EZEKIEL LESSON 42


     We will begin this lesson in Ezekiel 40:1 "In the five and
twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the
tenth [day] of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city
was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and
brought me thither."

     This is the twentyfifth year of the captivity in Babylon. The
city spoken of here, that was smitten, was, of course, Jerusalem. The
hand of the Lord took Ezekiel to the place of his vision.

     Ezekiel 40:2 "In the visions of God brought he me into the land
of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which [was] as the
frame of a city on the south."

     We must remember that Ezekiel had been in Babylon. This vision is
in Jerusalem, or nearby. The mountain, spoken of, is speaking,
possibly, of one of the mountains in the Jerusalem area. This area is
about 2000 feet above the Mediterranean Sea. It is even higher than
that, above the Dead Sea, which is the lowest place on earth. The
frame of the city seemed to be south of where Ezekiel was looking.

     Ezekiel 40:3 "And he brought me thither, and, behold, [there was]
a man, whose appearance [was] like the appearance of brass, with a
line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the
gate."

     "Brass" symbolizes judgement. Jesus is the Judge of all the
world. Many times, the description of the glorified Christ includes
feet of brass. This figure of a man could be what Ezekiel saw Jesus
as. This line was, probably, there to measure long areas. This reed
was like a measuring rod.

     Ezekiel 40:4 "And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with
thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all
that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew [them]
unto thee [art] thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to
the house of Israel."

     Whoever this figure of a man is {possibly Jesus}, is warning
Ezekiel to not see with his eyes and not see, or hear with his ears
and not hear. He is warned to not only look at these things, but look
carefully and retain what he sees. He is, also, cautioning Ezekiel to
hear every Word correctly, and retain every Word he hears. Ezekiel is
to carry this message to those Israelites in captivity. The message is
really for Israel.

     Ezekiel 40:5 "And behold a wall on the outside of the house round
about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits [long] by
the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the
building, one reed; and the height, one reed."

     We are, now, looking at the wall on the outside of the house. We
will use the 18 inch cubit for these measurements. This is not
absolute. This is just what I see. This measuring rod would be 9 to 10
feet long. The building was between 9 to 10 feet in breadth, 9 to 10
feet in height.  The building here is speaking of the wall. This wall
is 9 to 10 feet thick and 9 to 10 feet high.

     Ezekiel 40:6  "Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward
the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold
of the gate, [which was] one reed broad; and the other threshold [of
the gate, which was] one reed broad."

     The east gate was the principal gate to the entrance of the
temple. It seems, he measured the gate from the top of the gate. The
steps walked up were, probably, seven, as were the steps at the other
gates. Seven means spiritually complete. This appears to be 2, 9 to 10
foot entrance ways opening at this gate.

     Ezekiel 40:7 "And [every] little chamber [was] one reed long, and
one reed broad; and between the little chambers [were] five cubits;
and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within [was]
one reed."

     These chambers were, probably, rooms for the priests. They were
between 9 and 10 feet long and 9 to 10 feet wide. Between each chamber
was an area 7 1/2 feet. The inside gate was one opening about 9 to 10
feet wide.

     Ezekiel 40:8 "He measured also the porch of the gate within, one
reed."

     The inside porch was 9 to 10 feet.

     Ezekiel 40:9 "Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight
cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits; and the porch of the gate
[was] inward."

     The porch was 8 cubits or 12 feet. The porch then was, 9 or 10
feet wide and 12 feet long. We know that there were at least two
posts, because it is plural Each of them were 3 ft. We do not know,
whether these posts are round or square.

     Ezekiel 40:10 "And the little chambers of the gate eastward
[were] three on this side, and three on that side; they three [were]
of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that
side."

     There appeared to be three chambers on each side. Remember, these
were, probably, for the priests. There were, probably, two posts, one
on each side.

     Ezekiel 40:11 "And he measured the breadth of the entry of the
gate, ten cubits; [and] the length of the gate, thirteen cubits."

     This entry is 15 feet wide, and the length was 19 1/2 feet.

     Ezekiel 40:12 "The space also before the little chambers [was]
one cubit [on this side], and the space [was] one cubit on that side:
and the little chambers [were] six cubits on this side, and six cubits
on that side."

     These areas in front of the chambers were 9 ft. by 9 ft.

     Ezekiel 40:13 "He measured then the gate from the roof of [one]
little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth [was] five and
twenty cubits, door against door."

     This gate area from door to door was 37 1/2 feet long.

     Ezekiel 40:14 "He made also posts of threescore cubits, even unto
the post of the court round about the gate."

     These posts would have been 90 feet long.

     Ezekiel 40:15 "And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto
the face of the porch of the inner gate [were] fifty cubits."

     This area is speaking of being 75 feet across.

     Ezekiel 40:16 "And [there were] narrow windows to the little
chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise
to the arches: and windows [were] round about inward: and upon [each]
post [were] palm trees."

     This is speaking of the posts being engraved with palm trees.
These little windows brought air and light into the chambers. If I
understand correctly, each of these little rooms were like bedrooms to
rest, and to dress in.

