Ezekiel 40
The New Temple Area
1On April 28,*40:1 Hebrew At the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, of the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar. This event occurred on April 28, 573 b.c.; also see note on 1:1. during the twenty-fifth year of our captivity—fourteen years after the fall of Jerusalem—the Lord took hold of me.
2In a vision from God he took me to the land of Israel and set me down on a very high mountain. From there I could see toward the south what appeared to be a city. 3As he brought me nearer, I saw a man whose face shone like bronze standing beside a gateway entrance. He was holding in his hand a linen measuring cord and a measuring rod.
4He said to me, “Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen.”
The East Gateway
5I could see a wall completely surrounding the Temple area. The man took a measuring rod that was 101/2 feet*40:5a Hebrew 6 long cubits [3.2 meters], each being a cubit [18 inches or 45 centimeters] and a handbreadth [3 inches or 8 centimeters] in length. long and measured the wall, and the wall was 101/2 feet*40:5b Hebrew 1 rod [3.2 meters]; also in 40:5c, 7. thick and 101/2 feet high.
6Then he went over to the eastern gateway. He climbed the steps and measured the threshold of the gateway; it was 101/2 feet front to back.*40:6 As in Greek version, which reads 1 rod [3.2 meters] deep; Hebrew reads 1 rod deep, and 1 threshold, 1 rod deep.
7There were guard alcoves on each side built into the gateway passage. Each of these alcoves was 101/2 feet square, with a distance between them of 83/4 feet*40:7 Hebrew 5 cubits [2.7 meters]; also in 40:48. along the passage wall. The gateway’s inner threshold, which led to the entry room at the inner end of the gateway passage, was 101/2 feet front to back. 8He also measured the entry room of the gateway.*40:8 As in many Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac version; other Hebrew manuscripts add which faced inward toward the Temple; it was 1 rod [10.5 feet or 3.2 meters] deep. 9Then he measured the entry room of the gateway. 9It was 14 feet*40:9a Hebrew 8 cubits [4.2 meters]. across, with supporting columns 31/2 feet*40:9b Hebrew 2 cubits [1.1 meters]. thick. This entry room was at the inner end of the gateway structure, facing toward the Temple.
10There were three guard alcoves on each side of the gateway passage. Each had the same measurements, and the dividing walls separating them were also identical.
11The man measured the gateway entrance, which was 171/2 feet*40:11a Hebrew 10 cubits [5.3 meters]. wide at the opening and 223/4 feet*40:11b Hebrew 13 cubits [6.9 meters]. wide in the gateway passage. 12In front of each of the guard alcoves was a 21-inch*40:12a Hebrew 1 cubit [53 centimeters]. curb. The alcoves themselves were 101/2 feet*40:12b Hebrew 6 cubits [3.2 meters]. on each side.
13Then he measured the entire width of the gateway, measuring the distance between the back walls of facing guard alcoves; this distance was 433/4 feet.*40:13 Hebrew 25 cubits [13.3 meters]; also in 40:21, 25, 29, 30, 33, 36.
14He measured the dividing walls all along the inside of the gateway up to the entry room of the gateway; this distance was 105 feet.*40:14 Hebrew 60 cubits [31.8 meters]. Greek version reads 20 cubits [35 feet or 10.6 meters]. The meaning of the Hebrew in this verse is uncertain. 15The full length of the gateway passage was 871/2 feet*40:15 Hebrew 50 cubits [26.5 meters]; also in 40:21, 25, 29, 33, 36. from one end to the other. 16There were recessed windows that narrowed inward through the walls of the guard alcoves and their dividing walls. There were also windows in the entry room. The surfaces of the dividing walls were decorated with carved palm trees.
The Outer Courtyard
17Then the man brought me through the gateway into the outer courtyard of the Temple. A stone pavement ran along the walls of the courtyard, and thirty rooms were built against the walls, opening onto the pavement.
18This pavement flanked the gates and extended out from the walls into the courtyard the same distance as the gateway entrance. This was the lower pavement. 19Then the man measured across the Temple’s outer courtyard between the outer and inner gateways; the distance was 175 feet.*40:19 Hebrew 100 cubits [53 meters]; also in 40:23, 27, 47.
The North Gateway
20The man measured the gateway on the north just like the one on the east.
21Here, too, there were three guard alcoves on each side, with dividing walls and an entry room. All the measurements matched those of the east gateway. The gateway passage was 871/2 feet long and 433/4 feet wide between the back walls of facing guard alcoves. 22The windows, the entry room, and the palm tree decorations were identical to those in the east gateway. There were seven steps leading up to the gateway entrance, and the entry room was at the inner end of the gateway passage. 23Here on the north side, just as on the east, there was another gateway leading to the Temple’s inner courtyard directly opposite this outer gateway. The distance between the two gateways was 175 feet.
The South Gateway
24Then the man took me around to the south gateway and measured its various parts, and they were exactly the same as in the others.
25It had windows along the walls as the others did, and there was an entry room where the gateway passage opened into the outer courtyard. And like the others, the gateway passage was 871/2 feet long and 433/4 feet wide between the back walls of facing guard alcoves. 26This gateway also had a stairway of seven steps leading up to it, and an entry room at the inner end, and palm tree decorations along the dividing walls. 27And here again, directly opposite the outer gateway, was another gateway that led into the inner courtyard. The distance between the two gateways was 175 feet.
