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Some scholars view this section as the central one in chapters 40-48.536The altar was at the very center of the whole temple complex, and it was the centerpiece of the system of worship represented in the new temple complex.
43:13 The altar of sacrifice in the middle of the inner court, in front of the entrance to the temple proper, stood on a foundation (base) that was one long cubit thick (about 21 inches). The base extended beyond the first tier of the altar above it one cubit on all four sides. On the very outside edges of the base, a curb one span high (about nine inches) served to form a gutter around the altar. Evidently this gutter collected and channeled away the blood that flowed down the sides of the altar.
43:14 The square altar rose above its foundation in three tiers, the largest one below, the next largest one above it, and the smallest one on top. The first, largest stage was two cubits high and one cubit smaller than the foundation on each of its four sides. The second tier was four cubits high and one cubit smaller than the first tier on each of its four sides.
43:15-16 The third tier, which formed the altar hearth, the very top of the altar, was also four cubits high. Four horns stood on the top of the altar, one at each corner undoubtedly, symbolizing strength. This tier, the hearth, was 12 cubits (20 feet) wide on each side.
43:17 The second tier was 14 cubits square. It too had a curb around its upper edge that formed a gutter, and that curb was half a cubit high (cf. v. 13). There were to be steps up to the altar from the east.537The total size of this altar was about 32 feet square at the bottom, 20 feet square at the top, and 20 feet high. Solomon's brazen altar had been smaller (cf. 2 Chron. 4:1). This design made this altar resemble a small ziggurat.
