Reading for May 10th

The Temple complex and its activities
43.13-47.12 Instructions concerning structures associated with the Temple and regulations
concerning Temple rituals and practice.

Read Ezekiel 43.13-27
The altar is a four-level stepped structure, like a Mesopotamian ziggurat (a type of pyramid).
The base literally "bosom of the earth" (signifying the placement of the altar at the center of the earth), is 18 cubits square.
The lower ledge is 16 cubits square.
The upper ledge is 14 cubits square.
The altar hearth (hahar'el" in Hebrew, "mountain of God' or "God appeared"; compared Ariel of Isa 29.1) has four horns (see Ex 27.2; 29.12; 1 Kings 1.50-51; Zech 2.1-4).
The height of the structure is 10 cubits.
Its steps face toward the east gate.
The seven-day consecration of the altar is performed at Sukkot (Booths; 1 Kings 8.65-66;
Ezra 3.1-7; but compare Num 7) and is analogous to the ordination of priests (Ex 29.1-37; Lev 8).
The purification of the altar with blood is analogous to the sprinkling of blood on the priests at their ordination (Ex 29.16), on the altar at Yom Kippur to make atonement for the people (Lev 16.18-19), and on the people to seal the covenant (Ex 24.1-8).
Salt is also offered with grain offerings (Lev 2.13; Num 18.19).
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