Gateways to the Inner Courtyard
28Then the man took me to the south gateway leading into the inner courtyard. He measured it, and it had the same measurements as the other gateways.
29Its guard alcoves, dividing walls, and entry room were the same size as those in the others. It also had windows along its walls and in the entry room. And like the others, the gateway passage was 871/2 feet long and 433/4 feet wide. 30(The entry rooms of the gateways leading into the inner courtyard were 14 feet*40:30 As in 40:9, which reads 8 cubits [14 feet or 4.2 meters]; here the Hebrew reads 5 cubits [83/4 feet or 2.7 meters]. Some Hebrew manuscripts and the Greek version lack this entire verse. across and 433/4 feet wide.) 31The entry room to the south gateway faced into the outer courtyard. It had palm tree decorations on its columns, and there were eight steps leading to its entrance.
32Then he took me to the east gateway leading to the inner courtyard. He measured it, and it had the same measurements as the other gateways.
33Its guard alcoves, dividing walls, and entry room were the same size as those of the others, and there were windows along the walls and in the entry room. The gateway passage measured 871/2 feet long and 433/4 feet wide. 34Its entry room faced into the outer courtyard. It had palm tree decorations on its columns, and there were eight steps leading to its entrance.
35Then he took me around to the north gateway leading to the inner courtyard. He measured it, and it had the same measurements as the other gateways.
36The guard alcoves, dividing walls, and entry room of this gateway had the same measurements as in the others and the same window arrangements. The gateway passage measured 871/2 feet long and 433/4 feet wide. 37Its entry room*40:37 As in Greek version (compare parallels at 40:26, 31, 34); Hebrew reads Its dividing wall. faced into the outer courtyard, and it had palm tree decorations on the columns. There were eight steps leading to its entrance.
Rooms for Preparing Sacrifices
38A door led from the entry room of one of the inner gateways into a side room, where the meat for sacrifices was washed.
39On each side of this entry room were two tables, where the sacrificial animals were slaughtered for the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. 40Outside the entry room, on each side of the stairs going up to the north entrance, were two more tables. 41So there were eight tables in all—four inside and four outside—where the sacrifices were cut up and prepared. 42There were also four tables of finished stone for preparation of the burnt offerings, each 311/2 inches square and 21 inches high.*40:42 Hebrew 11/2 cubits [80 centimeters] long and 11/2 cubits wide and 1 cubit [53 centimeters] high. On these tables were placed the butchering knives and other implements for slaughtering the sacrificial animals. 43There were hooks, each 3 inches*40:43 Hebrew a handbreadth [8 centimeters]. long, fastened all around the foyer walls. The sacrificial meat was laid on the tables.
Rooms for the Priests
44Inside the inner courtyard were two rooms,*40:44a As in Greek version; Hebrew reads rooms for singers. one beside the north gateway, facing south, and the other beside the south*40:44b As in Greek version; Hebrew reads east. gateway, facing north.
45And the man said to me, “The room beside the north inner gate is for the priests who supervise the Temple maintenance. 46The room beside the south inner gate is for the priests in charge of the altar—the descendants of Zadok—for they alone of all the Levites may approach the Lord to minister to him.”
The Inner Courtyard and Temple
47Then the man measured the inner courtyard, and it was a square, 175 feet wide and 175 feet across. The altar stood in the courtyard in front of the Temple.
48Then he brought me to the entry room of the Temple. He measured the walls on either side of the opening to the entry room, and they were 83/4 feet thick. The entrance itself was 241/2 feet wide, and the walls on each side of the entrance were an additional 51/4 feet long.*40:48 As in Greek version, which reads The entrance was 14 cubits [7.4 meters] wide, and the walls of the entrance were 3 cubits [1.6 meters] on each side; Hebrew lacks 14 cubits wide, and the walls of the entrance were. 49The entry room was 35 feet*40:49a Hebrew 20 cubits [10.6 meters]. wide and 21 feet*40:49b As in Greek version, which reads 12 cubits [21 feet or 6.4 meters]; Hebrew reads 11 cubits [191/4 feet or 5.8 meters]. deep. There were ten steps*40:49c As in Greek version; Hebrew reads There were steps that were. leading up to it, with a column on each side.
Ezekiel 41
1After that, the man brought me into the sanctuary of the Temple. He measured the walls on either side of its doorway,*41:1a As in Greek version; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. and they were 101/2 feet*41:1b Hebrew 6 cubits [3.2 meters]; also in 41:3, 5. thick.
2The doorway was 171/2 feet*41:2a Hebrew 10 cubits [5.3 meters]. wide, and the walls on each side of it were 83/4 feet*41:2b Hebrew 5 cubits [2.7 meters]; also in 41:9, 11. long. The sanctuary itself was 70 feet long and 35 feet wide.*41:2c Hebrew 40 cubits [21.2 meters] long and 20 cubits [10.6 meters] wide.
3Then he went beyond the sanctuary into the inner room. He measured the walls on either side of its entrance, and they were 31/2 feet*41:3a Hebrew 2 cubits [1.1 meters]. thick. The entrance was 101/2 feet wide, and the walls on each side of the entrance were 121/4 feet*41:3b Hebrew 7 cubits [3.7 meters]. long.
4The inner room of the sanctuary was 35 feet*41:4 Hebrew 20 cubits [10.6 meters]; also in 41:4b, 10. long and 35 feet wide. “This,” he told me, “is the Most Holy Place.”
