What is the meaning of Ezekiel 40:47? Next he measured the court. – Ezekiel’s guide moves outward from the inner sanctuary to measure the open area that surrounds it. – This act of measurement pictures God’s order and intentional design (cf. Exodus 25:9; Revelation 11:1). Nothing in His house is haphazard. – The court itself signifies a place where people may draw near, yet still recognize the holiness that separates Creator from creature (Psalm 96:6). – By recording the measurement, the prophet assures future readers that God’s promises of a restored temple are concrete, not symbolic only (Isaiah 2:2–3). It was square – The square shape reflects balance, stability, and perfection, pointing to God’s own nature (Deuteronomy 32:4). – A square plan echoes the Most Holy Place of Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 6:20) and anticipates the “city foursquare” of Revelation 21:16. – Such symmetry reassures exiles that what sin disrupted, God will restore to perfect proportion. a hundred cubits long – One hundred cubits (about 175 feet / 53 meters) corresponds to the length of Solomon’s temple complex (2 Chronicles 3:3) and confirms continuity with Israel’s past. – The sizeable distance provides ample room for worshipers, hinting at the inclusive reach of God’s coming kingdom (Zechariah 2:10–11). – The precise figure underlines prophetic certainty; God’s future is measured, not guessed (Numbers 23:19). a hundred cubits wide – Width matching length underscores completeness; every dimension is fully provided for (Psalm 18:30). – Equal sides suggest that all who approach do so on the same footing—there is no preferential entrance (Romans 2:11). – The spacious layout accommodates offerings and gatherings prescribed in the Law (Leviticus 23:1–3), signaling restored observance. And the altar was in front of the temple. – Placement “in front” situates sacrifice at the heart of worship: before one reaches the sanctuary, atonement must be made (Leviticus 17:11). – The altar’s central location foreshadows Christ, whose cross stands between humanity and God, granting access (Hebrews 10:19–22). – This arrangement reprises the pattern of the tabernacle (Exodus 40:6) and Solomon’s temple (2 Chronicles 4:1), confirming continuity of covenant worship. – The vision therefore anticipates a future where sacrifice—and its fulfillment—remains the gateway to fellowship with the Holy One (John 1:29). summary Ezekiel 40:47 presents a meticulously measured, perfectly square court with a prominently placed altar, all reinforcing God’s commitment to ordered, accessible, and atoning worship. The equal dimensions convey completeness and fairness, while the altar’s position proclaims that no one approaches God without sacrifice—a truth ultimately fulfilled in Christ’s once-for-all offering. |
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