Ezekiel 40:38 kjv
And the chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering.
Ezekiel 40:38 nkjv
There was a chamber and its entrance by the gateposts of the gateway, where they washed the burnt offering.
Ezekiel 40:38 niv
A room with a doorway was by the portico in each of the inner gateways, where the burnt offerings were washed.
Ezekiel 40:38 esv
There was a chamber with its door in the vestibule of the gate, where the burnt offering was to be washed.
Ezekiel 40:38 nlt
A door led from the entry room of one of the inner gateways into a side room, where the meat for sacrifices was washed.
Ezekiel 40 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 40:44 | “In the gateway’s inner court were two chambers, one on the north side and one on the south side, assigned to the priests who ministered at the altar. These priests were descendants of Zadok, who were the only Levites permitted to come near to minister to the LORD. ” | Significance: Priestly duties for offerings |
| Leviticus 1:3 | “If his offering is a burnt sacrifice from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it at the door of the tabernacle of meeting of his own voluntary will for an acceptance for him before the LORD. ” | Connection: Location of offerings |
| Hebrews 13:10 | “We have an altar, from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. ” | Parallel: Sacrificial system |
| John 1:29 | “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ”” | Theme: Lamb of God |
| Revelation 5:12 | “saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”” | Theme: Worthy Lamb |
| Genesis 22:13 | “Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him a ram was caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. ” | Symbolism: Substitute sacrifice |
| Exodus 29:36 | “And you shall offer daily the bull of the sin offering for atonement; and you shall cleanse the altar, when you make atonement for it, and you shall anoint it to sanctify it. ” | Practice: Daily offerings |
| Numbers 15:3 | “yet in fulfillment of a special vow, or freely given offering, or at your appointed feasts, you shall offer a pleasing aroma to the LORD, from the herd or from the flock. ” | Event: Vows and freewill offerings |
| Psalm 51:17 | “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart— these, O God, You will not despise. ” | Aspect: Attitude of worship |
| Isaiah 56:7 | “even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” ” | Prophecy: House of prayer |
| Mark 11:17 | “Then He taught, saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” ” | Fulfillment: House of prayer |
| Matthew 12:7 | “But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. ” | Principle: Mercy over ritual |
| 1 Corinthians 5:7 | “Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” | Metaphor: Passover lamb |
| Acts 7:42 | “Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Onk you will not offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?”” | Contrast: Worship patterns |
| Revelation 14:5 | “And in their mouth was found no deceit, For they are without fault before the throne of God.” | Characteristic: Purity |
| Romans 12:1 | “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”” | Application: Living sacrifice |
| Hebrews 10:14 | “For by a single offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” | Completion: Christ’s offering |
| 1 Peter 2:5 | “you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”” | Description: Spiritual house |
| John 4:24 | “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”” | Nature: True worship |
| Philippians 4:18 | “Indeed I have all and abound; I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”” | Analogy: Acceptable offering |
Ezekiel 40 verses
Ezekiel 40 38 Meaning
This verse describes chambers located in the north of the outer court, adjoining the great gate. These chambers served as locations for the preparation of burnt offerings.
Ezekiel 40 38 Context
This chapter is part of Ezekiel's extensive vision of a future temple. The prophet is in exile and receives a detailed blueprint of a new sanctuary. This vision is highly symbolic and interpreted in various ways, often pointing to aspects of God's presence, purity, and worship. This specific verse describes a part of the outer court's architectural arrangement, detailing the location of chambers associated with the preparation of offerings. The context of Ezekiel’s prophecy often involves divine judgment and restoration. This vision of the temple signifies God's returning presence and a purified form of worship for His people.
Ezekiel 40 38 Word Analysis
וְהַמִּלְאוּחִים (vehá·mil·’u·chim): "and the annexed." This Hebrew word comes from the root malach (מָלַךְ), meaning to be full or complete. It suggests something that is attached to or joined with another. In this architectural context, it refers to chambers that are built into or adjacent to the main structure.
אֲשֶׁר (a·sher): "which." A relative pronoun, common in Hebrew, connecting the chambers to their description or purpose.
בַּצָּפוֹן (bat·za·fon): "on the north." This prepositional phrase indicates the geographical orientation of the chambers relative to the gateway. The north side often holds significance in ancient Near Eastern thought, though in biblical sanctuary descriptions, the cardinal directions serve to delineate specific functions or entrances.
גֶּשֶׁם (ge·shem): "rain" or "abundance." Here it modifies "great gate," potentially suggesting a location that receives much activity, or possibly in some interpretations, linked to divine blessing. However, in common usage concerning gateways, it simply refers to the main, large entrance. It could also be read as 'large' or 'great' gate itself.
מְקוֹם (me·kom): "place." This noun indicates a specific location.
הַמַּעֲרָכָה (ham·ma·‘a·rak·kah): "the laying on of arrangements" or "the preparing of rows." From the root ‘arak (עָרַךְ), meaning to set in order, arrange, or prepare. In this context, it refers to the preparation or setting in order of the sacrificial offerings. This specifically relates to placing the offerings in their designated areas for preparation before being presented.
לְצַלְתִּי (le·tzal·ti): "for roasting." This word is challenging. Some translations offer "roasting" or "broiling," suggesting the method of preparation for certain sacrifices. However, some scholars suggest it could relate to the chamber being "sheltered" or "adjoining." The context of offering preparation supports the "roasting" idea, which was a method for some portions of sacrifices. Other interpretations suggest "shadowed" or "alongside," but the context leans toward preparation. It signifies a function of these chambers in the sacrificial process.
Ezekiel 40 38 Bonus Section
The placement of these chambers in the north of the outer court, near the great gate, indicates proximity to the entrance for those bringing offerings, as well as a logistical aspect for the priests performing the preparations. The vision, being highly symbolic, may also suggest a particular order of service or proximity to God's presence within the divine architecture. The detail of specific preparations occurring in designated chambers emphasizes that worship and sacrifice are not merely inward dispositions but also involve concrete, orderly actions that reflect God's design. The language used, especially around the preparation of offerings, connects to the ongoing covenantal relationship and the need for expiation of sin before a holy God.
Ezekiel 40 38 Commentary
The chambers mentioned were functionally crucial to the sacrificial system. They were the spaces where the animals for burnt offerings would be prepared before being brought to the altar. The "roasting" or "laying out" function highlights the practical aspects of temple service. This level of detail underscores the meticulous orderliness and holiness required in approaching God, as envisioned in this prophetic revelation. These chambers represent the tangible means by which the community’s devotion and atonement were processed.