5Then he measured the wall of the Temple, and it was 101/2 feet thick. There was a row of rooms along the outside wall; each room was 7 feet*41:5 Hebrew 4 cubits [2.1 meters]. wide.
6These side rooms were built in three levels, one above the other, with thirty rooms on each level. The supports for these side rooms rested on exterior ledges on the Temple wall; they did not extend into the wall. 7Each level was wider than the one below it, corresponding to the narrowing of the Temple wall as it rose higher. A stairway led up from the bottom level through the middle level to the top level.
8I saw that the Temple was built on a terrace, which provided a foundation for the side rooms. This terrace was 101/2 feet*41:8 Hebrew 1 rod, 6 cubits [3.2 meters]. high.
9The outer wall of the Temple’s side rooms was 83/4 feet thick. This left an open area between these side rooms 10and the row of rooms along the outer wall of the inner courtyard. This open area was 35 feet wide, and it went all the way around the Temple. 11Two doors opened from the side rooms into the terrace yard, which was 83/4 feet wide. One door faced north and the other south.
12A large building stood on the west, facing the Temple courtyard. It was 1221/2 feet wide and 1571/2 feet long, and its walls were 83/4 feet*41:12 Hebrew 70 cubits [37.1 meters] wide and 90 cubits [47.7 meters] long, and its walls were 5 cubits [2.7 meters] thick. thick.
13Then the man measured the Temple, and it was 175 feet*41:13 Hebrew 100 cubits [53 meters]; also in 41:13b, 14, 15. long. The courtyard around the building, including its walls, was an additional 175 feet in length. 14The inner courtyard to the east of the Temple was also 175 feet wide. 15The building to the west, including its two walls, was also 175 feet wide.
The sanctuary, the inner room, and the entry room of the Temple
16were all paneled with wood, as were the frames of the recessed windows. The inner walls of the Temple were paneled with wood above and below the windows. 17The space above the door leading into the inner room, and its walls inside and out, were also paneled. 18All the walls were decorated with carvings of cherubim, each with two faces, and there was a carving of a palm tree between each of the cherubim. 19One face—that of a man—looked toward the palm tree on one side. The other face—that of a young lion—looked toward the palm tree on the other side. The figures were carved all along the inside of the Temple, 20from the floor to the top of the walls, including the outer wall of the sanctuary.
21There were square columns at the entrance to the sanctuary, and the ones at the entrance of the Most Holy Place were similar.
22There was an altar made of wood, 51/4 feet high and 31/2 feet across.*41:22 Hebrew 3 cubits [1.6 meters] high and 2 cubits [1.1 meters] across. Its corners, base, and sides were all made of wood. “This,” the man told me, “is the table that stands in the Lord’s presence.”
23Both the sanctuary and the Most Holy Place had double doorways,
24each with two swinging doors. 25The doors leading into the sanctuary were decorated with carved cherubim and palm trees, just as on the walls. And there was a wooden roof at the front of the entry room to the Temple. 26On both sides of the entry room were recessed windows decorated with carved palm trees. The side rooms along the outside wall also had roofs.
Ezekiel 42
Rooms for the Priests
1Then the man led me out of the Temple courtyard by way of the north gateway. We entered the outer courtyard and came to a group of rooms against the north wall of the inner courtyard.
2This structure, whose entrance opened toward the north, was 175 feet*42:2a Hebrew 100 cubits [53 meters]; also in 42:8. long and 871/2 feet*42:2b Hebrew 50 cubits [26.5 meters]; also in 42:7, 8. wide. 3One block of rooms overlooked the 35-foot*42:3 Hebrew 20[-cubit] [10.6-meter]. width of the inner courtyard. Another block of rooms looked out onto the pavement of the outer courtyard. The two blocks were built three levels high and stood across from each other. 4Between the two blocks of rooms ran a walkway 171/2 feet*42:4a Hebrew 10 cubits [5.3 meters]. wide. It extended the entire 175 feet of the complex,*42:4b As in Greek and Syriac versions, which read Its length was 100 cubits [53 meters]; Hebrew reads and a passage 1 cubit [21 inches or 53 centimeters] wide. and all the doors faced north. 5Each of the two upper levels of rooms was narrower than the one beneath it because the upper levels had to allow space for walkways in front of them. 6Since there were three levels and they did not have supporting columns as in the courtyards, each of the upper levels was set back from the level beneath it. 7There was an outer wall that separated the rooms from the outer courtyard; it was 871/2 feet long. 8This wall added length to the outer block of rooms, which extended for only 871/2 feet, while the inner block—the rooms toward the Temple—extended for 175 feet. 9There was an eastern entrance from the outer courtyard to these rooms.
10On the south*42:10 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads east. side of the Temple there were two blocks of rooms just south of the inner courtyard between the Temple and the outer courtyard. These rooms were arranged just like the rooms on the north.
11There was a walkway between the two blocks of rooms just like the complex on the north side of the Temple. This complex of rooms was the same length and width as the other one, and it had the same entrances and doors. The dimensions of each were identical. 12So there was an entrance in the wall facing the doors of the inner block of rooms, and another on the east at the end of the interior walkway.
13Then the man told me, “These rooms that overlook the Temple from the north and south are holy. Here the priests who offer sacrifices to the Lord will eat the most holy offerings. And because these rooms are holy, they will be used to store the sacred offerings—the grain offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.
