Ezekiel 43:13-17 · Bible study
Ezekiel 43:13-17 Commentary: The Altar's Dimensions
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does God give such precise measurements for the altar in Ezekiel's temple vision? Explore the meaning and significance.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The detailed measurements of the altar of burnt offering emphasize God's holiness and the necessity of atonement for his presence among his people.
- Key words: Cubit, settle (ledge), hearth (Ariel/Harel), horns, border, steps. The “cubit of a cubit and a handbreadth” sets a sacred standard.
- Main debate: Whether the altar is a literal blueprint for a future temple, a symbolic picture of the church, or a typological pointer to Christ.
- Theological theme: Atonement, holiness, and the restoration of God's presence. The altar is the means by which a sinful people can dwell safely with a holy God.
- Best use: Teaching on the seriousness of sin and the wonder of Christ's sacrifice, or as background for understanding the book of Hebrews and the fulfillment of the sacrificial system.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
13These are the measurements of the altar in long cubits (a cubit and a handbreadth): Its gutter shall be a cubit deep and a cubit wide, with a rim of one span around its edge. And this is the height of the altar:
14The space from the gutter on the ground to the lower ledge shall be two cubits, and the ledge one cubit wide. The space from the smaller ledge to the larger ledge shall be four cubits, and the ledge one cubit wide.
15The altar hearth shall be four cubits high, and four horns shall project upward from the hearth.
16The altar hearth shall be square at its four corners, twelve cubits long and twelve cubits wide.
17The ledge shall also be square, fourteen cubits long and fourteen cubits wide, with a rim of half a cubit and a gutter of a cubit all around it. The steps of the altar shall face east.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
13“These are the measurements of the altar by cubits (the cubit is a cubit and a hand width): the bottom shall be a cubit, and the width a cubit, and its border around its edge a span; and this shall be the base of the altar.
14From the bottom on the ground to the lower ledge shall be two cubits, and the width one cubit; and from the lesser ledge to the greater ledge shall be four cubits, and the width a cubit.
15The upper altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar hearth and upward there shall be four horns.
16The altar hearth shall be twelve cubits long by twelve wide, square in its four sides.
17The ledge shall be fourteen cubits long by fourteen wide in its four sides; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and its bottom shall be a cubit around; and its steps shall look toward the east.”
KJV King James Version 1769
13And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar.
14And from the bottom upon the ground even to the lower settle shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle shall be four cubits, and the breadth one cubit.
15So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns.
16And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof.
17And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
13And these are the measures of the altar by cubits (the cubit is a cubit and a handbreadth): the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about a span; and this shall be the base of the altar.
14And from the bottom upon the ground to the lower ledge shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser ledge to the greater ledge shall be four cubits, and the breadth a cubit.
15And the upper altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar hearth and upward there shall be four horns.
16And the altar hearth shall be twelve cubits long by twelve broad, square in the four sides thereof.
17And the ledge shall be fourteen cubits long by fourteen broad in the four sides thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit round about; and the steps thereof shall look toward the east.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
13`And these are measures of the altar by cubits: The cubit is a cubit and a handbreadth, and the centre is a cubit, and a cubit the breadth; and its border on its edge round about is one span, and this is the upper part of the altar.
14And from the centre of the ground unto the lower border is two cubits, and the breadth one cubit, and from the lesser border unto the greater border four cubits, and the breadth a cubit.
15`And the altar is four cubits, and from the altar and upward are four horns.
16And the altar is twelve long by twelve broad, square in its four squares.
17And the border is fourteen long by fourteen broad, at its four squares, and the border round about it is half a cubit, and the centre to it is a cubit round about, and its steps are looking eastward.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
13And these are the measures of the altar in cubits: the cubit is a cubit and a hand breadth. The bottom was a cubit [in height] and the breadth a cubit, and its border on the edge thereof round about, one span: and this was the base of the altar.
14And from the bottom upon the ground to the lower settle was two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the small settle to the great settle, four cubits, and the breadth a cubit.
15And the upper altar was four cubits; and from the hearth of God and upward were four horns.
16And the hearth of God was twelve [cubits] long, by twelve broad, square in the four sides thereof.
