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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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 -

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 46:21 describes a specific architectural detail within the prophet's grand vision of a new temple, where an angelic guide leads him to discover distinct, smaller courts located in each of the four corners of the vast outer court. This seemingly minor detail underscores the meticulous divine blueprint for the sanctuary, hinting at the precise functions and the profound order that would govern the sacred space, thereby preparing the reader for the revelation of their specific purpose in subsequent verses.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 46:21 is situated within the extensive temple vision spanning [Ezekiel 40-48](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Vision of the New Temple"), which constitutes the final major section of the Book of Ezekiel. Following detailed descriptions of the outer wall, gates, and the inner court, the angelic guide continues to lead Ezekiel through the various precincts of this visionary sanctuary. Chapter 46 specifically outlines the ordinances for the prince and the people regarding offerings and worship within the temple. The preceding verses in [Ezekiel 46](/ezekiel/46 "Ezekiel 46 - Ordinances for the Prince and Worship") detail the gates and their opening/closing, emphasizing the structured flow of worship. Verse 21 then introduces a new architectural discovery—the corner courts—which serves as a prelude to their functional explanation in [Ezekiel 46:24](/ezekiel/46-24 "Ezekiel 46:24 - Purpose of the Corner Courts"), highlighting the progressive revelation of the temple's design and purpose.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Ezekiel was written during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), a period of profound national and spiritual crisis for the Jewish people. The destruction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem (recounted in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - Fall of Jerusalem and Exile")) had left the exiles without their central place of worship and a tangible symbol of God's presence. In this context, Ezekiel's elaborate temple vision offered a powerful message of hope, restoration, and the promise of God's renewed presence among His people. The meticulous details, including the specific courts for preparing sacrifices, resonated with the Levitical traditions and the importance of ritual purity and order in ancient Israelite worship, ensuring that all aspects of sacred service adhered to divine standards, even in a future, idealized temple.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader temple vision, contributes significantly to several overarching themes. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Order and Precision**, illustrating God's meticulousness in all His plans, particularly concerning worship. Every measurement, every chamber, and every distinct court, as seen in [Ezekiel 40:5](/ezekiel/40-5 "Ezekiel 40:5 - The Measuring Line"), speaks to a divine blueprint where nothing is arbitrary, and every detail serves a specific, holy purpose. Secondly, the presence of these separate courts highlights the theme of **Holiness and Separation**. Even within the outer court, specific areas are designated for particular functions, reinforcing the principle of distinguishing between the sacred and the common, as articulated in [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Distinction Between Holy and Unholy"). This separation ensures that holy activities, such as the preparation of sacrifices, are performed in appropriately consecrated spaces, maintaining the sanctity of the temple precincts. Lastly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Practicality in Worship**. While the temple vision is deeply symbolic, it also includes functional elements necessary for its operation. These corner courts, later revealed as kitchens for sacrificial preparation, demonstrate that divine worship encompasses both the spiritual and the practical, logistical aspects of service, ensuring that the elaborate rituals could be performed efficiently and reverently.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **utter (Hebrew, _chîytsôwn'_):** This word (H2435) signifies the "outer" or "exterior" part, distinguishing it from an inner or more sacred area. In the context of the temple, it clearly delineates the vast outer court as the area where Ezekiel is being led, setting the stage for the discovery of further subdivisions within this larger space. It implies a boundary or a periphery, yet still within the overall sacred complex.
* **court (Hebrew, _châtsêr'_):** Appearing multiple times (H2691), this term refers to an enclosed area, a yard, or a courtyard. Its repetition in the verse ("utter court," "corners of the court," "there was a court") emphasizes the distinct nature of these spaces. The first mention refers to the large outer enclosure, while the subsequent uses denote the smaller, self-contained areas found within each corner of that larger court, highlighting their enclosed and purposeful design.
* **corners (Hebrew, _maqtsôwaʻ'_):** This word (H4740) denotes an angle, recess, or turning point. Its use here precisely locates the newly discovered courts, indicating they are not centrally placed but are tucked away into the four extremities of the outer court. This specific placement is significant, suggesting a specialized, perhaps less public, function, which is later confirmed as places for boiling sacrifices.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he brought me forth into the utter court":** The angelic guide, who has been leading Ezekiel throughout the temple vision, continues his tour, moving the prophet from the inner precincts to the vast, encompassing outer court. This movement signifies a transition to a different functional area of the temple complex, setting the scene for further revelations about its structure and purpose.
* **"and caused me to pass by the four corners of the court":** As they traverse the outer court, the guide intentionally directs Ezekiel's attention to its peripheral areas. The mention of "four corners" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the discovery, indicating that this particular feature is uniformly present in all four cardinal points of the large court, underscoring the meticulous and symmetrical design of the visionary temple.
* **"and, behold, in every corner of the court [there was] a court":** This is the central revelation of the verse. Ezekiel is shown that within each of the four corners of the expansive outer court, there is a distinct, smaller, enclosed "court." The repetition of "court" highlights the self-contained nature of these areas, implying they are separate functional units within the larger space, a detail that immediately prompts curiosity about their specific purpose.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 46:21 employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Architectural Detail** is paramount, as the entire vision is characterized by meticulous descriptions of measurements, structures, and their precise locations. This serves to emphasize the divine origin and perfect order of the temple. The **Repetition** of the word "court" (Hebrew _châtsêr_) draws attention to the distinct nature of the newly discovered spaces within the larger outer court, underscoring their unique identity and purpose. The phrase "and, behold" functions as an **Exclamatory Interjection**, drawing the reader's immediate attention to a significant and perhaps surprising discovery, mirroring Ezekiel's own experience of revelation. Finally, the entire temple vision, including this verse, functions as **Symbolism**. While describing a physical structure, the details are imbued with deeper theological meaning, representing God's holiness, His desire for ordered worship, and His future presence among His people, even if the literal construction of such a temple remains debated.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 46:21, with its revelation of specific, set-apart courts within the broader temple complex, powerfully reinforces the biblical theme of God's meticulous design for worship and the absolute necessity of holiness in His presence. These distinct areas, later identified as places for preparing sacrificial meals, highlight that even the seemingly mundane aspects of temple service were to be conducted with divine order and separation. This principle extends beyond the physical temple, teaching that God desires intentionality and reverence in all acts of worship and service. The vision underscores that true worship is not chaotic but ordered, reflecting the character of the God who is Himself a God of order and perfect design.

* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Pattern for the Tabernacle") - "According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it."
* [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Distinction Between Holy and Unholy") - "And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean."
* [Hebrews 9:1-5](/hebrews/9-1 "Hebrews 9:1-5 - Earthly Sanctuary and its Furnishings") - "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 46:21, though describing an architectural detail in a visionary temple, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. The discovery of these specialized courts within the larger outer court speaks to God's meticulousness and His desire for order and intentionality in every aspect of His worship and our lives. Just as these spaces were set apart for specific, holy functions, we are called to live lives of purpose and distinction, dedicating specific "corners" of our time, talents, and resources to God's glory. This verse encourages us to consider how we approach our spiritual disciplines, our service to others, and our daily walk with God—are we haphazard, or do we reflect the divine order and precision that God Himself embodies? It challenges us to prepare ourselves thoughtfully for engaging with the sacred, ensuring that our lives are a well-ordered offering, reflecting His own meticulous nature and the holiness He calls us to.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I need to bring more intentionality and order, reflecting God's meticulous design?**
* **How can I better "set apart" specific times or spaces in my life for dedicated spiritual practices or service, akin to the distinct courts in the temple?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the importance of preparation in approaching God and engaging in acts of worship?**

### FAQ
**What was the purpose of these "courts in every corner" of the outer court?**

Answer: While Ezekiel 46:21 simply describes their presence, the purpose of these four corner courts is explicitly revealed in [Ezekiel 46:24](/ezekiel/46-24 "Ezekiel 46:24 - Purpose of the Corner Courts"). There, the angelic guide states, "These are the places of them that boil the sacrifice, where the ministers of the house shall boil the sacrifice of the people." This indicates that these were specialized kitchens or preparation areas where the priests would cook the portions of the sacrifices that were to be eaten by the worshippers and the priests themselves. This separation ensured that the preparation of holy food did not defile other areas of the temple, reinforcing the concept of holiness and the meticulous order required for temple service. It highlights the practical logistics necessary for the functioning of the temple and the consumption of sacrificial offerings.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel's temple vision, including the meticulous design of its courts, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The earthly temple, with its precise divisions and rituals for holiness and sacrifice, was a shadow pointing to a greater reality (as seen in [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - The Heavenly Pattern")). Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking of the temple of His body ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus and the Temple")). Through His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, Christ became the ultimate Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), rendering the continuous animal sacrifices and their elaborate preparation areas obsolete. He is the High Priest who entered the true, heavenly sanctuary, not with the blood of animals, but with His own blood, securing eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Furthermore, the meticulous order and holiness symbolized by Ezekiel's temple are now fulfilled in the church, the body of Christ, which is built together as a holy temple in the Lord, a dwelling place for God by the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built on the Foundation")). Believers, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")), embodying the divine order and sacred purpose foreshadowed in Ezekiel's detailed vision.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.