14When the priests leave the sanctuary, they must not go directly to the outer courtyard. They must first take off the clothes they wore while ministering, because these clothes are holy. They must put on other clothes before entering the parts of the building complex open to the public.”
15When the man had finished measuring the inside of the Temple area, he led me out through the east gateway to measure the entire perimeter.
16He measured the east side with his measuring rod, and it was 875 feet long.*42:16 As in 45:2 and in Greek version at 42:17, which reads 500 cubits [265 meters]; Hebrew reads 500 rods [5,250 feet or 1,590 meters]; similarly in 42:17, 18, 19, 20. 17Then he measured the north side, and it was also 875 feet. 18The south side was also 875 feet, 19and the west side was also 875 feet. 20So the area was 875 feet on each side with a wall all around it to separate what was holy from what was common.
Ezekiel 43
The Lord’s Glory Returns
1After this, the man brought me back around to the east gateway.
2Suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel appeared from the east. The sound of his coming was like the roar of rushing waters, and the whole landscape shone with his glory. 3This vision was just like the others I had seen, first by the Kebar River and then when he came*43:3 As in some Hebrew manuscripts and Latin Vulgate; Masoretic Text reads I came. to destroy Jerusalem. I fell face down on the ground. 4And the glory of the Lord came into the Temple through the east gateway.
5Then the Spirit took me up and brought me into the inner courtyard, and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple.
6And I heard someone speaking to me from within the Temple, while the man who had been measuring stood beside me. 7The Lord said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place where I will rest my feet. I will live here forever among the people of Israel. They and their kings will not defile my holy name any longer by their adulterous worship of other gods or by honoring the relics of their kings who have died.*43:7 Or kings on their high places. 8They put their idol altars right next to mine with only a wall between them and me. They defiled my holy name by such detestable sin, so I consumed them in my anger. 9Now let them stop worshiping other gods and honoring the relics of their kings, and I will live among them forever.
10“Son of man, describe to the people of Israel the Temple I have shown you, so they will be ashamed of all their sins. Let them study its plan,
11and they will be ashamed*43:11 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads if they are ashamed. of what they have done. Describe to them all the specifications of the Temple—including its entrances and exits—and everything else about it. Tell them about its decrees and laws. Write down all these specifications and decrees as they watch so they will be sure to remember and follow them. 12And this is the basic law of the Temple: absolute holiness! The entire top of the mountain where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the basic law of the Temple.
The Altar
13“These are the measurements of the altar*43:13a Hebrew measurements of the altar in long cubits, each being a cubit [18 inches or 45 centimeters] and a handbreadth [3 inches or 8 centimeters] in length.: There is a gutter all around the altar 21 inches deep and 21 inches wide,*43:13b Hebrew a cubit [53 centimeters] deep and a cubit wide. with a curb 9 inches*43:13c Hebrew 1 span [23 centimeters]. wide around its edge. And this is the height*43:13d As in Greek version; Hebrew reads base. of the altar:
14From the gutter the altar rises 31/2 feet*43:14a Hebrew 2 cubits [1.1 meters]. to a lower ledge that surrounds the altar and is 21 inches*43:14b Hebrew 1 cubit [53 centimeters]; also in 43:14d. wide. From the lower ledge the altar rises 7 feet*43:14c Hebrew 4 cubits [2.1 meters]; also in 43:15. to the upper ledge that is also 21 inches wide. 15The top of the altar, the hearth, rises another 7 feet higher, with a horn rising up from each of the four corners. 16The top of the altar is square, measuring 21 feet by 21 feet.*43:16 Hebrew 12 [cubits] [6.4 meters] long and 12 [cubits] wide. 17The upper ledge also forms a square, measuring 241/2 feet by 241/2 feet,*43:17a Hebrew 14 [cubits] [7.4 meters] long and 14 [cubits] wide. with a 21-inch gutter and a 101/2-inch curb*43:17b Hebrew a gutter of 1 cubit [53 centimeters] and a curb of 1/2 a cubit [27 centimeters]. all around the edge. There are steps going up the east side of the altar.”
18Then he said to me, “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: These will be the regulations for the burning of offerings and the sprinkling of blood when the altar is built.
19At that time, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who minister before me, are to be given a young bull for a sin offering, says the Sovereign Lord. 20You will take some of its blood and smear it on the four horns of the altar, the four corners of the upper ledge, and the curb that runs around that ledge. This will cleanse and make atonement for the altar. 21Then take the young bull for the sin offering and burn it at the appointed place outside the Temple area.
22“On the second day, sacrifice as a sin offering a young male goat that has no physical defects. Then cleanse and make atonement for the altar again, just as you did with the young bull.
23When you have finished the cleansing ceremony, offer another young bull that has no defects and a perfect ram from the flock. 24You are to present them to the Lord, and the priests are to sprinkle salt on them and offer them as a burnt offering to the Lord.
25“Every day for seven days a male goat, a young bull, and a ram from the flock will be sacrificed as a sin offering. None of these animals may have physical defects of any kind.
26Do this each day for seven days to cleanse and make atonement for the altar, thus setting it apart for holy use. 27On the eighth day, and on each day afterward, the priests will sacrifice on the altar the burnt offerings and peace offerings of the people. Then I will accept you. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Ezekiel 44
The Prince, Levites, and Priests
1Then the man brought me back to the east gateway in the outer wall of the Temple area, but it was closed.
