In | Ezekiel’s Visionary Temple

Ezekiel 40–48 describes a vision of a perfect temple on a high mountain. The layout of the temple would enable any of the tribes to enter through their respective gates and see the doorposts of the holy place. The walls of the holy place and most holy place could be seen from any of the priest’s chambers as well. These perfectly square dimensions ensured that worshipers could proceed systematically through the courtyard to the respective altar and eating places before filing out opposite from where they came.  

Both priests and princely rulers would have designated spaces that would keep them from either abusing the worshipers or being deprived of their rightful resources. The visibility of worshipers, priests and rulers would ensure that if any brought idol-worship into the temple, it could not be hidden and thereby repeat the horror described in Ezekiel 4–9. Such accountability would ensure that the glory of God could return to the temple as mentioned multiple times in Ezekiel 40–48. According to the vision, the nations would clearly see how the temple housed God’s glorious presence among the people again.