旧约 - 以西结书(Ezekiel)第40章
In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither. |
In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south. |
And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. |
And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel. |
And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed. |
Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad. |
And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed. |
He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed. |
Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits; and the porch of the gate was inward. |
And the little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side; they three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side. |
And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits. |
The space also before the little chambers was one cubit on this side, and the space was one cubit on that side: and the little chambers were six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side. |
He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door. |
He made also posts of threescore cubits, even unto the post of the court round about the gate. |
And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face of the porch of the inner gate were fifty cubits. |
And there were narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and windows were round about inward: and upon each post were palm trees. |
Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement. |
And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement. |
Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward. |
And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof. |
And the little chambers thereof were three on this side and three on that side; and the posts thereof and the arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits. |
And their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them. |
And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from gate to gate an hundred cubits. |
After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof and the arches thereof according to these measures. |
And there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits. |
And there were seven steps to go up to it, and the arches thereof were before them: and it had palm trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof. |
And there was a gate in the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south an hundred cubits. |
And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures; |
And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these measures: and there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad. |
And the arches round about were five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad. |
And the arches thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it had eight steps. |
And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures. |
And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, were according to these measures: and there were windows therein and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad. |
And the arches thereof were toward the outward court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps. |
And he brought me to the north gate, and measured it according to these measures; |
The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits. |
And the posts thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps. |
And the chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering. |
And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering. |
And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, were two tables; and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables. |
Four tables were on this side, and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate; eight tables, whereupon they slew their sacrifices. |
And the four tables were of hewn stone for the burnt offering, of a cubit and an half long, and a cubit and an half broad, and one cubit high: whereupon also they laid the instruments wherewith they slew the burnt offering and the sacrifice. |
And within were hooks, an hand broad, fastened round about: and upon the tables was the flesh of the offering. |
And without the inner gate were the chambers of the singers in the inner court, which was at the side of the north gate; and their prospect was toward the south: one at the side of the east gate having the prospect toward the north. |
And he said unto me, This chamber, whose prospect is toward the south, is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house. |
And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him. |
So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar that was before the house. |
And he brought me to the porch of the house, and measured each post of the porch, five cubits on this side, and five cubits on that side: and the breadth of the gate was three cubits on this side, and three cubits on that side. |
The length of the porch was twenty cubits, and the breadth eleven cubits; and he brought me by the steps whereby they went up to it: and there were pillars by the posts, one on this side, and another on that side. |
以西结书第四十章
第 40 章
结 40 章 > 以西结描述的那座城建成了吗?
40 章 从建造圣殿的异象中,我们看到了被掳的百姓归国的光景──神将其百姓召回来的光景。圣殿于公元前 520-515 年重新建成(参拉 5-6 章),但不符合以西结的蓝图(参该 2:3 ;亚 4:10 )。对于这个圣殿异象,可分为四个主要方面解释:( 1 )这是所罗巴伯应于公元前 520-515 年建造的殿,且也是以西结心目中的蓝图。但由于百姓对神不顺服( 43:2-10 ),所以从未得以实现。( 2 )基督掌权的千禧年中的圣殿。( 3 )是今天基督教会对神真正敬拜的象征。( 4 )这象征着神的同在和祝福充满了大地,神在未来掌权和永远掌权。
无论这座殿是象征性的还是字义上的,有一点很清楚:这是神最终完美国度的异象。以西结时代的人刚刚看到他们的国家和圣殿被毁灭,而且在短期内毫无重建的希望。这个信息给了他们希望,这希望更多来自于异象中的细节:以西结所看到的异象从神而来,所以在将来必定实现。
结 40 章 > 圣城的异象代表的是什么?理由是什么?
40 章 有一种观念认为,以西结看见的殿并不是字面意义上的未来建筑。其理由是其中提到了献祭( 40:38-43 )。如果在末日里还要重设献祭,那基督的献祭就不是最后的了。新约清楚地指出,基督向罪而死,只有一次(参罗 6:10 ;来 9:12 ; 10:10 , 18 )。我们的罪已经被除去,不需要再献祭了。
在以西结时代,百姓所知道的惟一敬拜的方式,是从出埃及记到申命记中描述的那种献祭和礼仪。以西结只好用百姓能理解的术语来解释新的敬拜次序。下面的九个章节告诉我们,圣殿如何成为万物的焦点,并且说明当生命都以它为中心的时候,那才是同神的理想关系。
结 40 章 > 这个异象好像只是些数字而已──再仔细看呢?
