Ezekiel Chapter 40 Vs. 1-4

Ezekiel Chapter 40

Temple Scripture

Beginning in chapter 40 and going through to the end of the book, and clearly a unit. They spell out the construction of a new temple and a new order of worship for Israel. Much discussion has been engendered as to the identity of the temple described in these chapters. It is a literal temple yet to be built. In favor of this view is the fact that the measurements of the temple given in these chapters do not fit any temple or tabernacle mentioned in Scripture. It therefore awaits fulfillment which can take place only in the time of Israel’s blessing and restoration during the millennial reign of Christ as given in Revelation 20:4-6.

Starting in chapter 40 to 42, we see the new temple includes the traditional outer court (40:5-27); and inner court (40:28-47); as well as the building proper (40:48 - 41:26); adjacent building (42:1-14); outer walls (42:15-20); and altar (43:13-27).

The fact that Ezekiel would spend so much space describing the temple indicates its importance. Actually, upwards of 50 chapters in the bible are devoted to descriptions of the tabernacle and various temples. In the Book of Ezekiel, the prophet shows clearly that the tragic departure of God’s glory from the temple, described in chapters 10 and 11, is reversed in the future temple when the Spirit returns (43:1-12) and fills it with glory. God is not finished with His people. They will yet see His glory.

Ezekiel 40:1-4

On that very day God took Ezekiel back to Jerusalem in a vision (cf. Eze. 8:1-3). Jerusalem was then vastly different from what it was before. Ezekiel was led on a “tour” of the future temple which he recorded in remarkable detail. This tour was given by a man, probably an angel, whose appearance was like bronze. This is the twenty fifth year of the captivity in Babylon or 573 B.C. The 10^th day was the start of preparations for Passover.

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.

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 and could be Mt. Zion which is approximately 3280 feet tall.

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. An angel conducted a tour of all the details shown to the prophet, appearing in the form of a man appearing like bright, gleaming bronze.

He could be understood as the Angel of the Lord since he is called “Lord” as you will see when we come to 44:2.

His “line of flax” was for larger measurements, the “rod” for shorter ones. (Rev. 11:1; 21:5) God measured what belongs to Him.



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.