Ezekiel 43 17

Ezekiel 43:17 kjv

And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.

Ezekiel 43:17 nkjv

the ledge, fourteen cubits long and fourteen wide on its four sides, with a rim of half a cubit around it; its base, one cubit all around; and its steps face toward the east."

Ezekiel 43:17 niv

The upper ledge also is square, fourteen cubits long and fourteen cubits wide. All around the altar is a gutter of one cubit with a rim of half a cubit. The steps of the altar face east."

Ezekiel 43:17 esv

The ledge also shall be square, fourteen cubits long by fourteen broad, with a rim around it half a cubit broad, and its base one cubit all around. The steps of the altar shall face east."

Ezekiel 43:17 nlt

The upper ledge also forms a square, measuring 24 1?2 feet by 24 1?2 feet, with a 21-inch gutter and a 10 1?2-inch curb all around the edge. There are steps going up the east side of the altar."

Ezekiel 43 verses

Ezekiel 43 17 meaning

Ezekiel 43:17 provides specific architectural measurements for the altar hearth, detailing its square dimensions, surrounding borders, and the eastward orientation of its access steps. This precision underscores the divine order and holiness of the future, ideal temple's primary worship site, signifying the complete and perfectly ordered worship God requires from a restored Israel.

Ezekiel 43 17 Context

Ezekiel 43 is a pivotal chapter within Ezekiel's temple vision (chapters 40-48), which describes a meticulously detailed and enormous temple to be built in the future. The chapter begins with the spectacular return of the glory of God, symbolized by the "appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD," entering the temple through the east gate (Eze 43:1-5). This re-establishment of God's presence, absent since Eze 10, marks a divine promise of renewed dwelling with His people and the sanctification of the holy space.

Following this divine manifestation, the LORD instructs Ezekiel to describe the entire temple and its laws to the people of Israel, urging them to be ashamed of their past sins and to follow the prescribed patterns (Eze 43:10-12). Ezekiel 43:13-17 then focuses on the precise dimensions and structure of the great altar of burnt offering, emphasizing its exact design. This altar is the heart of worship, the place where sacrifices are made, reflecting Israel's commitment and consecration to God. Verse 17, specifically, gives the measurements of the ari'el, or altar hearth, and its surrounding features. This precise blueprint stands in stark contrast to the idolatrous practices that previously defiled the land and caused God's departure. The following verses (Eze 43:18-27) outline the elaborate seven-day consecration ceremony for this altar, reinforcing its sanctity and importance for the restored worship of God. Historically, the vision occurred during the Babylonian exile, offering hope and a future ideal for a remnant yearning for God's restoration.

Ezekiel 43 17 Word analysis

• and the hearth (וְהָאֲרִיאֵל / v'ha'ari'el): "And the" connects it to preceding details. "Hearth" is a significant term, transliterated as "Ariel" elsewhere (Isa 29:1-2). It means "lion of God" or "altar hearth," emphasizing the consuming, powerful fire of sacrifice. This name underscores its central, formidable role in purification and communion with God. It represents the very core of where sin is dealt with.
• fourteen (אַרְבַּע֩ עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה / arba' esreh): A specific numerical measurement. The number 14 has no inherent symbolism given in scripture but, within the temple's meticulous design, signifies precise, divine ordering rather than human approximation.
• cubits (אַמָּ֜ה / 'ammah): The standard unit of measurement. Notably, the entire Ezekiel temple vision uses a "long cubit" (Eze 40:5), which is six common cubits and a handbreadth (approximately 20.67 inches). This "long cubit" implies greater precision and magnitude for the holy spaces.
• long and fourteen cubits broad thereon: Specifies the square dimensions of the ari'el or altar-hearth itself. Squareness in biblical sacred architecture often signifies stability, perfection, and completeness (e.g., Holy of Holies).
• and the border round about it: "Border" (הַגְּבוּל֙ / ha'gvul) refers to a surrounding edge or perimeter, further defining the distinct holiness of the altar.
• shall be half a cubit: This smaller measurement emphasizes the intricate, precise nature of the altar's construction, ensuring its exactitude according to divine command.
• and the base thereof a cubit round about: "Base" (וְהַמָּקָ֛ף / v'hammaka) denotes a surrounding ledge or platform, another layer in the multi-tiered structure of the altar. This shows architectural complexity and separation of the altar proper.
• and its steps (וּמַעֲלֹתָ֥יו / u'ma'alotav): "Steps" is crucial. Old Testament law forbade steps to the altar (Exod 20:26) to avoid priestly nakedness being exposed. The presence of steps here implies either a change in priestly attire, a change in how "nakedness" is defined, or more likely, a symbolic depiction of divine accessibility and perfect ritual, contrasting with previous literal prohibitions.
• shall look toward the east: The "east" (מִזְרָֽח / mizrach) is the direction from which God's glory returned (Eze 43:1-2) and traditionally the direction of the rising sun. This orientation signifies new beginnings, divine light, and the presence of God entering and illuminating His sanctuary.

