Ezekiel 40:39 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Ezekiel 40:39 kjv
And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering.
Ezekiel 40:39 nkjv
In the vestibule of the gateway were two tables on this side and two tables on that side, on which to slay the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering.
Ezekiel 40:39 niv
In the portico of the gateway were two tables on each side, on which the burnt offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings were slaughtered.
Ezekiel 40:39 esv
And in the vestibule of the gate were two tables on either side, on which the burnt offering and the sin offering and the guilt offering were to be slaughtered.
Ezekiel 40:39 nlt
On each side of this entry room were two tables, where the sacrificial animals were slaughtered for the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.
Ezekiel 40 39 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 40:7 | "And every chamber was one reed long... between the chambers was five cubits." | Describes architectural details of the gate. |
| Eze 40:41 | "And four tables were on this side... for to slay thereon the burnt offering." | Additional tables specifically for burnt offerings. |
| Eze 43:18-19 | "Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar... for an atonement." | Instructions for consecrating the altar and daily offerings. |
| Ex 29:10-14 | "And thou shalt cause a bullock... to be killed before the LORD..." | Old Testament instructions for priestly offerings. |
| Lev 1:3-9 | "If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd... shall offer it of his own voluntary will..." | Laws regarding the burnt offering. |
| Lev 4:3-7 | "If the priest that is anointed do sin... he shall bring a young bullock..." | Laws regarding the sin offering for the priest. |
| Lev 5:14-16 | "If a soul commit a trespass... he shall bring a ram without blemish..." | Laws regarding the trespass offering. |
| Lev 6:24-26 | "This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed..." | Specific place for killing sin offering. |
| Lev 7:1-3 | "Likewise this is the law of the trespass offering: it is most holy." | High sanctity of the trespass offering. |
| Lev 17:11 | "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement..." | Blood for atonement principle. |
| Deut 12:27 | "And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings... The blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured..." | Proper procedure for handling blood of sacrifices. |
| Isa 53:10 | "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin..." | Prophecy of Christ as a sin/guilt offering. |
| Heb 9:11-14 | "But Christ being come an high priest... by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place..." | Christ's perfect sacrifice superseding animal sacrifices. |
| Heb 10:1-4 | "For the law having a shadow of good things to come... can never with those sacrifices make the comers thereunto perfect." | Animal sacrifices as a temporary shadow. |
| Heb 10:10-14 | "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." | Christ's once-for-all sacrifice. |
| Rom 3:25 | "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness..." | Christ as a propitiation for sins. |
| 2 Cor 5:21 | "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." | Christ's identification with sin. |
| Eph 5:2 | "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God..." | Christ's life as an offering and sacrifice. |
| John 1:29 | "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." | Christ as the ultimate sacrificial lamb. |
| Col 2:16-17 | "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday... which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." | Old Testament rituals as shadows pointing to Christ. |
Ezekiel 40 verses
Ezekiel 40 39 meaning
Ezekiel 40:39 describes a specific location within the vision of the future Temple: two tables situated in the porch of the outer court gates. These tables were designated for the ritual slaughter and preparation of three main types of Old Testament sacrifices: the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering. The verse emphasizes the divinely ordained order and specific facilities for worship in the restored temple.
Ezekiel 40 39 Context
Ezekiel 40:39 is part of the extensive vision of a new Temple given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile (Ezekiel chapters 40-48). This vision provided a blueprint for future worship and was a source of hope for the exiles, assuring them of God's restoration and renewed presence among His people.
Specifically, chapter 40 begins Ezekiel's guided tour of the temple complex, detailing the outer court, the inner court, and various architectural features like gates, chambers, and pavement. Verse 39 focuses on the functional aspects of worship, placing the ritual killing of sacrificial animals within the porch of one of the outer court gates, emphasizing order and specific designated areas for sacred activities. This location is within the meticulously designed outer court, indicating a separation from the inner court's most sacred functions yet essential for preparing the offerings presented to God.
