Ezekiel 46:2 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Ezekiel 46:2 kjv
And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.
Ezekiel 46:2 nkjv
The prince shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway from the outside, and stand by the gatepost. The priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings. He shall worship at the threshold of the gate. Then he shall go out, but the gate shall not be shut until evening.
Ezekiel 46:2 niv
The prince is to enter from the outside through the portico of the gateway and stand by the gatepost. The priests are to sacrifice his burnt offering and his fellowship offerings. He is to bow down in worship at the threshold of the gateway and then go out, but the gate will not be shut until evening.
Ezekiel 46:2 esv
The prince shall enter by the vestibule of the gate from outside, and shall take his stand by the post of the gate. The priests shall offer his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate. Then he shall go out, but the gate shall not be shut until evening.
Ezekiel 46:2 nlt
The prince will enter the entry room of the gateway from the outside. Then he will stand by the gatepost while the priest offers his burnt offering and peace offering. He will bow down in worship inside the gateway passage and then go back out the way he came. The gateway will not be closed until evening.
Ezekiel 46 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Point) |
|---|---|---|
| Ez 43:1-2 | Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east... | East Gate as divine entry/glory |
| Ez 44:1-3 | Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut... only the prince; he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD... | East Gate's unique access for prince |
| Ez 45:16-17 | All the people of the land shall give this oblation for the prince in Israel... And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings... | Prince's role in communal offerings |
| Ez 46:1 | Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened. | Gate's specific opening times |
| Num 27:21 | And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD... | Leader consulting priests |
| 1 Chr 29:20 | And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD... | Communal worship/humility of leader |
| 2 Chr 6:12-13 | And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands... | King's posture during worship |
| Psa 95:6 | O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. | Posture of worship (bowing) |
| Isa 60:11 | Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles... | Perpetual open gates (eschatological) |
| Joel 2:17 | Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD... | Priests' role near sacred space |
| Lev 1:3-9 | If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation... | Details of burnt offering |
| Lev 3:1-17 | And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering... | Details of peace offering |
| Heb 10:19-20 | Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us... | Access through Christ (contrast) |
| Psa 100:4 | Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. | Entering gates for worship |
| John 14:6 | Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. | Christ as the way (ultimate access) |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. | Bold access for believers |
| Rom 12:1 | I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God... | Believers' spiritual sacrifice |
| Phil 2:6-8 | Who, being in the form of God... made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant... humbled himself... | Christ's humility (ultimate Prince) |
| Zec 9:9 | Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion... behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass... | Messiah's humble advent |
| Rev 21:25 | And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. | Open gates in new Jerusalem (eschatological) |
| Ez 43:10-12 | Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern. | Emphasis on temple ordinances/pattern |
Ezekiel 46 verses
Ezekiel 46 2 meaning
This verse describes the specific ritual for the "prince" in the visionary temple, outlining his restricted access to the East Gate, his humble posture of worship, and the priests' role in offering his sacrifices. The East Gate is open throughout the special days of worship, allowing continuous access for the prince and others on Sabbaths and New Moons.
Ezekiel 46 2 Context
Ezekiel 46 is part of Ezekiel's lengthy vision (chapters 40-48) detailing a new, ideal temple and the restored land of Israel. This vision follows Israel's exile and addresses the spiritual failures of the past. Chapters 40-42 describe the temple's structure, 43 the return of God's glory, and 44-48 focus on ordinances, priests, princes, and land division. Ezekiel 46 specifically outlines the rules for the sacrifices offered by the prince and the people on Sabbaths, New Moons, and other feast days, emphasizing meticulous order and proper worship. Verse 2 describes the specific actions of the "prince" on such a designated holy day when the East Gate is opened. His actions symbolize humility and submission to divine regulations, contrasting sharply with past kings who overstepped their boundaries (e.g., Uzziah in 2 Chr 26:16-21). This idealized temple, its rituals, and its leadership establish a perfect system for a restored relationship with God.
Ezekiel 46 2 Word analysis
- And the prince (וְהַנָּשִׂיא - vehannasi’): The Hebrew word
nasi'often translates as "prince" or "chief," rather than "king." In Ezekiel's vision, this figure is a spiritual and civic leader, distinct from a reigning monarch or high priest. His role is specific: providing offerings, upholding the law, and administering the land. His humility and adherence to temple protocols highlight the supremacy of God's authority over human leadership, serving as a model for future governance. - shall enter (בָּא - ba’): Denotes a coming or an arrival. The active verb implies intentional action on his part to participate in worship.