40 章 以西结要用百姓明白的语言和形像来解释神的居所。神要他们看见神为以信心生活的人所设计的伟大荣耀。这种圣殿从未造过,它只是个异象。这异象的目的在于,它为神的百姓展现出神的美好计划:敬拜的中心,主的同在,从神而来的祝福,敬拜的次序和义务。但我们不要只看到异象的细节而弄不清其重点。这重点是:终有一天一切对神忠心的人都将同神共享永生。愿这庄严的异象使我们得到升华,并且教导我们如何敬拜和事奉神。
结 40:1-43:27> 神为何要详细给出这些尺寸?用意何在?
40:1-43:27 以西结于公元前 573 年得到了这个异象。第 40 至 43 章交代了圣殿的尺寸,然后描绘了里面如何充满神的荣耀。由于以西结是个祭司,所以他很熟悉所罗门殿中的礼仪和陈设。在启示录 11 章 1 至 2 节中“衡量”的命令,定出了神为特殊用途而划出的区域。当我们读到所有这些细节的时候,请记住神在掌管着我们的敬拜,和忠心的百姓归来的时间表。 %5
结 40:3-4> 这个人是谁?
40:3-4 也许这不是一个人,也许这是 9 章 1 至 11 节中的天使,或者是位像他的人。有人说,那也许是基督,因为他跟以西结说话时,就像神一样称以西结为“人子”。
结 40:5> 经文中的长度是怎样换算的?
40:5 一长肘约为 50 公分,一普通肘约为 46 公分。
结 40:38-39> 洗燔祭牲也是有律法规定的……
40:38-39 洗燔祭牲是根据利未记 1 章 6 至 9 节中设立的预备祭牲的标准来进行的。清洗的程序是向神献上蒙悦纳的祭物的一部分。──《灵修版圣经注释》
以西结书第四十章
生命的圣殿(四十 1 ~ 37 )
从释经的角度,四十章至四十八章是圣经中最难解释、最复杂的一段经文。从研经的角度,这九章则包括了很多沉闷乏味的段落。例如:有关圣殿的蓝图及其中房舍圣物的大小尺寸的资料。然而,对于耐心寻找和虚心聆德的信徒,这些经节却可以成为珍贵的属灵宝库,蕴藏了无尽真理的启示。
以西结书内有两大段不能列入历史范围的记述:第一段是八章至十章,第二段就是由四十 1 开始的一段。这两段预言都是发自先知忧国伤时的情怀,由于他对于国族同胞的情感是那么浓烈,他得神的灵特别的启示,看见不寻常的景象,窥见了超乎现世的真理。他的经历告诉我们在属灵的寻找中,神的儿女将会被提升到一个新境界,面对新的挑战,担负新的责任。“凡我所指示你的,你都要用眼看,用耳听,并要放在心上。我带你到这里来,特为要指示你;凡你所见的,你都要告诉以色列家。”( 4 )
对于神的要求,先知的回应是积极的。他把所看见的、听见的都记在心上。因为他对神属灵启示的要求是那么认真,我们才能够有机会得他所见异象中的圣殿的详细资料( 5 ~ 37 )。今天,圣经学者亦已凭藉这些资料描绘这个圣殿的蓝图(有关的图像,可参中国神学研究院与证道出版社合编的《圣经──串珠注释本》附录)。当我们把以西结异象中的圣殿和所罗门圣殿的蓝图互相比较时,就不禁为两者的相似而赞叹,并且为两位“建殿者”对神呼召认真的回应而大受感动。对于今天的信徒来说,最重要的当然是怎样在生活中回应神启示的呼召,建设生命中的圣殿。
思想 创造的主在被造的万事万物中彰显自己的荣耀,我们能够从生活中所遇见的景物事态中,窥见属灵的意义吗?
