Ezekiel 46 21

Ezekiel 46:21 kjv

Then he brought me forth into the utter court, and caused me to pass by the four corners of the court; and, behold, in every corner of the court there was a court.

Ezekiel 46:21 nkjv

Then he brought me out into the outer court and caused me to pass by the four corners of the court; and in fact, in every corner of the court there was another court.

Ezekiel 46:21 niv

He then brought me to the outer court and led me around to its four corners, and I saw in each corner another court.

Ezekiel 46:21 esv

Then he brought me out to the outer court and led me around to the four corners of the court. And behold, in each corner of the court there was another court ?

Ezekiel 46:21 nlt

Then he brought me back to the outer courtyard and led me to each of its four corners. In each corner I saw an enclosure.

Ezekiel 46 verses

Ezekiel 46 21 Meaning

This verse describes a specific area within the inner court of the temple. It is designated as the place for the priests to lay their consecrated offerings. This was a holy space, separate from where ordinary people could tread, underscoring the sanctity of both the priests' service and the offerings they presented to God. The inclusion of "the north" likely refers to its specific placement within the temple complex as described in earlier verses.

Ezekiel 46 21 Context

Ezekiel 46 is part of the detailed description of the future temple, its courts, and its regulations as revealed to the prophet Ezekiel. This chapter focuses on the order of worship and the role of the prince (leader) and the people within this renewed temple. Specifically, verses 18-20 describe chambers for the prince's inheritance to prevent overreach and to maintain holiness. Verse 21 transitions to discussing specific areas designated for the priests to prepare and consume consecrated offerings, ensuring the holiness of these acts and the sanctity of the broader temple space. This instruction follows earlier directives about purity and the proper handling of sacrifices, emphasizing order and separation within God’s dwelling place. The historical context involves the exile and the future restoration of Israel, with Ezekiel’s visions providing a blueprint for a re-established, spiritually renewed community centered around God’s presence.

Ezekiel 46 21 Word Analysis

• And he said
  • Hebrew: וַיֹּ("${text_id}wv") (vay-yoh): "And he said" or "Then he said." Indicates continuation of speech or instruction from the divine source.
• unto me
  • Hebrew: אֵלַי("${text_id}y_li") (el-ai): "to me" or "unto me." The pronoun signifies Ezekiel as the recipient of the vision and divine message.
• This
  • Hebrew: זֶה("${text_id}h_zeh") (zeh): "this." Refers to a specific location or item within the vision being pointed out.
• is
  • Hebrew: הוא("${text_id}h_hu") (hu): "he is" or "it is." A simple copula verb.
• the place
  • Hebrew: הַמָּק="${text_id}m_ha-maqom") (ham-ma-kom): "the place." The definite article 'ha-' emphasizes a specific, identified location.
• where
  • Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר("${text_id}r_asher") (a-sher): "where" or "which." Introduces a relative clause specifying the purpose or activity of the place.
• the priests
  • Hebrew: הַכֹּ"${text_id}s_ha-hakohanim") (ha-ko-ha-nim): "the priests." The plural definite form of 'kohen' (priest), referring to those officiating in the sanctuary.
• shall boil
  • Hebrew: יְבַשׁ("${text_id}sh_yevash_lu") (ye-va-shul-u): "they shall boil." From the root בָּשַׁל (bashal), meaning to cook or boil. Indicates a priestly function.
• the sin offering
  • Hebrew: אֶת("${text_id}t_et") (et): Accusative particle.
  • Hebrew: חַט("${text_id}t_e_hata't") (chattat): "sin offering" or "guilt offering." The offering for sin, indicating atonement and cleansing.
• and
  • Hebrew: וְ("${text_id}v_we") (we): "and." Connects phrases or clauses.
• the guilt offering
  • Hebrew: וְאֵ"${text_id}t_ve-et") (ve-et): "and the." Accusative particle.
  • Hebrew: אָשׁ"${text_id}m_asham") (a-sham): "guilt offering" or "trespass offering." For offenses requiring restitution or atonement.
• where
  • Hebrew: לִשְׁ "${text_id}l_lish_refot") (lish-ro-fot): "to bake." From the root צָלָה (tsalah), to roast or bake. Indicates another priestly culinary task.
• they shall bake
  • Hebrew: מִ("${text_id}n_min") (min): "from" or "of." Preposition.
• the bread
  • Hebrew: הַ"${text_id}m_ha-lechem") (ha-le-chem): "the bread." Referring to offerings made of grain, likely unleavened.
• of the offering
  • Hebrew: הַ"${text_id}t_ha-minchah") (ha-min-chah): "the offering." The grain offering, a typical component of priestly duties and temple sacrifices.

Groups of Words Analysis:

• "the place where the priests shall boil... and where they shall bake": This phrase establishes a designated, sacred workspace for priestly functions related to sacrificial meals. It highlights the organized and controlled manner in which consecrated items were prepared, ensuring holiness and preventing defilement. The distinction between boiling and baking signifies the varied types of offerings and the specific procedures for each.
• "the sin offering and the guilt offering": These specific types of offerings are emphasized, pointing to the gravity of sin and transgression that necessitated them. The priestly preparation of these particular offerings underscores their significance in the process of atonement and restoration within God’s covenant relationship with Israel.

Ezekiel 46 21 Bonus Section

The "boiling" and "baking" of offerings here point to specific methods prescribed in Leviticus. For example, the sin offering was often boiled (Leviticus 8:31), and parts of the grain offering were baked (Leviticus 2:4-6). This adherence to specific preparation methods for consecrated food was critical for maintaining ritual purity. The prohibition of bringing these prepared offerings out into the "outer court to sanctify the people" (as seen in the preceding verse) underscores a concept of mediated holiness – the people would be sanctified by the effects of these offerings, but not directly exposed to the process itself, preserving the sanctity of the inner workings of the sanctuary. This foreshadows the concept of the church as the body of Christ, where believers access holiness through Him, not by performing sacrificial rites themselves.

Ezekiel 46 21 Commentary

This verse outlines a specific culinary space within the inner court, reserved for priests. It is where offerings for sin and guilt are prepared through boiling and baking. This practice signifies that the purification and atonement processes were meticulous and carried out by consecrated individuals in sanctified areas. It ensured that these holy items, essential for the covenant community's spiritual well-being, were handled with the utmost reverence. The location’s purpose—to boil and bake these specific offerings—demonstrates a level of priestly service deeply integrated with the tangible aspects of sacrifice and atonement within the temple’s function. It reflects the principle that holiness demands order, designated spaces, and specialized roles for those who serve God.