Offerings and Holy Days (continued) Ezekiel 46:...

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Offerings and Holy Days

(continued)

Ezekiel 46: 1-24

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Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor

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Offerings and Holy Days

(continued)

Text:

Ezekiel 46:1-24,

1. ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The gate of the inner

court facing east is to be shut on the six working days, but on the

Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it is to be opened.

2. 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 worship at the

threshold of the gateway and then go out, but the gate will not be

shut until evening.

3. On the Sabbaths and New Moons the people of the land are to

worship in the presence of the Lord at the entrance to that gateway.

4. The burnt offering the prince brings to the Lord on the Sabbath

day is to be six male lambs and a ram, all without defect.

5. The grain offering given with the ram is to be an ephah, and the

grain offering with the lambs is to be as much as he pleases, along

with a hin of oil for each ephah.

6. On the day of the New Moon he is to offer a young bull, six lambs

and a ram, all without defect.

7. He is to provide as a grain offering one ephah with the bull, one

ephah with the ram, and with the lambs as much as he wants to give,

along with a hin of oil with each ephah.



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8. When the prince enters, he is to go in through the portico of the

gateway, and he is to come out the same way.

9. “‘When the people of the land come before the Lord at the

appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to

go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go

out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he

entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate.

10. The prince is to be among them, going in when they go in and

going out when they go out.

11. “‘At the festivals and the appointed feasts, the grain offering is

to be an ephah with a bull, an ephah with a ram, and with the lambs

as much as one pleases, along with a hin of oil for each ephah.

12. When the prince provides a freewill offering to the Lord—

whether a burnt offering or fellowship offerings—the gate facing

east is to be opened for him. He shall offer his burnt offering or his

fellowship offerings as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go

out, and after he has gone out, the gate will be shut.

13. “‘Every day you are to provide a year-old lamb without defect

for a burnt offering to the Lord; morning by morning you shall

provide it.

14. You are also to provide with it morning by morning a grain

offering, consisting of a sixth of an ephah with a third of a hin of

oil to moisten the flour. The presenting of this grain offering to

the Lord is a lasting ordinance.

15. So the lamb and the grain offering and the oil shall be provided

morning by morning for a regular burnt offering.



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16. “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: If the prince makes a

gift from his inheritance to one of his sons, it will also belong to his

descendants; it is to be their property by inheritance.

17. If, however, he makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his

servants, the servant may keep it until the year of freedom; then it

will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs to his sons only; it

is theirs.

18. The prince must not take any of the inheritance of the people,

driving them off their property. He is to give his sons their

inheritance out of his own property, so that none of my people will

be separated from his property.’”

19. Then the man brought me through the entrance at the side of the

gate to the sacred rooms facing north, which belonged to the priests,

and showed me a place at the western end.

20. He said to me, “This is the place where the priests will 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.”

21. He then brought me to the outer court and led me around to its

four corners, and I saw in each corner another court.

22. In the four corners of the outer court were enclosed courts, forty

cubits long and thirty cubits wide; each of the courts in the four

corners was the same size.

23. Around the inside of each of the four courts was a ledge of stone,

with places for fire built all around under the ledge.

24. He said to me, “These are the kitchens where those who minister

at the temple will cook the sacrifices of the people.” (NIV 1984)



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Introduction:

1. Smith divides this chapter into three sections: viz., …

A. Worship Leader (Ezekiel 46:1-7).

B. Worship Regulations (Ezekiel 46:8-18).

C. The Sacrificial Kitchen (Ezekiel 46:19-24).

II. Coffman wrote that “this chapter gives instructions for worship on the

day of the new moon, and on the Sabbath, and the gate by which the

prince (or king) would be required to enter (and leave) the temple.”

III. The Pulpit Commentary states this chapter falls into three divisions;

viz., …

A. Supplemental directions for the prince and the people of the

land when engaged in solemn acts of worship (verses 1-15).

B. Instructions the prince was to follow as to how he may dispose

of his portion or inheritance (verses 16-18).

C. Information about the sacrificial kitchens for the priests and for

the people. (verses 19-24).



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Commentary:

Worship Leader

Ezekiel 46:1, “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The gate of

the inner court facing east is to be shut on the six working days, but

on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it is to be

opened. (NIV 1984)

I. This is what the Sovereign LORD says:

A. The Sovereign LORD now gives directions relating to the

worship of the prince and the people on the Sabbaths and the new

moons and at the appointed feasts generally. (See Ezekiel 46: 1-

15.) (The Pulpit Commentary)

B. In the book of Ezekiel, the phrase, “This is what the Sovereign

LORD says”, introduces new, important subjects. (The Pulpit

Commentary)

1. Ezekiel 44:9, This is what the Sovereign LORD says: No

foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh is to enter my

sanctuary, not even the foreigners who live among the

Israelites. (NIV 1984)

2. Ezekiel 45:9, 18, “‘This is what the

Sovereign LORD says: You have gone far enough, O

princes of Israel! Give up your violence and

oppression and do what is just and right. Stop

dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign LORD.

“‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In the first

month on the first day you are to take a young bull

without defect and purify the sanctuary. (NIV 1984)



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II. The gate of the inner court facing east is to be shut on the six working

days, but on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it is to be

opened.

A. “The gate of the inner court was to be shut on work days but

open on the Sabbath and new moon”, Smith wrote.

