenty years of strenuous action and intense meditation. We have traced some of the steps by which the prophet was led towards this consummation of his work. We have seen how, under the idea of God which had been revealed to him, he was constrained to announce the destruction of that which called itself the people of Jehovah, but was in reality the means of obscuring His character and profaning His holiness (chapters 4-24). We have seen further how the same fundamental conception led him on in his prophecies against foreign nations to predict a great clearing of the stage of history for the manifestation of Jehovah (chapters 25-32). And we have seen from the preceding section what are the processes by which the divine Spirit breathes new life into a dead nation and creates out of its scattered members a people worthy of the God whom the prophet has seen.<\/p>\n<p>But there is still something more to accomplish before his task is finished. All through, Ezekiel holds fast the truth that Jehovah and Israel are necessarily related to each other, and that Israel is to be the medium through which alone the nature of Jehovah can be fully disclosed to mankind. It remains, therefore, to sketch the outline of a perfect theocracy &#8211; in other words, to describe the permanent forms and institutions which shall express the ideal relation between God and men. To this task the prophet addresses himself in the chapters now before us. That great New Years Vision may be regarded as the ripe fruit of all Gods training of His prophet, as it is also the part of Ezekiels work which most directly influenced the subsequent development of religion in Israel.<\/p>\n<p>It cannot be doubted, then, that these chapters are an integral part of the book, considered as a record of Ezekiels work. But it is certainly a significant circumstance that they are separated from the body of the prophecies by an interval of thirteen years. For the greater part of that time Ezekiels literary activity was suspended. It is probable, at all events, that the first thirty-nine chapters had been committed to writing soon after the latest date they mentioned, and that the oracle on Gog, which marks the extreme limit of Ezekiels prophetic vision, was really the conclusion of an earlier form of the book. And we may be certain that, since the eventful period that followed the arrival of the fugitive from Jerusalem, no new divine communication had visited the prophets mind. But at last, in the twenty-fifth year of the captivity, and on the first day of a new year, he falls into a trance more prolonged than any he had yet passed through, and he emerged from it with a new message for his people.<\/p>\n<p>In what direction were the prophets thoughts moving as Israel passed into the midnight of her exile? That they have moved in the interval-that his standpoint is no longer quite identical with that represented in his earlier prophecies-seems to be shown by one slight modification of his previous conceptions, which has been already mentioned. I refer to the position of the prince in the theocratic state. We find that the king is still the civil head of the commonwealth, but that his position is hardly reconcilable with the exalted functions assigned to the Messianic king in chapter 34. The inference seems irresistible that Ezekiels point of view has somewhat changed, so that the objects in his picture present themselves in a different perspective.<\/p>\n<p>It is true that this change was effected by a vision, and it may be said that that fact forbids our regarding it as indicating a progress in Ezekiels thoughts. But the vision of a prophet is never out of relation to his previous thinking. The prophet is always prepared for his vision; it comes to him as the answer to questions, as the solution of difficulties, whose force he has felt, and apart from which it would convey no revelation of God to his mind. It marks the point at which reflection gives place to inspiration, where the incommunicable certainty of the divine word lifts the soul into the region of spiritual and eternal truth. And hence it may help us, from our human point of view, to understand the true import of this vision, if from the answer we try to discover the questions which were of pressing interest to Ezekiel in the later part of his career.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking generally, we may say that the problem that occupied the mind of Ezekiel at this time was the problem of a religious constitution. How to secure for religion its true place in public life, how to embody it in institutions which shall conserve its essential ideas and transmit them from one generation to another, how a people may best express its national responsibility to God-these and many kindred questions are real and vital today amongst the nations of Christendom, and they were far more vital in the age of Ezekiel. The conception of religion as an inward spiritual power, moulding the life of the nation and of each individual member, was at least as strong in him as in any other prophet; and it had been adequately expressed in the section of his book dealing with the formation of the new Israel. But he saw that this was not for that time sufficient. The mass of the community were dependent on the educative influence of the institutions under which they lived, and there was no way of impressing on a whole people the character of Jehovah except through a system of laws and observances which should constantly exhibit it to their minds. The time was not yet come when religion could be trusted to work as a hidden leaven, transforming life from within and bringing in the kingdom of God silently by the operation of spiritual forces. Thus, while the last section insists on the moral change that must pass over Israel, and the need of a direct influence from God on the heart of the people, that which now lies before us is devoted to the religious and political arrangements by which the sanctity of the nation must be preserved.