     Ezekiel 40:17 "Then brought he me into the outward court, and,
lo, [there were] chambers, and a pavement made for the court round
about: thirty chambers [were] upon the pavement."

     These 30 chambers were in another area, not close to the other 6,
which were in the inner court.

     Ezekiel 40:18 "And the pavement by the side of the gates over
against the length of the gates [was] the lower pavement."

     The pavement seemed to go to these thirty rooms. Possibly, on the
outside. This would have been on the floor level.

     Ezekiel 40:19 "Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of
the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an
hundred cubits eastward and northward."

     This area was 150 feet each direction.

     Ezekiel 40:20  "And the gate of the outward court that looked
toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth
thereof." Ezekiel 40:21 "And the little chambers thereof [were] three
on this side and three on that side; and the posts thereof and the
arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length
thereof [was] fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits."

     This area was 75 feet long and 37 1/2 feet wide. Each of the 6
chambers were 9 to 10 feet square. These were the size of a small
bedroom.

     Ezekiel 40:22 "And their windows, and their arches, and their
palm trees, [were] after the measure of the gate that looketh toward
the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches
thereof [were] before them."

     These palm trees were, probably, speaking of the posts engraved
with palm trees. The entrance was an archway. This area was elevated
up from the floor 7 steps.

     Ezekiel 40:23 "And the gate of the inner court [was] over against
the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from
gate to gate an hundred cubits."

     The outside dimensions of this inner court is 150 feet square.

     Ezekiel 40:24  "After that he brought me toward the south, and
behold a gate toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof and
the arches thereof according to these measures."

     It seems as if these measurements are for areas inside the big
area of the inner court. This south gate is specifically mentioned,
here.

     Ezekiel 40:25 "And [there were] windows in it and in the arches
thereof round about, like those windows: the length [was] fifty
cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits."

     This was the inside of the bigger area, which was 150 feet
square.  This area is 75 feet square by 37 1/2 feet. The 150 feet
square is speaking of the inner court. This other measurement is like
an inner court within the inner court.

     Ezekiel 40:26 "And [there were] seven steps to go up to it, and
the arches thereof [were] before them: and it had palm trees, one on
this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof."

     This is speaking of another floor, seven steps above the one
previously mentioned. The decorations were the same as before.

     Ezekiel 40:27 "And [there was] a gate in the inner court toward
the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south an
hundred cubits."

     Each of these gates are part of that 150 foot by 150 foot
enclosure.

     Ezekiel 40:28 "And he brought me to the inner court by the south
gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures;"

     All of the outside walls were the same 150 feet long.

     Ezekiel 40:29 "And the little chambers thereof, and the posts
thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these measures: and
[there were] windows in it and in the arches thereof round about: [it
was] fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad."

     The chamber area took up an area of 75 feet by 37 1/2 feet. The
windows were in the little apartments. Each had an archway.

     Ezekiel 40:30 "And the arches round about [were] five and twenty
cubits long, and five cubits broad."

     The arches took up 37 1/2 feet in length and were 7 1/2 feet
wide.

     Ezekiel 40:31 "And the arches thereof [were] toward the utter
court; and palm trees [were] upon the posts thereof: and the going up
to it [had] eight steps."

     "Utter", in the verse above, is speaking of the outer court. This
floor is a little higher than the outer court, and took 8 steps to
reach. The decorations were on all of the posts. The entrance was from
the outer court.

     Ezekiel 40:32  "And he brought me into the inner court toward the
east: and he measured the gate according to these measures."

     He is going from gate to gate on each level. Always, the east
gate is looking to the east, as most of our churches do. This gate is
facing the early morning light.

     Ezekiel 40:33 "And the little chambers thereof, and the posts
thereof, and the arches thereof, [were] according to these measures:
and [there were] windows therein and in the arches thereof round
about: [it was] fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad."

     On this floor, as well, the chambers, the posts, and arches took
up 75 feet by 37 1/2 feet. Each chamber had a window.

     Ezekiel 40:34 "And the arches thereof [were] toward the outward
court; and palm trees [were] upon the posts thereof, on this side, and
on that side: and the going up to it [had] eight steps."

     This is still at the east gate of the inner court. The doors
opened outward.

     Ezekiel 40:35  "And he brought me to the north gate, and measured
[it] according to these measures;"

     Each time they go to a new level, they go to the east, and to the
north gate.

     Ezekiel 40:36 "The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof,
and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length
[was] fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits."

     This again, is speaking of the chambers, and the posts, and the
arches taking up an area, 75 feet by 37 1/2 feet. As we said, it is
the same at each gate.

     Ezekiel 40:37 "And the posts thereof [were] toward the utter
court; and palm trees [were] upon the posts thereof, on this side, and
on that side: and the going up to it [had] eight steps."

     The eight steps just tell us that this is on the same level, as
the eastern gate of verse 32.

     Ezekiel 40:38 "And the chambers and the entries thereof [were] by
the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering."

