ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Ezekiel 40

Ezek. 40:1–48:35 Vision of Restoration. With the last date in the book appearing at 40:1, Ezekiel arrives at the beginning of the end. The book’s final vision establishes God’s absolute supremacy among his people. The vision of chs. 40–48 is a direct counterpart to the pre-destruction vision in chs. 8–11, in which the wickedness practiced in Jerusalem drove the holy God from his temple. In chs. 40–42, Ezekiel is again taken on a tour, this time of the new temple, leading to the return of the glory of God (43:1–5). The voice of the Lord instructs Ezekiel in the regulations for Israel’s renewed worship life (43:6–46:24). When the “tour” resumes, Ezekiel witnesses the river flowing from the temple, which brings life to the world (46:19–47:12). The book concludes with the division of the land among the tribes, with the new city and new temple at its heart, with equal access for all (47:13–48:35). The vision describes the actual presence of God within the temple. Chapters 40–42 prepare for this; ch. 43 records God’s actual return to the temple; chs. 44–46 provide the rules for worship in God’s presence; ch. 47 describes its effects; and ch. 48 describes access to the temple. The vision thus builds on themes of earlier oracles: the supremacy of God; the requirements demanded by his holiness; revitalization by his Spirit; honoring God by living in holiness; and preserving the purity of the community by maintaining divine justice.

Ezek. 40:1–42:20 Fourteen years after the destruction of Jerusalem, Ezekiel is given a vision of a rebuilt temple, just as he had been given a temple vision 20 years earlier (8:1). As on that occasion, a heavenly being leads him around the temple precincts. This time, however, the vision does not reveal the sin of Ezekiel’s people but the splendor of his God. The temple itself appears to be geometrically idealized. It is a square structure, with the most sacred place being both the innermost and the uppermost. Ezekiel is led back to the outer court in ch. 42, where various chambers of the temple area are identified. See illustration.

Ezek. 40:1–4 The date corresponds to April 573 b.c. About 12 years have passed since the last dated oracle (32:1). The phrase visions of God links this vision with 1:1 and 8:3. The ruined city is in the prophet’s mind (40:1) as the vision of a new city comes to him (v. 2).

Ezek. 40:5–27 The tour with accompanying measurements begins at the main east entrance. The main units of measurement are given (v. 5): the reed, about 10 feet (3.1 m), which was equal to six long cubits of about 20 inches (50 cm). The outer wall is thus about 10 feet high and 10 feet thick (v. 5; 3 m high and 3 m thick).

Ezek. 40:28–49 Ezekiel’s guide then leads him into the inner court by way of the south gate (v. 28). The descriptions are briefer since the design is repeated from the outer gates. The sequence now is south gate (vv. 28–31), east gate (vv. 32–34), and north gate (vv. 35–37). This area is reserved for priestly use. The furnishings and tools used in sacrificial ceremonies are described in vv. 38–43. The chambers used by two classes of ministering priests (see 44:9–31) are found in the north and south gates (40:44–47). Ezekiel and his guide then approach the central structure of the inner court, the temple building itself (vv. 48–49). With 10 steps (v. 49; compare vv. 22, 31), it is the tallest of any set of stairs.