Ezekiel 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.

Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; The gate {H8179} of the inner {H6442} court {H2691} that looketh {H6437} toward the east {H6921} shall be shut {H5462} the six {H8337} working {H4639} days {H3117}; but on the sabbath {H7676}{H3117} it shall be opened {H6605}, and in the day {H3117} of the new moon {H2320} it shall be opened {H6605}.

"This is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'The east gate of the inner courtyard is to be shut on the six working days, but on Shabbat it is to be opened, and on Rosh-Hodesh it is to be opened.

“This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘The gate of the inner court that faces east must be kept shut during the six days of work, but on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it shall be opened.

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath day it shall be opened, and on the day of the new moon it shall be opened.

Commentary

Commentary on Ezekiel 46:1

Ezekiel 46:1, part of the prophet Ezekiel's extensive vision of a new temple and its regulations (chapters 40-48), outlines specific rules for access to the inner court. This vision, given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, provided hope and a blueprint for a restored relationship with God for the exiled Israelites.

Context of Ezekiel 46:1

This verse is situated within a highly detailed and symbolic description of an ideal temple. Unlike the historical temples, this visionary temple emphasizes divine order, holiness, and the proper way to approach God. The regulations concerning the East Gate are particularly significant, as this was the gate through which the glory of the Lord had entered the temple in Ezekiel's vision, marking it as a special point of divine presence and access.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Order in Worship: The meticulous rules for the East Gate underscore God's sovereignty over worship. He dictates the terms of engagement, emphasizing that access to His presence is not arbitrary but according to His divine design.
  • Sanctity of Sacred Times: The distinction between "working days" and the "sabbath" and "new moon" highlights the unique holiness of certain days. These were designated times for special communion with God, marked by public worship and offerings in ancient Israel. This echoes the ancient command to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
  • Accessibility to God's Presence: While the gate is generally shut, its opening on the Sabbath and New Moon signifies specific opportunities for the people to draw near to God in corporate worship. This regulated access emphasizes both God's transcendence and His desire for fellowship.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Lord GOD" is a translation of the Hebrew Adonai Yahweh (or Adonai Elohim in some contexts), powerfully conveying God's supreme authority and covenant faithfulness. The "inner court" (Hebrew: hachatzar hapenimit) refers to the area closest to the sanctuary, indicating a privileged space for priests and, on special occasions, for the prince or worshippers. The "new moon" (Hebrew: rosh chodesh) marked the beginning of a new month in the Israelite calendar and was a significant day for special sacrifices and gatherings, as seen in Numbers 28:11-15.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 46:1, though describing a visionary temple, offers timeless principles for believers today:

  • Intentional Worship: This verse reminds us that approaching God is a sacred privilege requiring intentionality and reverence. While believers now have bold access to God through Christ, the principle of setting aside dedicated time for worship, both individually and corporately, remains vital.
  • Honoring God's Design: God desires our worship to be in accordance with His will, not merely our preferences. Understanding His character and His revealed ways of approach deepens our worship.
  • The Significance of Rest and Reflection: The Sabbath's special status encourages us to set aside time for spiritual rest, reflection, and focused worship, recognizing God's provision and sovereignty over our time and lives.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 66:23

    And it shall come to pass, [that] from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 44:1

    ¶ Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it [was] shut.

  • Ezekiel 44:2

    Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.

  • Exodus 20:9

    Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

  • Ezekiel 46:6

    And in the day of the new moon [it shall be] a young bullock without blemish, and six lambs, and a ram: they shall be without blemish.

  • Genesis 3:19

    In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.

  • Luke 13:14

    And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
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