Ezekiel 40 40

Ezekiel 40:40 kjv

And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, were two tables; and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables.

Ezekiel 40:40 nkjv

At the outer side of the vestibule, as one goes up to the entrance of the northern gateway, were two tables; and on the other side of the vestibule of the gateway were two tables.

Ezekiel 40:40 niv

By the outside wall of the portico of the gateway, near the steps at the entrance of the north gateway were two tables, and on the other side of the steps were two tables.

Ezekiel 40:40 esv

And off to the side, on the outside as one goes up to the entrance of the north gate, were two tables; and off to the other side of the vestibule of the gate were two tables.

Ezekiel 40:40 nlt

Outside the entry room, on each side of the stairs going up to the north entrance, were two more tables.

Ezekiel 40 verses

Ezekiel 40 40 meaning

Ezekiel 40:40 details a specific part of the visionary Temple's outer court: four tables dedicated to the preparation of sacrificial animals. Two tables were situated on the exterior side, at the approach to the northern gate, as one ascended to its entrance. The other two tables were positioned on the opposite side, within the interior porch or vestibule of the same northern gate. This precise placement underscores an ordered and structured system for the meticulous dressing, slaughtering, or cutting of sacrifices, ensuring ritual purity and systematic execution within God's sacred dwelling.

Ezekiel 40 40 Context

Ezekiel chapters 40-48 present a visionary, detailed description of a new Temple given to Ezekiel by a divine figure during his exile in Babylon. This vision served as a profound message of hope and restoration for a people who had witnessed the destruction of their first Temple and felt abandoned by God. Chapter 40 specifically begins the architectural tour, meticulously describing the measurements and layout of the outer court, including its eastern, southern, and northern gates. Verse 40 contributes to this precise detailing by focusing on the functional areas for sacrificial preparation at the northern gate. This detailed imagery emphasizes God's desire for a perfectly ordered, pure, and consecrated worship environment, underscoring His ongoing commitment to dwell among His people according to His divine standards, ultimately foreshadowing the coming of a New Covenant reality.

Ezekiel 40 40 Word analysis

• "And at the side without": (וְעַל־הַכָּתֵף֙ מִחוּץ֙, və‘al-hakkathef michutz)

  • כָּתֵף (kathef), typically meaning "shoulder," is used here in an architectural sense as a "side" or projecting part.
  • מִחוּץ (michutz) signifies an "outer" or "exterior" location, indicating these tables were positioned on the exterior face of the gate structure, at the entrance approach.
  • This initial location implies that preparatory actions could begin as the sacrifices were being brought in, streamlining the process before entering the core gate area.

• "as one goeth up to the entry of the gate": (עוֹלֶה לְפֶתַח הַשַּׁעַר, ‘oleh lefetach hashsha‘ar)

  • עוֹלֶה (oleh), "going up," suggests an ascent or approach towards the gate's entrance, possibly indicating a slight incline or steps.
  • פֶּתַח הַשַּׁעַר (petach hashsha‘ar) refers specifically to the "opening" or threshold of the gate. This highlights the precise spot where the tables were located.

• "toward the north": (צָפוֹנָה, tzaphonah)

  • צָפוֹנָה (tzaphonah), "northward," specifies the orientation of this particular gate. The northern side of the altar was the traditional place for slaughtering burnt offerings and sin offerings in the Mosaic sacrificial system (Lev 1:11, 6:25), lending a layer of theological continuity and ritual significance to this detail.

• "were two tables": (שֻׁלְחָנוֹת שְׁנַיִם, shulchanot shənaim)

  • שֻׁלְחָנוֹת (shulchanot), "tables," from שֻׁלְחָן (shulchan), were functional surfaces. Here, they were likely for laying out and dismembering sacrificial animals, not for eating in a common sense.
  • שְׁנַיִם (shənaim), "two," specifies the number, possibly suggesting parallel work stations or distinct stages of preparation requiring two separate surfaces.

• "and at the other side, which was at the porch of the gate": (וְעַל־הַכָּתֵף הַשֵּׁנִית אֶל־אֻלַם הַשָּׁעַר, və‘al-hakkathef hashshenit ’el-’ulam hashsha‘ar)

  • הַכָּתֵף הַשֵּׁנִית (hakkathef hashshenit), "the second side," emphasizes a contrasting or symmetrical location.
  • אֻלַם הַשָּׁעַר (ulam hashsha‘ar) refers to "the porch of the gate," which is the covered vestibule or antechamber just inside the gate's entrance. This position implies a further, possibly finer, stage of preparation than the tables positioned "without."

• "were two tables": (שֻׁלְחָנוֹת שְׁנָיִם, shulchanot shənaim)

  • The repetition underscores the equal number and functional purpose of these tables within the porch, contributing to the overall detailed symmetry and order of the envisioned temple.

• Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "And at the side without...toward the north, were two tables": This phrase introduces the external preparation area. Placing tables "without" the main gate entrance ensures initial cleaning, skinning, or breaking down of sacrifices happens before the more sacred spaces are approached. The specific mention of "north" aligns with historical sacrificial practices, indicating that the new Temple would maintain continuity with essential divine protocols while elevating purity standards.
  • "and at the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables": This describes an interior, more advanced preparation area. The distinction between "without" and "at the porch" implies a carefully orchestrated sequence of operations—perhaps primary slaughter outside, followed by meticulous butchering or rinsing within the more protected porch. This highlights the sophisticated logistical and ritual organization designed to maintain holiness throughout the sacrificial process, providing a physical representation of the absolute purity required in divine worship.

Ezekiel 40 40 Bonus section

The meticulous detail regarding the number and placement of tables throughout Ezekiel 40 (eight tables in total mentioned between verses 39-41, not just the four in verse 40) serves to emphasize the unparalleled order and sufficiency of resources for the sacrificial system in God's renewed temple. The choice of the northern gate as the specific location for these tables is significant; it was the designated place for the slaughter of burnt offerings and sin offerings under the Mosaic Law. This tradition underscores the profound gravity of sin and the seriousness with which atonement was to be handled. For Christians, while these animal sacrifices no longer function due to Christ's perfect sacrifice, this elaborate foreshadowing illuminates the painstaking nature of dealing with sin, revealing the depth of God's holy requirements met fully and completely in Jesus. It signifies God's complete provision and ultimate purification.

Ezekiel 40 40 Commentary

Ezekiel 40:40 is a specific, detailed stroke in the prophet's grand vision of a renewed Temple. It unveils a precisely ordered infrastructure for the handling of sacrifices, underscoring the divine demand for reverence and purity in worship. The positioning of tables both outside and inside the northern gate’s porch points to a staged process for preparing the offerings, likely involving initial slaughter and subsequent cutting. This level of detail highlights the sanctity of every action connected to God's presence, moving beyond general prescriptions to meticulous operational design. While primarily a vision for Ezekiel's disheartened exilic audience, offering hope and a future vision of God's dwelling, these architectural specifics carry theological weight. They remind believers of all ages that God desires worship that is not only heartfelt but also orderly, reverent, and conducted according to His prescribed ways, reflecting the ultimate perfect sacrifice of Christ and the orderly nature of true, spiritual worship.