Ezekiel 46:12

Now when the prince shall prepare a voluntary burnt offering or peace offerings voluntarily unto the LORD, [one] shall then open him the gate that looketh toward the east, and he shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, as he did on the sabbath day: then he shall go forth; and after his going forth [one] shall shut the gate.

Now when the prince {H5387} shall prepare {H6213} a voluntary {H5071} burnt offering {H5930} or peace offerings {H8002} voluntarily {H5071} unto the LORD {H3068}, one shall then open {H6605} him the gate {H8179} that looketh {H6437} toward the east {H6921}, and he shall prepare {H6213} his burnt offering {H5930} and his peace offerings {H8002}, as he did {H6213} on the sabbath {H7676} day {H3117}: then he shall go forth {H3318}; and after {H310} his going forth {H3318} one shall shut {H5462} the gate {H8179}.

"'When the prince provides a voluntary offering, whether it is a burnt offering or peace offerings that he offers voluntarily to ADONAI, someone is to open the east gate for him; and he is to provide his burnt offering and peace offerings as he does on Shabbat. Then he will leave; and after he leaves, the gate is to be shut.

When the prince makes a freewill offering to the LORD, whether a burnt offering or a peace offering, the gate facing east must be opened for him. He is to offer his burnt offering or peace offering just as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go out, and the gate must be closed after he goes out.

And when the prince shall prepare a freewill-offering, a burnt-offering or peace-offerings as a freewill-offering unto Jehovah, one shall open for him the gate that looketh toward the east; and he shall prepare his burnt-offering and his peace-offerings, as he doth on the sabbath day: then he shall go forth; and after his going forth one shall shut the gate.

Ezekiel 46:12 describes a specific ritual involving the "prince" within Ezekiel's visionary temple, focusing on the careful procedures for offering voluntary sacrifices and the significance of the East Gate.

Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's extensive vision of a new temple and its associated regulations, detailed from Ezekiel chapter 40 through 48. This vision was given to the prophet during the Babylonian exile, offering a hopeful blueprint for future worship and restoration. Chapters 45 and 46 specifically outline the roles of the prince, the priests, and the sacrificial system in this new, idealized temple. The "prince" here is a prominent figure distinct from the high priest, holding an administrative and leadership role in the worship life of the community. The mention of the East Gate is particularly significant, as it was previously stated in Ezekiel 44:1-2 that this gate was to remain shut because the glory of the LORD had entered through it.

Key Themes

  • Order and Reverence in Worship: Even for voluntary offerings, strict protocols are maintained. The opening and shutting of the East Gate for the prince underscores the sacredness and regulated nature of worship within this visionary temple.
  • The Prince's Unique Role: The prince is seen as a leader in devotion, offering sacrifices on behalf of himself and the people, yet not performing the priestly duties of atonement. His actions set an example of voluntary worship.
  • Voluntary Devotion: The emphasis on "voluntary burnt offering" and "peace offerings voluntarily" highlights the importance of freewill devotion to the LORD, going beyond mere obligation. These offerings express a personal desire to honor God.
  • Sanctity of Sacred Space: The East Gate, through which God's glory entered, retains a special, guarded status, opened only for specific, holy purposes by the prince, reinforcing the holiness of God's presence.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "voluntary" is nedabah (נְדָבָה), which signifies a freewill offering, a spontaneous gift, or a generous contribution given out of devotion rather than compulsion. This contrasts with required sacrifices.
  • A "burnt offering" (Hebrew: 'olah, עֹלָה) literally means "that which ascends," as it was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and surrender to God (see Leviticus 1).
  • "Peace offerings" (Hebrew: shelem, שְׁלָמִים) were offerings of fellowship and thanksgiving, often shared by the offerer, priests, and God, signifying reconciliation, communion, and well-being (see Leviticus 7).

Practical Application

While the detailed regulations of Ezekiel's temple vision are not literally followed today, the principles embedded in this verse remain highly relevant for Christian life and worship:

  • Intentional Worship: We are called to approach God with reverence and intentionality, whether in personal prayer or corporate worship. Our worship should be orderly and honor God.
  • Value of Voluntary Giving: The concept of nedabah encourages believers to offer themselves, their resources, and their time to God not out of mere duty, but out of a willing heart and genuine love. This aligns with Paul's exhortation to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.
  • Leadership in Devotion: Those in positions of leadership, like the prince, are called to model deep and sincere devotion, inspiring others through their personal commitment to God.
  • Respect for God's Presence: The careful guarding of the East Gate reminds us of the profound holiness of God and the sacredness of His presence. We should approach Him with awe and respect, recognizing His majesty.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 45:17

    And it shall be the prince's part [to give] burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.

  • 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.

  • Ezekiel 46:2

    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.

  • 2 Chronicles 29:31

    Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.

  • Ezekiel 46:8

    And when the prince shall enter, he shall go in by the way of the porch of [that] gate, and he shall go forth by the way thereof.

  • Leviticus 23:38

    Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 44:3

    [It is] for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of [that] gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.

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