King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 43:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 43:13 in the King James Version says “And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom shal...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar. bottom: Heb. bosom edge: Heb. lip”

Ezekiel 43:13 · KJV

Context

11

And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.

12

This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.

13

And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar. bottom: Heb. bosom edge: Heb. lip

14

And from the bottom upon the ground even to the lower settle shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle shall be four cubits, and the breadth one cubit.

15

So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns. the altar (first): Heb. Harel, that is, the mountain of God the altar (second): Heb. Ariel, that is, the lion of God

Read Ezekiel 43 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth. This begins Ezekiel's detailed description of the altar for the millennial temple. The Hebrew middôt hammizbēaḥ (מִדּוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, "measures of the altar") introduces precise specifications that demonstrate God's concern for exact obedience in worship. The "cubit and an hand breadth" defines a long cubit (approximately 20.4 inches) versus the standard cubit (approximately 18 inches)—the same royal cubit used in Solomon's temple (2 Chronicles 3:3).

"Even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span." The altar's base (ḥêq, חֵיק, "bosom" or "bottom") is one cubit high with a protective border (gəbûl, גְּבוּל) of one span (half a cubit, about 9 inches). This gutter or ledge prevented sacrificial blood from flowing onto the ground, channeling it properly—maintaining holiness through separation. "And this shall be the higher place of the altar" introduces the ascending stages, each elevation signifying progressive approach to God's holy presence.

The meticulous measurements reveal God's character: He is a God of order, not chaos (1 Corinthians 14:33). Every dimension of worship matters to Him because true worship approaches His holiness correctly. The altar, where atonement occurred, required exact specifications because it typified Christ's perfect sacrifice. New Testament fulfillment appears in Hebrews 13:10: "We have an altar"—Christ Himself, whose sacrifice requires no earthly measurements because it accomplished eternal redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel received this temple vision in 573 BC (40:1), the 25th year of exile and 14 years after Jerusalem's destruction. The exiles had witnessed the temple's devastation and loss of sacrificial worship. This detailed vision of a future temple and altar provided hope of restoration and renewed communion with God. The altar described here is larger than Solomon's bronze altar (2 Chronicles 4:1), symbolizing greater glory in the eschatological temple. Jewish and Christian interpreters debate whether this describes a literal millennial temple or symbolizes spiritual realities in the church/new creation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's concern for exact measurements in worship challenge casual or careless approaches to Him?
  2. What does the altar's ascending stages teach about progressive sanctification and approach to God's presence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְאֵ֨לֶּה1 of 20
H428

these or those

מִדּ֤וֹת2 of 20

“And these are the measures”

H4060

properly, extension, i.e., height or breadth; specifically, tribute (as measured)

הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃3 of 20

“of the altar”

H4196

an altar

וְאַמָּה4 of 20

“The cubit”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

וְאַמָּה5 of 20

“The cubit”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

וְאַמָּה6 of 20

“The cubit”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

וָטֹ֑פַח7 of 20

“and an hand breadth”

H2948

a spread of the hand, i.e., a palm-breadth (not 'span' of the fingers); architecturally, a corbel (as a supporting palm)

וְחֵ֨יק8 of 20

“even the bottom”

H2436

the bosom (literally or figuratively)

וְאַמָּה9 of 20

“The cubit”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

וְאַמָּה10 of 20

“The cubit”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

רֹ֗חַב11 of 20

“and the breadth”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

וּגְבוּלָ֨הּ12 of 20

“and the border”

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

אֶל13 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שְׂפָתָ֤הּ14 of 20

“thereof by the edge”

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

סָבִיב֙15 of 20

“thereof round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

זֶ֣רֶת16 of 20

“span”

H2239

the spread of the fingers, i.e., a span

הָאֶחָ֔ד17 of 20

“shall be a”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וְזֶ֖ה18 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

גַּ֥ב19 of 20

“and this shall be the higher place”

H1354

the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc

הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃20 of 20

“of the altar”

H4196

an altar

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 43:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 43:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 4:1Exodus 27:1-8Ezekiel 40:5Ezekiel 41:8

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