17And the settle was fourteen [cubits] long by fourteen broad in the four sides thereof; and the border about it, half a cubit; and the bottom thereof a cubit round about: and its steps looked toward the east.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
13And these are the measures of the altar by the truest cubit, which is a cubit and a handbreadth: the bottom thereof was a cubit, and the breadth a cubit: and the border thereof unto its edge, and round about, one handbreadth: and this was the trench of the altar.
14And from the bottom of the ground to the lowest brim two cubits, and the breadth of one cubit: and from the lesser brim to the greater brim four cubits, and the breadth of one cubit.
15And the Ariel itself was four cubits: and from the Ariel upward were four horns.
16And the Ariel was twelve cubits long, and twelve cubits broad, foursquare, with equal sides.
17And the brim was fourteen cubits long, and fourteen cubits broad in the four corners thereof: and the crown round about it was half a cubit, and the bottom of it one cubit round about: and its steps turned toward the east.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this passage describes the altar of burnt offering in the visionary temple. The cubit used is the longer royal cubit (a cubit plus a handbreadth), as seen earlier in Ezekiel 40:5. The altar is constructed in stages: a base, then two narrower ledges, then the hearth with four horns. Barnes notes that the dimensions differ from the altars of the Tabernacle and Solomon's temple, introducing symbolic numbers. Gill identifies the altar as a type of Christ, particularly in its role as the support for sacrifice. Keil and Delitzsch describe the structure in detail, noting the Hebrew terms ḥêq (bosom or base) and harel/ariel (mount of God/lion of God) for the hearth. The numbers 12, 14, and 4 are understood as symbols of the twelve tribes, the covenant (seven doubled), and the four corners of the earth. All agree the altar faces east, connecting to the return of God's glory (Ezekiel 43:2-5). The steps are actually an inclined ascent, respecting Exodus 20:26 which forbids literal steps.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal future temple: Reads the dimensions as a real architectural plan for a millennial temple, citing the detailed measurements and context of Ezekiel 40-48 as prophetic blueprint.
- Symbolic of the church: Interprets the altar and temple as a symbol of the church, the new covenant people of God, emphasizing the numbers and holiness themes as applicable to Christian worship.
- Typological of Christ: Sees the altar as a type of Christ and the cross, supported by passages like Hebrews 13:10 and the idea that Christ is the true sacrifice and the true place of atonement.
What is clear: The altar is the place of burnt offering and blood atonement, and its precise dimensions communicate that God's holiness demands an exact and sacred standard for worship.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The cubit used for the altar | All commentators agree that the 'cubit' here is a longer royal cubit (cubit plus handbreadth), as used earlier in Ezekiel 40:5. | No significant debate on the measurement itself; the length of a handbreadth (about four inches) is standard. |
| Structure and height of the altar | It is agreed that the altar has a base, two ledges (lower and upper), a hearth with four horns, and steps facing east. | Some commentators (e.g., Clarke) calculate the total height as 10 cubits (same as Solomon's), while others (e.g., Gill) allow for a possible 11 cubits depending on interpretation of the base and upper sections. |
| Names Harel and Ariel for the hearth | Both terms refer to the altar hearth: Harel meaning 'mountain of God' and Ariel meaning 'lion of God'. | Clarke suggests the lion metaphor emphasizes how the hearth devours sacrifices like a lion. Barnes notes the names are 'conjectural' and their exact significance is uncertain. |
| Symbolic meaning of the numbers | The numbers (4, 12, 14) are symbolic: 4 for the earth, 12 for the tribes, 14 for the covenant (double 7). | Interpreters differ on how far the symbolism extends: some see precise prophecies about Israel's future, while others treat the numbers as general signs of order and completeness without specific predictive content. |
| Interpretive approach to the passage | The altar is centrally about atonement and God's holy presence. Christians agree it points to the need for sacrifice. | Some traditions read the passage as a literal plan for a millennial temple (dispensationalist), others as a symbolic vision of the church (covenant theology), and still others as a typological foreshadowing of Christ and the cross. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Ezekiel's temple vision (chapters 40, 48) was given to the prophet while he was in exile in Babylon, after the destruction of the first temple. The vision offers a detailed blueprint for a restored sanctuary where God would dwell among his people again (Ezekiel 43:9). The altar of burnt offering is the heart of that restoration, because sacrifice is required for atonement and access to God.