<\/p>\n<p>Starting from this general notion of what the prophet sought, we can see, in the next place, that his attention must be mainly concentrated on matters belonging to public worship and ritual. Worship is the direct expression in word and act of mans attitude to God, and no public religion can maintain a higher level of spirituality than the symbolism which gives it a place in the life of the people. That fact had been abundantly illustrated by the experience of centuries before the Exile. The popular worship had always been a stronghold of false religion in Israel. The high places were the nurseries of all the corruptions against which the prophets had to contend, not simply because of the immoral elements that mingled with their worship, but because the worship itself was regulated by conceptions of the deity which were opposed to the religion of revelation. Now the idea of using ritual as a vehicle of the highest spiritual truth is certainly not peculiar to Ezekiels vision. But it is there carried through with a thoroughness which has no parallel elsewhere except in the priestly legislation of the Pentateuch. And this bears witness to a clear perception on the part of the prophet of the value of that whole side of things for the future development of religion in Israel. No one was more deeply impressed with the evils that had flowed from a corrupt ritual in the past, and he conceives the final form of the kingdom of God to be one in which the blessings of salvation are safeguarded by a carefully regulated system of religious ordinances. It will become manifest as we proceed that he regards the Temple ritual as the very centre of theocratic life, and the highest function of the community of the true religion.<\/p>\n<p>But Ezekiel was prepared for the reception of this vision, not only by the practical reforming bent of his mind, but also by a combination in his own experience of the two elements which must always enter into a conception of this nature. If we may employ philosophical language to express a very obvious distinction, we have to recognise in the vision a material and a formal element. The matter of the vision is derived from the ancient religious and political constitution of the Hebrew state. All true and lasting reformations are conservative at heart; their object never is to make a clean sweep of the past, but so to modify what is traditional as to adapt it to the needs of a new era. Now Ezekiel was a priest, and possessed all a priests reverence for antiquity, as well as a priests professional knowledge of ceremonial and of consuetudinary law. No man could have been better fitted than he to secure the continuity of Israels religious life along the particular line on which it was destined to move. Accordingly we find that the new theocracy is modelled from beginning to end after the pattern of the ancient institutions which had been destroyed by the Exile. If we ask, for example, what is the meaning of some detail of the Temple building, such as the cells surrounding the main sanctuary, the obvious and sufficient answer is that these things existed in Solomons Temple, and there was no reason for altering them. On the other hand, whenever we find the vision departing from what had been traditionally established, we may be sure that there is a reason for it, and in most cases we can see what that reason was. In such departures we recognise the working of what we have called the formal element of the vision, the moulding influence of the ideas which the system was intended to express. What these ideas were we shall consider in subsequent chapters; here it is enough to say that they were the fundamental ideas which had been communicated to Ezekiel in the course of his prophetic work, and which have found expression in various forms in other parts of his writings. That they are not peculiar to Ezekiel, but are shared by other prophets, is true, just as it is true on the other hand that the priestly conceptions which occupy so large a place in his mind were an inheritance from the whole past history of the nation. Nor was this the first time when an alliance between the ceremonialism of the priesthood and the more ethical and spiritual teaching of prophecy had proved of the utmost advantage to the religious life of Israel. The unique importance of Ezekiels vision lies in the fact that the great development of prophecy was now almost complete, and that the time was come for its results to be embodied in institutions which were in the main of a priestly character. And it was fitting that this new era of religion should be inaugurated through the agency of one who combined in his own person the conservative instincts of the priest with the originality and the spiritual intuition of the prophet.