B. Fredenburg observed that the east outer gate would be forever

closed because Yahweh had reentered his temple through it.

1. Ezekiel 44:2, The LORD said to me, “This gate is to

remain shut. It must not be opened; no one may enter

through it. It is to remain shut because the LORD, the God

of Israel, has entered through it. (NIV 1984)

C. All worshipers except the prince were permanently excluded

from the east gate. (See Fredenburg)

1. The east gate of the inner court was open for the prince

only and that only on the Sabbath days and the new moon

festival.

D. Worship observances were to be in strict compliance with

Divine instructions.

1. Exodus 20:8-11, “Remember the Sabbath day by

keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your

work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your

God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor

your son or daughter, nor your manservant or

maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your

gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the

earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the

seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day

and made it holy. (NIV 1984)



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2. Hosea 2:11, I will stop all her celebrations: her yearly

festivals, her New Moons, her Sabbath days—all her

appointed feasts. (NIV 1984)

3. Hosea 5:7, They are unfaithful to the LORD; they give

birth to illegitimate children. Now their New Moon

festivals will devour them and their fields. (NIV 1984)

4. Isaiah 1:13-14, Stop bringing meaningless offerings!

Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths

and convocations— I cannot bear your evil assemblies.

Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my

soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am

weary of bearing them. (NIV 1984)

E. This verse refers to the inner east gate and states this gate was to

be shut on the six working days, but was to be open on the Sabbath

and on the occasion of the new moon observances. (The Pulpit

Commentary)

1. 1 Samuel 20:19, The day after tomorrow, toward

evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble

began, and wait by the stone Ezel. (NIV 1984)

2. Evidently the outer east gate was to remain permanently

closed.

Ezekiel 46:2, 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

worship at the threshold of the gateway and then go out, but the

gate will not be shut until evening. (NIV 1984)



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I. The prince is to enter from the outside through the portico of the

gateway and stand by the gatepost.

A. “The prince was to be the worship leader on these occasions”,

Smith wrote.

B. Before God, both prince and people were equal illustrated by

the fact that both prince and people would enter and leave the

temple at the same time. (Coffman)

C. The prince entered by way of the inner gate as far as the gate’s

threshold, and stood there worshiping by the posts of the gate.

II. The priests are to sacrifice his burnt offering and his fellowship

offerings.

A. The Pulpit Commentary states the prince observed the priests

preparing and offering his burnt offerings and peace offerings.

B. The priests, not the prince, were to prepare and offer the

prince’s sacrifice.

III. He is to worship at the threshold of the gateway and then go out, but

the gate will not be shut until evening.

A. The places the prince could go were limited and stipulated.

(Fredenburg)

1. At the “threshold of the gateway” the prince was to

worship. (See Fredenburg)

Ezekiel 46:3, On the Sabbaths and New Moons the people of the

land are to worship in the presence of the LORD at the entrance to

that gateway. (NIV 1984)



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I. On the Sabbaths and New Moons the people of the land are to worship

in the presence of the LORD at the entrance to that gateway.

A. The people were to worship at the entrance to that gateway (the

inner east gate) while the prince was to worship at its

portico/porch. (See The Pulpit Commentary.)

Ezekiel 46:4, The burnt offering the prince brings to the LORD on

the Sabbath day is to be six male lambs and a ram, all without

defect. (NIV 1984)

I. The burnt offering the prince brings to the LORD on the Sabbath day

is to be six male lambs and a ram, all without defect.

A. “The chief magistrate was always obliged to attend the public

worship of God, as well as the priest, to show that the civil and

ecclesiastical states were both under the same government of the

LORD; …”, Clarke wrote, “Ungodly priests and profligate

magistrates are a curse in any land.”

B. The Pulpit Commentary notes that the Mosaic Law called for

two yearling lambs.

1. Numbers 28:9, “‘On the Sabbath day, make an offering

of two lambs a year old without defect, together with its

drink offering and a grain offering of two-tenths of an

ephah of fine flour mixed with oil. (NIV 1984)

Ezekiel 46:5, The grain offering given with the ram is to be an

ephah, and the grain offering with the lambs is to be as much as he

pleases, along with a hin of oil for each ephah. (NIV 1984)

I. The grain offering given with the ram is to be an ephah, and the grain

offering with the lambs is to be as much as he pleases, along with a hin

of oil for each ephah.



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A. Related references:

1. Leviticus 14:31, one as a sin offering and the other as a

burnt offering, together with the grain offering. In this

way the priest will make atonement before the LORD on

behalf of the one to be cleansed.” (NIV 1984)

2. Leviticus 25:26, If, however, a man has no one to

redeem it for him but he himself prospers and acquires

sufficient means to redeem it, (NIV 1984)

Ezekiel 46:6, On the day of the New Moon he is to offer a young

bull, six lambs and a ram, all without defect. (NIV 184)

I. On the day of the New Moon he is to offer a young bull, six lambs and

a ram, all without defect.

A. Only the best was and is to be presented to the LORD.

1. The animals to be sacrificed were all to be without defect.

B. Compare the New Moon offerings of the Mosaic Law with

those mentioned in the verse.