2And the Lord said to me, “This gate must remain closed; it will never again be opened. No one will ever open it and pass through, for the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered here. Therefore, it must always remain shut. 3Only the prince himself may sit inside this gateway to feast in the Lord’s presence. But he may come and go only through the entry room of the gateway.”
4Then the man brought me through the north gateway to the front of the Temple. I looked and saw that the glory of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord, and I fell face down on the ground.
5And the Lord said to me, “Son of man, take careful notice. Use your eyes and ears, and listen to everything I tell you about the regulations concerning the Lord’s Temple. Take careful note of the procedures for using the Temple’s entrances and exits.
6And give these rebels, the people of Israel, this message from the Sovereign Lord: O people of Israel, enough of your detestable sins! 7You have brought uncircumcised foreigners into my sanctuary—people who have no heart for God. In this way, you defiled my Temple even as you offered me my food, the fat and blood of sacrifices. In addition to all your other detestable sins, you have broken my covenant. 8Instead of safeguarding my sacred rituals, you have hired foreigners to take charge of my sanctuary.
9“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: No foreigners, including those who live among the people of Israel, will enter my sanctuary if they have not been circumcised and have not surrendered themselves to the Lord.
10And the men of the tribe of Levi who abandoned me when Israel strayed away from me to worship idols*44:10 The Hebrew term (literally round things) probably alludes to dung; also in 44:12. must bear the consequences of their unfaithfulness. 11They may still be Temple guards and gatekeepers, and they may slaughter the animals brought for burnt offerings and be present to help the people. 12But they encouraged my people to worship idols, causing Israel to fall into deep sin. So I have taken a solemn oath that they must bear the consequences for their sins, says the Sovereign Lord. 13They may not approach me to minister as priests. They may not touch any of my holy things or the holy offerings, for they must bear the shame of all the detestable sins they have committed. 14They are to serve as the Temple caretakers, taking charge of the maintenance work and performing general duties.
15“However, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok continued to minister faithfully in the Temple when Israel abandoned me for idols. These men will serve as my ministers. They will stand in my presence and offer the fat and blood of the sacrifices, says the Sovereign Lord.
16They alone will enter my sanctuary and approach my table to serve me. They will fulfill all my requirements.
17“When they enter the gateway to the inner courtyard, they must wear only linen clothing. They must wear no wool while on duty in the inner courtyard or in the Temple itself.
18They must wear linen turbans and linen undergarments. They must not wear anything that would cause them to perspire. 19When they return to the outer courtyard where the people are, they must take off the clothes they wear while ministering to me. They must leave them in the sacred rooms and put on other clothes so they do not endanger anyone by transmitting holiness to them through this clothing.
20“They must neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow too long. Instead, they must trim it regularly.
21The priests must not drink wine before entering the inner courtyard. 22They may choose their wives only from among the virgins of Israel or the widows of the priests. They may not marry other widows or divorced women. 23They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.
24“They will serve as judges to resolve any disagreements among my people. Their decisions must be based on my regulations. And the priests themselves must obey my instructions and decrees at all the sacred festivals, and see to it that the Sabbaths are set apart as holy days.
25“A priest must not defile himself by being in the presence of a dead person unless it is his father, mother, child, brother, or unmarried sister. In such cases it is permitted.
26Even then, he can return to his Temple duties only after being ceremonially cleansed and then waiting for seven days. 27The first day he returns to work and enters the inner courtyard and the sanctuary, he must offer a sin offering for himself, says the Sovereign Lord.
28“The priests will not have any property or possession of land, for I alone am their special possession.
29Their food will come from the gifts and sacrifices brought to the Temple by the people—the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Whatever anyone sets apart*44:29 The Hebrew term used here refers to the complete consecration of things or people to the Lord, either by destroying them or by giving them as an offering. for the Lord will belong to the priests. 30The first of the ripe fruits and all the gifts brought to the Lord will go to the priests. The first batch of dough must also be given to the priests so the Lord will bless your homes. 31The priests may not eat meat from any bird or animal that dies a natural death or that dies after being attacked by another animal.
Ezekiel 45
Division of the Land
1“When you divide the land among the tribes of Israel, you must set aside a section for the Lord as his holy portion. This piece of land will be 81/3 miles long and 62/3 miles wide.*45:1 As in Greek version, which reads 25,000 [cubits] [13.3 kilometers] long and 20,000 [cubits] [10.6 kilometers] wide; Hebrew reads 25,000 [cubits] long and 10,000 [cubits] [31/3 miles or 5.3 kilometers] wide. Compare 45:3, 5; 48:9. The entire area will be holy.
2A section of this land, measuring 875 feet by 875 feet,*45:2a Hebrew 500 [cubits] [265 meters] by 500 [cubits], a square. will be set aside for the Temple. An additional strip of land 871/2 feet*45:2b Hebrew 50 cubits [26.5 meters]. wide is to be left empty all around it. 3Within the larger sacred area, measure out a portion of land 81/3 miles long and 31/3 miles wide.*45:3 Hebrew 25,000 [cubits] [13.3 kilometers] long and 10,000 [cubits] [5.3 kilometers] wide; also in 45:5. Within it the sanctuary of the Most Holy Place will be located. 4This area will be holy, set aside for the priests who minister to the Lord in the sanctuary. They will use it for their homes, and my Temple will be located within it. 5The strip of sacred land next to it, also 81/3 miles long and 31/3 miles wide, will be a living area for the Levites who work at the Temple. It will be their possession and a place for their towns.*45:5 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads They will have as their possession 20 rooms.
