Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and cleanse it, and so consecrate it.
This relates to the altar in this mystical temple, and that is mystical too; for Christ is our altar. The Jews, after their return out of captivity, had an altar long before they had a temple, Ezr 3:3. But this was an altar in the temple. Now here we have, I. The measures of the altar, Eze 43:13.
Commenting on Ezekiel 43:13-27
Seven days shall they purge the altar, and purify it,.... Which denotes the perfect purity and sanctification of it; which how to be applied to Christ; see Gill on Eze 43:20; and they shall consecrate themselves: the priests shall consecrate themselves, or devote themselves to the service of the altar; so Gospel ministers to the ministry of a crucified Christ: or they themselves should consecrate...
Seven days--referring to the original directions of Moses for seven days' purification services of the altar (Exo 29:37). consecrate themselves--literally, "fill their hands," namely, with offerings; referring to the mode of consecrating a priest (Exo 29:24, Exo 29:35).