Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 41

1 AFterward he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts , six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the other side, which was the breadth of the tabernacle .

After the measuring of the Courts, &c. now the Prophet is brought to see the Temple it self measured.

The thickness of the walls (called posts here as also chap. 40.48.) on the North-side, and on the South-side of the gate.

One whole reed in thickness.

These walls in their thickness took up as much space, as the whole breadth of Moses his Tabernacle, Exod. 26.22. where eight boards, each one Cubit and half broad, make just the breadth of the Tabernacle 12 Cubits.

2 And the breadth of the door was, ten cubits; and the sides of the door were five cubits on the one side, and five cubits on the other side: and he measured the length thereof, forty cubits; and the breadth twenty cubits.

Or the Aperture, the open space, which let in light, as well as men; properly the door of the Porch,

Between Post and Post, on which the folding doors did hang.

The space from the edge of the Wall by the Posts to the side Wall inward, was on each side five Cubits, on the North-side so many, and on the South so many, which make the content between Wall and Wall, as the verse hath it, twenty Cubits in breadth.

Of the Sanctuary from the Porch to the Partition between the Holy of Holies, and the inward Front of the Wall of the Sanctuary, was forty Cubits, unless we must take in the thickness of the Walls of both Sanctuary, and holy of holies, of which more may possibly be spoken.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word]

3 Then went he inward , and measured the post of the door , two cubits: and the door, six cubits; and the breadth of the door, seven cubits.

From the Porch thro' the body of the Temple, to the Partition between the body of the Temple and the holy of holies, or the Oracle,

Either the thickness of that Partition Wall, or of the Pylasters, which stood one on one side, and the other on the other side of the door

Or entrance out of the Temple into the Oracle.

This door was six cubits high, say some, but, more likely, 'twas six cubits broad, and an upright Bar or Post on which the leafes did meet, and which was of one Cubits breadth, make out the seven Cubits mention'd in the last words of this verse.

4 So he measured the length thereof , twenty cubits; and the breadth twenty cubits before the temple. And he said unto me, this is the most holy place.

Of the Oracle, or Holy of Holies.

It was an exact square, as was Solomons, 1 King. 6.20.

Parallel with the breadth of the Temple.

The Prophet was commanded to hear, and now he shews us his attention.

As having the tokens of Gods more especial presence, in that the Mercy-Seat and Propitiatory were there so called Num. 7.89. 'twas called also the Oracle, and 1 King. 6.16. the inner house, ver. 15, 17.

5 After he measured the wall of the house , six cubits ; and the breadth of every side chamber , four cubits, round about the house on every side .

Having left the Holy of Holies measured in the 3d. verse now he is come to take the measures of the outer Wall.

The Temple it self.

Three yards thick was this Wall from the ground to the first story of the side chambers.

Of the lowest floor; for there were three stories of these, and they differ'd in their breadth, as the Wall of the Temple, on which they rested abated of its thickness; for the middle Chambers were broader than the lowest by a Cubit, and highest as much broader than the middle.

On the North, South and West parts.

On each side of every one of these three gates. The East-gate, and buildings about that were not faced with such [illegible: 2 letters]cings.

6 And the side-chambers were three, one over another, and thirty in order : And they entred into the wall which was of the house for the side chambers round about, that they might have hold, but they had not hold in the wall of the house.

In three Stories high.

How these thirty in a row were distributed, is not said, some guess twelve on the North side, as many on the South-side, and six on the West; but, as this may be, so possibly it may not be; but we are sure the whole number is Thirty in a row on each story, i. e. 3 times 30 or 90 in all.

Not the five, or six Cubit Wall, which was the Wall of the house, but another Wall of one Cubit thickness, on the top whereof was a rest, or ledge of one Cubit breadth, on which the ends of the Cedar beams were fastned.

'Tis said this was built for the side-chambers, either from the foundation the Wall was made so thick, that at 5 Cubits from the ground they might rebate or draw in the thickness of the ascending Wall one Cubit , or else this Cubit-thick Wall was after added: but this, as not probable, I reject.

That the beams of the Chambers might have good, and firm resting hold

The ends of the Beams were not thrust into the main body of the Wall of the Temple, as we see beams laid into the body of the Walls of houses. But for each story a rebatement of one Cubit in the thickness of the Wall, so that six Cubits thick at the ground, up to the first floor, and five Cubits thick from that to the second floor, and four Cubits thick from the second to the third floor, so each floor rests on a ledge of one Cubit without the Wall, and each Story grows a Cubit broader than that is next lower.

