And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof.

EZEKIEL 43:16KJV
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Ezekiel 43:16 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 43:16 mean?

Ezekiel 43:16 describes the measurements and shape of the altar in Ezekiel’s vision of the restored temple, stating that the altar is twelve cubits long and twelve cubits wide, forming a perfect square on all four sides. This detail emphasizes the altar’s symmetry and substantial size as part of God’s instructions for worship.

In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel is receiving a vision from God about the future temple in Jerusalem, including very specific architectural details. God is speaking to Ezekiel, giving him exact measurements for the altar, which was central to Israel’s worship practices. The focus on the altar’s square shape and equal sides highlights order, completeness, and the importance of following God’s design exactly.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 43:16

  • מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach, H741): This word means "altar," the structure for sacrifices. Its use here centers the verse on worship and atonement.
  • שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר (shnayim asar, H8147, H6240): This phrase means "twelve," used twice to stress both the length and width. The repetition underlines the altar’s symmetry and may echo the significance of the number twelve in Israel’s tribal structure.
  • רָבוּעַ (ravu’a, H7251): This word means "square." Its use clarifies that the altar is not just rectangular but a perfect square, which might symbolize balance or completeness in the design.
  • אַרְבַּע (arba, H702) רְבָעִים (reva’im, H7253): Together, these mean "four squares" or "four sides," reinforcing the idea that all sides are equal and the altar is perfectly shaped.

Why Ezekiel 43:16 matters

  • This verse clears up any confusion about the altar’s shape, making it clear that it is not rectangular or irregular but a perfect square, which was not always the case in earlier altars.
  • The emphasis on exact measurements and symmetry shows the importance of order and obedience in worship, reflecting God’s holiness and the seriousness of approaching Him.
  • By connecting the altar’s design to the number twelve, the verse subtly ties the new temple’s worship back to the twelve tribes of Israel, highlighting unity and continuity in God’s relationship with His people.

Where else these words appear

“altar” Hebrew H741 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezekiel 43:15 So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns.

“squares” Hebrew H7253 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 29:40 And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.
  • Ezekiel 1:8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
  • Ezekiel 10:11 When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went.

“square” Hebrew H7251 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 27:1 And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.
  • Exodus 37:25 And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same.
  • 1 Kings 7:31 And the mouth of it within the chapiter and above was a cubit: but the mouth thereof was round after the work of the base, a cubit and an half: and also upon the mouth of it were gravings with their borders, foursquare, not round.

“broad” Hebrew H7341 · used in 89 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • 1 Kings 6:20 And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar.
  • Ezekiel 41:2 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.