¹我们被掳掠 第二十 五 年 ，耶路撒冷 城 攻破 后 十四 年 ，正在年 初 ，月 之初十 日，耶和华 的灵（原文是手 ）降在我身上，他把我带到 以色列 地。

¹In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither.

¹ CHAPTER XL

The prophecy or vision, which begins here, continues to the end

of the Book. The Temple of Jerusalem lying in ruins when

Ezekiel had this vision, (for its date as the fourteenth year

after the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar,) the Jews

needed consolation. If they were not promised a restoration of

the temple, they would not feel so great an interest in

returning home. It ts thought by some that no model of

Solomon's Temple had remained. To direct them, therefore, in

the dimensions, parts, order, and rules of their new temple

might be one reason why Ezekiel is so particular in the

description of the old; to which the new was conformable in

figure and parts, though inferior in magnificence, on account

of the poverty of the nation at the time. Whatever was august

or illustrious in the prophetic figures, and not literally

fulfilled in or near their own times, the ancient Jews properly

considered as belonging to the time of the Messiah.

Accordingly, upon finding that the latter temple fell short of

the model of the temple here described by Ezekiel, they

supposed the prophecy to refer, at least in part, to the period

now mentioned. And we, who live under the Gospel dispensation,

have apostolical authority for the assertion that the temple

and temple worship were emblematic of Christ's Church,

frequently represented in the New Testament under the metaphor

of a temple, in allusion to the symmetry, beauty, and firmness

of that of Solomon; to its orderly worship; and to the

manifestations it held of the Divine Presence. This chapter

commences with the time, manner, and end of the vision, 1-5.

We have next a description of the east gate, 6-19,

the north gate, 20-22,

and the south gate, 24-31.

A farther description of the east gate, 32-34,

and of the north gate, 35-38.

Account of the eight tables, 39-43;

of the chambers, 44-47;

and of the porch of the temple, 48, 49.

NOTES ON CHAP. XL



Verse 1. In the five and twentieth year of our captivity]

According to the date here given, this prophecy was delivered on

Tuesday, April 20, A.M. 3430, in the twenty-fifth year of the

captivity of Jeconiah, and fourteen years after the taking of

Jerusalem.



The temple here described by Ezekiel is, in all probability, the

same which he saw before his captivity, and which had been burned

by the Chaldeans fourteen years before this vision. On comparing

the Books of Kings and Chronicles with this prophet, we shall find

the same dimensions in the parts described by both; for instance,

the temple, or place which comprehended the sanctuary, the holy

place, and the vestibule or porch before the temple, is found to

measure equally the same both in Ezekiel and the Kings. Compare

1Ki 6:3-16, with Eze 41:2, &c. The inside ornaments of the

temple are entirely the same; in both we see two courts; an inner

one for the priests, and an outer one for the people. Compare

1Ki 6:29-36; 2Ch 4:9; and Eze 41:16, 17, and Eze 48:7-10.

So that there is room to suppose that, in all the rest, the temple

of Ezekiel resembled the old one; and that God's design in

retracing these ideas in the prophet's memory was to preserve the

remembrance of the plan, the dimensions, the ornaments, and whole

structure of this Divine edifice; and that at the return from

captivity the people might more easily repair it, agreeably to

this model. The prophet's applying himself to describe this

edifice was a motive of hope to the Jews of seeing themselves one

day delivered from captivity, the temple rebuilt, and their nation

restored to its ancient inheritance. Ezekiel touches very slightly

upon the description of the temple or house of the Lord, which

comprehended the holy place or sanctuary, and which are so exactly

described in the Books of Kings. He dwells more largely upon the

gates, the galleries, and apartments, of the temple, concerning

which the history of the kings had not spoken, or only just taken

notice of by the way.



This is the judgment of Calmet; and although every Biblical

critic is of the same opinion, yet more labour is spent on

rebuilding this temple of Ezekiel than was spent on that built

by Solomon! The Jesuits, Prada and Vililalpand, have given three

folio volumes on this temple, with abundance of cuts, where the

different parts are exhibited after the finest models of Grecian

and Roman architecture! But still the building is incomplete. Now,

of what consequence is all this to the Christian, or to any other

reader? I confess I see not. While, then, we have the exact

dimensions and accurate description in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles,

of that built by Solomon, in imitation of which this plan by

Ezekiel was drawn, we need not be very solicitous about the manner

of measuring and describing used by the prophet; as, when we have

laboured through the whole, we have only the measurements and

description of that built by Solomon, and delineated by a hand not

less faithful in the First Book of Kings, chap. vi., and Second

Chronicles, chap. ii., iii., iv., v. and vi.