1. Numbers 28:11-15, “‘On the first of every

month, present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young

bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all

without defect. With each bull there is to be a grain

offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed

with oil; with the ram, a grain offering of two-tenths of an

ephah of fine flour mixed with oil; and with each lamb, a

grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed

with oil. This is for a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, an

offering made to the LORD by fire. With each bull there is



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to be a drink offering of half a hin of wine; with the ram,

a third of a hin; and with each lamb, a quarter of a hin.

This is the monthly burnt offering to be made at each new

moon during the year. Besides the regular burnt

offering with its drink offering, one male goat is to be

presented to the LORD as a sin offering (NIV 1984)

Ezekiel 46:7, He is to provide as a grain offering one ephah with the

bull, one ephah with the ram, and with the lambs as much as he

wants to give, along with a hin of oil with each ephah. (NIV 1984)

I. He is to provide as a grain offering one ephah with the bull, one ephah

with the ram, and with the lambs as much as he wants to give, along

with a hin of oil with each ephah.

A. Certain offerings were prescribed as noted in verse 7 while

others were free will; that is, “as much as he wants to give.” (See

Clarke.)

1. Compare these offerings with these required by the Mosaic

law. (See Clarke.)

a. Numbers 15:4-12, then the one who brings his

offering shall present to the Lord a grain offering of

a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a

quarter of a hin of oil. With each lamb for the burnt

offering or the sacrifice, prepare a quarter of a hin

of wine as a drink offering. “‘With a ram prepare a

grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour

mixed with a third of a hin of oil, and a third of a

hin of wine as a drink offering. Offer it as an aroma

pleasing to the Lord. “‘When you prepare a young

bull as a burnt offering or sacrifice, for a special

vow or a fellowship offering to the Lord, bring with

the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an



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ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil. Also

bring half a hin of wine as a drink offering. It will be

an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to

the Lord. Each bull or ram, each lamb or young

goat, is to be prepared in this manner. Do this for

each one, for as many as you prepare. (NIV 1984)

B. Certain gifts were stipulated, but there was still a place for free

will contributions, “as much as he wants to give.”

Worship Regulations

Ezekiel 46:8, When the prince enters, he is to go in through the

portico of the gateway, and he is to come out the same way. (NIV

1984)

I. When the prince enters, he is to go in through the portico of the

gateway, and he is to come out the same way.

A. Entrancing and exiting regulations relating to worship protocol

were prescribed perhaps, Smith suggested, to maintain order

among the large crowds at the annual feasts and/or to symbolically

show that those who left worship, people and prince, were different

than those who entered worship and that all, people and prince,

were equal before God.

B. Beginning here the mode of conducting worship at the

appointed festivals is stated.

1. Ezekiel 36:8, “‘But you, O mountains of Israel, will

produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they

will soon come home. (NIV 1984)

2. Ezekiel 45:17, It will be the duty of the prince to

provide the burnt offerings, grain offerings and drink



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offerings at the festivals, the New Moons and the

Sabbaths—at all the appointed feasts of the house of

Israel. He will provide the sin offerings, grain offerings,

burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to make

atonement for the house of Israel. (NIV 1984)

3. Leviticus 23:2, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them:

‘These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of

the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred

assemblies. (NIV 1984)

4. Hosea 12:9, “I am the LORD your God, who brought

you out of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in

the days of your appointed feasts. (NIV 1984)

Ezekiel 46:9, “‘When the people of the land come before

the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate

to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the

south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through

the gate by which he entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate.

(NIV 1984)

I. When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed

feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south

gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate.

A. Related references:

1. Ezekiel 43:11, and if they are ashamed of all they have

done, make known to them the design of the temple—its

arrangement, its exits and entrances—its whole design

and all its regulations and laws. Write these down before

them so that they may be faithful to its design and follow

all its regulations. (NIV 1984)



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2. Ezekiel 44:5, The LORD said to me, “Son of man, look

carefully, listen closely and give attention to everything I

tell you concerning all the regulations regarding the

temple of the LORD. Give attention to the entrance of the

temple and all the exits of the sanctuary. (NIV 1984)

B. Entrances and exits by the people and the prince were confined

to the north and south gates.

1. Those who entered the south gate would exit at the north

gate and vice versa.

2. No one entered by the east gate. There was no west gate.

II. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each is

to go out the opposite gate.

A. 1 Corinthians 14:40, But everything should be done in a

fitting and orderly way. (NIV 1984)

B. The entering by one gate and exiting by its opposite was an

orderly crowd control method and suggested that a person entered

by way of one gate, worshiped God and departed a rededicated,

“new” man. (See The Pulpit Commentary.)

Ezekiel 46:10, “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The gate of

the inner court facing east is to be shut on the six working days, but

on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it is to be

opened. (NIV 1984)

I. The prince is to be among them, going in when they go in and going

out when they go out.



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A. “The prince and the people were to begin and end their worship

at the same time,” Clarke noted. “They entered and left the temple

compound in the same manner.”

1. Both prince and people were equal before God.

Ezekiel 46:11, “‘At the festivals and the appointed feasts, the grain

offering is to be an ephah with a bull, an ephah with a ram, and with

the lambs as much as one pleases, along with a hin of oil for each

ephah. (NIV 1984)

I. “‘At the festivals and the appointed feasts, the grain offering is to be

an ephah with each bull, an ephah with a ram, and with the lambs as

much as one pleases, along with a hin of oil for each ephah.

