Read & explore together
Eight Tables for Sacrifices
These verses describe equipment and spaces connected with offerings at a gate area. The details are practical and careful, showing places for washing, tables for killing sacrifices, and stone surfaces and hooks used in the work.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this part of Ezekiel, the passage presents measured features and arrangements connected with worship. Verses 38 to 43 focus on one room, several sets of tables, their total number, their size, and the tools and meat placed there. The text speaks as prophecy and teaching by describing the layout in ordered detail.
Ezekiel 40:38–43Main takeaway
This passage teaches that the sacrificial work shown here is carefully arranged, with specific places and equipment for each task.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A room for washing the burnt offeringThe description begins with a room near the gate posts. Its purpose is named clearly: “They washed the burnt offering there.”
Explanation
The description begins with a room near the gate posts. Its purpose is named clearly: “They washed the burnt offering there.” The verse does not explain the full process, but it does show that one part of the work had its own designated place. Worship in this vision includes ordered spaces for specific tasks.
02Tables on both sides of the porchNext, the passage lists tables in the porch of the gate, two on each side. These are linked with the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering.
Explanation
Next, the passage lists tables in the porch of the gate, two on each side. These are linked with the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering. The wording shows that several kinds of offerings are in view, and that the gate area is arranged symmetrically for sacrificial use.
03Eight tables by the gateThe description continues outside toward the north entry, where two more tables are mentioned on one side and two on the other.
Explanation
The description continues outside toward the north entry, where two more tables are mentioned on one side and two on the other. Then the total is stated plainly: four on one side and four on the other, making eight tables. The repeated counting helps the reader picture a deliberate and balanced arrangement.
04Stone tables, instruments, and hooksFinally, the text gives the material and measurements of four cut stone tables for the burnt offering.
Explanation
Finally, the text gives the material and measurements of four cut stone tables for the burnt offering. Instruments used for killing the offering and sacrifice were laid on them. Hooks, each a hand width long, were fastened all around, and the meat of the offering was on the tables. These details emphasise practical preparation and use.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What task happened in the room by the gate posts?
Look for the specific action named in the room and notice that the verse connects that room with washing the burnt offering.
02How many tables were there altogether, and where were they placed?
Use the repeated counting in the verses to trace the tables on each side and then the total number by the gate.
03What extra details show these tables were meant for real use, not just decoration?
Notice the measurements, the instruments laid on the stone tables, the hooks fastened around, and the meat on the tables.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 40:38–43
38A room with its door was by the posts at the gates. They washed the burnt offering there.
39In the porch of the gate were two tables on this side and two tables on that side, on which to kill the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering.
40On the one side outside, as one goes up to the entry of the gate toward the north, were two tables; and on the other side, which belonged to the porch of the gate, were two tables.
41Four tables were on this side, and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate: eight tables, on which they killed the sacrifices.
42There were four cut stone tables for the burnt offering, a cubit and a half long, a cubit and a half wide, and one cubit high. They laid the instruments with which they killed the burnt offering and the sacrifice on them.
43The hooks, a hand width long, were fastened within all around. The meat of the offering was on the tables.