<\/p>\n<p>It is not suggested for a moment that these considerations account for the inception of the vision in the prophets mind. We are not to regard it as merely the brilliant device of an ingenious man, who was exceptionally qualified to read the signs of the times, and to discover a solution for a pressing religious problem. In order that it might accomplish the end in view, it was absolutely necessary that it should be invested with a supernatural sanction and bear the stamp of divine authority. Ezekiel himself was well aware of this, and would never have ventured to publish his vision if he had thought it all out for himself. He had to wait for the time when &#8220;the hand of the Lord was upon him,&#8221; and he saw in vision the new Temple and the river of life proceeding from it, and the renovated land, and the glory of God taking up its everlasting abode in the midst of His people. Until that moment arrived he was without a message as to the form which the life of the restored Israel must assume. Nevertheless the psychological conditions of the vision were contained in those parts of the prophets experience which have just been indicated. Processes of thought which had long occupied his mind suddenly crystallised at the touch of the divine hand, and the result was the marvellous conception of a theocratic state which was Ezekiels greatest legacy to the faith and hopes of his countrymen.<\/p>\n<p>That this vision of Ezekiels profoundly influenced the development of post-exilic Judaism may be inferred from the fact that all the best tendencies of the restoration period were towards the realisation of the ideals which the vision sets forth with surpassing clearness. It is impossible, indeed, to say precisely how far Ezekiels influence extended, or how far the returning exiles consciously aimed at carrying out the ideas contained in his sketch of a theocratic constitution. That they did so to some extent is inferred from a consideration of some of the arrangements established in Jerusalem soon after the return from Babylon. But it is certain that from the nature of the case the actual institutions of the restored community must have differed very widely in many points from those described in the last nine chapters of Ezekiel. When we look more closely at the composition of this vision, we see that it contains features which neither then nor at any subsequent time have been historically fulfilled. The most remarkable thing about it is that it unites in one picture two characteristics which seem at first sight difficult to combine. On the one hand it bears the aspect of a rigid legislative system intended to regulate human conduct in all matters of vital moment to the religious standing of the community; on the other hand it assumes a miraculous transformation of the physical aspect of the country, a restoration of all the twelve tribes of Israel under a native king, and a return of Jehovah in visible glory to dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever. Now these supernatural conditions of the perfect theocracy could not be realised by any effort on the part of the people, and as a matter of fact were never literally fulfilled at all. It must have been plain to the leaders of the Return that for this reason alone the details of Ezekiels legislation were not binding for them in the actual circumstances in which they were placed. Even in matters clearly within the province of human administration we know that they considered themselves free to modify his regulations in accordance with the requirements of the situation in which they found themselves. It does not follow from this, however, that they were ignorant of the book of Ezekiel, or that it gave them no help in the difficult task to which they addressed themselves. It furnished them with an ideal of national holiness, and the general outline of a constitution in which that ideal should be embodied; and this outline they seem to have striven to fill up in the way best adapted to the straitened and discouraging circumstances of the time.<\/p>\n<p>But this throws us back on some questions of fundamental importance for the right understanding of Ezekiels vision. Taking the vision as a whole, we have to ask whether a fulfilment of the kind just indicated was the fulfilment that the prophet himself anticipated. Did he lay stress on the legislative or the supernatural aspect of the vision-on mans agency or on Gods? In other words, does he issue it as a programme to be carried out by the people as soon as the opportunity is presented by their return to the land of Canaan? or does he mean that Jehovah Himself must take the initiative by miraculously preparing the land for their reception, and taking up His abode in the finished Temple, the &#8220;place of His throne, and the place of the soles of His feet&#8221;? The answer to that question is not difficult, if only we are careful to look at things from the prophets point of view, and disregard the historical events in which his predictions were partly realised. It is frequently assumed that the elaborate description of the Temple buildings in chapters 40-42 is intended as a guide to the builders of the second Temple, who are to make it after the fashion of that which the prophet saw on the mount. It is quite probable that in some degree it may have served