Ezekiel Chapter 43 Vs. 13-17

Ezekiel 43:13-17



The altar of burnt offering



When the millennial temple is established and God is enthroned in it, daily services will begin. Ezekiel was given a description of the altar (Eze. 43:13-17) and regulations for consecrating it (Eze. 43:18-27).

The height of the altar was 19’ feet 11 long cubits but part of this was below ground. The height of the altar above the ground (10 cubits) corresponds to the altar constructed by Solomon (2Ch. 4:1). However, since Solomon used the shorter 18-inch cubit (2Ch. 3:3), the total height of his altar was only 15 feet compared with an above-ground height of 17½ feet for the millennial altar. The altar hearth, 21 feet square, was reached by a flight of steps facing east.

This cubit is peculiar in that it is a cubit and a hand breadth which is 21.648 inches. A span is 10.9 inches. It appears this is 21.648 inches wide with a border on it of 10.9 inches. This must be speaking of the top where the sacrifice is made.

It appears the piece mentioned here is like a square pan that the sacrifice is placed on and it has a lip of 10.9 inches holding it in place.

This seems to be in layers the first area closest to the ground is two cubits tall. If we are using the cubit plus a hand span, this is about 43 inches in depth. If this is a regular cubit it would be 36 inches tall. This would probably 21.648 inches wide. From the lesser to the greater settle would be either 72 inches or about 86 inches, according to which cubit you use. The breadth is the same as the other.

The 4 horns extending upward from the altar symbolize strength. The 72, or about 86 inches is actually the height of the entire altar.

If these are the regular 18 inch cubit, the altar is 18 feet long. It will, also, be 18 feet broad. The lower settle could symbolize the mount of God, and the upper settle could be speaking of the hearth of God. At any rate, this is where the sacrifice is made.

Again, using the 18 inch cubit, this would be a 21 feet by 21 feet square. There is a small border that goes around it. This is so tall, that stairs must be climbed to offer the sacrifice.