Ezekiel 40:42 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Four stone tables are 1.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubits wide, and 1 cubit high; they hold sacrificial instruments.
The Context of Ezekiel 40:42
Stone slaughter tables hold the instruments used in preparing burnt offerings.
What Does Ezekiel 40:42 Mean?
Four of the eight tables are specially constructed of hewn stone (solid, cut stone) and are dedicated to burnt offerings. Each measures 1.5 cubits square and 1 cubit high—a substantial working surface. Upon these tables lie the knives, implements, and instruments used in the slaughter and preparation of burnt offerings.
The material (hewn stone) and dedication of these tables indicate the particular importance and holiness associated with burnt offerings—gifts wholly consumed and ascended to God.
Ezekiel 40:42 in the Original Language
chalal (חָלַל), 'to slay'/'to kill' — the ritualized killing of sacrificial animals, distinct from common hunting or eating.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 40:42
What does Ezekiel 40:42 mean?
Four stone tables are 1.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubits wide, and 1 cubit high; they hold sacrificial instruments.
What is the context of Ezekiel 40:42?
Stone slaughter tables hold the instruments used in preparing burnt offerings.