From the base on the ground to the lower ledge, two cubits, with a breadth of one cubit: Revised Standard Version follows the Septuagint again by saying the base on the ground, but it is better to follow the Hebrew text by referring to “the gutter” (New International Version, New Living Translation) that was dug into the ground around the base of the altar. From that gutter up to the lower ledge refers to “the lowest section” (Good News Translation) of the altar. It was two cubits, that is, 1 meter (3 feet) high, and the ledge itself was a breadth of one cubit, that is, 50 centimeters (20 inches) wide. It is not clear whether the height of this section was measured from the bottom of the gutter or from ground level.

And from the smaller ledge to the larger ledge, four cubits, with a breadth of one cubit: From the smaller ledge to the larger ledge refers to the next section of the altar’s pedestal (so Good News Translation), the part from the lower (that is, smaller in terms of height) ledge up to the higher (that is, larger in terms of height) ledge. This section was four cubits, that is, 2 meters (7 feet) high. Like the lower ledge, the ledge at the top of this section was a breadth of one cubit, that is, 50 centimeters (20 inches) wide.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .