Ezekiel 46:21

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.

Then he brought me forth ^{H3318} into the utter ^{H2435} court ^{H2691}, and caused me to pass by ^{H5674} the four ^{H702} corners ^{H4740} of the court ^{H2691}; and, behold, in every ^{H4740} corner ^{H4740} of the court ^{H2691}^{H2691} there was a court ^{H2691}.

He took me into the outer courtyard and had me pass by the four corners of the courtyard, and there in each corner of the courtyard was another courtyard -

Then he brought me into the outer court and led me around to its four corners, and I saw a separate court in each of its corners.

Then he brought me forth into the outer 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 is part of the prophet Ezekiel's extensive vision of a new temple, a detailed blueprint for a future sanctuary and its associated structures. This specific verse focuses on a particular feature within the outer court of this visionary temple.

Context of Ezekiel 46:21

This verse is situated within chapters 40-48 of the Book of Ezekiel, which provide a meticulous and highly symbolic description of a new temple, its courts, gates, and the ordinances for its service. After detailing the inner sanctuary and various chambers, the angelic guide leads Ezekiel through the vast outer court. The vision emphasizes the precise measurements and functions of every part of this divine edifice, highlighting God's meticulous design for worship and His presence. Ezekiel 46:21 specifically describes the discovery of smaller, distinct courts located in each of the four corners of this large outer court, a detail that foreshadows their specific purpose revealed shortly thereafter.

Key Themes and Messages

Divine Order and Precision: The recurring emphasis on measurements, specific locations, and distinct areas throughout Ezekiel's temple vision, including these corner courts, underscores God's absolute order and precision in His plans. Nothing is arbitrary; every detail serves a purpose within His divine design.
Holiness and Separation: The existence of these separate courts within the outer court highlights the principle of distinction between sacred and common, even within the temple precincts. As later verses clarify, these courts were designated for specific preparatory tasks related to sacrifices, ensuring that holy activities were performed in appropriate, set-apart spaces.
Practicality in Worship: While the temple vision is highly symbolic, it also includes practical elements necessary for its functioning. These corner courts serve a crucial logistical role in the processing and preparation of sacrificial offerings, illustrating that divine worship encompasses both the spiritual and the practical aspects of service.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "court" used here is chatser (חָצֵר), which generally refers to an enclosed area, an open space, or a courtyard. Its repetition emphasizes the distinct nature of these four areas within the larger "utter court." The KJV's insertion of "[there was]" helps clarify that each corner itself contained a separate, smaller court, underscoring the unique design feature.

Related Scriptures

To fully grasp the significance of these corner courts, it is essential to look ahead to Ezekiel 46:24, which explicitly states their function: "Then said he unto me, These are the places of them that boil the sacrifice, where the ministers of the house shall boil the sacrifice of the people." This reveals that these were specialized kitchens for the priests to prepare the portions of the sacrifices that were to be eaten by the worshippers and the priests themselves. This separation prevented the cooking of holy things from defiling other areas of the temple, reinforcing the concept of holiness in consumption.

Reflection and Application

Ezekiel 46:21, along with its explanation, reminds us that God's plan is always detailed and purposeful. Even seemingly minor architectural features in a visionary temple serve a significant role in maintaining order and holiness. For believers today, this can be a call to consider the order and intentionality in our own spiritual lives and worship. Just as the temple had specific places for specific functions, our lives can reflect a similar thoughtfulness in how we approach our walk with God, our service, and our preparation for engaging with the sacred. It underscores the importance of practical, orderly preparation in all aspects of our service to God, reflecting His own meticulous nature.

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.

No cross-references found for this verse.