- by the way of the porch (אֻלָם - ’ulam) of that gate (הַשַּׁעַר - hasha'ar): The
’ulamrefers to the portico or vestibule, a prominent architectural feature leading into the main part of the gate complex. This gate is specifically the East Gate, previously shut due to God's glory (Ez 44:1-3) and reserved for the prince's entry on specific holy days. - without (מִחוּץ - mikhutz): This indicates that the prince remains outside the inner court but within the broader temple precincts. He does not have full access to the altar or the inner sanctuary, a restriction that underscores the sacredness of the priestly domain and his subordinate role in worship.
- and shall stand (וְעָמַד - v’amad) by the post (מְזוּזַת - m'zuzat) of the gate: To "stand by the post" implies a posture of reverence, observation, and limited participation from an authorized, yet distinct, vantage point. It highlights his proximity to, but not intrusion into, the sacrificial space.
- and the priests (וְהַכֹּהֲנִים - vehakkohanim) shall prepare (וְעָשׂוּ - v’asu) his burnt offering (עֹלָתוֹ - ’olato) and his peace offerings (וְאֶת־שְׁלָמָיו - v'et shlamav): The burnt offering (
‘olah) signifies complete devotion and atonement, entirely consumed by fire. The peace offering (shelem) is a communal sacrifice for fellowship and thanksgiving. The critical detail is that priests prepare them, reinforcing their exclusive role in the sacrificial cult and the prince's submission to their service. - and he shall worship (וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָה - v’hishtachavah) at the threshold (מִפְתַּן - miftan) of the gate: To "worship" (
hishtachavah) involves prostration or bowing, an act of ultimate humility and submission to God. Worshipping at the "threshold" of the gate reiterates his limited but humble access to the divine presence, further from the altar than the priests, yet still reverent. - then he shall go forth (יֵצֵא - yetzei): This simple phrase signifies the completion of his ritual and orderly departure, indicating that his presence is for the designated act of worship, not continuous access.
- but the gate shall not be shut (וְלֹא יִסָּגֵר הַשַּׁעַר - v'lo yissager hasha'ar) until the evening (עַד־הָעֶרֶב - 'ad ha'erev): This emphasizes the duration of its openness. On Sabbaths and New Moons, specified in verse 1, the gate remains accessible throughout the daylight hours, signifying continuous opportunity for the prince and the people to offer worship and participate in the sacred observances during these special days. This open access underscores a period of increased divine presence and availability to the people.
Ezekiel 46 2 Bonus section
The concept of the nasi' or "prince" in Ezekiel 40-48 is critical. He is explicitly distinguished from melekh (king), a term not used for a ruler in this ideal temple vision. This shift suggests a departure from the failures of past monarchy and a new emphasis on a leader who operates strictly within God's divine constitution and the temple's priestly authority. The prince's humility serves as a direct polemic against the pride and overreach of historical kings of Judah who sometimes dared to trespass into sacred priestly functions, notably Uzziah who was struck with leprosy for offering incense (2 Chr 26). The detailed description of the gate regulations reflects the immense holiness of the visionary temple and the necessity of strict adherence to God's ordained order, which for Ezekiel's original audience in exile would have provided hope for a perfectly governed future. The emphasis on ritual purity and orderly access prepares for a spiritual reality where every act of worship is precisely regulated and wholly acceptable to God.
Ezekiel 46 2 Commentary
Ezekiel 46:2 offers a precise glimpse into the ideal worship structure of the visionary temple, particularly highlighting the unique position of the "prince." This figure, embodying both leadership and humility, approaches the sacred East Gate, whose specific opening is contingent on holy days. His actions – standing, worshipping, and departing – meticulously observe the boundaries set for him, contrasting with past rulers who encroached on priestly duties. His offerings, prepared by the designated priests, signify a complete dedication to God (burnt offering) and a desire for communal fellowship (peace offerings). The prince’s inability to fully enter the inner court or personally officiate at the altar underscores the absolute authority of the priests in the sacrificial cult and the distinct sacred space reserved for divine service. The gate remaining open "until the evening" signifies ongoing access for collective worship and offerings on the holy day, ensuring a continuous spiritual communion between God and His people, under orderly divine governance. This vision emphasizes proper reverence, clear demarcation of roles, and continuous spiritual accessibility on days dedicated to the Lord.