As the prophet knew that the Chaldeans had utterly destroyed the

temple, he thought it necessary to preserve an exact description

of it, that on their restoration the people might build one on the

same model. As to allegorical meanings relative to this temple, I

can say nothing: God has given no data by which any thing of this

kind can be known or applied; and as to those who have laboured in

this way, perhaps "Solomon's Temple Spiritualized, by John

Bunyan," is equally good with their well-intended inventions.

Those who wish to enter much into the particulars of this temple

must have recourse to the more voluminous expositors, who on this

subject seem to have thought that they could never say enough. See

also the accompanying map.

²在神 的异象 中带 我到以色列 地 ，安置 在至 高 的山上 ；在山上的南边 有彷彿一座城 建立 。

²In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south.^a

² Verse 2. Set me upon a very high mountain] Mount Moriah, the

mount on which Solomon's temple was built, 2Ch 3:1.

³他带 我到那里，见有一人 ，颜色（原文是形状 ）如铜 ，手 拿麻 绳 和量度 的竿 ，站 在门口 。

³And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.

³ Verse 3. A man, whose appearance was like-brass] Like bright

polished brass, which strongly reflected the rays of light.

Probably he had what we would term a nimbus or glory round his

head. This was either an angel; or, as some think, a personal

appearance of our blessed Lord.

⁴那人 对我说 ：人 子 啊，凡我所指示 你的，你都要用眼 看 ，用耳 听 ，并要放 在心 上。我带 你到这里来，特为 要指示 你；凡你所见 的，你都要告诉 以色列 家 。

⁴And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.

⁴ Verse 4. Declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel]

That they may know how to build the second temple, when they shall

be restored from their captivity.

⁵我见殿 四围 有墙 。那人 手 拿量度 的竿 ，长六 肘 ，每肘是一肘 零一掌。他用竿量 墙 ，厚 一 竿 ，高 一 竿 。

⁵And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.

⁵ Verse 5. A measuring reed of six cubits long] The Hebrew cubit

is supposed to be about twenty and a half inches; and a palm,

about three inches more; the length of the rod about ten feet six

inches.



The breadth-one reed; and the height, one reed.] As this wall

was as broad as it was high, it must have been a kind of parapet,

which was carried, of the same dimensions, all round the temple.

See AAAA in the plan. Eze 48:35

⁶他到 了朝 东 的门 ，就上 门的台阶 ，量 门 的这槛 ，宽 一 竿 ；又量门的那 槛 ，宽 一 竿 。

⁶ ¶ Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad.^b

⁶ Verse 6. Went up the stairs thereof] As the temple was built

upon an eminence, there must have been steps on the outside,

opposite to each door, to ascend by. And it appears there were

steps to go up from one court to another, see

Eze 40:22, 26, 34, 37; and also from the

court of the priests to the sanctuary, Eze 40:49. See MMMMM in

the plan. Eze 48:35

⁷又有卫房 ，每房长 一 竿 ，宽 一 竿 ，相隔五 肘 。门 槛 ，就是挨着 向 殿的廊 门 槛，宽一 竿 。

⁷And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed.

⁷ Verse 7. And every little chamber was one reed] These were the

chambers of the buildings which were within the inclosure of the

temple round the court, and these chambers appear to have been

numerous. See the map, which has been carefully copied from that

of Calmet.

⁸他又量 向 殿门 的廊子 ，宽一 竿 。

⁸He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed.

⁹又量 门 廊 ，宽八 肘 ，墙柱 厚二 肘 ；那门 的廊子 向着 殿。

⁹Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits; and the porch of the gate was inward.

⁹ Verse 9. The porch of the gate] See account of the gates in the

plan. Eze 48:35

¹⁰东 门 洞有卫房 ：这旁 三间 ，那旁 三间 ，都是一 样的尺寸 ；这边的柱子 和那边的柱子，也是一 样的尺寸 。

¹⁰And the little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side; they three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side.

¹¹他量 门 口 ，宽 十 肘 ，长 十三 肘 。

¹¹And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits.

¹²卫房 前 展出的境界 ：这边一 肘 ，那边一肘 ；卫房 这边六 肘 ，那边六 肘 。

¹²The space also before the little chambers was one cubit on this side, and the space was one cubit on that side: and the little chambers were six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side.^c

¹³又量 门洞 ，从这卫房 顶的后檐 到那卫房顶的后檐 ，宽 二十 五 肘 ；卫房门 与门 相对。

¹³He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door.

¹⁴又量（原文是造 ）廊子 六十 肘 （七十士译本是二十肘），墙柱 外是院子 ，有廊为界，在门洞 两边 。

¹⁴He made also posts of threescore cubits, even unto the post of the court round about the gate.