The measurement system, a cubit plus a handbreadth, matches the reed used earlier (Ezekiel 40:5). This longer cubit (roughly 21 inches) was distinct from the common Babylonian cubit and signaled a sacred standard. The altar is built in a terraced or stepped fashion: a base (one cubit high and one cubit wide), then a lower ledge (two cubits high, one cubit wide), then an upper ledge (four cubits high, one cubit wide), then the hearth or ariel (four cubits high). From the hearth rise four horns at the corners. Total height from ground to hearth top is ten cubits, matching Solomon's bronze altar (2 Chronicles 4:1). The hearth is twelve cubits square; the upper ledge is fourteen cubits square, each ledge retreats one cubit from the one below, creating a pyramid-like shape.
The horns served both practical and symbolic purposes: sacrifices were bound to them (Psalm 118:27), and blood was applied there for purification (Leviticus 9:9). The horns also offered refuge (1 Kings 2:28). The eastern orientation of the steps aligns with the direction from which God's glory returned (Ezekiel 43:2). The prohibition of steps in Exodus 20:26, to prevent improper exposure, was satisfied by building an inclined ramp. The precise numbers and the square shape emphasize order, holiness, and completeness. This was not a haphazard design; every detail mattered for the worship of a holy God.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries and translations note no significant textual variants for Ezekiel 43:13-17. The passage appears stable across manuscript traditions. Minor differences in English translations arise from how the Hebrew terms for the altar's parts are rendered (e.g., 'settle' vs 'ledge', 'hearth' vs 'altar'), but these reflect translation choices rather than textual uncertainty.
Reception History
Throughout church history, Ezekiel's altar has been read both literally and spiritually. Early church writers like Jerome saw the visionary temple as a type of the Church, with the altar representing Christ. Medieval interpreters often used the foursquare shape to symbolize the world's four corners, to which the gospel would go. During the Reformation, Calvin and Luther focused on the altar as a promise of grace and a call to pure worship. John Gill, representing a Baptist tradition, explicitly called the altar a type of Christ. In modern times, scholars such as Keil and Delitzsch emphasize the literary structure and symbolic numbers, while dispensationalists treat the passage as a literal blueprint for a future temple. Across traditions, the altar has always been understood as central to God's plan for restoring his people through sacrifice.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God's holiness sets the standard. The exact measurements show that approach to God is not left to human preference. Every detail of the altar, its height, width, ledges, and horns, is prescribed. This teaches that worship must be done according to God's revealed will.
- The altar points to Christ. Gill and other commentators see in this altar a type of Christ. Just as the altar supported the sacrifice and made atonement possible, Christ is the one sacrifice that secures forgiveness. The name “mountain of God” (Harel) reminds us that Christ was offered on a hill, the true place of atonement.
- God's presence requires preparation. The altar faces east toward the returning glory of God (Ezekiel 43:2-5). Before God dwells among his people, the altar must be ready. This calls us to prepare our hearts: repentance and faith in Christ’s sacrifice open the way for God's presence.
Five-point outline
- The base: foundation of atonement. The altar's foundation (verse 13) reminds us that the work of Christ is the sure ground on which we stand.
- The ledges: stages of approach. The narrowing terraces suggest that coming near to God requires humility; we draw near only through Christ, who is the way.
- The hearth: the fire of sacrifice. The “hearth of God” (Ariel) devours the offering. This speaks of judgment and purification, pointing ultimately to the cross.
- The horns: refuge and cleansing. Blood was smeared on the horns; the guilty could cling to them for safety. Only Christ’s blood provides true refuge.
- The steps: orientation toward God's glory. The ascent faces east. Our worship is always directed toward the returning King.
Illustration hooks
- Architect's blueprint. When a builder follows a blueprint exactly, the structure is sound. God’s detailed design for the altar shows that he cares about how we meet him. Our faith is not our own invention; it rests on God's revealed pattern.
