13“These are the measurements of the altar in long cubits,43:13 That is, about 21 inches or about 53 centimeters; also in verses 14 and 17. The long cubit is the basic unit for linear measurement throughout Ezekiel 40–48. that cubit being a cubit and a handbreadth: Its gutter is a cubit deep and a cubit wide, with a rim of one span43:13 That is, about 11 inches or about 27 centimeters around the edge. And this is the height of the altar:
13“And these are the measurements of the altar by cubits (the cubit being a 43:13 A cubit and hand width equals about 21 in. or 53 cmcubit and a hand width): the 43:13 Lit lapbase shall be a cubit and the width a cubit, and its border on its edge all around one span; and this shall be the height of the 43:13 Or backbase of the altar.
13“And these are the measurements of the altar by cubits (the cubit being a cubit and a handbreadth): the base shall be a cubit and the width a cubit, and its border on its edge round about one span; and this shall be the height of the base of the altar.
13“And these are the measurements of the altar [of burnt offering] in cubits (the cubit being a [long] cubit [the length of a forearm] and a hand width): the 43:13 Lit lap. The metric and architectural terminology corresponds to human physiology. While this is natural enough for an ancient culture, it also serves at least three purposes: 1) it ensures that the scale of the structures will be practical for human occupation; 2) it communicates across cultures; and 3) terms like “shoulder” and “lap” indicate something of the shape and/or purpose of the item, such as the task of load-bearing.base shall be a cubit [long] and a cubit wide, with its border on its edge all around it of a span [in width]. And this shall be the height of the 43:13 Lit back.base of the altar.
13These are the measurements of the altar in long cubits43:13 The long cubit, about 21 inches or 53.3 centimeters, is the basic unit for linear measurement throughout Ezekiel 40–48.(a cubit and a handbreadth): Its gutter shall be a cubit deep and a cubit wide, with a rim of one span43:13 One span is approximately 9 inches or 22.9 centimeters. around its edge.
13The man said, “Here is the size of the altar. The standard measurement I am using is 21 inches. The altar has a drain on the ground. The drain is 21 inches deep and 21 inches wide. It has a rim that is nine inches wide around the edge. Here is how high the altar is.