Marginal references: Heb. side[illegible: 2 letters]mber over [illegible: 2 letters]-chamber.; Or, three and [illegible: 2 letters]rty times, or [illegible: 1 word].; Heb. be holden.

7 And there was an enlarging and a winding about still upward to the side chambers: for the winding about of the house went still upward round about the house: therefore the breadth of the house was still upward, and so increas'd from the lowest chamber to the highest by the midst .

Viz. of the side-chambers, so much of breadth added to the Chamber, as was taken from the thickness of the Wall; that is two cubits in the uppermost, and one Cubit in the middlemost, more than in the lowest Chambers.

Winding Stairs which enlarged as the Rooms did, and these run up between each two chambers, from the bottom to the top, so there were two doors at the head of each pair of Stairs, one door opening into one Chamber, and the other into the opposite Chamber; or else, you must make the chambers thorough fares, and suppose passages thro' all.

These Stairs, as they rose in height, enlarged themselves too.

i. e. On all sides of the house, where these chambers were, which, as observed, was on three sides of the house.

Of each Chamber.

Grew broader by one Cubit in every upper Room or Chamber.

From 5 in the lowest to 6 in the middle, and to 7 in the highest Chamber.

Marginal references: Heb. it was [illegible: 1 word] broader [illegible: 1 word] went round. [illegible: 1 word] Kin. 6.8.

8 I saw also the height of the house round about: the foundations of the side-chambers were a full reed of six great Cubits.

Of the Chambers, or the three stories of them, 'tis not the Temple.

The lowest chamber had properly a foundation laid on the Earth, but the floor of the middle, and highest story must be accounted here a foundation, so from the ground to the ceiling of the first room was 6 great Cubits, from the first Beams, Joices and Boards to the second, six great Cubits, and from the third floor to the roof of the Chamber, a like number, to which add we one Cubit for thickness of each of the three roofs or floors you have 21 Cubits for height, ten yards and half high.

Marginal references: chap. 40.[illegible: 1 letter].

9 The thickness of the wall which was for the side chamber without , was five cubits: and that which was left was the place of the side chambers that were within .

The outward Wall for these Chambers was five cubits in thickness, and was made of Stone, which added both beauty; and strength to the other part of the building, and served as Butteresses to the Temple-wall.

That space, which was left without this wall about five Cubits broad, and served for a walk before the chambers, or for a passage from one chamber to another.

The Walk and Wall.

10 And between the chambers was the wideness of twenty cubits, round about the house on every side.

That on one side joined to the Temple, and were publick repositories for offerings, and tithes, &c. and those other chambers, which were built on the wall of this Inner Court, and were lodgings for the Priests, there was a void space, or Pavement in the open Air twenty Cubits broad, and these round about on all sides of the Court, and probably some Railes, or Ballisters, or low Wall round too before them enclosing this space.

11 And the doors of the side chambers were toward the place that was left, one door toward the north, and another door toward the South, and the breadth of the place that was left was five cubits round about.

The doors of the lowest row opened into this void paved space.

Beside the particular doors to each chamber, there were two, one on the North, where was a fair Stair-case, which did lead up to every story, and above these to the top of the Temple. And so another like this on the South, excepting that this South Stair-case lead not up to the top of all, as that North Stair-case did.

12 Now the building that was before the separate place , at the end toward the west, was seventy cubits broad: and the wall of the building was five cubits thick round about, and the length thereof ninety cubits.

This is a new building not yet mention'd, but now measured by it self.

Or over-against.

Either the Temple with all the appendant Treasury Chambers, or the Oracle, which was in the West end of the Temple, and separate from the rest of the Temple. Or that 20 Cubit space, which was cut off from the Chambers, and the five cubits space before them by a breast Wall, as some think.

Of either Temple, Oracle, or foresaid space, toward the West.

As men are not agreed about the Fabrick, and its dimensions here intended to be measured, so they are as little agreed how to compute the Measures, every one however makes out his account, whether the thing he measures be the right or mistaken. First, suppose the Temple and the West part of it from North to South, thus; 20 Cubits the Oracle, each side wall 6 cubits, breadth of Chambers on each side 4, the thickness of the out Walls of these chambers on both sides 5 Cubits each, a void space of 5 cubits compassing the whole, and then the low, or breast Wall that enclos'd this space 5 Cubits thick on each side making up the third 10, produce the 70 Cubits. But they that think of a distinct building on the West-end of the Temple, do also in their method make out the account.

This seems to countenance their opinion, who conceive a distinct building meant.

These proportions are easily laid together, which will make up the total, and agree with the Temple thus; Temple and Oracle with their Walls 70 cubits, Porch eleven, and Chambers, and Walls nine Cubits. And who will have such a new structure here measur'd (which is more than was in the first Temple Fabrick) will make all correspond to their hypothesis, and you may more easily object against anothers, then demonstrate your own guesse. The best is, the errour is not great if a man do erre here.

13 So he measured the house , an hundred cubits long; and the separate place , and the building , with the walls thereof, an hundred cubits long .

The whole Temple, Oracle, Sanctuary and Porch with the Walls.

From East to West thus. Stairs of the East Porch, or the thickness of the Wall 6 Cubits; the passage through the Porch 11, Wall of the Temple within the Porch 6 Cubits, the Temple it self 40 Cubits, Partition Wall two Cubits, the Oracle 20 Cub. West Wall thick 6 Cub. the chambers at bottom of the West Wall 4 Cubits, and the outer Wall of the Chambers 5 Cubits.

See ver. 12. let. a.

On both the North and South-side of the Temple.

Which is reckoned. The breadth of the Temple 20 Cubits, thickness of both Walls 12 Cubits, the bottom Chambers on both sides 8 Cubits, the outer Walls of these Chambers 5 Cubits a piece, the breadth of the place left out on each side 5, on both sides 10 (i. e. 5 each) and then the wideness between this on either side 20 Cubits.

14 Also the breadth of the face of the house, and of the separate place, toward the east, an hundred cubits .

The whole Front of the house Eastward, the prospect of it being to the East.

This explains the other, say some, The house is the separate place, or else, as others, That other building on the West end of the Temple, which was of equal dimensions with the Temple.

Measuring from the North point along by the Eastern front to the South point, or corner of the buildings or Wall. The admeasuring the particulars I forbear, but since this side runs equal with the length of the whole from East to West, we need not doubt 'tis a hundred Cubits.

15 And he measured the length of the building over-against the separate place which was behind it , and the Galleries thereof on the one side, and on the other side, an hundred cubits, with the inner Temple , and the porches of the court t.

Possibly, that of the 12 and 13, or else the buildings of this Court next to the Temple, or else the West buildings behind the Oracle, or the buildings of the utter Court, of which in chap. 42.1, 3, 7, 8.

See ver. 12. let. [illegible: 1 letter].

The buildings, that were behind on the West side of that supposed range of buildings, or else behind the Temple.

Either Chambers, or Porches, or Belconies, places supported by Pylasters, made for Beauty and Delight.

According to the measures of the Temple, and its appendant buildings.

Marginal references: Or, several walks; or, walks with pillars.

16 The door posts , and the narrow windows , and the Galleries round about on their three stories , overagainst the door ceiled with wood round about, and from the ground up to the windows, and the windows were covered;

See chap. 40.48, 49. 'Tis likely, he means the door posts of every Gate, or Porch in every Court.

See chap. 40.16. let. g.

See ver. 15. let. q. and ver. 5. let▪ x

Vid. ver. 6, 7. Or parts, or buildings, Temple, separate place, and on the Court Walls.

The singular for the plural number, the Doors, which were Ceiled with Wood, were measured, this Ceiling was with choicest Wood.

The height of these Windows were taken too.

What are here recounted were all measured by the Angel, and with the same Reed, or Measure.

Had lids, or Curtains to cover them, and Lettices too, say some.

Marginal references: Heb. cieling of wood.; Or, and the ground unto the windows.

17 To that above the door , even unto the inner house and without, and by all the wall round about within and without, by measure.

In the 15th. ver. the Prophet began his Catalogue, and continueth it through this verse, in which, in the Gross, he tells us all above the Doors, in every Porch, and Gate to the very Inner house, and all without, the Buildings about the Walls, were measured exactly though we have neither the particular account of what these were, either things or measures.

Marginal references: Heb. measures.

18 And it was made with cherubims and palm trees , so that a palm tree was between a cherub and a cherub: and every cherub had two faces ;

Beautified.

