The prophet hears a voice speaking from within the house, with a man standing beside him.
God declares His throne and His dwelling place will be among the children of Israel forever, with Israel no longer defiling His holy name through their sins or idolatry.
God addresses past transgressions of Israel, such as defiling the temple and aligning idols with His own thresholds and altars, prompting His anger.
Israel is instructed to put away their sinful practices to restore their relationship with God, allowing Him to dwell among them eternally.
The prophet is commanded to show Israel the layout of the temple so they may feel shame for their sins, and learn its precise structure, ordinances, and laws to follow faithfully.
The temple's holiness is reaffirmed, with specified boundaries being most holy, reflecting the law of the house.
Dimensions and details of the altar are described, including its measurements and tiers, signifying its central role in worship and sacrifices.
Ordinances for altar consecration are provided, which involves offering blood sacrifices to cleanse and sanctify the altar for holy use.
Sacrificial instructions for seven days are outlined to purify the altar and consecrate its use, culminating in accepted offerings from the eighth day onward.
The eastern gate of the outer sanctuary is shown as shut, signifying its exclusivity as the entrance of God into the temple. This gate will only open for the prince, who may dine there ceremonially.
The prophet observes the glory of God filling the temple, leading him to fall on his face in awe and reverence.
God instructs the prophet to carefully note the temple's ordinances and laws to share them with the house of Israel for their guidance.
God censures the Israelites for allowing strangers to enter the sanctuary, defiling it, and breaking covenant laws.
Levites who strayed toward idolatry are disciplined, restricted to lower tasks in the temple. In contrast, Zadok’s faithful descendants are selected for higher priestly duties.
Specific instructions are given for priests, including their attire (linen to avoid sweat), grooming standards, abstention from alcohol while ministering, and appropriate marital choices.
Priests are tasked with teaching the people to discern between holy and profane, as well as judging disputes based on God’s laws.
Rules for ceremonial purity are detailed, especially for situations involving contact with the dead, requiring ritual cleansing before ministry.
God declares Himself as the inheritance of the priests, indicating their reliance on Him rather than land possessions, as they are to partake in the offerings given to God.
Guidelines are given for holy portions of land, allocated to priests, Levites, and general temple purposes, ensuring equitable use of the land for the tribes of Israel.
The laws emphasize proper balancing of measures, fair division of resources, and accountability among leaders to prevent oppression or injustice.
The prophet sees a vision of life-giving water flowing from the temple, symbolic of spiritual restoration, healing, and abundant life wherever the water reaches.
Boundaries of the land for the twelve tribes of Israel are defined, with specific portions allocated to each tribe, ensuring accurate division of inheritance.
A vision of the city with gates named after the tribes of Israel is presented, with the final declaration that the city's name will be "The LORD is there," signifying God’s eternal presence among His people.