5. The priest chose from the fagots the best figwood to arrange the second fire of preparation for the incense opposite the western horn southward. He prolonged it from the horn toward the north four cubits, reckoning for five seahs[538] of live coals, and on the Sabbath he reckoned for eight seahs of live coals. As they placed there the two cups of frankincense of the showbread. The members and cauls (of the sacrifices) which were not consumed by the fire overnight, were returned again by the priests to the great fire of preparation. And they kindled both the preparations with fire; and they came down, and entered into the chamber of hewn stone.[539]
Chapter III
1. The Captain of the Temple said to the priests, “come and cast lots.” “Who is to slaughter?” “Who is to sprinkle?” “Who is to take the ashes from the inner altar?” “Who is to take the ashes from the candlestick?” “Who is to bring up the members to the ascent, the head and the right foot, and the two hind feet, the chine, and the left foot, the breast, and the throat, and the two sides, the inwards, and the fine flour, and the pancakes and the wine?” They cast lots, and he gained who gained.
2. The Captain said to them, “go and see if the time for slaughter approaches?” If it approached, the watchman said, “it brightens.” Matthia, son of Samuel, said, “is it light in the whole east, even to Hebron?” and he said, “yes.”
3. He said to them, “go and bring the lamb from the lamb-chamber.” The lamb-chamber was in the northwest corner of the court, and there were four chambers there, one the lamb-chamber, one the seal-chamber,[540] and one chamber for the burning materials, and one chamber where they made showbread.
4. The priests entered the chamber for the vessels, and they brought out ninety-three vessels of silver and gold. They made the daily sacrifice drink in a golden cup. Even though he was examined the night before, they examined him again by torch-light.
5. He who gained the lot for the daily sacrifice, led the lamb to the slaughter-house, and those who gained the lots for the members, went after him. The slaughter-house was to the north of the altar, and in it were eight dwarf pillars, and beams of cedar-wood were fastened upon them, and iron hooks were fastened in them. And there were three rows of hooks to each of them. Upon them the priests hung the sacrifices, and skinned them, near the marble tables between the pillars.
6. Those who gained the lot for the removal of the ashes [pg 225] from the inner altar, and the ashes from the candlestick, advanced with four vessels in their hands, a flagon[541] and a cup[542] and two keys. The flagon resembled a great golden measure containing two cabs and a half. And the cup resembled a great golden jug. And the two keys to the sanctuary. One key entered the lock up to the shoulder of the priest, and one opened quickly.
7. The priest came to the wicket on the north, and there were two wickets in the great gate, one in the north and one in the south. Through that in the south man never entered, and Ezekiel explains it. “Then said the Lord unto me: This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.”[543] He took the key and opened the wicket; he entered the chamber, and he went from the chamber into the sanctuary, until he came to the great gate. When he came to the great gate, he took down the bar and the bolts and opened it. The slaughterer did not slaughter till he heard the noise of the opening of the great gate.