Ezekiel 43:13

Authorized King James Version

And 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֵ֨לֶּה
these or those
#2
מִדּ֤וֹת
And these are the measures
properly, extension, i.e., height or breadth; specifically, tribute (as measured)
#3
הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
of the altar
an altar
#4
וְאַמָּה
The cubit
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#5
וְאַמָּה
The cubit
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#6
וְאַמָּה
The cubit
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#7
וָטֹ֑פַח
and an hand breadth
a spread of the hand, i.e., a palm-breadth (not 'span' of the fingers); architecturally, a corbel (as a supporting palm)
#8
וְחֵ֨יק
even the bottom
the bosom (literally or figuratively)
#9
וְאַמָּה
The cubit
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#10
וְאַמָּה
The cubit
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#11
רֹ֗חַב
and the breadth
width (literally or figuratively)
#12
וּגְבוּלָ֨הּ
and the border
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
#13
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#14
שְׂפָתָ֤הּ
thereof by the edge
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
#15
סָבִיב֙
thereof round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
#16
זֶ֣רֶת
span
the spread of the fingers, i.e., a span
#17
הָאֶחָ֔ד
shall be a
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#18
וְזֶ֖ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#19
גַּ֥ב
and this shall be the higher place
the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc
#20
הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
of the altar
an altar

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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