     These chambers, where the priests stayed, were near the place of
the offering of the burnt offering. Each offering must be washed,
before it was acceptable for sacrifice. This symbolically means that
what we offer to God must be clean.

     Ezekiel 40:39  "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."

     These four tables were just outside on the porch, where the
animals were slain. Until the time of Jesus' sacrifice, sacrifice
would go on in the temple. All of these sacrifices symbolized
something that Jesus fulfilled for us on the cross. The burnt offering
symbolizes the giving of all to God. Perhaps, the resuming of the
sacrifice in the temple, is telling us that our salvation must
continue, and not stop after we are saved. We must not stop living for
God, but continue on in the salvation He provided for us. It does not
mean that there is another sacrifice for the Christian. We are just to
continue in our walk with God, after we have begun. Jesus gave His
body on the cross to abolish sin for the Christian. We must, however,
remember His great sacrifice, and continue in the salvation we
receive.

     Ezekiel 40:40 "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."

     This is just saying, there were 4 tables at this location, as
well.

     Ezekiel 40:41 "Four tables [were] on this side, and four tables
on that side, by the side of the gate; eight tables, whereupon they
slew [their sacrifices]."

     This just explains, that all together there were 8 tables.

     Ezekiel 40:42 And the four tables [were] of hewn stone for the
burnt offering, of a cubit and an half long, and a cubit and an half
broad, and one cubit high: whereupon also they laid the instruments
wherewith they slew the burnt offering and the sacrifice.

     These were made, not of wood, but stone. Each table was 2 1/4
feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide. They were 1 1/2 foot high. These were
like chop blocks. The instruments were laid on the table, also.

     Ezekiel 40:43 "And within [were] hooks, an hand broad, fastened
round about: and upon the tables [was] the flesh of the offering."

     Hooks means a two pronged hook for flaying animals on. It, also,
means a stall. A stall just about 3.648 inches wide would not be wide
enough to put an animal in. I believe this is speaking of a hook
attached to the wall to hang them on. The hand broad is speaking of
3.648 inches. Hand breadth is the width of the palm of the hand. It
would have to be big like this to be strong enough to hold a heavy
animal.

     Ezekiel 40:44  "And without the inner gate [were] the chambers of
the singers in the inner court, which [was] at the side of the north
gate; and their prospect [was] toward the south: one at the side of
the east gate [having] the prospect toward the north."

     It appears, that the singers had chambers.  They were located
near the inner gate. They were at the side of the north gate.  They
looked south. The song leader was near the east gate looking north.

     Ezekiel 40:45 "And he said unto me, This chamber, whose prospect
[is] toward the south, [is] for the priests, the keepers of the charge
of the house."

     This seems they were in charge of seeing that the tasks were
properly done.

     Ezekiel 40:46 "And the chamber whose prospect [is] toward the
north [is] for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar:
these [are] the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near
to the LORD to minister unto him."

     These were the priests, who were sons of the high priest. "Zadoc"
was descended from Eleazar. These priests were allowed to burn incense
and do things pertaining to worship. The others, above, were more for
caring for the temple.

     Ezekiel 40:47 "So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long,
and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar [that was]
before the house."

     This court is 150 feet square. The altar was just a part of this
area.

     Ezekiel 40:48  "And he brought me to the porch of the house, and
measured [each] post of the porch, five cubits on this side, and five
cubits on that side: and the breadth of the gate [was] three cubits on
this side, and three cubits on that side."

     The posts of the porch were 7 1/2 feet wide each. The entrance
was like two doors of 4 1/2 feet wide each.

     Ezekiel 40:49 "The length of the porch [was] twenty cubits, and
the breadth eleven cubits; and [he brought me] by the steps whereby
they went up to it: and [there were] pillars by the posts, one on this
side, and another on that side."

     The porch was 30 feet in length by 16 1/2 feet wide. There was a
pillar on each side of the entrance.



































                         Ezekiel 42 Questions


1.  What year did this vision come to Ezekiel?
2.  How did Ezekiel go to the place of his vision?
3.  Where did God take Ezekiel to, for the vision?
4.  The altitude of the mountains were about ________ feet above sea
    level.
5.  "Brass" symbolizes what?
6.  Many times, the description of the glorified Christ includes feet
    of _______.
7.  What was the reed like?
8.  What does God say to Ezekiel in verse 4?
9.  Who is this message sent to?
10. How wide is the wall?
11. How big was each chamber?
12. The posts were engraved with _________ _______.
13. These chambers were like what?
14. Verse 19 says the area was ________feet each direction.
15. When they go up seven steps, what is it telling us?
16. "Utter", in verse 31, meant what?
17. Most churches face the _________.
18. How much area does each set of arches, gates, and chambers take
    up?
19. Who were the chambers for?
20. Why were the chambers close to the burnt offering area?
21. Why did they need tables?
22. What does the burnt offering symbolize?
23. What were the tables made of?
24. How big were the tables?
25. How wide is a hand broad?
26. What were the hooks used for?
27. What are the priests called in verse 44?
28. Who was "Zadoc"?
29. What was the difference in the two groups of priests?
30. Describe the front porch.