尊主为大(四十 38 ~ 49 )
主耶稣在世的母亲马利亚,为后世尊崇的主要原因是她愿承受未婚产子所带来的困苦,顺服神的旨意和拣选。她用生命的行动表明对神不可磨灭的信心,以西结先知在圣殿的异象中则透过殿里的建筑,提醒我们尊主为大的信仰精神。
在今天选读的经文,以西结继续跟从神使者的带领认识圣殿。这表示先知并没有中途放弃自己受托于神的使命,那就是去检查祂的圣殿。以色列人是神的选民,像圣殿一样他们有荣耀神的责任;可惜他们往往犯罪离弃神,后果就是国家倾覆,人民被掳。神的使者手拿量竿( 5 ),量度圣殿各处,无疑是提醒我们神今天也要量度祂新的选民──教会,看我们是否合乎祂的标准,对祂的要求是否阳奉阴违,叛道离经。昔日神拣选以西结去宣告祂对以色列人的要求,今天祂也呼召我们作同样的事情,把教会和信徒中不合祂旨意的行为指出来,并且作严峻的检讨、内省、忏悔、认罪、改过,把神重新放在生命的中心,好像马利亚一样,一心尊主为大。
先知通过内院的北门,发现了祭司洗燔祭牲用的屋、宰杀各种祭牲的桌子和准备祭牲的用品( 38 ~ 43 )。在门旁边又有为歌唱者而设的房子,此外,更有为看守圣殿和看守祭坛的祭司而设的圣屋;再往前走,就是祭坛,按照以西结书提供的资料重绘的蓝图,这祭坛是在整个圣殿的中央位置( 44 ~ 49 )。读到这里,我们或许可以抚心自问:在我的生命祭坛中,神是否也占有中心的位置呢?
思想 在我的生命中有没有一处可作祭坛的地方?在日常生活中,我是否尊主为大,以神为先? ──《新旧约辅读》
以西结书第四十章
一个新异象(四十 1-4 )
本书最后的九章(四十至四十八章),提供一个独立的附录;其中的内容,乃是叙述一个异象的内容,就是这位先知在主前五七三年( 1-2 节)所经历的。因此,这一部分,是他人生中后期的作品,为以西结书中最后的豫言。这九章圣经,与圣殿、迦南地和复兴的以色列百姓,就是先前在豫言中所豫料的有关。这些经文不易研读,部分是因这些事情的细节,对于我们来说,似乎无关重要。而写作的风格,有一点反覆无常,所以有很多注释家暗示,这九章圣经的内容,有几处是别人增补上去的,并非出于以西结的手笔。其中确有几处经文清楚显示,是编辑所作的增补,但大部分的内容,都是以西结代表性的作品。他的出身背景,是来自一个祭司的家庭,关于圣殿的事情,自然使他发生兴趣。
就风格方面来论,这种作品是启示性的(正如卅八至卅九章的情形一样),用一种深奥象征的态度,表明复兴以色列的本质,就是上帝未来要建立的。从人的角度观蔡,这可能是先知以西结沉思十余年的结果,因为他继续过被掳的生活,深感罪恶必使旧以色列结束,他开始领悟,一个理想的以色列应有的模样。长年累月的深思熟虑,终于使他看见一个特别的异象,就是在这几节经文里面所介绍的,这位先知对于未来的各种盼望,具有坚定和象征的模型。
将这九章圣经,形容为一个附录,可能会使人发生误解。就意义而论,这一段圣经是一个附录,构成一个独立的文学单元。但在其他方面看,这一段圣经,又是这位先知作品中最完整的部分。正如他的服事工作一样,是由一个伟大的异象展开(一至三章),所以本书也是藉一个异象结束。正如先前所见耶路撒冷和圣殿(八至十一章)现在他豫言上帝的归回。耶路撒冷和犹大的倾覆,已占有以西结书绝大郚分内容,这里藉应许之地的重建和复兴,加以保持平衡。
这次异象的细节(即对于重建圣殿精确的量度),作为现代读者属灵的造就,虽然贡献不大,但就整体而论,以西结发现的那些伟大的原则,显然已使以色列得到更新。上帝必向祂的百姓显现,在敬拜上帝的时候,他们必找到人生的成功。在二十世纪的外邦世界看来,语言的表达上有时好像非常奇异,但这几章圣经确是传讲基本的真理,人生的意义和目的,和对上帝的敬拜。
在这个异象中,这位先知停留在一座山上,俯视一座城。有一人站在门口,他对这位先知说话,而且宣称,他要作以西结的向导。先知看见那位神秘人物站在他旁边,下列的章节,将要加以叙述。
外院(四十 5-27 )