that purpose; but it seems to me that this view is not in keeping with the fundamental idea of the vision. The Temple that Ezekiel saw, and the only one of which he speaks, is a house not made with hands; it is as much a part of the supernatural preparation for the future theocracy as the &#8220;very high mountain&#8221; on which it stands, or the river that flows from it to sweeten the waters of the Dead Sea. In the important passage where the prophet is commanded to exhibit the plan of the house to the children of Israel, {Eze 43:10-11} there is unfortunately a discrepancy between the Hebrew and Greek texts which throws some obscurity on this particular point. According to the Hebrew there can hardly be a doubt that a sketch is shown to them which is to be used as a builders plan at the time of the Restoration. But in the Septuagint, which seems on the whole to give a more correct text, the passage runs thus: &#8220;And, thou son of man, describe the house to the house of Israel (and let them be ashamed of their iniquities), and its form, and its construction: and they shall be ashamed of all that they have done. And do thou sketch the house, and its exits, and its outline; and all its ordinances and all its laws make known to them; and write it before them, that they may keep all its commandments and all its ordinances, and do them.&#8221; There is nothing here to suggest that the construction of the Temple was left for human workmanship. The outline of it is shown to the people only that they may be ashamed of all their iniquities. When the arrangements of the ideal Temple are explained to them, they will see how far those of the first Temple transgressed the requirements of Jehovahs holiness, and this knowledge will produce a sense of shame for the dulness of heart which tolerated so many abuses in connection with His worship. No doubt that impression sank deep into the minds of Ezekiels hearers, and led to certain important modifications in the structure of the Temple when it had to be built; but that is not what the prophet is thinking of. At the same time we see clearly that he is very much in earnest with the legislative part of his vision. Its laws are real laws, and are given that they may be obeyed-only they do not come into force until all the institutions of the theocracy, natural and supernatural alike, are in full working order. And apart from the doubtful question as to the erection of the Temple, that general conclusion holds good for the vision as a whole. Whilst it is pervaded throughout by the legislative spirit, the miraculous features are after all its central and essential elements. When these conditions are realised, it will be the duty of Israel to guard her sacred institutions by the most scrupulous and devoted obedience; but till then there is no kingdom of God established on earth, and therefore no system of laws to conserve a state of salvation, which can only be brought about by the direct and visible interposition of the Almighty in the sphere of nature and history.<\/p>\n<p>This blending of seemingly incongruous elements reveals to us the true character of the vision with which we have to deal. It is in the strictest sense a Messianic prophecy-that is, a picture of the kingdom of God in its final state as the prophet was led to conceive it. It is common to all such representations that the human authors of them have no idea of a long historical development gradually leading up to the perfect manifestation of Gods purpose with the world. The impending crisis in the affairs of the people of Israel is always regarded as the consummation of human history and the establishment of Gods kingdom in the plenitude of its power and glory. In the time of Ezekiel the next step in the unfolding of the divine plan of redemption was the restoration of Israel to its own land; and in so far as his vision is a prophecy of that event, it was realised in the return of the exiles with Zerubbabel in the first year of Cyrus. But to the mind of Ezekiel this did not present itself as a mere step towards something immeasurably higher in the remote future. It is to include everything necessary for the complete and final inbringing of the Messianic dispensation, and all the powers of the world to come are to be displayed in the acts by which Jehovah brings back the scattered members of Israel to the enjoyment of blessedness in His own presence.<\/p>\n<p>The thing that misleads us as to the real nature of the vision is the emphasis laid on matters which seem to us of merely temporal and earthly significance. We are apt to think that what we have before us can be nothing else than a legislative scheme to be carried out more or less fully in the new state that should arise after the Exile. The miraculous features in the vision are apt to be dismissed as mere symbolisms to which no great significance attaches. Legislating for the millennium seems to us a strange occupation for a prophet, and we are hardly prepared to credit even Ezekiel with so bold a conception. But that depends entirely on his idea of what the millennium will be. If it is to be a state of things in which religious institutions are of vital importance for the maintenance of the spiritual interests of the community of the people of God, then legislation is the natural expression for the ideals which are to be realised in it. And we must remember, too, that what we have to do with is a vision. Ezekiel is not the ultimate source of this legislation, however much it may bear the impress of his individual experience. He has seen the city of God, and all the minute and elaborate regulations with which these nine chapters are filled are but the exposition of principles that determine the character of a people amongst whom Jehovah can dwell.