Words-group analysis

• the hearth fourteen cubits long and fourteen cubits broad: This precise square measurement of the top layer, or the primary sacrificial area, signifies a profound level of divine specification. Its square form communicates perfect order and divine completeness, making it an ideal place for worship and consecration. This hearth is where the intense, consuming fire of God burns the offerings.
• the border round about it shall be half a cubit, and the base thereof a cubit round about: These multiple layers of surrounding perimeters highlight the multi-level design and the meticulousness required for this sacred structure. Each dimension contributes to a hierarchical arrangement that sets the altar apart, underscoring its escalating holiness as one approaches the sacrificial hearth itself.
• its steps shall look toward the east: This architectural directive is rich in theological significance. The eastward orientation of the steps aligns the altar's access with the entrance of God's glory into the temple, which also came from the east (Eze 43:4). This symbolizes direct access to God's presence, emphasizing a worship experience oriented towards divine light, a new beginning, and God's glory.

Ezekiel 43 17 Bonus section

The visionary altar described in Ezekiel, especially in its dimensions and the presence of steps, presents notable distinctions from the altars in the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple. For instance, the Tabernacle altar was 5x5 cubits (Exod 27:1), and Solomon's was 20x20 cubits (2 Chr 4:1). Ezekiel's altar, starting with a 12x12 cubit base and an additional 14x14 cubit hearth atop, signifies an increased magnitude, possibly symbolizing the vastness of God's future purposes and the all-encompassing nature of future atonement or worship. The "steps" also stand as a powerful symbol. While physical nakedness was avoided with ramps (Exod 20:26), in Ezekiel's idealized temple, the steps might represent a spiritual readiness and purity achieved, rendering the physical restriction obsolete. This ideal worship space moves beyond simple prohibitions to a state of comprehensive holiness. Furthermore, the meticulous numbering and sacred geometry (square dimensions) resonate throughout biblical architecture, from Noah's ark to the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:16), always signifying divine completeness, perfect order, and a covenant relationship. The emphasis is on a fully consecrated life offered to God, as epitomized by the perfectly measured altar.

Ezekiel 43 17 Commentary

Ezekiel 43:17 provides a meticulous snapshot of the divine blueprint for the altar in the visionary temple, a stark departure from human designs. The core feature, the "hearth" (Ariel), named evocatively as "lion of God" or "altar hearth," speaks to the powerful, consuming nature of sacrifice, a place of intense fire and divine acceptance. Its precise fourteen-cubit square dimension, combined with the earlier twelve-cubit square base (Eze 43:16) and various borders, points to absolute divine order, stability, and holiness in God's ideal worship. Every measurement, especially using the "long cubit," implies an elevation beyond ordinary standards, establishing a standard of sacred precision that forbids approximation or human innovation. The most intriguing detail, the "steps looking toward the east," challenges the Exodus 20:26 prohibition against steps for exposure. This could signify a new priestly covering, or more profoundly, a symbolic perfect accessibility to God in this restored temple, oriented toward the direction of God's returning glory, ushering in a new era of unhindered, purified communion. This altar, therefore, is not merely an architectural detail but a symbol of comprehensive and perfect worship, pointing toward the ultimate sacrifice of Christ and the complete consecration of God's people.