以西结在异象中的漫游,是从圣殿外院朝东的门开始。他被一位使者引导,好像是一位考古学家的助理一般;当这位向导开始量度时,他也将各部分建造的面积加以说明,以西结便将那些事情及时的记录下来。
从整体来说,一个人要想了解以西结的圣殿之旅,他必须想像古时圣殿是什么样子。内院是在圣殿的里面,外面的界线以墙为标志。在那堵墙的外面,是外院,外面的界线,也是以墙为标志。整个建筑物的方位,是东西向的,外院的墙,在东、北、南边都有门,好像内院的墙一样;西边的墙与圣殿紧密相接。以西结的漫游是从东门开始,然后穿过外院。外院中的各房察验完毕之后,他先被引到北门,然后又到南门逐一检查。他将外院的各部分,如墙、门和房等逐一察验以后,其中最明显突出的,就是整个的结构,都非常精细而且匀称。各部分的建筑面积分配合宜,结构精细严密。
对于一个实际并不存在的建筑物,凭门院的各种尺寸和规格,要使一个普通的现代读者发生兴趣,实在不大容易!然而,最明智的还是承认问题乃是潜伏在我们里面,并不是在古时的经文里面。对于一个从未拿过钓鱼竿,或感觉需要去钓鱼的人,一只飞行渔船的梗概,不会给他太大的吸引力。一个从未骑过摩托车的人,对于机车杂志毫无兴趣。但是一个钓鱼的人,可以耗费几个小时,欣赏一本钓鱼的专书;一个热心的摩托车骑士,对于一种新车的构造说明,具有浓厚的研究兴趣。以西结初期所受的培育,是要在圣殿中服事。所以他对于上帝重建圣殿的异象,必然感到莫大的兴趣。他以建筑师精确设计的精神,详实记录异象的细节。我们可以感到他的热心。比飞行渔船和机车更高尚的一种东西,该有何等的吸引力呢?圣殿乃是象征上帝向祂百姓显现的地方。因此,这件事情值得密切的注意;圣殿固然只是一座建筑物,但在这个世界上,乃代表上帝的同在。
内院(四十 28-49 )
这位先知在异象中的圣殿之旅,现在已从外院进入内院;他从南门接近内院,实际上这个门是与外院的三个门相同。它不是一个简单的‘园门’,乃是一种精致的构造,小房的门向通道开启,外边有走廊,可以看到外院。好像古时的城堡一样,门的面积很大,构造非常坚固。以西结继续不停的察验内院的东门和北门;大小的尺寸与南门完全相同。可是在北门的走廊上,放几张桌子,作为殿中杀祭牲之用,宰杀的祭牲当作供物,祭司并将宰杀的工具妥为保存。
在内院中有两个卧房,座落在院的北边和南边,专为祭司而设。北屋的祭司,负责圣殿的服事;那些住在南屋的祭司,负责祭坛的工作,这坛座落在圣殿东边的外面。在察看房间之后,使者便引导这位先知穿过内院,到达殿的走廊,外院的墙将圣所遮蔽得非常严密。
对于现代的一位读者来说,很难了解先知的这座建筑物的象征和意义。有些古老的大教堂,虽有同样的象征,这座建筑物却比大教堂更为壮观,其中的每一部分,都有一种宗教的功用。当这位先知从外面的世界走到外院,再从外院走到内院的时候,然后又从内院走到殿的门廊,有一种升上高的感觉;从俗务的世界,逐渐的接近内院,以后再进入里面的圣所。圣殿的建造,有助于内省的进行,这就是敬拜上帝的人,在参加礼拜的仪式中所需要的。过去祭司邀请百姓来参加敬拜时常说:‘谁能登耶和华的山?谁能站在祂的圣所?’(诗廿四 3 )回答非常清楚:‘就是手洁心清的人。’圣殿的建造,正是从外面的世界,进入里面的圣所,提醒那些获得特权进去的人,在敬拜的行为中应当圣洁。
虽然以西结在被掳之中,那时在真实圣殿中的敬拜,可能早已停止。在实际上,他在被掳的人之中,离耶路撒冷非常遥远,从前宏伟的圣殿,已经成为废墟。只有在异象中,他看见这个壮丽圣殿的存在;对于他来说,这是一个记号,上帝决不会永远离开祂的百姓。那个时刻必将再度来临,选民不单可以敬拜上帝,而且知道上帝在他们中间。──《每日研经丛书》
以西结书
注释
四十 1 至四十八 35 新圣殿和新国土的异象
这最后的宣讲是全书最长的一篇。书中有一系列的宣讲是以「耶和华的灵(原文作手)临到我」作开始,这宣讲也是其中之一。故此,这是以西结亲身经历的异象之一,他发觉自己在异象中被转移到别的地方去。
