Ezekiel 46:8-10

4. The entrance and exit of worshipers (46:8-10)

TRANSLATION

(8) And when the prince shall enter, he shall go in by the way of the porch of the gate, and he shall go forth by the way thereof. (9) But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the appointed feasts, he that enters by the way of the north gate to worship shall go forth by the way of the south gate; and he that enters 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 straight before him. (10) Arid the prince, when they go in, shall go in the midst of them; and when they go forth, they shall go forth together.

COMMENTS

On the sabbath and new moon the prince was allowed to enter by the porch of the east gateway and leave by the same way (Ezekiel 46:8). But in the appointed seasons (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles)[537] when the crowds were numerous the worshipers were required to enter the outer court by one of the side gates and leave by the gate on the opposite side. This made for orderly flow of traffic across the inner court (Ezekiel 46:9). On these occasions the prince would have no special privileges. He was to enter and depart by the gates with the worshipers (Ezekiel 46:10). Perhaps this served to underscore the fact that all worshipers stand on equal footing before God.

[537] On these festivals every male Israelite was required to appear at the Temple.