A. The offerings and worship procedures were divinely prescribed.

(See Smith.)

B. The “ephah” was equal to the “bath” and was one-tenth of the

“homer/kor,cor.” The “ephah” was a dry measure while “bath” was

a liquid measure. The “ephah” was equal to 3 pecks, 5 quarts while

the “bath” was equal to 8 gallons, 1 quart, 1 2/3 pints. (See

Youngblood, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Davis,

and Bromiley.)

C. Davis defined “hin” as containing one gallon and three pints. A

“hin” was a liquid measure.

Ezekiel 46:12, When the prince provides a freewill offering to

the LORD—whether a burnt offering or fellowship offerings—the

gate facing east is to be opened for him. He shall offer his burnt

offering or his fellowship offerings as he does on the Sabbath day.

Then he shall go out, and after he has gone out, the gate will be shut.

(NIV 1984)



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I. When the prince provides a freewill offering to the LORD whether a

burnt offering or fellowship offering the gate facing east is to be opened

for him.

A. This refers to the procedures to be followed in the event the

prince resolved to offer privately or personally a voluntary freewill

burnt offering or fellowship, peace offering.

1. Exodus 35:29, All the Israelite men and women who

were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all

the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them

to do. (NIV 1984)

2. Leviticus 22:23, You may, however, present as a

freewill offering an ox or a sheep that is deformed or

stunted, but it will not be accepted in fulfillment of a vow.

(NIV 1984)

B. In this case, it was the inner east gate, not the outer east gate,

that was to be opened. Following the sacrifices, the eastern inner

gate was again to be closed.

II. He shall offer his burnt offering or his fellowship offerings as he does

on the Sabbath day.

A. The private sacrificial service was to follow the same

procedures which were followed on the Sabbath day.

III. Then he shall go out, and after he has gone out, the gate will be shut.

A. The inner east gate was to be opened immediately before the

free will service and closed immediately after the service was over

and the prince left.



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Ezekiel 46:13, “‘Every day you are to provide a year-old lamb

without defect for a burnt offering to the LORD; morning by

morning you shall provide it. (NIV 1984)

I. Every day you are to provide a year old lamb without defect for a

burnt offering to the LORD; morning by morning you shall provide it.

A. In addition to all the other required and free will sacrificial

offerings, the prince was to contribute a year old lamb without

defect every morning.

1. Ezekiel did not mention daily evening sacrifices.

a. Numbers 28:3-8, Say to them: ‘This is the offering

made by fire that you are to present to the Lord:

two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular

burnt offering each day. Prepare one lamb in the

morning and the other at twilight, together with a

grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine

flourmixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from

pressed olives. This is the regular burnt

offering instituted at Mount Sinai as a pleasing

aroma, an offering made to the Lord by fire. The

accompanying drink offering is to be a quarter of a

hin of fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out the

drink offering to the Lord at the sanctuary. Prepare

the second lamb at twilight, along with the same

kind of grain offering and drink offering that you

prepare in the morning. This is an offering made by

fire, an aroma pleasing to the Lord. (NIV 1984)

b. Exodus 29:31-46, “Take the ram for the

ordination and cook the meat in a sacred place. At

the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, Aaron and his

sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the



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bread that is in the basket. They are to eat these

offerings by which atonement was made for their

ordination and consecration. But no one else may

eat them, because they are sacred. And if any of the

meat of the ordination ram or any bread is left over

till morning, burn it up. It must not be eaten,

because it is sacred. “Do for Aaron and his sons

everything I have commanded you, taking seven

days to ordain them. Sacrifice a bull each day as a

sin offering to make atonement. Purify the altar by

making atonement for it, and anoint it to

consecrate it. For seven days make atonement for

the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be

most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.

“This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly

each day: two lambs a year old. Offer one in the

morning and the other at twilight. With the first

lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed

with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives,

and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink

offering. Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight with the

same grain offering and its drink offering as in the

morning—a pleasing aroma, an offering made to

the Lord by fire. “For the generations to come this

burnt offering is to be made regularly at the

entrance to the Tent of Meeting before

the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to

you; there also I will meet with the Israelites, and

the place will be consecrated by my glory. “So I will

consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar and

will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as

priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and

be their God. They will know that I am

the Lord their God, who brought them out of



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Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am

the Lord their God. (NIV 1984)

B. The daily burnt offering should be a lamb of the first year.

1. The Law of Moses required a blameless lamb twice a day.

a. Exodus 29:38-42, “This is what you are to offer on

the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year

old. Offer one in the morning and the other at

twilight. With the first lamb offer a tenth of an

ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of

oil from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of

wine as a drink offering. Sacrifice the other lamb at

twilight with the same grain offering and its drink

offering as in the morning—a pleasing aroma, an

offering made to the Lord by fire. “For the

generations to come this burnt offering is to be made

regularly at the entrance to the Tent of

Meeting before the Lord. There I will meet you and

speak to you; (NIV 1984)

b. Numbers 28:1-8, The LORD said to Moses, “Give

this command to the Israelites and say to them: ‘See

that you present to me at the appointed time the

food for my offerings made by fire, as an aroma

pleasing to me.’ Say to them: ‘This is the offering

made by fire that you are to present to the LORD:

two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular

burnt offering each day. Prepare one lamb in the

morning and the other at twilight, together with a

grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine

flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from

pressed olives. This is the regular burnt offering

instituted at Mount Sinai as a pleasing aroma, an



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offering made to the LORD by fire. The

accompanying drink offering is to be a quarter of a

hin of fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out the

drink offering to the LORD at the sanctuary. Prepare

the second lamb at twilight, along with the same

kind of grain offering and drink offering that you

prepare in the morning. This is an offering made by

fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD. (NIV 1984)

