ESCHATOLOGICAL WATERCOURSE
First and foremost, we need to address a potential misconception.
It is assumed by many that the Temple described in Ezekiel 40-46 and the Temple described in Ezekiel 47-48 are one and the same. If this were true, then the Temple described in Ezekiel 47-48 would be the site of Old Covenant expiatory animal sacrifices.
“On that day the prince shall provide for himself and all the people of the land a young bull for a sin offering.” (Ezekiel 45:22, ESV)
This would present a contradiction, because the Temple in Ezekiel 47-48 is a yet to be realized structure—it will physically exist during the millennial age. There cannot be expiatory animal sacrifices during the millennial age, because Jesus Christ has already rendered expiatory animal sacrifice obsolete.
“He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.” (Hebrews 7:27, ESV)
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,’ then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” (Hebrews 10:14-18, ESV)
Prophetic transitions occur throughout the Bible—I’ve posted some examples in the “(2.1) Introduction/Definition” section. I believe that there’s a prophetic transition at Ezekiel 47:1. Such a transition might suggest that there are two separate Temples within the Ezekiel 40-48 prophecy.
“Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar.” (Ezekiel 47:1, ESV)
- Expiatory animal sacrifice corresponds to the Second Temple. The Second Temple might be the Temple that Ezekiel 40-46 is referring to.
- An eschatological watercourse corresponds to the Millennial Temple. The Millennial Temple is the Temple that Ezekiel 47-48 is referring to.
“And he said to me, ‘This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh.” (Ezekiel 47:8, ESV)
At no time in history did water issue forth from the First or Second Temple, into the “sea,” causing the water to become fresh.
I believe that the Temple in Ezekiel 40-46 is the Second Temple. I believe that Ezekiel 47:1 shifts from the near-future context of the Second Temple to a distant-future Millennial Temple. I believe that the Second Temple in Ezekiel 40-46 typifies and foreshadows the Millennial Temple in Ezekiel 47-48.
In Ezekiel 47:1, after arriving back at the door of the Temple, the first feature mentioned is the eschatological waterflow. This seems to be a way in which the proposed prophetic transition is marked.
The eschatological watercourse of Ezekiel 47:1 seems to be mentioned elsewhere in Scripture, as a feature of the millennial age. It is thought that Ezekiel 47:8 and Joel 3:18 refer to the same millennial watercourse, which flows from the Millennial Temple into the Dead Sea. Below is a comparison.
“And he said to me, ‘This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh.” (Ezekiel 47:8, ESV)
It is generally accepted that the “sea” in Ezekiel 47:8 is the Dead Sea.
“‘And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD and water the Valley of Shittim.” (Joel 3:18, ESV)
“Abundant waters extend even to the arid-dwelling acacia trees (Shittim). The location of this ‘fountain’ may be Wadi en-Nar, extending from the Kidron Valley to the Dead Sea.” – The ESV Study Bible. Crossway, 2008. pp. 1653-54
Some people believe that the millennial watercourse mentioned in Ezekiel 47:8 and Joel 3:18 is among the watercourses mentioned in Zechariah 14:8.
“On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter.” (Zechariah 14:8, ESV)
NOTE: In Ezekiel 43:7, God says “forever.” Given the instructions that follow “forever” in Ezekiel 43:7-9, the context of “forever” seems to be conditional. With regard to the First Temple, God said “forever” (see 1 Kings 9:3 and 2 Chronicles 7:16), and the context was conditional (see 1 Kings 9:6-9 and 2 Chronicles 7:19-22). Therefore, I don’t think the use of “forever,” in Ezekiel 43:7, rules out the Second Temple from Ezekiel 40-46.
INTERPRETATIONS OF MEASUREMENT
There are several reasons why people believe there is only one, individual, future Temple being described in Ezekiel 40-48. One of the primary reasons is based on an interpretation of measurement.
In Ezekiel 42:15-19, the Temple complex perimeter is measured using “reeds.” In regard to this particular passage, people dispute the length of a reed. Those who think the reed is substantially larger (approx. 10.5 feet), necessarily believe that the Temple complex is enormous and thus, an unprecedented circumstance in history (they believe that the Temple in Ezekiel 40-46 is future). If the reed is smaller (approx. 18-21 inches), then the size of the Temple complex is compatible with a historical context.
