In this chamber, “there were four tables [made] of hewn stone for the burnt-offering, one-and-a-half cubits long, one-and-a-half cubits wide, and one cubit high.”¹ 40:42. The knives for slaughtering the sacrificial animals and the basins in which the blood from the slaughtered animals would be collected, were placed on these tables so that these utensils would be prepared for the kohanim who would slaughter the sacrifices of the highest degree of sanctity in the northern portion of the courtyard.

footnotes: ¹ Yechezkel

The verse states:²43. The bracketed phrase was added based on the gloss of Metzudos. “And the tables on which the meat of the sacrifices [would be placed].” It appears that the phrase “There they would rinse the burnt-offering”³38. refers to this chamber, i.e., the meat of the sacrifices was rinsed on the tables inside this chamber. Therefore, the tables were made of hewn stone. Similarly, Middos, ch. 3,⁴ 3:5. states that there were marble tables between the pillars in the butchering area. Rav Ovadiah of Bartenura states that the entrails of the sacrifices were washed on these tables because marble cools the meat and protects it from spoiling.

footnotes: ² Ibid.: ³ Ibid.: ⁴ Middos

In the Second Beis HaMikdash there were 8 such tables, as stated by the Mishnah in Shekalim, ch. 6,⁵ 6:4. “Eight marble tables in the butchering area; the entrails would be rinsed on them.”

footnotes: ⁵ Shekalim