Ezekiel Chapter 46 Vs. 1-10

New Worship

Ezekiel 46:1-10




After speaking of selected feasts in Israel’s religious year, Ezekiel provided information on the daily aspects of Israel’s worship. He gave regulations for the Sabbath and New Moon sacrifices (Eze_46:1-10) and for the conduct and offerings of the people in the temple (Eze. 46:11-15).



The east gate from the outer court to the inner court will be closed six days of the week, but on the Sabbath Day and on the day of the New Moon it is to be opened. Shutting the gate six days seems to serve the purpose of giving special distinction to the Sabbath and new Moon, when it is open and in use. Israel largely failed and was judged in ancient times in regard to these days. The Sabbath will be reinstated for a restored and regenerated Israel.

Note here that modern day Sabbatarians fail to realize that the Sabbath consisted of far more than just rest from labor, but included specific sacrifices. It is inconsistent to take one part of the Sabbath observance and discard the others.


The prince will be allowed to stand at the gatepost of the east gate during these days as the sacrifice he brought on behalf of the people will be offered (cf. Eze. 44:3). He will also provide the sacrifices for the people on the Sabbaths and New Moons as well as on the major feast days. It appears that the prince {whoever he is} stands in the gate, and ministers to the people at that gate, while the priest is preparing the sacrifice.


He appears 5 times in this chapter in verses 2, 4, 8, 10 and 12. In regard to sacrifices, he is to be an example of spiritual integrity to the people, v.10.

It appears he would come to this gate, because there are people here to talk to. We would, probably, call what he is doing, preaching. His worship could consist of prayer, as well as preaching. This gate will be opened the entire day of Sabbath. Their Sabbath is from 6 o'clock in the evening on Friday until 6'oclock Saturday evening. Their day begins in the evening, as was spoken of in Genesis. An evening and a morning make up a day.

Vs. 4 Burnt Offerings: This again, is different to the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic Law required two yearling lambs. Vs. 5 the meat offering had been the makings for bread. Six symbolizes mankind, whether that has anything to do with this, I cannot tell.

They did retain, in all these offerings, the fact that the sacrifice should be without blemish. This was because all of the sacrifices, in one way or another symbolizes the great sacrifice Jesus made for all of mankind.

Vs. 6 this sacrifice is in addition to what we have been reading about. This, also, varies slightly from the Mosaic Law.
Israel’s calendar was lunar, so the feasts were reckoned according to the phases of the moon.

Vs. 7 the offering of the amount the "hand" can attain does not mean what a man can pick up in his hand, but means the amount he has earned, and can afford.
He “Prince” does not normally use the eastern gate itself, which is for the Lord. Rather, he enters and exits by the gate’s vestibule. However, v.12 permits his use of the gate for free will offerings.

The worshipers at the temple are given regulations to aid in their orderly assembly before the Lord. We see, now, that many people would be congregated at this gate. This would be a very good place for someone to preach. There is no entrance to the temple on the west, and the east gate will be permanently shut (cf. Eze. 44:1-2). Thus access into the temple will be from the north and the south.

To avoid confusion the worshipers will be directed through the temple according to predesignated routes so that whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. God is a God of order, and He wants orderliness to prevail in worship.

It appears, this prince will lead them into the area of worship. He sets the example of worship for the people.