Cubit: The cubit was a unit of measurement in the ancient world. There were different types of cubits. As it relates to this topic, we’ll be focusing on to two types of cubits.
1 Standard Cubit = approximately 18 inches
(A standard cubit is usually referred to as a “cubit.” I will refer to a standard cubit as a “standard cubit” for identification purposes)
1 Hebrew Long Cubit = approximately 21 inches
(I will refer to a Hebrew long cubit as a “HL cubit” for ease of reading)
If the cubit type isn’t specified, it will be referred to simply as a “cubit.”
1st Interpretation of Measurement: 1 Reed = 6 Hebrew Long Cubits
Some people believe that a reed in Ezekiel 42:16-19 is equal to 6 HL cubits, which is approximately 10.5 feet. They believe this because they think that the definition of a reed’s length in Ezekiel 40:5 and Ezekiel 41:8 carries over into Ezekiel 42:16-19. When a reed with a length of 6 HL cubits is applied to Ezekiel 42:16-19, the result is a Temple complex with a perimeter of 3000 HL cubits on each side (approx. 5250 feet x 5250 feet OR approx. 1 mile x 1 mile).
2nd Interpretation of Measurement: 1 Reed = 1 Hebrew Long Cubit
Throughout Ezekiel 40-43, statements are made to specify the cubit type (see Ezekiel 40:5, Ezekiel 41:8, and Ezekiel 43:13). In all three instances, the Hebrew long cubit (HL cubit) is specified. Because of this, it is assumed that all cubits mentioned throughout Ezekiel 40-42 are HL cubits.
In this interpretation, people believe that a reed in Ezekiel 42:16-19 is equal to 1 HL cubit, which is approximately 21 inches. Typically, this conclusion is drawn from an assessment of compatibility. I will explain this assessment in the following paragraphs.
Ezekiel 42:15-19 is not the only source of information regarding the Temple complex perimeter. Earlier, in Ezekiel 40-41, it is possible to determine the Temple complex perimeter by adding up measurements found within Ezekiel 40:15-41:13.
NOTE: Unless there are two separate Temple complexes described within Ezekiel 40-42 (which I doubt), Ezekiel 40:15-41:13 and Ezekiel 42:15-19 provide dimensions for the same perimeter.
When you calculate the measurements in Ezekiel 40:15-41:13, the perimeter of the Temple complex is 500 cubits on each side (approx. 875 feet x 875 feet in HL cubits). Naturally, it is assumed that the same Temple complex perimeter should equal the same dimensions in both locations of Scripture— Ezekiel 40:15-41:13 and Ezekiel 42:16-19. However, if you apply the reed length from the 1st interpretation (1 reed = 6 HL cubits) to Ezekiel 42:16-19, the Temple complex perimeter is radically larger (approx. 5250 feet x 5250 feet) than it is in Ezekiel 40:15-41:13.
Because the perimeter sizes in Ezekiel 40:15-41:13 and Ezekiel 42:16-19 don’t match if you apply the reed length from the 1st interpretation (1 reed = 6 HL cubits) to Ezekiel 42:16-19, people have concluded that the reed length in Ezekiel 42:16-19 must be 1 cubit. If the reed length in Ezekiel 42:16-19 is 1 cubit, then the Temple complex perimeter is the same size in both Ezekiel 40:15-41:13 and Ezekiel 42:16-19 (approx. 875 feet x 875 feet in HL cubits).
NOTE: As stated previously, people who adhere to this interpretation assume that all cubits mentioned in Ezekiel 40-42 are HL cubits. Thus, they believe that the Temple complex perimeter is 500 HL cubits x 500 HL cubits in both Ezekiel 40:15-41:13 and Ezekiel 42:16-19.
3rd Interpretation of Measurement: 1 Reed = 1 Standard Cubit
This interpretation is almost identical to the 2nd interpretation—there’s only one difference. In certain places where the HL cubit is used, the standard cubit is used instead.
People who adhere to this interpretation don’t believe that Ezekiel 40:5, Ezekiel 41:8, and Ezekiel 43:13 standardize the HL cubit as the default cubit of measurement throughout Ezekiel 40-42. They believe that the Temple complex perimeter, derived from Ezekiel 40:15-41:13, is 500 standard cubits on each side (approx. 750 feet x 750 feet). They believe that the Temple complex perimeter, in Ezekiel 42:16-19, is 500 standard cubits on each side (approx. 750 feet x 750 feet).