Ezekiel 46:14, You are also to provide with it morning by morning a

grain offering, consisting of a sixth of an ephah with a third of a hin

of oil to moisten the flour. The presenting of this grain offering to

the LORD is a lasting ordinance. (NIV 1984)

I. You are also to provide with it morning by morning a grain offering,

consisting of a sixth of an ephah with a third of a hin of (olive) oil to

moisten the flour.

A. Moses’ law had specified a tenth of an ephah and a fourth of a

hin of oil.

II. The presenting of this grain offering to the LORD is a lasting

ordinance.

A. This grain offering was to be presented in perpetuity, not

temporarily.

Ezekiel 46:15, So the lamb and the grain offering and the oil shall be

provided morning by morning for a regular burnt offering. (NIV

1984)

I. So the lamb and the grain offering and the oil shall be provided

morning by morning for a regular burnt offering.



22

A. The Pulpit Commentary quotes Currey as saying Ezekiel did

not intend to enumerate all the sacrifices of the Law of Moses and

that the failure of Ezekiel to mention the evening sacrifices does

not mean they were not offered.

B. The morning sacrifices were for the entire community. This was

not the private sacrifice of the prince or priests. (See The Pulpit

Commentary.)

Ezekiel 46:16, “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: If the prince

makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his sons, it will also

belong to his descendants; it is to be their property by inheritance.

(NIV 1984)

I. “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: …

A. The Sovereign LORD now spoke to how the prince was to

bequeath his royal possessions.

1. The Sovereign LORD spoke with absolute authority.

2. The “Sovereign LORD” in the NET and NIV is translated

“LORD GOD” in the NKJV, AKJV, and the NRSV, and

Lord Jehovah in the ASV.

II. If the prince makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his songs, it

will also belong to his descendants; it is to be their property by

inheritance.

A. Smith observed the prince was to endow his sons, family from

his own resources, not from the resources of the people.

B. Land inheritances were vitally important to the exiles.

(Fredenburg)



23

1. The prince’s inheritance was to remain in his family in

perpetuity. (See Fredenburg.)

a. Ezekiel 45:7-8, “‘The prince will have the land

bordering each side of the area formed by the sacred

district and the property of the city. It will extend

westward from the west side and eastward from the

east side, running lengthwise from the western to the

eastern border parallel to one of the tribal

portions. This land will be his possession in Israel.

And my princes will no longer oppress my people

but will allow the house of Israel to possess the land

according to their tribes. (NIV 1984)

C. What was gifted to the prince’s son(s) should belong to the

prince’s son or sons in perpetuity.

Ezekiel 46:17, If, however, he makes a gift from his inheritance to

one of his servants, the servant may keep it until the year of

freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs to

his sons only; it is theirs. (NIV 1984)

I. If, however, he makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his

servants, the servant may keep it until the year of freedom; then it will

revert to the prince.

A. Bequests to servants were not to be in perpetuity, but were to be

returned to the prince’s family in the year of freedom (liberty), the

year of jubilee. (See Smith.)

1. Leviticus 25:8-13, “‘Count off seven sabbaths of

years—seven times seven years—so that the seven

sabbaths of years amount to a period of forty-nine years.

Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth

day of the seventh month; on the Day of



24

Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your

land. Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim

liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall

be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his

family property and each to his own clan. The fiftieth

year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not

reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended

vines. For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only

what is taken directly from the fields. “‘In this Year of

Jubilee everyone is to return to his own property. (NIV

1984)

2. Leviticus 27:24, In the Year of Jubilee the field will

revert to the person from whom he bought it, the one

whose land it was. (NIV 1984)

B. Clarke wrote, “In the year of freedom, release, jubilee, “All

servants had their liberty, and all alienated estates returned to their

former owners.”

1. Exodus 30:23, “Take the following fine spices: 500

shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels)

of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, (NIV

1984)

2. Leviticus 25:10, Consecrate the fiftieth year and

proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.

It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to

his family property and each to his own clan. (NIV 1984)

3. Leviticus 27:24, In the Year of Jubilee the field will

revert to the person from whom he bought it, the one

whose land it was. (NIV 1984)

II. His inheritance belongs to his sons only; it is theirs.



25

A. The prince’s inheritance could only be permanently transferred

to his sons.

Ezekiel 46:18, The prince must not take any of the inheritance of the

people, driving them off their property. He is to give his sons their

inheritance out of his own property, so that none of my people will

be separated from his property.’” (NIV 1984)

I. The prince must not take any of the inheritance of the people, driving

them off their property.

A. The prince must not enrich himself at the expense of the people.

1. The prince was not to extort land or possessions from the

people.

a. Ezekiel 45:8, This land will be his possession in

Israel. And my princes will no longer oppress my

people but will allow the house of Israel to possess

the land according to their tribes. (NIV 1984)

b. Micah 2:1-5, Woe to those who plan iniquity, to

those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light

they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.

