eastern gate

July 20, 2017

The flowing water leads to a river (Ezek 47:3-47:5)

“Going on eastward,

With a cord in his hand,

The man measured

One thousand cubits.

Then he led me

Through the water.

It was ankle-deep.

Again,

He measured

One thousand cubits.

He led me

Through the water.

It was knee-deep.

Again,

He measured

One thousand cubits.

He led me

Through the water.

It was up to the waist.

Again,

He measured

One thousand cubits.

It was a river

That I could not cross.

The water had risen.

It was deep enough

To swim in,

A river

That could not be crossed.”

The bronze man took a cord and started to measure the flowing water from the Temple. For the first 1,000 cubits or 1,500 feet, or a little over a quarter mile, the water was only ankle-deep. He then led Ezekiel across this small stream. However, the next measured 1,000 cubits or quarter mile, the water was knee high. Once again, he led Ezekiel across this knee-high water. After the 3rd measurement of 1,000 cubits or over a quarter mile, the water was waist high. Ezekiel then waded through this waist-high water. Finally, after another 1,000 cubits or another quarter mile, it was a mighty river that Ezekiel could not cross, except by swimming, because it was so deep. Thus, there was a river, a little over a mile from the eastern gate of the Temple.

July 18, 2017

The free will offerings (Ezek 46:12-46:12)

“When the prince provides

A freewill offering,

Either a burnt offering

Or a peace offering,

As a freewill offering

To Yahweh,

The gate facing east

Shall be opened

For him.

He shall offer

His burnt offering

Or his peace offering

As he does

On the Sabbath day.

Then he shall go out.

After he has gone out

The gate

Shall be closed.”

The prince could make a free will offering at any time, whether it was a burnt offering or a peace offering. The eastern gate would be opened for him. He would make the offerings the same as if it was the Sabbath. He would go in and come out the same gate, unlike the straight-ahead procedure for the people of the land. However, after he left, the east gate was to be closed.

July 17, 2017

The prince makes his offerings (Ezek 46:2-46:2)

“The prince shall enter

By the vestibule

Of the gate

From outside.

He shall take

His stand

By the post

Of the gate.

The priests shall offer

His burnt offering,

As well as his peace offerings.

He shall bow down

At the threshold

Of the gate.

Then he shall go out.

But the gate shall

Not be closed

Until evening.”

The prince seemed to be allowed to enter into the vestibule by the eastern gate. He stood at a post near the gate, while the priests offered up his burnt offerings and peace offerings. The prince would bow down at the threshold of the gate. Then he would go out the eastern gate, since it would not be closed until evening came.

July 2, 2017

The southern gate and the vestibule (Ezek 40:24-40:27)

“Then he led me

Toward the south.

There was a gate

On the south.

He measured

Its pilasters,

With its vestibule.

They had the same dimensions

As the others.

There were windows

All around in it

In its vestibule.

They were

Like the windows

Of the others.

Its depth was

fifty cubits.

Its width was

Twenty-five cubits.

There were seven steps

Leading up to it.

Its vestibule

Was on the inside.

It had palm trees

On its pilasters,

One on either side.

There was a gate

On the south

Of the inner court.

He measured

From gate to gate

Toward the south,

A hundred cubits.”

The southern gate and its vestibule was similar to the northern and eastern gates and vestibules mentioned above. The bronze man measured and found out that these southern pilasters and vestibules had the same dimensions as the northern and eastern vestibules. The southern windows were also the same as on the north and east side. This southern vestibule was 50 cubits deep and 25 cubits wide, the same as the northern gate, about 80 feet by 40 feet. The 7 steps were the same as on the other sides, as well as the palm trees on the pilasters. This south side also had the double gate system, so that is was about 100 cubits, 160 feet, from this southern gate to the inner court, just like the other 2 situations.

July 1, 2017

The northern gate and the vestibule (Ezek 40:20-40:23

“Then he measured

The gate of the outer court

That faced north,

Its depth,

Its width.

It had three recesses

On either side.

Its pilasters,

As well as its vestibule

Were of the same size

As those of the first gate.

It depth was

Fifty cubits.

Its width was

Twenty-five cubits.

Its windows,

Its vestibule,

As well as its palm trees,

Were of the same size

As those of the gate

That faced

Toward the east.

Seven steps

Led up to it.

Its vestibule was

On the inside.

Opposite the gate

On the north,

As on the east,

Was a gate

To the inner court.

He measured

From gate to gate,

One hundred cubits.”

The bronze man moved to the northern outer court. The depth and width of the gate, its recesses or open-air rooms, its pilasters, and its vestibule were the same size as the first eastern gate, 50 cubits deep, about 80 feet, and 25 cubits wide, about 40 feet. Its windows, its vestibule, and its palm trees were the same size as on the eastern vestibule. This northern gate was the same size as the gate that faced east. There were also 7 steps that led up to it. This vestibule was on the inside, opposite the gate to the inner court. The bronze man measured 100 cubits from gate to gate, about 160 feet.