The Septuagint Supports the 2nd or 3rd Interpretation of Measurement
In the Septuagint, the length of a reed, in context to Ezekiel 42:16-19, is specified through Ezekiel 42:17 and Ezekiel 42:20.
“And the measuring of the house from the inside was completed. And he brought me out by way of the gate that looks to the east, and he measured the plan of the house all around in its arrangement. And he stood behind the gate that looks to the east and measured five hundred by the measuring reed, and he turned toward the north and measured the part facing the north, five hundred cubits with the measuring reed. And he turned toward the sea and measured the part facing the sea, five hundred by the measuring reed, and he turned toward the south and measured opposite the south, five hundred by the measuring reed. The four were parts of the same reed. And he laid it out in order, even an enclosing wall for it all around of five hundred to the east and a width of five hundred cubits to separate between the holies and between the outer wall, which is in the design of the house.” (Iezekiel 42:15–20, NETS)
Pietersma, Albert, and Benjamin G. Wright, editors. “Iezekiel.” A New English Translation of the Septuagint (Primary Texts), translated by J. Noel Hubler, Oxford University Press, 2007, p. Eze 42:15–20.
NOTE (4): I’ve made a few statements about the Septuagint in the notes section—ADDITIONAL NOTES (4).
Interpretations of Measurement—Conclusion
Based on all the information above, it seems that either the 2nd or 3rd interpretation of measurement is correct. Thus, the dimensions described in Ezekiel 40-46 are compatible with a historical context.
TEMPLE DIMENSIONS
Ezekiel 40-46 Temple Dimensions
Based on what’s said in Ezekiel 40:48-41:13, the Temple itself is 100 cubits long and 50 cubits wide. If you include the width of the raised platform’s free space (see Ezekiel 41:8-11), the Temple is 100 cubits long and 60 cubits wide.
The Ezekiel 40-46 Temple
100 cubits long, 50 cubits wide.
Standard Cubits (approx. 18 inches) = approx. 150 feet x 75 feet
HL Cubits (approx. 21 inches) = approx. 175 feet x 87.5 feet
100 cubits long, 60 cubits wide.
Standard Cubits (approx. 18 inches) = approx. 150 feet x 90 feet
HL Cubits (approx. 21 inches) = approx. 175 feet x 105 feet
Zerubbabel’s Temple (Second Temple)
Zerubbabel’s Temple (Second Temple) is somewhat of a mystery. Not much is known, in an official capacity, about its original dimensions. Aside from the potentiality of Ezekiel 40-46, Ezra 6:3 seems to be the only biblical record that provides specific dimensions for Zerubbabel’s Temple.
“In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices were offered, and let its foundations be retained. Its height shall be sixty cubits and its breadth sixty cubits,” (Ezra 6:3, ESV)
Comparing Zerubbabel’s Temple to the Temple of Ezekiel 40-46
In Ezekiel 40-46, the height of the Temple is not mentioned. In Ezra 6:3, the proposed length of Zerubbabel’s Temple is not mentioned. However, in both cases, dimensions for width are provided.
NOTE: The width of Solomon’s Temple (First Temple) was 20 cubits (see 1 Kings 6:2).
Proposed Width Dimension for Zerubbabel’s Temple in Ezra 6:3
60 cubits
Temple Width Dimensions in Ezekiel 40-46
Not including the width of the raised platform’s free space: 50 cubits
Including the width of the raised platform’s free space: 60 cubits
Final Considerations
The width dimensions from both sources are comparable. They might even be the same given two considerations:
1. Ezekiel 40-46 Temple: The inclusion or rejection of the raised platform’s free space in the width dimensions.
2. Ezra 6:3 Zerubbabel’s Temple: Ezra 6:3 might be referring to a Porch.
Temple Dimensions—Conclusion
With all things considered, I think it’s fair to say that the Temple in Ezekiel 40-46 is a likely candidate for Zerubbabel’s Temple (Second Temple).
PROPOSITION OF TWO TEMPLES—CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I believe that the Temple in Ezekiel 40-46 and the Temple in Ezekiel 47-48 are two distinct, separate Temples. I believe that the Temple in Ezekiel 40-46 is the Second Temple, and that the Temple in Ezekiel 47-48 is the Millennial Temple.