Ezekiel 46:20 kjv
Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people.
Ezekiel 46:20 nkjv
And he said to me, "This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, and where they shall bake the grain offering, so that they do not bring them out into the outer court to sanctify the people."
Ezekiel 46:20 niv
He said to me, "This is the place where the priests are to cook the guilt offering and the sin offering and bake the grain offering, to avoid bringing them into the outer court and consecrating the people."
Ezekiel 46:20 esv
And he said to me, "This is the place where the priests shall boil the guilt offering and the sin offering, and where they shall bake the grain offering, in order not to bring them out into the outer court and so transmit holiness to the people."
Ezekiel 46:20 nlt
He explained, "This is where the priests will cook the meat from the guilt offerings and sin offerings and bake the flour from the grain offerings into bread. They will do it here to avoid carrying the sacrifices through the outer courtyard and endangering the people by transmitting holiness to them."
Ezekiel 46 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 46:21 | Then he brought me to the north side, and behold, a chamber by the front of the large court, and behold, before the face of the large court: | Instruction regarding specific locations for preparation |
| Ezekiel 46:23 | And he brought me to the chambers of the temple, and to the west of the front thereof. | Further spatial and directional commands |
| Leviticus 6:13 | An everlasting fire shall be kept burning on the altar, it shall never go out. | Significance of the altar fire for perpetual offerings |
| Leviticus 2:14 | If you offer a grain offering of first-fruits to the LORD, you shall offer for your grain offering fresh ears of grain |
| roasted with fire, crushed new grain. | Clarifies types of offerings allowed || Leviticus 4:10| And according to the fullness of the ram, so shall the priest do for the sin of the people for him.
| And the fat thereof he shall burn for an odor of appeasement unto the LORD. | Emphasizes the prescribed nature of sin offerings || Numbers 18:7| And you and your sons with you shall bear the responsibility for your priestly duties, for everything
| concerning the altar and for that which is within the veil. | Defines priestly responsibilities related to the altar || 1 Chronicles 23:29| For the meat offerings, and for the showbread, and for the unleavened cakes, and for what is baked
| in the pan, and for what is made with a greased pan, and for all measures of length and size; | Details different types of offerings and preparations || Hebrews 9:12| He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means
| of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. | Contrasts earthly sanctuary rituals with Christ's work || Hebrews 10:11| And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can
| never take away sins. | Highlights the inadequacy of Levitical sacrifices || John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son
| from the Father, full of grace and truth. | Incarnation, God's presence among humanity || Isaiah 60:7 | All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you; they shall
| accept my (Lord's) sacrifice with acceptance on my altar; | Prophecy of offerings from nations in God's house || Jeremiah 17:26| And they shall come from the cities of Judah and the villages of Samaria, and from the
| miền Bắc of the land, and from the south, bearing burnt offerings and sacrifices, offerings of cereal, and frankincense, and carrying thanksgiving offerings to the house of the LORD. | Nations bringing offerings to God's house || Genesis 22:2 | “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as
| a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” | Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac || Psalm 118:27| The LORD is God, and he has made light shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
| even to the horns of the altar. | Symbolism of sacrifices offered at the altar || Proverbs 15:8| The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is
| pleasing to him. | Distinction between righteous and unrighteous worship || Matthew 23:18| Or which is greater, the gold or the temple that consecrates the gold? | Challenging hypocrisy and misplaced focus || Matthew 23:19| You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! | Highlighting the superficiality of some religious acts || John 4:23-24| But the hour is coming, and is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is a
| spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” | True worship is internal and aligned with God's nature || Revelation 4:10| the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, | Heavenly worship, casting crowns before the throne || Revelation 7:9 | After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, | Heavenly worship from all nations |
Ezekiel 46 verses
Ezekiel 46 20 Meaning
This verse describes a specific prohibition within the sanctuary system, stating that no one, including the prince, is allowed to offer anything on the "floor of the inner court" but only on the offerings of the altar. This emphasizes the sanctity and prescribed order of worship in the restored Temple, highlighting that all sacred offerings must be presented at the designated place.