6“Adjacent to the larger sacred area will be a section of land 81/3 miles long and 12/3 miles wide.*45:6 Hebrew 25,000 [cubits] [13.3 kilometers] long and 5,000 [cubits] [2.65 kilometers] wide. This will be set aside for a city where anyone in Israel can live.
7“Two special sections of land will be set apart for the prince. One section will share a border with the east side of the sacred lands and city, and the second section will share a border on the west side. Then the far eastern and western borders of the prince’s lands will line up with the eastern and western boundaries of the tribal areas.
8These sections of land will be the prince’s allotment. Then my princes will no longer oppress and rob my people; they will assign the rest of the land to the people, giving an allotment to each tribe.
Rules for the Princes
9“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Enough, you princes of Israel! Stop your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Quit robbing and cheating my people out of their land. Stop expelling them from their homes, says the Sovereign Lord.
10Use only honest weights and scales and honest measures, both dry and liquid.*45:10 Hebrew Use honest scales, an honest ephah, and an honest bath. 11The homer*45:11a The homer measures about 50 gallons or 220 liters. will be your standard unit for measuring volume. The ephah and the bath*45:11b The ephah is a dry measure; the bath is a liquid measure. will each measure one-tenth of a homer. 12The standard unit for weight will be the silver shekel.*45:12a The shekel weighs about 0.4 ounces or 11 grams. One shekel will consist of twenty gerahs, and sixty shekels will be equal to one mina.*45:12b Elsewhere the mina is equated to 50 shekels.
Special Offerings and Celebrations
13“You must give this tax to the prince: one bushel of wheat or barley for every 60*45:13 Hebrew 1/6 of an ephah from each homer of wheat and 1/6 of an ephah from each homer of barley. you harvest,
14one percent of your olive oil,*45:14 Hebrew the portion of oil, measured by the bath, is 1/10 of a bath from each cor, which consists of 10 baths or 1 homer, for 10 baths are equivalent to a homer. 15and one sheep or goat for every 200 in your flocks in Israel. These will be the grain offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings that will make atonement for the people who bring them, says the Sovereign Lord. 16All the people of Israel must join in bringing these offerings to the prince. 17The prince will be required to provide offerings that are given at the religious festivals, the new moon celebrations, the Sabbath days, and all other similar occasions. He will provide the sin offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings, liquid offerings, and peace offerings to purify the people of Israel, making them right with the Lord.*45:17 Or to make atonement for the people of Israel.
18“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In early spring, on the first day of each new year,*45:18 Hebrew On the first day of the first month, of the Hebrew calendar. This day in the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar occurred in March or April. sacrifice a young bull with no defects to purify the Temple.
19The priest will take blood from this sin offering and put it on the doorposts of the Temple, the four corners of the upper ledge of the altar, and the gateposts at the entrance to the inner courtyard. 20Do this also on the seventh day of the new year for anyone who has sinned through error or ignorance. In this way, you will purify*45:20 Or will make atonement for. the Temple.
21“On the fourteenth day of the first month,*45:21 This day in the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar occurred in late March, April, or early May. you must celebrate the Passover. This festival will last for seven days. The bread you eat during that time must be made without yeast.
22On the day of Passover the prince will provide a young bull as a sin offering for himself and the people of Israel. 23On each of the seven days of the feast he will prepare a burnt offering to the Lord, consisting of seven young bulls and seven rams without defects. A male goat will also be given each day for a sin offering. 24The prince will provide a basket of flour as a grain offering and a gallon of olive oil*45:24 Hebrew an ephah [20 quarts or 22 liters] of flour . . . and a hin [3.8 liters] of olive oil. with each young bull and ram.
25“During the seven days of the Festival of Shelters, which occurs every year in early autumn,*45:25 Hebrew the festival which begins on the fifteenth day of the seventh month (see Lev 23:34). This day in the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar occurred in late September, October, or early November. the prince will provide these same sacrifices for the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the grain offering, along with the required olive oil.
Ezekiel 46
1“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The east gateway of the inner courtyard will be closed during the six workdays each week, but it will be open on Sabbath days and the days of new moon celebrations.
2The prince will enter the entry room of the gateway from the outside. Then he will stand by the gatepost while the priest offers his burnt offering and peace offering. He will bow down in worship inside the gateway passage and then go back out the way he came. The gateway will not be closed until evening. 3The common people will bow down and worship the Lord in front of this gateway on Sabbath days and the days of new moon celebrations.
4“Each Sabbath day the prince will present to the Lord a burnt offering of six lambs and one ram, all with no defects.
5He will present a grain offering of a basket of choice flour to go with the ram and whatever amount of flour he chooses to go with each lamb, and he is to offer one gallon of olive oil*46:5 Hebrew an ephah [20 quarts or 22 liters] of choice flour . . . a hin [3.8 liters] of olive oil; similarly in 46:7, 11. for each basket of flour. 6At the new moon celebrations, he will bring one young bull, six lambs, and one ram, all with no defects. 7With the young bull he must bring a basket of choice flour for a grain offering. With the ram he must bring another basket of flour. And with each lamb he is to bring whatever amount of flour he chooses to give. With each basket of flour he must offer one gallon of olive oil.