Historically, this vision countered the despair of the destruction of the first Temple and served as a divine corrective to past negligence and impurity in worship, stressing adherence to God's precise commands for worship in the anticipated future.
Ezekiel 40 39 Word analysis
- And: Connects this specific detail to the ongoing architectural description, indicating continuation in the guided tour.
- in the porch: (Hebrew: 'ulam - אולם) Refers to the vestibule or portico, a transitional space at the entrance. Architecturally significant, it emphasizes a designated, public, yet reverent area.
- of the gate: (Hebrew: sha'ar - שער) Denotes a primary entrance point into the temple complex. Gates in ancient cities and temples were significant for judgment, assembly, and access. The detailed description of these gates earlier in the chapter highlights their importance.
- were two tables: (Hebrew: shulchanot - שלחנות) These were likely stone or metal tables, strong and practical, for the ritual preparation rather than eating. Their purpose underscores the functional efficiency of the new temple layout.
- on either side: Suggests symmetry and a balanced, organized approach to the sacred rituals, allowing for efficiency in handling multiple sacrifices.
- whereon: Clearly indicates the function of the tables, connecting them directly to the subsequent action.
- they slew: (Hebrew: shachat - שחטו) This specific verb for killing implies ritual slaughter. It carries theological weight, denoting the process by which an animal's life is taken to achieve atonement or communion with God.
- the burnt offering: (Hebrew: 'olah - עולה) A wholly consumed sacrifice, symbolizing complete devotion, propitiation, and general atonement for sin. The smoke ascended to God.
- and the sin offering: (Hebrew: chatta't - חטאת) Specifically for purification from unintentional sins, ritual impurities, and breaking prohibitions. Its primary purpose was expiation.
- and the trespass offering: (Hebrew: 'asham - אשם) Offered for specific wrongs against God or neighbor that involved restitution, such as damage or failure to perform duties. It included making amends and sought forgiveness for a specific offense.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "In the porch of the gate were two tables": This phrase immediately grounds the sacred activity in a precise, designated architectural space within the larger temple vision. It speaks to order, divine design, and dedicated infrastructure for worship.
- "on either side, whereon they slew": The layout is presented as functional and symmetrical. "Slew" is a key ritual term, linking the location directly to the core act of sacrifice, signifying its importance.
- "the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering": The listing of these three primary offerings signifies the continuation and restoration of core Levitical sacrificial practices in the eschatological temple. It underscores the ongoing need for atonement, purification, and restitution within the renewed covenant relationship.
Ezekiel 40 39 Bonus section
The specific location for these tables—within the "porch of the gate"—is noteworthy. It indicates a place accessible, yet consecrated, separating the common area from the more sacred interior of the temple complex. This strategic placement highlights the careful thought given to managing the flow of pilgrims and offerings, ensuring that all ritual acts were performed efficiently and with reverence according to God's standards. This attention to detail implies a contrast with any past careless or corrupted practices observed in the first Temple before its destruction. The very existence of such precise instructions for the physical handling of offerings reaffirms the sanctity of the entire sacrificial system as divinely instituted for communion with a holy God.
Ezekiel 40 39 Commentary
Ezekiel 40:39 presents a practical yet profound detail within the visionary Temple, underscoring the foundational role of sacrifice in the restored worship of God. The specific placement of tables for slaughter in the gate porch signifies divine order and deliberate provision for ritual purity and atonement. The meticulous description assures that God's future worship will be conducted with the utmost precision, addressing the previous negligence and idolatry that led to the exile.
The three offerings mentioned—burnt, sin, and trespass—represent the breadth of reconciliation with God: complete devotion and general atonement, expiation for unintentional sins, and making amends for specific transgressions. Their inclusion demonstrates continuity with the Mosaic covenant's emphasis on propitiation and purity, even within a new, divinely designed temple. While these animal sacrifices pointed forward to the ultimate and singular sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled all aspects of these offerings, Ezekiel's vision reiterated the absolute necessity of approaching a holy God through established means of atonement. The vision ensures that proper worship is a central pillar of the future Israel's relationship with God, characterized by order, holiness, and attention to divine instruction.