Generally taken for the Pourtraict of Angels, and framed to the beauty of young Men with Wings. Yet is the description of them very different in different places as the curious observe in Ezekiels Vision, chap. 1. Isaiahs Vision, chap. 6. Iohns Vision, Rev. 4. and in Solomons Temple.

A very beautiful, upright tree, from a strait well grown body, spreading its head with large boughs and branches, which were used on occasions of Joy, and were emblems of victory, Ioh. 12.13. and Rev. 7.9.

These were so engraven, that each Palm-tree was between two cherubs, and each cherub between two Palm-trees, and this ariseth from the different aspect, or numbring them.

Curiously wrought on the same head, somewhat like a Ianus Head, what these faces were the next verse tells us.

Now we are acquainted with the Ornaments, the beautiful carving, which in all parts mention'd, were to be seen.

19 So that the face of a man was toward the palm-tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm-tree on the other side: it was made through all the house round about.

This one face, the other of a young Lion. Now as to the aspect 'twas thus, the cherub between two Palm-trees, looked towards both trees, towards the one a mans face, towards the other, a young Lions face looked.

And thus it was through the whole house round about, and from bottom to top, as ver. 20.

20 From the ground unto above the door were cherubims, and palm-trees made, and on the wall of the temple.

Some think 'tis the great East Gate, I think rather, here is an enallage, or change of Number, Door for Doors, and that every Porch was so beautifi'd, See chap. 1.16, 22, 26, 34.

These beautiful Sculptures were round about the walls of the Temple, and Oracle too, tho' not exprest here.

21 The posts of the temple were squared , and the face of the sanctuary; the appearance of the one as the appearance of the other.

On each side of the Gate or Door, both of Temple and Oracle.

Not round as some other were, and as the Posts of the door of the Tabernacle were, but of exact square.

The form of the door, or gate of the Temple was square, i. e. not arched, as the gates of our Churches ordinarily are, but with [illegible: 1 letter] flat beam, or upper Lintel laid on the top of the Posts, and so either made an aequilateral square, or an oblong square,

As was the form of the gate of the Temple in its larger, so was the form of the gate of the Oracle in its lesser dimensions.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word]

22 The altar of wood was three cubits high , and the length thereof two cubits: and the corners thereof, and the length thereof, and the walls thereof were of wood, and he said unto me, This is the table , that is before the LORD .

Of Incense.

So the inward parts were made, and covered with Gold, Exod, 30.1.—11. 1. King 6.20, 22. and from this covering of Gold 'twas called the Golden Altar.

One cubit higher, than that in the Tabernacle of Moses, Exod. 30.2.

As long again as Moses Altar of Incense in the Tabernacle.

The Horns fram'd out of the four posts at each angle on top of the Altar.

The sides of this Altar, for it was made up on all sides, are here called the Walls thereof, made of wood, but covered with Gold.

Some say 'tis spoken of this Altar of Incense, others say, the Angel pointed him to the Tables of shew-bread, and spake of that.

In the Temple, not in the Oracle, or Holy of Holies, this Incense altar was placed without the Oracle, as appears from the Priests offering Incense at it by courses, whereas none but the High-Priest, might enter into the Holy of Holies.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]

23 And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors.

Each had one door, so there were two doors, and they were folding doors, or two leaved doors.

25 And there were made on them , on the doors of the temple , cherubims and palm-trees, like as were made upon the walls: and there were thick planks upon the face of the porch without?

Carved.

The doors of both Temple and Oracle.

Including the Holy of Holies also.

Vid. ver. 10.

I suppose, these were boards of more, then ordinary thickness, which were fastned to the great Beams, whose ends came out beyond the wall of the Porch, and probably, were laid so, as to make a part of an arch over the entrance into the Gate, as we see over some houses, and as sometimes under the Belconies, and here also in these thicker planks, 'tis like, were some Ornaments.

Or above the front of the Porch.

On the Court side of the Porch, that part that look'd outward.

26 And there were narrow windows and palm-trees on the one side, and on the other side, on the sides of the porch, and upon the side chambers of the house, and thick planks .

Vid. ver. 16. let. u.

See ver. 18. let. f.

On the North, and on the South side, as you enter in from East toward the West, thus the sides of the Porch outward were garnished.

Which were 30 in a row, and three stories high, vid. ver. 6.

Alike carved and beautified, and alike strengthning, and defending the places where they were used.