Ezekiel 46:20
Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people.
Original Language Analysis
הַמָּק֗וֹם
he unto me This is the place
H4725
הַמָּק֗וֹם
he unto me This is the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְבַשְּׁלוּ
shall boil
H1310
יְבַשְּׁלוּ
shall boil
Strong's:
H1310
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
שָׁם֙
H8033
הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
where the priests
H3548
הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
where the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
8 of 24
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאָשָׁ֖ם
the trespass offering
H817
הָאָשָׁ֖ם
the trespass offering
Strong's:
H817
Word #:
10 of 24
guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַחַטָּ֑את
and the sin offering
H2403
הַחַטָּ֑את
and the sin offering
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
12 of 24
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמִּנְחָ֔ה
the meat offering
H4503
הַמִּנְחָ֔ה
the meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
16 of 24
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
לְבִלְתִּ֥י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֥י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
הוֹצִ֛יא
that they bear
H3318
הוֹצִ֛יא
that they bear
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
18 of 24
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הֶחָצֵ֥ר
court
H2691
הֶחָצֵ֥ר
court
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
20 of 24
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
הַחִֽיצוֹנָ֖ה
them not out into the utter
H2435
הַחִֽיצוֹנָ֖ה
them not out into the utter
Strong's:
H2435
Word #:
21 of 24
properly, the (outer) wall side; hence, exterior; figuratively, secular (as opposed to sacred)
לְקַדֵּ֥שׁ
to sanctify
H6942
לְקַדֵּ֥שׁ
to sanctify
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
22 of 24
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
Cross References
2 Chronicles 35:13And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people.Ezekiel 44:29They shall eat the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every dedicated thing in Israel shall be their's.Ezekiel 44:19And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.
Historical Context
Levitical law required priests to eat sin/guilt offerings in holy places (Leviticus 6:26, 7:6). Grain offerings were similarly consumed by priests (Leviticus 2:3, 10). Ezekiel specifies preparation locations to prevent contaminating outer court or endangering laity through holiness transfer. This careful regulation demonstrates that approaching God requires proper boundaries—fulfilled in Christ who mediates access safely.
Questions for Reflection
- What does holiness transferring by contact teach about God's dangerous holiness?
- How do boundaries protecting people from holiness relate to Christ's mediating work?
- Why can holiness be dangerous to unprepared people?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people—This location for cooking אָשָׁם (ʾāshām, 'guilt offering'), חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāʾt, 'sin offering'), and baking מִנְחָה (minḥāh, 'grain offering') prevents carrying them into הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה (heḥāṣēr haḥîṣônāh, 'the outer court').
לְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת־הָעָם (lĕqaddēsh ʾet-hāʿām, 'to sanctify the people')—concern is preventing unintended consecration. Holy things transferred holiness by contact (Exodus 29:37, Ezekiel 44:19), which could endanger unprepared people (2 Samuel 6:6-7—Uzzah). Separating holy food preparation from public areas protected people from dangerous holiness. This demonstrates that God's holiness, while desirable, can harm the unprepared—a principle fulfilled in Christ, who makes believers holy without danger through His mediating work (Hebrews 10:10, 14).