They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and

take them. They defraud a man of his home, a

fellowman of his inheritance. Therefore,

the Lord says: “I am planning disaster against this

people, from which you cannot save yourselves.

You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time

of calamity. In that day men will ridicule you; they

will taunt you with this mournful song: ‘We are

utterly ruined; my people’s possession is divided up.

He takes it from me! He assigns our fields to



26

traitors.’” Therefore you will have no one in the

assembly of the Lord to divide the land by lot. (NIV

1984)

2. The prince in Ezekiel’s vision, Fredenburg wrote, is

analogous to the kings of Israel/Judah under the Mosaic

covenant.

a. Ezekiel 34:23-24, I will place over them one

shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them;

he will tend them and be their shepherd. I

the LORD will be their God, and my servant

David will be prince among them. I the LORD have

spoken. (NIV 1984)

b. Fredenburg well wrote that the prince could not be

the Messiah, Jesus Christ, because the prince was to

offer sin offerings for himself, which sinless Jesus

would never need to do.

c. Fredenburg also observed that the prince performed

no priestly functions while Jesus is the Christians’ High

Priest.

d. This prince was to cease his violence and oppression

of the people. Jesus never was violent nor oppressive of

anyone.

3. Related references:

a. Ezekiel 45:8-9, 22, This land will be his possession

in Israel. And my princes will no longer oppress my

people but will allow the house of Israel to possess

the land according to their tribes. “‘This is what the

Sovereign Lord says: You have gone far enough, O



27

princes of Israel! Give up your violence and

oppression and do what is just and right. Stop

dispossessing my people, declares the

Sovereign Lord. (NIV 1984)

b. Ezekiel 46:2, 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

worship at the threshold of the gateway and then go

out, but the gate will not be shut until evening. (NIV

1984)

II. He is to give his sons their inheritance out of his own property, so that

none of my people will be separated from his property.

A. The prince was forbidden from enriching himself and his sons

at the expense of the people as so many kings of Israel had done.

The Sacrificial Kitchens

Ezekiel 46:19, Then the man brought me through the entrance at

the side of the gate to the sacred rooms facing north, which belonged

to the priests, and showed me a place at the western end. (NIV 1984)

I. Then the man (guide, angel, measuring man) brought me through the

entrance at the side of the gate to the sacred rooms facing north, which

belonged to the priests, and showed me a place at the western end.

A. Smith advised, “Two sets of sacrificial kitchens were mentioned

by Ezekiel, those for the priests and those for the people.”

1. The portions of the sacrifices which the priests were to eat

were prepared in kitchens conveniently situated at the rear of

the priests’ chambers.



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2. The kitchens for the people were located in the four

corners of the outer court.

a. Here the Levites would cook the portions of

sacrificial offerings which were allocated to the people.

b. By preparing the sacrifices in these kitchens and

taking them directly to the altar contact with the people

who otherwise would have been inadvertently

consecrated was avoided.

i. Ezekiel 42:13-14, Then he said to me, “The

north and south rooms facing the temple

courtyard are the priests’ rooms, where the

priests who approach the LORD will eat the

most holy offerings. There they will put the

most holy offerings—the grain offerings, the

sin offerings and the guilt offerings—for the

place is holy. Once the priests enter the holy

precincts, they are not to go into the outer

court until they leave behind the garments in

which they minister, for these are holy. They

are to put on other clothes before they go near

the places that are for the people.” (NIV 1984)

B. This was the inner north gate. (The Pulpit Commentary)

Ezekiel 46:20, He said to me, “This is the place where the priests will

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.” (NIV 1984)

I. He said to me, “This is the place where the priests will cook the guilt

offerings and the sin offering and bake the grain offering, …”



29

A. Numbers 18:9-10, You are to have the part of the most holy

offerings that is kept from the fire. From all the gifts they

bring me as most holy offerings, whether grain or sin or guilt

offerings, that part belongs to you and your sons. Eat it as

something most holy; every male shall eat it. You must regard

it as holy. (NIV 1984)

B. The “place” mentioned in this verse was a kitchen where the

priests would boil the trespass and sin offerings and bake the meal

offering; that is, cook the portions of the sacrifices they should eat

in their official capacity. (The Pulpit Commentary)

1. Ezekiel 42:13, Then he said to me, “The north and

south rooms facing the temple courtyard are the priests’

rooms, where the priests who approach the LORD will eat

the most holy offerings. There they will put the most holy

offerings—the grain offerings, the sin offerings and the

guilt offerings—for the place is holy. (NIV 1984)

2. Leviticus 8:31, Moses then said to Aaron and his sons,

“Cook the meat at the entrance to the Tent of

Meeting and eat it there with the bread from the basket of

ordination offerings, as I commanded, saying, ‘Aaron and

his sons are to eat it.’ (NIV 1984)

II. to avoid bringing them into the outer court and consecrating the

people.”

A. The sacrifices were to be cooked in the kitchens “so that they

did not bring them out to the outer court to transmit holiness to the

people.”