8“The prince must enter the gateway through the entry room, and he must leave the same way.
9But when the people come in through the north gateway to worship the Lord during the religious festivals, they must leave by the south gateway. And those who entered through the south gateway must leave by the north gateway. They must never leave by the same gateway they came in, but must always use the opposite gateway. 10The prince will enter and leave with the people on these occasions.
11“So at the special feasts and sacred festivals, the grain offering will be a basket of choice flour with each young bull, another basket of flour with each ram, and as much flour as the worshiper chooses to give with each lamb. Give one gallon of olive oil with each basket of flour.
12When the prince offers a voluntary burnt offering or peace offering to the Lord, the east gateway to the inner courtyard will be opened for him, and he will offer his sacrifices as he does on Sabbath days. Then he will leave, and the gateway will be shut behind him.
13“Each morning you must sacrifice a one-year-old lamb with no defects as a burnt offering to the Lord.
14With the lamb, a grain offering must also be given to the Lord—about three quarts of flour with a third of a gallon of olive oil*46:14 Hebrew 1/6 of an ephah [3.7 liters] of flour with 1/3 of a hin [1.3 liters] of olive oil. to moisten the choice flour. This will be a permanent law for you. 15The lamb, the grain offering, and the olive oil must be given as a daily sacrifice every morning without fail.
16“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: If the prince gives a gift of land to one of his sons as his inheritance, it will belong to him and his descendants forever.
17But if the prince gives a gift of land from his inheritance to one of his servants, the servant may keep it only until the Year of Jubilee, which comes every fiftieth year.*46:17 Hebrew until the Year of Release; see Lev 25:8-17. At that time the land will return to the prince. But when the prince gives gifts to his sons, those gifts will be permanent. 18And the prince may never take anyone’s property by force. If he gives property to his sons, it must be from his own land, for I do not want any of my people unjustly evicted from their property.”
The Temple Kitchens
19In my vision, the man brought me through the entrance beside the gateway and led me to the sacred rooms assigned to the priests, which faced toward the north. He showed me a place at the extreme west end of these rooms.
20He explained, “This is where the priests will cook the meat from the guilt offerings and sin offerings and bake the flour from the grain offerings into bread. They will do it here to avoid carrying the sacrifices through the outer courtyard and endangering the people by transmitting holiness to them.”
21Then he brought me back to the outer courtyard and led me to each of its four corners. In each corner I saw an enclosure.
22Each of these enclosures was 70 feet long and 521/2 feet wide,*46:22 Hebrew 40 [cubits] [21.2 meters] long and 30 [cubits] [15.9 meters] wide. surrounded by walls. 23Along the inside of these walls was a ledge of stone with fireplaces under the ledge all the way around. 24The man said to me, “These are the kitchens to be used by the Temple assistants to boil the sacrifices offered by the people.”
Ezekiel 47
The River of Healing
1In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side.
2The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway.
3Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet*47:3 Hebrew 1,000 cubits [530 meters]; also in 47:4, 5. and then led me across. The water was up to my ankles.
4He measured off another 1,750 feet and led me across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. 5Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through.
6He asked me, “Have you been watching, son of man?” Then he led me back along the riverbank.
7When I returned, I was surprised by the sight of many trees growing on both sides of the river. 8Then he said to me, “This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea.*47:8 Hebrew the sea. The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. 9There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows.*47:9 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads of these two rivers flow. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows. 10Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean.*47:10 Hebrew the Great Sea; also in 47:15, 17, 19, 20. 11But the marshes and swamps will not be purified; they will still be salty. 12Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”
Boundaries for the Land
13This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Divide the land in this way for the twelve tribes of Israel: The descendants of Joseph will be given two shares of land.*47:13 It was important to retain twelve portions of land. Since Levi had no portion, the descendants of Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, received land as two tribes.
14Otherwise each tribe will receive an equal share. I took a solemn oath and swore that I would give this land to your ancestors, and it will now come to you as your possession.
15“These are the boundaries of the land: The northern border will run from the Mediterranean toward Hethlon, then on through Lebo-hamath to Zedad;
16then it will run to Berothah and Sibraim,*47:15-16 As in Greek version; Masoretic Text reads then on through Lebo to Zedad; 16then it will run to Hamath, Berothah, and Sibraim. which are on the border between Damascus and Hamath, and finally to Hazer-hatticon, on the border of Hauran. 17So the northern border will run from the Mediterranean to Hazar-enan, on the border between Hamath to the north and Damascus to the south.
18“The eastern border starts at a point between Hauran and Damascus and runs south along the Jordan River between Israel and Gilead, past the Dead Sea*47:18a Hebrew the eastern sea. and as far south as Tamar.*47:18b As in Greek version; Hebrew reads you will measure. This will be the eastern border.
19“The southern border will go west from Tamar to the waters of Meribah at Kadesh*47:19 Hebrew waters of Meribath-kadesh. and then follow the course of the Brook of Egypt to the Mediterranean. This will be the southern border.
20“On the west side, the Mediterranean itself will be your border from the southern border to the point where the northern border begins, opposite Lebo-hamath.
21“Divide the land within these boundaries among the tribes of Israel.