¹⁵从大门 口 到内 廊 前，共五十 肘 。

¹⁵And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face of the porch of the inner gate were fifty cubits.

¹⁵ Verse 15. Fifty cubits.] The length of the building. See MMMMM

in the plan. See Clarke on Eze 48:35.

¹⁶卫房 和门洞 两旁 柱 间 并廊子 ，都有严紧 的窗棂 ；里 边 都有窗棂 ，柱 上有雕刻的棕树 。

¹⁶And there were narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and windows were round about inward: and upon each post were palm trees.^{d, e, f}

¹⁷他带 我到外 院 ，见院的四围有鋪石地 ；鋪石地上有屋子 三十 间。

¹⁷Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement.

¹⁷ Verse 17. The outward court] This was the court of the people.

¹⁸鋪石地 ，就是矮 鋪石地 在各门洞 两旁 ，以门洞 的长短 为度 。

¹⁸And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement.

¹⁹他从 下 门 量 到 内 院 外 ，共宽 一百 肘 ，东面 北面 都是如此。

¹⁹Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward.^g

²⁰他量 外 院 朝 北 的门 ，长 宽 若干。

²⁰ ¶ And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof.^h

²¹门洞的卫房 ，这旁三间 ，那旁三间 。门洞的柱子 和廊子 ，与第一 门 的尺寸 一样。门洞长 五十 肘 ，宽 二十 五 肘 。

²¹And the little chambers thereof were three on this side and three on that side; and the posts thereof and the arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.ⁱ

²¹ Verse 21. And the little chambers thereof were three, &c.] See

the plan. See Clarke on Eze 48:35.



Arches] Porch. The arch was not known at this period.

²²其窗棂 和廊子 ，并雕刻的棕树 ，与朝 东 的门 尺寸 一样。登 七 层台阶 上到这门，前面 有廊子 。

²²And their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them.

²³内 院 有门 与这门 相对，北面 东面 都是如此。他从这门 量 到那门 ，共一百 肘 。

²³And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from gate to gate an hundred cubits.

²⁴他带 我往 南 去，见朝 南 有门 ，又照先前的尺寸 量 门洞的柱子 和廊子 。

²⁴ ¶ After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof and the arches thereof according to these measures.

²⁴ Verse 24. According to these measures.] The same measures that

had been used at the eastern court.

²⁵门洞两旁 与廊子 的周围都有窗棂 ，和先量的窗棂 一样。门洞长 五十 肘 ，宽 二十 五 肘 。

²⁵And there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.

²⁶登七 层台阶 上到 这门，前面 有廊子 ；柱 上有雕刻的棕树 ，这边一 棵，那边一 棵。

²⁶And there were seven steps to go up to it, and the arches thereof were before them: and it had palm trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof.

²⁷内 院 朝 南 有门 。从这门 量 到朝 南 的那门 ，共一百 肘 。

²⁷And there was a gate in the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south an hundred cubits.

²⁸他带 我从南 门 到内 院 ，就照先前的尺寸 量 南 门 。

²⁸And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures;

²⁹卫房 和柱子 ，并廊子 都照先前的尺寸 。门洞两旁与廊子 的周围 都有窗棂 。门洞长 五十 肘 ，宽 二十 五 肘 。

²⁹And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these measures: and there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.

³⁰周围 有廊子 ，长 二十 五 肘 ，宽 五 肘 。

³⁰And the arches round about were five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad.^j

³⁰ Verse 30. And the arches round about were five and twenty cubits

long] That the five cubits broad should be read twenty-five is

evident from Eze 40:21, 25, 29, 33, 36, The word

veesrim, twenty, has probably been lost out of the text. Indeed

the whole verse is wanting in two of Kennicott's MSS., one of

De Rossi's, and one of mine, (Cod. B.) It has been added in the

margin of mine by a later hand. It is reported to have been

anciently wanting in many MSS.

³¹廊子 朝着外 院 ，柱 上有雕刻的棕树 。登 八层 台阶 上到这门。

³¹And the arches thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it had eight steps.

³²他带 我到内 院 的东 面 ，就照先前的尺寸 量 东门 。

³² ¶ And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.

³³卫房 和柱子 ，并廊子 都照先前的尺寸 。门洞两旁 与廊子 的周围都有窗棂 。门洞长 五十 肘 ，宽 二十 五 肘 。

³³And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, were according to these measures: and there were windows therein and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.

³⁴廊子 朝着外 院 。门洞两旁的柱子 都有雕刻的棕树 。登 八 层台阶 上到这门。

³⁴And the arches thereof were toward the outward court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.

