Ezekiel 46

1-24 Miscellaneous Regulations

1-8 Activity at the gate of inner court facing east:

• Opened only on the sabbath, remains open all day
• Entrance and exit for the prince to offer his sabbath sacrifices: 6 lambs, ram, grain, oil, same on new moon
• The people bow down at that gate on sabbaths and new moons

9-10 If people enter by north gate, they must exit at south gate and vice versa, and the prince must accompany them.

11-12 For festivals, offering is an ephah of grain with the animal sacrifices, again at the east gate for the prince, which is closed after he leaves.

13-15 He is to offer a lamb, with grain and oil every morning

16-18 The prince’s sons keep any gift the prince makes out of his inheritance, while servants must return such gifts to the prince when they are freed.

19-20 The man brings Ezekiel through the gate to the north row of holy chambers, where the priests will boil the guilt and sin offerings and bake the grain offering, and not bring them into the outer court “and so communicate holiness to the people.” This is a curious concept. It is similar to 44:19, where the priests have to take off their priestly garments before going outside. Those offering the sacrifice ate peace offerings, but these were to be eaten only by the priests, those dedicated to God’s service.

21-24 The man brings Ezekiel to the outer court, where in each corner are small courts – 40 by 30 cubits – with hearths, where those who serve the temple boil the people’s sacrifices [peace offerings]. See Leviticus 7:28-34, where the breast and right thigh are given to the priests, but apparently the offerer retains the rest.