B. Ezekiel 44:17-19, “‘When they enter the gates of the inner

court, they are to wear linen clothes; they must not wear any



30

woolen garment while ministering at the gates of the inner

court or inside the temple. They are to wear linen turbans on

their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They

must not wear anything that makes them perspire. When they

go out into the outer court where the people are, they are to

take off the clothes they have been ministering in and are to

leave them in the sacred rooms, and put on other clothes, so

that they do not consecrate the people by means of their

garments. (NIV 1984)

1. This suggests exposing the people to these sacred things

would cause the people to become temporarily holy.

C. Kliefoth via The Pulpit Commentary objected to the conception

of deriving ceremonial sanctity from contact with such offerings

saying this teaching is not documented in the Old Testament.

1. Haggai 2:12, If a person carries consecrated meat in

the fold of his garment, and that fold touches some bread

or stew, some wine, oil or other food, does it become

consecrated?’” The priests answered, “No.” (NIV 1984)

Ezekiel 46:21, He then brought me to the outer court and led me

around to its four corners, and I saw in each corner another court.

(NIV 1984)

I. He then brought me to the outer court and led me around to its four

corners, and I saw in each corner another court.

A. Each corner of the outer court had enclosed areas, courts.

Ezekiel 46:22, In the four corners of the outer court were

enclosed courts, forty cubits long and thirty cubits wide; each of the

courts in the four corners was the same size. (NIV 1984)



31

I. In the four corners of the outer courts were enclosed courts, forty

cubits long and thirty cubits wide; each of the courts in the four corners

was the same size.

A. Families and friends of the donors who gave the sacrifices

feasted on these offerings. Portions were given to the poor,

widows, and the orphans. The spirit of devotion was the means of

preserving the spirit of mercy, charity and benevolence in the land.

(See Clarke.)

B. Each of the enclosed areas measured forty cubits long and thirty

cubits wide.

Ezekiel 46:23, Around the inside of each of the four courts was a

ledge of stone, with places for fire built all around under the ledge.

(NIV 1984)

I. Around the inside of each of the four courts was a ledge of stone, with

places for fire built all around under the ledge.

A. Each of the four enclosed areas contained fire places which

provided a range of boiling places. (See The Pulpit Commentary)

Ezekiel 46:24, He said to me, “These are the kitchens where those

who minister at the temple will cook the sacrifices of the people.”

(NIV 1984)

I. He said to me, “These are the kitchens where those who minister at the

temple will cook the sacrifices of the people.”

A. Fredenburg wrote, “By having two cooking areas, one for the

Zadokites, the other for the Levites, the sanctity of the priests, the

sacrifices, and the worshipers was maintained.



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B. “The sharing of the sacrificial meals by all the worshipers and

the temple personnel demonstrate not only harmony among

themselves, but communal relationship with the God to whom they

had offered the food,” Fredenburg wrote.

C. In these four courts those who minister at the temple would

cook the sacrifices of the people.

1. Ezekiel 44:11-12, They may serve in my sanctuary,

having charge of the gates of the temple and serving in it;

they may slaughter the burnt offerings and sacrifices for

the people and stand before the people and serve

them. But because they served them in the presence of

their idols and made the house of Israel fall into sin,

therefore I have sworn with uplifted hand that they must

bear the consequences of their sin, declares the

Sovereign LORD. (NIV 1984)



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Conclusion:

I. Hamilton wrote, “Again, Ezekiel’s rules never went into effect, but

they do show a powerful insight into the prophet’s concern to express

the beauties of Yahweh’s renewed presence with Israel.”

II. This chapter points to the worship of an overwhelmingly transcendent

God who is to be worshiped by all his people in his own way.

A. We also are to worship the Sovereign LORD as he has decreed.

(Allen)

1. I Corinthians 14:40, But everything should be done in a

fitting and orderly way. (NIV 1984)

2. Ezekiel 46:9, “‘When the people of the land come

before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters

by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate;

and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the

north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which

he entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate. (NIV

1984)

B. We as an imperfect people approach humbly and penitently the

throne of God that we may obtain mercy by his grace. (Allen)

1. John 4:21-24, Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a

time is coming when you will worship the Father neither

on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans

worship what you do not know; we worship what we do

know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming

and has now come when the true worshipers will worship

the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of

worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his



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worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (NIV

1984)

2. 1 John 1:8-10, If we claim to be without sin, we deceive

ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and

purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have

not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has

no place in our lives. (NIV 1984)

3. 2 John 1:1-2, The elder, To the chosen lady and her

children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but

also all who know the truth— because of the truth, which

lives in us and will be with us forever: (NIV 1984)



35

Questions

on

Ezekiel 46:1-24

(Questions based on NIV text.)

1. Into what three sections does Smith divide Ezekiel 46? ____________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

2. How does The Pulpit Commentary divide the material in Ezekiel 46?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

3. Coffman wrote that “this chapter gives __________________ for

_____________ on the ___________________ of the ______________

______________________ , and on the _________________ and the

______________________ by which the _____________________ (or

____________________) would be __________________________ to

_______________________ (and __________________________) the

_________________.”

4. The _____________________ __________________________ now

gives ____________________ relating to the ____________________

of the ____________________ and the ___________________ on the

__________________________ and the ________________________



36

_______________________ and at the _________________________

_______________________ generally.

5. In the book of Ezekiel, the phrase, “This is what the

_____________________ __________________ ________________, “

introduces ________________, _______________ ________________.

