Ezekiel 46 23

Ezekiel 46:23 kjv

And there was a row of building round about in them, round about them four, and it was made with boiling places under the rows round about.

Ezekiel 46:23 nkjv

There was a row of building stones all around in them, all around the four of them; and cooking hearths were made under the rows of stones all around.

Ezekiel 46:23 niv

Around the inside of each of the four courts was a ledge of stone, with places for fire built all around under the ledge.

Ezekiel 46:23 esv

On the inside, around each of the four courts was a row of masonry, with hearths made at the bottom of the rows all around.

Ezekiel 46:23 nlt

Along the inside of these walls was a ledge of stone with fireplaces under the ledge all the way around.

Ezekiel 46 verses

Ezekiel 46 23 meaning

Ezekiel 46:23 describes specific architectural features within the outer court of the visionary temple: four corner courtyards each containing a continuous low wall or bench of masonry. Integrated into or alongside these masonry structures were dedicated installations for boiling and cooking. These spaces were essential for the priests to prepare and consume their designated portions of the holy offerings, ensuring order, cleanliness, and the sanctity of all activities within the sacred precinct. The verse emphasizes meticulous detail in the design of the temple, reflecting God's absolute demand for holiness and appropriate ritual practice in worship.

Ezekiel 46 23 Context

Ezekiel 46:23 is found within a detailed visionary account (Ezek 40-48) of a future temple and its associated land distribution, given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. This extensive vision is meant to assure the exiled Israelites of God's continued presence, restoration, and the eventual re-establishment of pure worship.

Chapter 46 specifically outlines various laws concerning offerings, the prince's role in sacrifices, and the functioning of the temple courts. Verses 19-24 describe specific "kitchens" or "cooking places" situated in the inner and outer courts. Verses 21-22 explicitly state there were four cooking courtyards, each forty cubits long and thirty cubits wide, "kitchens for those who minister at the temple." Verse 23 then elaborates on the specific structural details within these four corner courtyards in the outer court, distinguishing them from the cooking places for the people in the inner court mentioned earlier (Ezek 46:20). The meticulous architectural specifications across these chapters emphasize the sanctity, order, and precise nature of worship in this idealized temple, contrasting sharply with past desecrations and reinforcing a purified future for Israel. These kitchens symbolize the careful provision for the priests, enabling them to fulfill their sacred duties correctly by preparing holy food in designated, consecrated areas.

Ezekiel 46 23 Word analysis

• And there was a row of masonry:
  • And: waw (וְ) – a common conjunction, simply linking this description to the previous ones of the corner courtyards.
  • was: The verb is implied. The Hebrew structure emphasizes existence.
  • row: Hebrew shur (שׁוּר). Can mean "wall," "row," "bench," or "ledge." In this context, often understood as a built-up low wall or a bench-like structure. Its function with cooking suggests a counter or foundation for culinary installations, rather than a tall wall. It signifies a structural boundary or element.
  • masonry: Hebrew banuy (בָּנוּי) – means "built" or "constructed." Emphasizes that these structures were intentionally created and fixed installations, not temporary fixtures. They are integral to the design of the corner courtyards.
• round about in them, round about them four:
  • round about: Hebrew saviv (סָבִיב) – meaning "all around" or "on every side." This repetition ("round about... round about") intensifies the idea of a continuous structure enclosing or surrounding these specific areas. It underscores the completeness and integration of these cooking facilities within the designated spaces.
  • in them, them four: Refers back to the four courtyards mentioned in the preceding verses (Ezek 46:21-22), implying this masonry was present in each of the four designated kitchen areas. It highlights a uniform, consistent design across all four.
• and places for boiling made under the rows round about:
  • and: Again, the waw (וְ), linking this component to the masonry.
  • places for boiling: Hebrew mevushallot (מְבֻשָּׁלוֹת) – from the root bashal (בָּשָׁל) meaning "to boil," "to cook." This specifies the purpose of these installations: for boiling or cooking sacrificial meat. This method of preparation was typical for priestly portions to be consumed on-site.
  • made: Hebrew me'usiyot (מְעֻשִׂיּוֹת) – from the root asah (עָשָׂה) meaning "to make," "to do," "to prepare." This reinforces that these were constructed, purpose-built areas for cooking.
  • under the rows: Hebrew tachat ha-shurot (תַּחַת הַשֻּׁרוֹת). While "under" is the common translation, tachat can also mean "beneath," "at the bottom of," or "alongside." Given the context of benches or low walls, this likely indicates that the cooking fires or stoves were built into the base of, or directly integrated with, these masonry rows, providing a sturdy and proper setup for the boiling vessels. This emphasizes the architectural unity of the cooking apparatus with the structural elements.
  • round about: saviv (סָבִיב) – again, reiterating that these cooking installations were comprehensively and consistently integrated within these cooking courtyards.

Ezekiel 46 23 Bonus section

The presence and specific description of these "kitchens" in Ezekiel's temple vision underscore the practicality and logistical scale of the temple's operations. Sacrifices and communal meals were a central part of ancient Near Eastern worship, and even the "mundane" act of cooking food for the priests required holy regulation within the visionary temple. This specificity counters any notion of arbitrary or improvised religious practice.

Furthermore, some scholars connect these detailed plans for specific priestly kitchens to the problem highlighted in 1 Samuel 2:13-17, where Eli's sons disregarded proper protocol for cooking and eating sacrificial meat. Ezekiel's meticulous vision provides a divine architectural "solution" to past abuses, reinforcing that even the physical spaces are designed to facilitate correct ritual behavior and prevent future desecrations of holy offerings. The "boiling" implies thoroughly cooked meat, suitable for immediate and sacred consumption, and aligns with hygienic practices of the time in handling meat designated as holy.

Ezekiel 46 23 Commentary

Ezekiel 46:23 provides intricate details about the design of the cooking areas in the visionary temple's outer court, exclusively designated for priests. The description of "a row of masonry" or "bench" with "places for boiling made under" or "alongside" it emphasizes a sophisticated, permanent, and functional infrastructure. This contrasts with earlier, less specific descriptions of temple or tabernacle kitchens. The choice of "boiling" (Eze 46:20 uses bashal here too) reflects the common priestly practice of cooking holy meat portions on the temple grounds.

This detail highlights several core themes in Ezekiel's vision: God's demand for ultimate holiness, meticulously organized worship, and the proper sustenance for those who serve Him. The very fabric of the temple, down to its utilitarian spaces, is divinely ordained and designed for purity. The separation of these cooking areas from other temple functions and the meticulous structure ensures no profanation and promotes reverence. It speaks to a temple where every aspect of service is intentional and regulated by divine command, preparing for a future restoration of perfect worship. The consistency of "round about them four" signifies a uniform commitment to this high standard throughout the priestly operations.