Ezekiel 46:21
Then he brought me forth into the utter court, and caused me to pass by the four corners of the court; and, behold, in every corner of the court there was a court.
Original Language Analysis
וַיּוֹצִיאֵ֗נִי
Then he brought me forth
H3318
וַיּוֹצִיאֵ֗נִי
Then he brought me forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 16
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הֶחָצֵֽר׃
there was a court
H2691
הֶחָצֵֽר׃
there was a court
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
3 of 16
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
הַחִ֣יצוֹנָ֔ה
into the utter
H2435
הַחִ֣יצוֹנָ֔ה
into the utter
Strong's:
H2435
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, the (outer) wall side; hence, exterior; figuratively, secular (as opposed to sacred)
וַיַּ֣עֲבִרֵ֔נִי
and caused me to pass by
H5674
וַיַּ֣עֲבִרֵ֔נִי
and caused me to pass by
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
5 of 16
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
הֶחָצֵֽר׃
there was a court
H2691
הֶחָצֵֽר׃
there was a court
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
9 of 16
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
הֶחָצֵֽר׃
there was a court
H2691
הֶחָצֵֽר׃
there was a court
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
11 of 16
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
הֶחָצֵֽר׃
there was a court
H2691
הֶחָצֵֽר׃
there was a court
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
13 of 16
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
הֶחָצֵֽר׃
there was a court
H2691
הֶחָצֵֽר׃
there was a court
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
14 of 16
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
Historical Context
Temple courtyards facilitated different worship activities: sacrifice, prayer, teaching. The four corner courts in Ezekiel's vision exceed previous temple designs, showing millennial temple's expanded capacity. Archaeological excavations of ancient temples show multiple courtyards for various functions. Worship infrastructure enables proper service—a principle continuing in church buildings designed for specific ministries.
Questions for Reflection
- What does architectural symmetry in temple design teach about God's character?
- How do practical logistics facilitate worship?
- What is the relationship between sacred space design and ministry effectiveness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then he brought me forth into the utter court, and caused me to pass by the four corners of the court; and, behold, in every corner of the court there was a court—The outer court (הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה, heḥāṣēr haḥîṣônāh) has מִקְצוֹעַ (miqṣôaʿ, 'corner') courts in all אַרְבַּעַת (arbaʿat, 'four') corners—חָצֵר בְּמִקְצֹעַ חָצֵר (ḥāṣēr bĕmiqṣōaʿ ḥāṣēr, 'a court in the corner of the court').
These subsidiary courts served specific functions (v. 23-24—boiling sacrifices for the people). Architectural symmetry (four corners, each with court) demonstrates order and planning. God's character—orderly, not chaotic (1 Corinthians 14:33)—reflects in worship space design. Symmetrical architecture facilitates efficient service. Practical worship requires thoughtful logistics, a principle seen in tabernacle design (Exodus 25-31) and Jesus' organization of feeding 5,000 (Mark 6:39-40—groups of 50/100).