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.

EZEKIEL 46:2KJV
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Ezekiel 46:2 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 46:2 mean?

Ezekiel 46:2 describes how the prince is to enter the outer gate’s porch, stand by the gatepost while the priests prepare his burnt and peace offerings, worship at the threshold, and then leave, with the gate remaining open until evening. This verse gives specific instructions for the prince’s worship and the handling of the temple gate during his visit.

The setting is Ezekiel’s vision of a future temple, where God is giving detailed rules for worship through the prophet Ezekiel to the exiled Israelites. The “prince” refers to a leader with a special role in temple worship, distinct from the priests. The verse highlights order and reverence in worship, showing that even the leader follows set procedures and does not take special liberties.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 46:2

  • “Prince” (נָשִׂיא, nāśî’) means a leader or ruler, but not necessarily a king; here, it points to someone with authority but still under God’s law.
  • “Worship” (שָׁחָה, shāchāh) means to bow down or show reverence, emphasizing the prince’s humility before God despite his status.
  • “Threshold” (מִפְתָּן, miptān) refers to the entryway of the gate, marking a boundary the prince does not cross, which underlines respect for sacred space.
  • “Shut” (סָגַר, sāgar) means to close; the instruction that the gate remains open until evening shows a special allowance for the prince’s worship, different from normal practice.

Why Ezekiel 46:2 matters

  • Ezekiel 46:2 clarifies that the prince, though important, does not have unrestricted access to the temple but must observe boundaries and rituals like everyone else.
  • The verse connects to the broader passage by showing the careful structure and holiness expected in worship, reflecting God’s order for the future community.
  • This instruction helps clear up any idea that leadership brings privilege in worship; instead, it models humility and obedience for all worshipers.

Where else these words appear

“threshold” Hebrew H4670 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Samuel 5:4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
  • Ezekiel 9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;
  • Ezekiel 10:18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.

“post” Hebrew H4201 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
  • Deuteronomy 11:20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:
  • 1 Kings 7:5 And all the doors and posts were square, with the windows: and light was against light in three ranks.

“porch” Hebrew H197 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.
  • 2 Chronicles 8:12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,
  • Ezekiel 40:39 And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering.

“offerings” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
  • Joshua 22:27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.