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time we see that a separation of different aspects of the vision was inevitably effected by the teaching of history. The return from Babylon was accomplished without any of those supernatural adjuncts with which it had been invested in the rapt imagination of the prophet. No transformation of the land preceded it; no visible presence of Jehovah welcomed the exiles back to their ancient abode. They found Jerusalem in ruins, the holy and beautiful house a desolation, the land occupied by aliens, the seasons unproductive as of old. Yet in the hearts of these men there was a vision even more impressive, than that of Ezekiel in his solitude. To lay the foundations of a theocratic state in the dreary, discouraging daylight of the present was an act of faith as heroic as has ever been performed in the history of religion. The building of the Temple was undertaken amidst many difficulties, the ritual was organised, the rudiments of a religious constitution appeared, and in all this we see the influence of those principles of national holiness that had been formulated by Ezekiel. But the crowning manifestation of Jehovahs glory was deferred. Prophet after prophet appeared to keep alive the hope that this Temple, poor in outward appearance as it was, would yet be the centre of a new world, and the dwelling-place of the Eternal. Centuries rolled past, and still Jehovah did not come to His Temple, and the eschatological features which had bulked so largely in Ezekiels vision remained an unfulfilled aspiration. And when at length in the fulness of time the complete revelation of God was given, it was in a form that superseded the old economy entirely, and transformed its most stable and cherished institutions into adumbrations of a spiritual kingdom which knew no earthly Temple and had need of none.<\/p>\n<p>This brings us to the most difficult and most important of all the questions arising in connection with Ezekiels vision-What is its relation to the Pentateuchal Legislation? It is obvious at once that the significance of this section of the book of Ezekiel is immensely enhanced if we accept the conclusion to which the critical study of the Old Testament has been steadily driven, that in the chapters before us we have the first outline of that great conception of a theocratic constitution which attained its finished expression in the priestly regulations of the middle books of the Pentateuch. The discussion of this subject is so intricate, so far-reaching in its consequences, and ranges over so wide a historical field, that one is tempted to leave it in the hands of those who have addressed themselves to its special treatment, and to try to get on as best one may without assuming a definite attitude on one side or the other. But the student of Ezekiel cannot altogether evade it. Again and again the question will force itself on him as he seeks to ascertain the meaning of the various details of Ezekiels legislation, How does this stand related to corresponding requirements in the Mosaic law? It is necessary, therefore, in justice to the reader of the following pages, that an attempt should be made, however imperfectly, to indicate the position which the present phase of criticism assigns to Ezekiel in the history of the Old Testament legislation.<\/p>\n<p>We may begin by pointing out the kind of difficulty that is felt to arise on the supposition that Ezekiel had before him the entire body of laws contained in our present Pentateuch. We should expect in that case that the prophet would contemplate a restoration of the divine institutions established under Moses, and that his vision would reproduce with substantial fidelity the minute provisions of the law by which these institutions were to be maintained. But this is very far from being the case. It is found that while Ezekiel deals to a large extent with the subjects for which provision is made by the law, there is in no instance perfect correspondence between the enactments of the vision and those of the Pentateuch, while on some points they differ very materially from one another. How are we to account for these numerous and, on the supposition, evidently designed divergencies? It has been suggested that the law was found to be in some respects unsuitable to the state of things that would arise, after the Exile, and that Ezekiel in the exercise of his prophetic authority undertook to adapt it to the conditions of a late age. The suggestion is in itself plausible, but it is not confirmed by the history. For it is agreed on all hands that the law as a whole had never been put in force for any considerable period of Israels history previous to the Exile. On the other hand, if we suppose that Ezekiel judged its provisions unsuitable for the circumstances that would emerge after the Exile, we are confronted by the fact that where Ezekiels legislation differs from that of the Pentateuch it is the latter and not the former that regulated the practice of the post-exilic community. So far was the law from being out of date in the age of Ezekiel that the time was only approaching when the first effort would be made to accept it in all its length and breadth as the authoritative basis of an actual theocratic polity. Unless, therefore, we are to hold that the legislation of the vision is entirely in the air, and that it takes no account whatever of practical considerations, we must feel that a certain difficulty is presented by its unexplained deviations from the carefully drawn ordinances of the Pentateuch.