Ezekiel 43:17
“And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit, and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.”
In this verse, Ezekiel is describing the measurements and details of the "settle" or base of an altar in the future temple. Let’s break down the components mentioned in the verse:
The Settle:The "settle" refers to the base or foundation of the altar. It is described as being fourteen cubits long and fourteen cubits broad in the four squares thereof. This means that the settle is square-shaped, with each side measuring fourteen cubits (approximately 20 feet or 6 meters). The altar itself would be placed on top of this base.
The Border:Ezekiel mentions that there will be a border around the settle. The border is described as being half a cubit wide, which would be approximately 9 inches or 23 centimeters.
The Bottom:The verse states that the bottom of the settle, presumably the lowest part of the base, would be a cubit (approximately 18 inches or 46 centimeters) in height.
The Stairs:Ezekiel mentions that the stairs of the settle will face eastward. This indicates that the stairs will be positioned in a way that people approaching the altar would ascend from the east side.
It is important to note that the context of this verse is a detailed vision of a future temple, which is described in chapters 40-48 of the book of Ezekiel. The vision outlines various measurements and details of the temple and its components, including the altar.
Overall, Ezekiel 43:17 provides specific measurements and instructions for the settle or base of the altar in the future temple. While the verse may not have an immediate application in our present time, it showcases the attention to detail and precise instructions given in Ezekiel’s vision.