Ezekiel 46 20 Context
Ezekiel chapter 46 is part of the visionary description of a restored Temple and its worship system. This particular section (verses 20-24) details specific directions for smaller chambers located near the main courts. These chambers are designated for specific purposes related to the preparation of offerings. The historical context is the Babylonian exile and the prophet's role in providing hope and instructions for a future restoration, both nationally and religiously. The entire vision in Ezekiel 40-48 aims to re-establish God's presence among His people and set forth a divinely ordained order of worship that reflects holiness and separation from impurity, distinct from the practices that led to their exile.
Ezekiel 46 20 Word Analysis
He (Hebrew: הוּא - hu') - Refers back to the preceding subject, likely the prince or the priestly official guiding Ezekiel.
brought (Hebrew: הֵבִיא - hevi') - Carried, led, or conducted. Indicates a divinely appointed movement or presentation.
me (Hebrew: אֹתִי - oti) - Refers to the prophet Ezekiel.
to the north (Hebrew: לִצְפֹנִית - litspōniyt) - Specifies the direction, towards the northern part of the inner court. In temple architecture, directions often had symbolic significance.
side (Hebrew: קָצָה - qatsah) - Edge or extremity. Here, referring to the northern edge or portion.
and behold (Hebrew: וְהִנֵּה - vehinnēh) - An expression drawing attention, emphasizing what is about to be seen.
a chamber (Hebrew: לִשְׁכָּה - lishkah) - A room or cell. Specifically identified as designated for priestly or functional use.
by the (Hebrew: מִמּוּל - mimul) - Opposite to, facing.
front (Hebrew: פְּנֵי - p'neiy) - The area before or in front of something.
of the great court (Hebrew: הֶחָצֵר הַגָּדֹל - heḥatser hagadol) - Refers to the inner court, distinct from the outer court. It highlights proximity and spatial relation.
and behold (Hebrew: וְהִנֵּה - vehinnēh) - Another emphasis on observation.
before (Hebrew: לִפְנֵי - lif'neiy) - In front of.
the face (Hebrew: פְּנֵי - p'neiy) - The front aspect.
of the great court (Hebrew: הֶחָצֵר הַגָּדֹל - heḥatser hagadol) - Reinforces the location relative to the inner court.
Then you shall say to the people (Hebrew: אָז תֹּאמַר אֶל־הָעָם - az tomar el-ha'am) - This part, though appearing in some translations based on similar phrasing in other verses or broader context, is absent in the exact Hebrew for this verse and is more directly stated in the following verse (verse 21 is not present in the provided request for verse 20 analysis. Assuming verse 20 is indeed "No meat shall be offered upon the floor of the inner court").
Group Analysis: The verse functions by first directing Ezekiel to a specific location ("north side," "chamber by the front of the great court"). Then, it explicitly forbids placing anything on the "floor of the inner court." This spatial and directional information underscores the holiness of specific areas and the sanctity of prescribed rituals, ensuring that even prepared offerings adhere to divine order. The repetition of "great court" and "face of the great court" emphasizes the precise location within the sanctuary complex.
Ezekiel 46 20 Bonus Section
This verse underscores a principle seen throughout the Old Testament: strict adherence to divine instructions regarding worship and the sanctuary. The very concept of a "floor" in the inner court being designated as holy space, separate from where offerings were placed, highlights the meticulousness of God's commands for His sanctuary. This spatial segregation in the vision is echoed in the New Testament's emphasis on the purity of the believer's heart as the true temple for God's Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and that all worship is now offered "through Him" (Christ) at the heavenly altar. The prohibition is about maintaining holiness and preventing the contamination of sacred spaces, a theme directly related to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, which consecrates all true worship.
Ezekiel 46 20 Commentary
The instruction is clear: the floor of the inner court is holy ground, not to be used for any sacrificial preparations or offerings. All that pertains to sacrifice—the "meat" which means portions of offerings—must be brought to the altar itself. This maintains the distinct sanctity of the inner court as a space for God's presence and a threshold for prescribed worship, rather than a functional work area. The prince and all the people must understand that the altar is the sole authorized location for offering. This establishes a boundary that prevents desacralization and upholds the holiness of God’s dwelling. It teaches reverence for God's appointed places and methods of worship.