Ezekiel 46:20 - He said to me, “This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, and where they shall bake the meal offering; that they not bring them out into the outer court, to sanctify the people.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Ezekiel 46:20" mean?
This verse from Ezekiel 46:20 is part of a larger vision Ezekiel is given about the restored temple and its proper functioning in the future. It outlines specific regulations for the preparation of sacrifices, focusing on the separation and sanctity of the priestly duties. Let's break it down:
"He said to me, “This is the place..." This indicates the speaker is likely an angelic guide showing Ezekiel a specific location within the temple complex. The "place" refers to designated areas for cooking and baking sacrifices.
"...where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering..." The trespass and sin offerings were specific types of sacrifices made to atone for unintentional sins and violations of sacred laws. Boiling the meat of these offerings was part of the preparation process.
"...and where they shall bake the meal offering..." The meal offering, unlike the animal sacrifices, consisted of fine flour mixed with oil and baked into cakes or wafers.
"...that they not bring them out into the outer court, to sanctify the people.” This is the crucial part. The purpose of confining the cooking and baking to specific areas inside the temple is to prevent the residue or handling of these sacrifices from unintentionally transferring ritual purity (or impurity) to the people in the outer court.
Key Meanings and Interpretations:
Maintaining Ritual Purity: The verse highlights the importance of maintaining ritual purity within the temple complex and among the people. Contact with the sacrifices, especially after preparation, could potentially transmit a state of ritual impurity. By keeping the preparation confined, the risk of accidental contamination is reduced.
Separation of the Sacred: It emphasizes the separation of the sacred (the inner areas of the temple and the priestly duties) from the profane (the outer court where the common people gathered). This separation was essential for maintaining the holiness of the temple and the integrity of the sacrificial system.
Priestly Responsibility: The verse underscores the responsibility of the priests to handle the sacrifices with utmost care and precision, ensuring that the rituals are performed correctly and without causing unintended consequences.
Symbolic Significance: Some scholars interpret these regulations symbolically, suggesting that the restrictions on movement reflect the need for spiritual discipline and the avoidance of casual or inappropriate engagement with sacred things.
In essence, Ezekiel 46:20 is a practical regulation designed to safeguard the holiness of the temple and the people by controlling the preparation and handling of the sacrificial offerings. It underscores the importance of maintaining ritual purity, respecting the separation of the sacred, and fulfilling priestly responsibilities with diligence and care.
Ezekiel 46:20 - He said to me, “This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, and where they shall bake the meal offering; that they not bring them out into the outer court, to sanctify the people.”
What does "Ezekiel 46:20" mean?
This verse from Ezekiel 46:20 is part of a larger vision Ezekiel is given about the restored temple and its proper functioning in the future. It outlines specific regulations for the preparation of sacrifices, focusing on the separation and sanctity of the priestly duties. Let's break it down:
"He said to me, “This is the place..." This indicates the speaker is likely an angelic guide showing Ezekiel a specific location within the temple complex. The "place" refers to designated areas for cooking and baking sacrifices.
"...where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering..." The trespass and sin offerings were specific types of sacrifices made to atone for unintentional sins and violations of sacred laws. Boiling the meat of these offerings was part of the preparation process.
"...and where they shall bake the meal offering..." The meal offering, unlike the animal sacrifices, consisted of fine flour mixed with oil and baked into cakes or wafers.
"...that they not bring them out into the outer court, to sanctify the people.” This is the crucial part. The purpose of confining the cooking and baking to specific areas inside the temple is to prevent the residue or handling of these sacrifices from unintentionally transferring ritual purity (or impurity) to the people in the outer court.
Key Meanings and Interpretations:
Maintaining Ritual Purity: The verse highlights the importance of maintaining ritual purity within the temple complex and among the people. Contact with the sacrifices, especially after preparation, could potentially transmit a state of ritual impurity. By keeping the preparation confined, the risk of accidental contamination is reduced.
Separation of the Sacred: It emphasizes the separation of the sacred (the inner areas of the temple and the priestly duties) from the profane (the outer court where the common people gathered). This separation was essential for maintaining the holiness of the temple and the integrity of the sacrificial system.
Priestly Responsibility: The verse underscores the responsibility of the priests to handle the sacrifices with utmost care and precision, ensuring that the rituals are performed correctly and without causing unintended consequences.
Symbolic Significance: Some scholars interpret these regulations symbolically, suggesting that the restrictions on movement reflect the need for spiritual discipline and the avoidance of casual or inappropriate engagement with sacred things.
In essence, Ezekiel 46:20 is a practical regulation designed to safeguard the holiness of the temple and the people by controlling the preparation and handling of the sacrificial offerings. It underscores the importance of maintaining ritual purity, respecting the separation of the sacred, and fulfilling priestly responsibilities with diligence and care.