- Kitchen counters. A cook works at a counter that is a standard height. The ledges of the altar were like counters for the priests. God prepares a place where the work of atonement can be done efficiently and with dignity.
- Stadium steps. Think of a terraced stadium: each level is set back from the one below. The altar narrowed as it rose, focusing attention on the hearth where the fire burned. Atonement is the point on which everything converges.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does God care so much about the dimensions of an altar? What does that say about his nature?
- How does this old covenant altar relate to Jesus and the cross?
- What does it mean that the altar faces east? Does that matter for our worship today?
Leading a Discussion
This passage describes the altar of burnt offering in Ezekiel's visionary temple. It is a detailed architectural plan, but it is also a theological statement about how God is to be approached. The altar is not just furniture; it is the place where sin is dealt with and God's presence is secured. As you read the passage together, think about what the precision and symbolism mean for our understanding of God's holiness and his provision for atonement.
Discussion questions
- What is the first thing that strikes you about the measurements in verses 13-17? Why do you think they are given with such care?
- The cubit used here is longer than a normal cubit (a cubit plus a handbreadth). What does the change in measuring standard suggest about this altar and the temple?
- The altar has a base, two ledges, a hearth, and horns. How does this structure help you picture the worship that took place there? What might the different parts symbolize?
- Notice that the numbers 12 and 14 appear. Barnes calls these “symbolic numbers.” What do these numbers convey about God’s relationship with his people?
- The steps face east. In Ezekiel 43:2, the glory of God returns from the east. Why is the orientation of the altar important for understanding the whole vision?
- Many Christians have seen the altar as a type of Christ and his sacrifice. In what ways does this altar point forward to Jesus? What does the altar teach about the seriousness of sin and the cost of forgiveness?
- This altar was built after the exile, when Israel had failed to keep God’s commands. How does the detailed plan for worship comfort or challenge us today?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 27:1 | “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits wide. The altar shall be square. Its height shall be three cubits. |
| Exodus 27:8 | You shall make it hollow with planks. They shall make it as it has been shown you on the mountain. |
| II Chronicles 4:1 | Then he made an altar of bronze, twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high. |
| Ezekiel 40:5 | Behold, there was a wall on the outside of the house all around, and in the man’s hand a measuring reed six cubits long, of a cubit and a hand width each. So he measured the thickness of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed. |
| Ezekiel 41:8 | I saw also that the house had a raised base all around. The foundations of the side rooms were a full reed of six great cubits. |
| Exodus 27:2 | You shall make its horns on its four corners. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. You shall overlay it with bronze. |
| Leviticus 9:9 | The sons of Aaron presented the blood to him; and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar; |
| I Kings 2:28 | This news came to Joab; for Joab had followed Adonijah, although he didn’t follow Absalom. Joab fled to Yahweh’s Tent, and held onto the horns of the altar. |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
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What the Commentators Say
5 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke explains that the Hebrew terms for the altar, "mount of God" and "lion of God," likely refer to its elevated sacred status and its hearth, which consumed offerings like a lion devours prey. He then computes the altar’s dimensions, noting it matches Solomon’s permanent temple design, unlike the smaller portable altar of the tabernacle.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes explains that the altar's dimensions differ from earlier temples because they are chosen for symbolic meaning: the numbers represent the twelve tribes, the earth, and God's covenant. He notes the names Harel (Mount of God) and Ariel (Lion of God) reflect the altar's sacred and sacrificial character, with every measurement carrying deliberate theological significance.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill sees the altar's detailed measurements as a blueprint of Christ's sacrifice. He identifies the hearth as "Ariel," the lion or fire of God, symbolizing both Christ's strength and the divine wrath He bore. The stairs facing east, contrary to Moses' prohibition, signal the end of ceremonial law and a rejection of sun-worship.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB draws attention to the Hebrew names for the altar: Harel, meaning "mount of God," and Ariel, meaning "lion of God." These emphasize the altar as a secure high place belonging to God, not to idols, and point to the protection it will provide for restored Israel.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley explains the altar's detailed measurements, noting the sacred cubit was three inches longer than the common one. He describes the ledges and settles as broad enough for priests to walk on, with the lower structures supporting the altar's weight and steps leading up to each level.