<\/p>\n<p>But this is not all. The Pentateuch itself is not a unity. It consists of different strata of legislation which, while irreconcilable in details, are held to exhibit a continuous progress towards a clearer definition of the duties that devolve on different classes in the community, and a fuller exposition of the principles that underlay the system from the beginning. The analysis of the Mosaic writings into different legislative codes has resulted in a scheme which in its main outlines is now accepted by critics of all shades of opinion. The three great codes which we have to distinguish are:<\/p>\n<p>(1) the so-called Book of the Covenant; (Exo 20:24 &#8211; Exo 23:1-33, with which may be classed the closely allied code of Exo 34:10-28)<\/p>\n<p>(2) the Book of Deuteronomy; and<\/p>\n<p>(3) the Priestly Code (found in Exo 25:1-40; Exo 26:1-37; Exo 27:1-21; Exo 28:1-43; Exo 29:1-46; Exo 30:1-38; Exo 31:1-18; Exo 35:1-35; Exo 36:1-38; Exo 37:1-29; Exo 38:1-31; Exo 39:1-43; Exo 40:1-38, the whole book of Leviticus, and nearly the whole of the book of Numbers).<\/p>\n<p>Now of course the mere separation of these different documents tells us nothing, or not much, as to their relative priority or antiquity. But we possess at least a certain amount of historical and independent evidence as to the times when some of them became operative in the actual life of the nation. We know, for example, that the Book of Deuteronomy attained the force of statute law under the most solemn circumstances by a national covenant in the eighteenth year of Josiah. The distinctive feature of that book is its impressive enforcement of the principle that there is but one sanctuary at which Jehovah can be legitimately worshipped. When we compare the list of reforms carried out by Josiah, as given in the twenty-third chapter of 2 Kings, with the provisions of Deuteronomy, we see that it must have been that book and it alone that had been found in the Temple and that governed the reforming policy of the king. Before that time the law of the one sanctuary, if it was known at all, was certainly more honoured in the breach than the observance. Sacrifices were freely offered at local altars throughout the country, not merely by the ignorant common people and idolatrous kings, but by men who were the inspired religious leaders and teachers of the nation. Not only so, but this practice is sanctioned by the Book of the Covenant, which permits the erection of an altar in every place where Jehovah causes His name to be remembered, and only lays down injunctions as to the kind of altar that might be used. {Exo 20:24-26} The evidence is thus very strong that the Book of Deuteronomy, at whatever time it may have been written, had not the force of public law until the year 621 B.C., and that down to that time the accepted and authoritative expression of the divine will for Israel was the law embraced in the Book of the Covenant.<\/p>\n<p>To find similar evidence of the practical adoption of the Priestly Code we have to come down to a much later period. It is not till the year 444 B.C., in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, that we read of the people pledging themselves by a solemn covenant to the observance of regulations which are clearly those of the finished system of Pentateuchal law. {Neh 8:1-18; Neh 9:1-38; Neh 10:1-39} It is there expressly stated that this law had not been observed in Israel up to that time, {Neh 9:34} and in particular that the great Feast of Tabernacles had not been celebrated in accordance with the requirements of the law since the days of Joshua. {Neh 8:17} This is quite conclusive as to actual practice in Israel; and the fact that the observance of the law was thus introduced by instalments, and on occasions of epoch-making importance in the history of the community, raises a strong presumption against the hypothesis that the Pentateuch was an inseparable literary unit, which must be known in its entirety where it was known at all.