But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it.

EZEKIEL 46:9KJV
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Ezekiel 46:9 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 46:9 mean?

Ezekiel 46:9 instructs that when the people of the land come before the LORD during the special feasts, anyone who enters the temple through the north gate must leave through the south gate, and anyone who enters through the south gate must exit through the north gate; no one is to leave by the same gate they entered. This rule is about the orderly movement of worshipers and may also symbolize a change or transformation that occurs through worship.

In this part of Ezekiel, the prophet is describing regulations for worship in a future temple, speaking to the people of Israel on behalf of God. The setting is a vision where Ezekiel is given detailed instructions about how worship should be conducted, especially during the appointed feasts. The verse emphasizes both reverence and order in approaching God, and the unique rule about not leaving by the same gate highlights the seriousness and structure of worship in this vision.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 46:9

  • "people" (עָם, ʿam, H5971): This word refers to the general population, not just priests or leaders, showing that these instructions are for all Israelites coming to worship.
  • "feasts" (מוֹעֵד, moʿed, H4150): This word means appointed times or festivals, indicating these are special, set times for communal worship, not just any gathering.
  • "worship" (שָׁחָה, shachah, H7812): This verb means to bow down or prostrate oneself, highlighting the act of humble worship before God.
  • "go forth over against it" (נָכַח, nokhach, H5226): This phrase means to exit opposite the way you entered, stressing the deliberate movement and perhaps the idea of not returning unchanged from an encounter with God.

Why Ezekiel 46:9 matters

  • The verse clarifies that worship in the temple is meant to be orderly and respectful, not casual or chaotic, which reflects the holiness of the setting.
  • By requiring worshipers to leave through the opposite gate, the passage may suggest that genuine worship leads to change, so people do not leave God's presence the same as they came.
  • This instruction connects to the broader section in Ezekiel where detailed temple regulations are given, showing the importance of structure and reverence in the relationship between God and His people.

Where else these words appear

“against” Hebrew H5226 · used in 2 verses

  • Exodus 14:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.

“south” Hebrew H5045 · used in 98 verses

  • Genesis 12:9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
  • Joshua 15:19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
  • Isaiah 21:1 The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

“north” Hebrew H6828 · used in 141 verses

  • Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
  • Ezekiel 20:47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.