³⁵他带 我到北 门 ，就照先前的尺寸 量 那门，

³⁵ ¶ And he brought me to the north gate, and measured it according to these measures;

³⁶就是量卫房 和柱子 ，并廊子 。门洞周围 都有窗棂 ；门洞长 五十 肘 ，宽 二十 五 肘 。

³⁶The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.

³⁷廊柱 朝着外 院 。门洞两旁的柱子 都有雕刻的棕树 。登 八 层台阶 上到这门。

³⁷And the posts thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.

³⁸门洞 的柱 旁有屋子 和门 ；祭司（原文是他们）在那里洗 燔祭牲 。

³⁸And the chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering.

³⁹在门 廊 内，这边有两 张桌子 ，那边有两张桌子 ，在其上可以宰杀 燔祭牲 、赎罪祭 牲，和赎愆祭牲 。

³⁹ ¶ And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering.

³⁹ Verse 39. The porch of the gate] The north gate of the court of

the priests. See Q in the plan. See Clarke on Eze 48:35.



Two tables] Some say of marble. See dddd in the plan.

See Clarke on Eze 48:35.

⁴⁰上到 朝北 的门 口 ，这边 有两张桌子 ，门 廊 那 边 也有两张桌子 。

⁴⁰And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, were two tables; and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables.^k

⁴¹门 这边 有四 张桌子 ，那边有四 张桌子 ，共八 张；在其上祭司宰杀 牺牲。

⁴¹Four tables were on this side, and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate; eight tables, whereupon they slew their sacrifices.

⁴¹ Verse 41. Four tables] These were in the porch of the north

gate, in the court of the priests: on them they slew, flayed, and

cut up the victims. See dddd in the plan. See Clarke on Eze 48:35.

⁴²为燔祭牲 有四 张桌子 ，是凿过 的石头 做成的，长 一肘 半 ，宽 一肘 半 ，高 一 肘 。祭司将宰杀 燔祭牲 和平安祭牲 所用的器皿 放 在其上。

⁴²And the four tables were of hewn stone for the burnt offering, of a cubit and an half long, and a cubit and an half broad, and one cubit high: whereupon also they laid the instruments wherewith they slew the burnt offering and the sacrifice.

⁴³有 钩子 ，宽一 掌 ，钉 在廊内的四围 。桌子 上有牺牲 的肉 。

⁴³And within were hooks, an hand broad, fastened round about: and upon the tables was the flesh of the offering.^l

⁴⁴在北 门 旁 ，内 院 里有屋子 ，为歌唱 的人而设。这屋子朝 南 （南：原文是东 ）；在南门 旁 ，又有一间朝 北 。

⁴⁴ ¶ And without the inner gate were the chambers of the singers in the inner court, which was at the side of the north gate; and their prospect was toward the south: one at the side of the east gate having the prospect toward the north.

⁴⁵他对我说 ：这 朝 南的屋子 是为看守 殿宇 的祭司 ；

⁴⁵And he said unto me, This chamber, whose prospect is toward the south, is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house.^m

⁴⁶那朝 北 的屋子 是为看守 祭坛 的祭司 。这些祭司是利未 人中撒督 的子孙 ，近前 来事奉 耶和华 的。

⁴⁶And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.

⁴⁷他又量 内院 ，长 一百 肘 ，宽 一百 肘 ，是见方的 。祭坛 在殿 前 。

⁴⁷So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar that was before the house.

⁴⁷ Verse 47. He measured the court] This was the court of the

priests. See FFF in the plan. See Clarke on Eze 48:35.

⁴⁸于是他带 我到殿 前的廊子 ，量 廊子 的墙柱 。这面厚五 肘 ，那面厚五 肘 。门 两旁，这边三 肘 ，那边三 肘 。

⁴⁸ ¶ And he brought me to the porch of the house, and measured each post of the porch, five cubits on this side, and five cubits on that side: and the breadth of the gate was three cubits on this side, and three cubits on that side.

⁴⁸ Verse 48. Breadth of the gate] It is evident that the gate was a

bivalve, or had folding doors. The length of the porch was twenty

cubits. Josephus says the vestibule was twenty cubits long and ten

broad. Antiq. lib. viii. 3, 2.

⁴⁹廊子 长 二十 肘 ，宽 十一 肘 。上 廊子有台阶 。靠近墙柱 又有柱子 ，这边一 根，那边一 根。

⁴⁹The length of the porch was twenty cubits, and the breadth eleven cubits; and he brought me by the steps whereby they went up to it: and there were pillars by the posts, one on this side, and another on that side.

⁴⁹ Verse 49. By the steps] This was a flight of steps that led to

the temple; there were eight steps in each flight. See YY in the

plan. See Clarke on Eze 48:35.