22Distribute the land as an allotment for yourselves and for the foreigners who have joined you and are raising their families among you. They will be like native-born Israelites to you and will receive an allotment among the tribes. 23These foreigners are to be given land within the territory of the tribe with whom they now live. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!
Ezekiel 48
Division of the Land
1“Here is the list of the tribes of Israel and the territory each is to receive. The territory of Dan is in the extreme north. Its boundary line follows the Hethlon road to Lebo-hamath and then runs on to Hazar-enan on the border of Damascus, with Hamath to the north. Dan’s territory extends all the way across the land of Israel from east to west.
2“Asher’s territory lies south of Dan’s and also extends from east to west.
3Naphtali’s land lies south of Asher’s, also extending from east to west. 4Then comes Manasseh south of Naphtali, and its territory also extends from east to west. 5South of Manasseh is Ephraim, 6and then Reuben, 7and then Judah, all of whose boundaries extend from east to west.
8“South of Judah is the land set aside for a special purpose. It will be 81/3 miles*48:8 Hebrew 25,000 [cubits] [13.3 kilometers]. wide and will extend as far east and west as the tribal territories, with the Temple at the center.
9“The area set aside for the Lord’s Temple will be 81/3 miles long and 62/3 miles wide.*48:9 As in one Greek manuscript and the Greek reading in 45:1: 25,000 [cubits] [13.3 kilometers] long and 20,000 [cubits] [10.6 kilometers] wide; Hebrew reads 25,000 [cubits] long and 10,000 [cubits] [31/3 miles or 5.3 kilometers] wide. Similarly in 48:13b. Compare 45:1-5; 48:10-13.
10For the priests there will be a strip of land measuring 81/3 miles long by 31/3 miles wide,*48:10 Hebrew 25,000 [cubits] [13.3 kilometers] long by 10,000 [cubits] [5.3 kilometers] wide; also in 48:13a. with the Lord’s Temple at the center. 11This area is set aside for the ordained priests, the descendants of Zadok who served me faithfully and did not go astray with the people of Israel and the rest of the Levites. 12It will be their special portion when the land is distributed, the most sacred land of all. Next to the priests’ territory will lie the land where the other Levites will live.
13“The land allotted to the Levites will be the same size and shape as that belonging to the priests—81/3 miles long and 31/3 miles wide. Together these portions of land will measure 81/3 miles long by 62/3 miles wide.*48:13 See note on 48:9.
14None of this special land may ever be sold or traded or used by others, for it belongs to the Lord; it is set apart as holy.
15“An additional strip of land 81/3 miles long by 12/3 miles wide,*48:15 Hebrew 25,000 [cubits] [13.3 kilometers] long by 5,000 [cubits] [2.65 kilometers] wide. south of the sacred Temple area, will be allotted for public use—homes, pasturelands, and common lands, with a city at the center.
16The city will measure 11/2 miles*48:16 Hebrew 4,500 [cubits] [2.4 kilometers]; also in 48:30, 32, 33, 34. on each side—north, south, east, and west. 17Open lands will surround the city for 150 yards*48:17 Hebrew 250 [cubits] [133 meters]. in every direction. 18Outside the city there will be a farming area that stretches 31/3 miles to the east and 31/3 miles to the west*48:18 Hebrew 10,000 [cubits] [5.3 kilometers] to the east and 10,000 [cubits] to the west. along the border of the sacred area. This farmland will produce food for the people working in the city. 19Those who come from the various tribes to work in the city may farm it. 20This entire area—including the sacred lands and the city—is a square that measures 81/3 miles*48:20 Hebrew 25,000 [cubits] [13.3 kilometers]; also in 48:21. on each side.
21“The areas that remain, to the east and to the west of the sacred lands and the city, will belong to the prince. Each of these areas will be 81/3 miles wide, extending in opposite directions to the eastern and western borders of Israel, with the sacred lands and the sanctuary of the Temple in the center.
22So the prince’s land will include everything between the territories allotted to Judah and Benjamin, except for the areas set aside for the sacred lands and the city.
23“These are the territories allotted to the rest of the tribes. Benjamin’s territory lies just south of the prince’s lands, and it extends across the entire land of Israel from east to west.
24South of Benjamin’s territory lies that of Simeon, also extending across the land from east to west. 25Next is the territory of Issachar with the same eastern and western boundaries.
26“Then comes the territory of Zebulun, which also extends across the land from east to west.
27The territory of Gad is just south of Zebulun with the same borders to the east and west. 28The southern border of Gad runs from Tamar to the waters of Meribah at Kadesh*48:28a Hebrew waters of Meribath-kadesh. and then follows the Brook of Egypt to the Mediterranean.*48:28b Hebrew the Great Sea.
29“These are the allotments that will be set aside for each tribe’s exclusive possession. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!
The Gates of the City
30“These will be the exits to the city: On the north wall, which is 11/2 miles long,
31there will be three gates, each one named after a tribe of Israel. The first will be named for Reuben, the second for Judah, and the third for Levi. 32On the east wall, also 11/2 miles long, the gates will be named for Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan. 33The south wall, also 11/2 miles long, will have gates named for Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun. 34And on the west wall, also 11/2 miles long, the gates will be named for Gad, Asher, and Naphtali.
35“The distance around the entire city will be 6 miles.*48:35a Hebrew 18,000 [cubits] [9.6 kilometers]. And from that day the name of the city will be ‘The Lord Is There.’*48:35b Hebrew Yahweh Shammah.”
