Ez 43:13-27

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Altar of sacrifice (Eze 43:13-27)

Positioned centrally in the inner court was the altar of burnt offering. In appearance it looked like three large square boxes placed one on top of the other, with the largest on the bottom and the smallest on the top, giving a stepped appearance. The whole structure was set on a large base built into the pavement.

It was so huge that it needed steps so that the priest could climb up to reach the top level, on which the sacrifices were offered (Eze 43:13-17).

The altar was to be dedicated to the holy service of God in a ceremony involving sin offerings (indicating cleansing) and burnt offerings (indicating consecration). Only those priests descended from Zadok were allowed to carry out the actual sacrifice on the altar (Eze 43:18-24).

The dedication ceremony was to last one week. After this the altar could be used for normal sacrificial offerings (Eze 43:25-27).