# Other studies Having been interested in Ezekiel 40-48 for so long I've accrued quite a lot of material from others who made similar studies. On this page I've referenced a number of these studies, providing a plan-view where available. The intention is to give an indication of the level of diversity in interpretation which is very low, save for one anomaly (I'm looking at you, Henry Sulley). Note however, that all these interpretations assume that the temple is literal in some way, in the sense that the temple has a physical form to evaluate. ## Mark Allfree In his work _Worship in the age to come_, Mark Allfree progresses through the chapters of Ezekiel describing the structures which form the temple complex. This results in a three-layer gated layout reflected on an east-west axis. > [!image] > ![[xdn-mark-allfree.jpg]] > Credit: Mark Allfree (Nottingham, UK) ## Chris Brown This study shows a useful cross section of the area which indicates the heights of various temple court platforms. It shares a layout comparable to other studies, in a square 500 cubit by 500 cubit plan. > [!image] > ![[xdn-chris-brown.jpg]] > Credit: Chris Brown (Cannock, UK) ## Geoff Cave A 2002 study in the (now defunct) Testimony Magazine presented an interpretation of the measurements from the temple over the course of several issues. Together these form a skeleton following the familiar east-west layout, again in a 500x500 cubit plan. > [!image] > ![[xdn-geoff-cave.jpg]] > Credit: Geoff Cave (Nottingham, UK) ## Lambert Dolphin In a short online paper, Lambert Dolphin describes an interpretation of the Temple based on a range of referenced literature. Find out more at [his website](https://www.ldolphin.org/ezektmp.html). > [!image] > ![[lambert-dolphin.jpg]] > Credit: Lambert Dolphin (2023) ## Isaac Newton _[Notes on the Jewish Temple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notes_on_the_Jewish_Temple)_ is a manuscript written around 1680 and describes his investigations into the temple of Ezekiel's prophecy, alongside observations on the temple of Solomon. The general layout fits with those of other studies. > [!image] > ![[isaac-newton.jpg]] > Isaac Newton (circa 1680) ## Leen Ritmeyer Although unfinished, this study by notable archaeological architect Leen Ritmeyer shows gate structures laid out in an east-west pattern. > [!image] > ![[xdn-leen-ritmeyer.jpg]] > Credit: Leen Ritmeyer (Cardiff, UK) ## John Schmidt _Messiah's Coming Temple_ by John Schmitt and J Carl Laney is a 1997 publication and study of the dimensions given in the Temple of Ezekiel's Prophecy. As the title implies, a literal interpretation is adopted. The book is available on Amazon ([UK](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Messiahs-Coming-Temple-John-Schmitt/dp/082543727X)). > [!image] > ![[john-schmitt.jpg]] > Credit: John Schmitt and J Carl Laney As shown above, this study resulted in the construction of a model. ## Henry Sulley Early in the Christadelphian community Henry Sulley produced a highly influential study of the Temple of Ezekiel's prophecy, showing concentric zones in a square-circle-square formation. I am aware of no independent study which has ever come to similar conclusions. > [!image] > ![[xdn-henry-sulley.jpg]] > Sulley, H (1887) Temple of Ezekiel's Prophecy. Nottingham, UK. In addition to the unorthodox shape, Sulley also concluded that the overall size of the temple structure was 500 _reeds_ making it about a mile long in each direction, making the footprint area 36 times larger than other studies. Sufficient controversy arose that Robert Roberts commented, in the community magazine, that such discussions were explicitly not a matter of fellowship. > [!quote] > "_Uncertain detail._—What will be the size of it? What will be the shape of it? There are no grounds for absolute certainty....It is sufficient that the general truth is received. Any view that may be entertained as to details is not inconsistent with the general truth." > — True Principles and Uncertain Details (The Christadelphian, May 1898) The "general truth" indicated by Roberts this context was that the temple described was a structure to be built by Jesus in the future. This view has also been superseded as an understanding of the ancient near eastern context of the temple developed over the subsequent century and a half.