So there were four tables inside the gateway and four outside—eight tables in all—on which the sacrifices were to be slaughtered.
Parallel translations
- WEB Four tables were on this side, and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate; eight tables, whereupon they killed the sacrifices.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV Four tables were on this side and four tables on that side, by the side of the gateway, eight tables on which they slaughtered the sacrifices.
- NASB Four tables were on each side next to the gate; eight tables on which they slaughter sacrifices.
- NLT So there were eight tables in all—four inside and four outside—where the sacrifices were cut up and prepared.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
In all, eight tables stood by the gate for slaughtering the sacrifices, four on each side. The abundance of provision shows worship's central place in the restored community.
Overview
The eight tables provided generous capacity for the constant work of sacrifice. The detail signals a fully functioning house of worship, restored after the exile's desolation. It reminds believers that God provides everything needed for his people to approach him, ultimately through the finished work of Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- Ezek 40:39–40Inside the portico of the gateway were two tables on each side, on which the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings were to be slaughtered.
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Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 40:41 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.