6. When was the eastern gate to the inner court to be open? When would

it be closed? ________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

7. When was the eastern gate to the outer court be open? When would it

be closed? _________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

8. _____________________________ ___________________________

then and now were and are to be in ____________________

_____________________ with ________________________________

_____________.

9. When and where was the prince to worship at the temple? How was

he to reach and leave that place?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________.



37

10. Give reasons for concluding that the prince and people were equal in

worship before God. Give reasons for concluding that the prince and

people were not equal in worship before God. _____________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________.

11. Define “burnt offerings” and “fellowship offerings.” _____________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________.

12. Who could alone sacrifice the offerings of the prince and people? __

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________.

13. When and where were the people to worship? __________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________.

14. What offerings were the prince to bring to the LORD on the Sabbath

day? These offering had to all be without ________________________.

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________



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__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

15. What were “grain offerings” and what purpose(s) did they serve?

___

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

16. Define “ephah” and “hin”. _________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

17. What sacrifices were offered by the prince on the occasion of the

New Moon? _______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

18. Compare and contrast the ancient Jewish calendar with our current

calendar. _________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

19. Worship protocol even to routes to be taken to enter and leave the

temple compound were strictly presented. What were the purposes of

these regulations? ___________________________________________



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__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

20. Why were no entrancing and exiting permitted by way of the east

and west gates? _____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

21. Why was a person to enter by one gate and leave by another? ______

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

22. What kind of oil is referenced in verse 11, et. al? ________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

23. Who arrived first and left first for worship, the prince or the people?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________



40

24. In addition to required offerings, the _____________________

could make ______________________ _______________________ at

which time the _____________________ facing ___________________

was to be _________________________ for him. The gate in question

is the one providing access to the ________________________ court.

25. The ______________________ ________________________ of

the prince ___________________________ was to follow the same

_________________________ which were _______________________

on the _______________________ _____________________________.

26. The __________________ __________________ ______________

was to be __________________________ _______________________

__________________ the ___________________ _________________

___________________ and _________________ __________________

after the ___________________ was _____________________ and the

___________________ ____________________.

27. In addition to all the other ___________________________ and

__________________ ___________________ ____________________

________________, every _______________ a ___________________

__________________ ________________ without ________________

was to be offered to the __________________. This was to be offered

___________________ by ______________________.

28. Were daily evening sacrifices required? Explain your answer. _____

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

29. With the ________________ _______________ ______________

____________________ ____________________ that was to be offered

each ______________________, a _______________________ offering



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consisting of a _______________________ of an __________________

with a ________________________ of a ____________________ of

(________________________) _______________________ was to be

given to _____________________ the __________________________.

This morning _____________________ _______________________

was to be offered every morning in ________________________, not

____________________________.

30. The _______________________ and the ______________________

________________ and the ______________________ was to be

provided ______________________ by ______________________ for

a _________________ ________________________ _______________

for the __________________ __________________.

31. The ________________ __________________, ________________

___________________, ___________________ __________________,

spoke with ____________________ ______________________.

32. What was ____________________ to the ____________________’s

_________________(s) would belong to the __________________’s

_________________(s) in ______________________.

33. _____________________ observed the _______________________

was to ____________________________ his _____________________,

____________________ from his ___________ __________, not from

the ____________________ of the _______________________.

34. ______________________ to ______________________ were not

to be in _______________________, but were to be ________________

to the _____________________’s _________________________ in the

___________________ of _________________ ___________________

(___________________), the year of ____________________.

35. In the year of ______________________, all __________________

had their ______________________, and all _____________________



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_________________________ _________________________ to their

______________.

36. The prince’s inheritance could only be permanently transferred to his

sons. What about the prince’s wife and daughters? _________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

37. The _________________________ must not __________________

himself at the ______________________ of the ___________________.

The _______________________ was not to ______________________

______________________ or _________________________ from the

__________________. The ___________________ must not take any of

the ________________________ of the _______________________,

______________________ them off their _______________________.

38. What reasons did Fredenburg give for saying the prince was not

Jesus Christ, the Messiah? ____________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

39. The ______________________ was ____________________ from

____________________ himself and his ________________________

at the _______________________ of the ________________________

as so many __________________________ of ____________________

had done.

40. Who was the “man” mentioned in verse 19?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________



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__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

41. Where were the sacrificial kitchens which belonged to the priests

located? What was done there? _________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

42. Where were the sacrificial kitchens for the people located? What was

done there? ________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

43. What was done with the sacrifices? Account for all of it? _________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

44. What were the guilt offerings and sin offerings? How were they

alike? How were they different? What were the purposes of each? _____

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

45. What would have resulted from the people coming in contact with

the sacrifices? ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________



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__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

46. Describe the four enclosed areas located in the corners of the outer

court? Who would cook these sacrifices? _________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

47. What purposes were served by having two distinct cooking areas,

one for the priests and one for the Levites? _______________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

48. Who were the Zadokites? Give as much information as you can. ___

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

49. Our _______________________ __________________________

________________________ is to be ________________________ by

all his _____________________ in his ________________________

____________________________.

50. We, as an ________________________ ______________________

_________________ __________________ and ___________________

the _____________________ of ____________________ that we may



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________________________ __________________________ by his

___________________.

Offerings and Holy Days (continued) Ezekiel 46:...

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