Ezekiel 46:9

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

בָּ֣א

H935

and he that entereth

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַם

H5971

But when the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָאָ֜רֶץ

H776

of the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לִפְנֵ֣י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָה֮

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בַּמּֽוֹעֲדִים֒

H4150

in the solemn feasts

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

בָּ֣א

H935

and he that entereth

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

דֶּ֤רֶךְ

H1870

by the way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙

H8179

gate

an opening, i.e., door or gate

#10

צָפ֑וֹנָה

H6828

of the north

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

#11

לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֗ת

H7812

to worship

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

#12

יֵצֵֽאו׃

H3318

but shall go forth

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#13

דֶּ֤רֶךְ

H1870

by the way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#14

הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙

H8179

gate

an opening, i.e., door or gate

#15

נֶ֔גֶב

H5045

of the south

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

#16

בָּ֣א

H935

and he that entereth

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#17

דֶּ֤רֶךְ

H1870

by the way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#18

הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙

H8179

gate

an opening, i.e., door or gate

#19

נֶ֔גֶב

H5045

of the south

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

#20

יֵצֵֽאו׃

H3318

but shall go forth

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#21

דֶּ֤רֶךְ

H1870

by the way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#22

הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙

H8179

gate

an opening, i.e., door or gate

#23

צָפ֑וֹנָה

H6828

of the north

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

#24

לֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#25

יָשׁ֗וּב

H7725

he shall not return

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#26

דֶּ֤רֶךְ

H1870

by the way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#27

הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙

H8179

gate

an opening, i.e., door or gate

#28

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#29

בָּ֣א

H935

and he that entereth

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#30

ב֔וֹ

#31

כִּ֥י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#32

נִכְח֖וֹ

H5226

over against

properly, the fore part; used adverbially, opposite

#33

יֵצֵֽאו׃

H3318

but shall go forth

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezekiel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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