这异象的日期是在主前 573 年 4 月间(四十 1 )。耶路撒冷及圣殿于 12 年前已经废弃。以色列人或四散于国外,或在一片颓垣的本国过贫穷的生活。皇室血裔不复存在。他们昔日的生活似乎无可能复现。
正在此时,以西结经历了这个异象。这异象混合了理想和现实的情况。他被领到一所新圣殿中,并到处观看。他看见神的荣耀进入圣殿,并听见耶和华宣告衪将永居于此。他看见祭坛,并听见有关君王、祭司、祭祀及节期的礼仪。他看见一条奇异的河从殿中涌流,愈流愈广,使地肥沃,甚至死海也重现生机。全地的疆界及分配也有清楚说明。宣讲以一个胜利的口结束:「这城的名字必称为耶和华的所在。」(四十八 35 )
我们必须谨记这段经文所记是一个异象。这异象并非纯粹启示一些新的教导,或是预言将要发生的事(尽管有些人相信圣殿有一天会建造起来)。这更是提醒以色列人他们的宗教信仰现况及该有的情况。
这异象的文字从描述性转为规范性,又从象征性转为末世启示性。在详尽记载圣殿的尺寸和有关祭司的条例之间,加插了耶和华的荣耀回到圣殿的描述。而在有关献祭的条例和土地分配的细则之间,加插了一段圣殿活水的描述,这活水从圣殿的门坎流出,流向死海,使死海重现生机。
这种象征与细节的混合记载,必定使以色列人回忆过去,并促使他们更决心改变现况。以色列人必须丢弃外邦人的神,转回他们列祖的宗教信仰中,他们才可以抓紧这个崭新的耶路撒冷的应许。
新圣殿的描述
四十 1-4 以西结在异象中,被带至一高山。有一个人带着量尺,并指示以西结将所看见的一切转告以色列人。
第 5-16 节那人量度了圣殿的外墙,然后往东面的入口(即正门),并量度了东门的一切设施。
第 17-27 节他带以西结从东门进入外院。在北面和南面另有两道通入外院的门。这两道门的尺寸跟东门一样。
第 28-37 节从外院可进到内院,同样有南门、东门和北门。这 3 门的尺寸跟外 3 门一样。
第 38-43 节这内 3 门旁边设有小室,在那里洗净祭牲。另有桌子和宰杀祭牲的器具。
第 44-47 节另有两个房间,供看管圣殿和祭坛的祭司使用。
四十 48 至四十一 4
在内院,建有圣殿和祭坛。祭坛设于圣殿前面。那人带以西结来到圣殿的廊子,并量度廊子的尺寸。然后,他带以西结进到圣所,又量度了圣所的门。他再进到至圣所,并加以量度。
以西结书
以西结书第四十章
40:1
这时是在主前573年。本书末后9章(40-48章),在解释上最少有五种:1,描写所罗门王的圣殿未被毁灭时的光景。2,主前六世纪以色列民重建的圣殿。3,描写一座未曾有过的理想圣殿。4,描绘教会和所蒙受的特别福气。5,是千禧年国中的圣殿。
但由于本书属启示文学,甚难依字面来作具体解释,应侧重经文传达的信息。圣殿为神在人间的居所,是神和祂的百姓同在的标志。当年圣殿为以民的邪恶行为所污,神从他们中间离开(8-11章),将来神复兴以色列时,祂的荣耀也要重临,圣殿重建是这重临的表征。
以西结在异象中得见新殿,并得到神关于殿中侍奉体制的规划,所着重的是以民今后的生活应该恢复以敬拜神为中心,神才会与他们永远同在,并赐厚福,获享和平。
40:3 “颜色如铜”指这个人是天上灵体;他可能是神子亲自向人显现(44:2,5)。“麻绳”和“竿”是一长一短两种量度工具。
40:5
以色列人以“肘”为量度的单位,有两种长度,一为这里所说的较长的肘,约相等于51.8公分(20.4英寸);一为较短的肘,约相等于44.7公分(17.6英寸)。“一竿”约相等于3公尺。
40:7 在东门往圣殿外院的通道上,每旁设有三个卫房。
40:17 此句亦可译为:“他带我到外院,我就看见有此房子,又见院的四围有铺石地;铺石地上有房子三十间。”
40:20 外院北门和南门(40:27),和东门的设计一样。
40:28-47 以西结进入圣殿的内院,在那里有祭祀用具(40:39-43)和祭司住的房子(40:45-46)。
40:46 “撒督子孙”:是所罗门所立代替以利家族的正统祭司(王上2:26-27;撒上2:30-36)。