<\/p>\n<p>Now the date of Ezekiels vision (572) lies between these two historic transactions-the inauguration of the law of Deuteronomy in 621, and that of the Priestly Code in 444; and in spite of the ideal character which belongs to the vision as a whole, it contains a system of legislation which admits of being compared point by point with the provisions of the other two codes on a variety of subjects common to all three. Some of the results of this comparison will appear as we proceed with the exposition of the chapters before us. But it will be convenient to state here the important conclusion to which a number of critics have been led by discussion of this question. It is held that Ezekiels legislation represents on the whole a transition from the law of Deuteronomy to the more complex system of the Priestly document. The three codes exhibit a regular progression, the determining factor of which is a growing sense of the importance of the Temple worship and of the necessity for a careful regulation of the acts which express the religious standing and privileges of the community. On such matters as the feasts, the sacrifices, the distinction between priests and Levites, the Temple dues, and the provision for the maintenance of ordinances, it is found that Ezekiel lays down enactments which go beyond those of Deuteronomy and anticipate a further development in the same direction in the Levitical legislation. The legislation of Ezekiel is accordingly regarded as a first step towards the codification of the ritual laws which regulated the usage of the first Temple. It is not of material consequence to know how far these laws had been already committed to writing, or how far they had been transmitted by oral tradition. The important point is that down to the time of Ezekiel the great body of ritual law had been the possession of the priests, who communicated it to the people in the shape of particular decisions as occasion demanded. Even the book of Deuteronomy, except on one or two points, such as the law of leprosy and of clean and unclean animals, does not encroach on matters of ritual, which it was the special province of the priesthood to administer. But now that the time was drawing near when the Temple and its worship were to be the very centre of the religious life of the nation, it was necessary that the essential elements of the ceremonial law should be systematised and published in a form understanded of the people. The last nine chapters of Ezekiel, then, contain the first draft of such a scheme, drawn from an ancient priestly tradition which in its origin went back to the time of Moses. It is true that this was not the precise form in which the law was destined to be put in practice in the post-exilic community. But Ezekiels legislation served its purpose when it laid down clearly, with the authority of a prophet, the fundamental ideas that underlie the conception of ritual as an aid to spiritual religion. And these ideas were not lost sight of, though it was reserved for others, working under the impulse supplied by Ezekiel, to perfect the details of the system, and to adapt the principles of the vision to the actual circumstances of the second Temple. Through what subsequent stages the work was carried we can hardly hope to determine with exactitude; but it was finished in all essential respects before the great covenant of Ezra and Nehemiah in the year 444.<\/p>\n<p>Let us now consider the bearing of this theory on the interpretation of Ezekiels vision. It enables us to do justice to the unmistakable practical purpose which pervades its legislation. It frees us from the grave difficulties involved in the assumption that Ezekiel wrote with the finished Pentateuch before him. It vindicates the prophet from the suspicion of arbitrary deviations from a standard of venerable antiquity and of divine authority, which was afterwards proved by experience to be suited to the requirements of that restored Israel in whose interest Ezekiel legislated. And in doing so it gives a new meaning to his claim to speak as a prophet ordaining a new system of laws with divine authority. Whilst perfectly consistent with the inspiration of the Mosaic books, it places that of Ezekiel on a surer footing than does the supposition that the whole Pentateuch was of Mosaic authorship. It involves, no doubt, that the details of the Priestly law were in a more or less fluid condition down to the time of the Exile; but it explains the otherwise unaccountable fact that the several parts of the law became operative at different times in Israels history, and explains it in a manner that reveals the working of a divine purpose through all the ages of the national existence. It becomes possible to see that Ezekiels legislation and that of the Levitical books are in their essence alike Mosaic, as being founded on the institutions and principles established by Moses at the beginning of the nations history. And an altogether new interest is imparted to the former when we learn to regard it as an epoch-making contribution to the task which laid the foundation of the post-exilic theocracy-the task of codifying and consolidating the laws which expressed the character of the new nation as a holy people consecrated to the service of Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Expositors Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Then he brought me forth into the utter court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into the chamber that [was] over against the separate place, and which [was] before the building toward the north. 1. the utter court ] LXX. the inner court. Something may be said for both. On the one &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-ezekiel-421\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 42:1&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21564","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21564"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21564\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21564"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21564"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}