King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 46:12 Mean?

Ezekiel 46:12 in the King James Version says “Now when the prince shall prepare a voluntary burnt offering or peace offerings voluntarily unto the LORD, one shall the... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now when the prince shall prepare a voluntary burnt offering or peace offerings voluntarily unto the LORD, one shall then open him the gate that looketh toward the east, and he shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, as he did on the sabbath day: then he shall go forth; and after his going forth one shall shut the gate.

Ezekiel 46:12 · KJV


Context

10

And the prince in the midst of them, when they go in, shall go in; and when they go forth, shall go forth.

11

And in the feasts and in the solemnities the meat offering shall be an ephah to a bullock, and an ephah to a ram, and to the lambs as he is able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.

12

Now when the prince shall prepare a voluntary burnt offering or peace offerings voluntarily unto the LORD, one shall then open him the gate that looketh toward the east, and he shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, as he did on the sabbath day: then he shall go forth; and after his going forth one shall shut the gate.

13

Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the LORD of a lamb of the first year without blemish: thou shalt prepare it every morning. of the: Heb. a son of his year every: Heb. morning by morning

14

And thou shalt prepare a meat offering for it every morning, the sixth part of an ephah, and the third part of an hin of oil, to temper with the fine flour; a meat offering continually by a perpetual ordinance unto the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When the prince shall prepare a voluntary burnt offering or peace offerings voluntarily unto the LORD, one shall then open him the gate that looketh toward the east. The Hebrew nedavah (נְדָבָה, 'freewill offering') marks spontaneous worship beyond required sacrifices—the prince may bring olah (עֹלָה, burnt offering) or shelamim (שְׁלָמִים, peace offerings) whenever his heart moves him. The eastern gate, normally shut (44:1-2), opens specially for these occasions.

As he did on the sabbath day indicates freewill offerings follow Sabbath protocols, maintaining worship's dignity even in spontaneous devotion. After his going forth one shall shut the gate preserves the gate's sacred exclusivity. This models 2 Corinthians 9:7's principle: 'God loveth a cheerful giver'—worship combines prescribed duty with Spirit-prompted generosity. David's lavish temple preparations (1 Chronicles 29:3) exemplify such voluntary devotion.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Freewill offerings (Leviticus 22:18-23) expressed gratitude, fulfilled vows, or simply delighted in God's goodness. The eastern gate's special status—where God's glory entered (43:4)—made it fitting for the prince's extraordinary devotion. Opening and closing protocols maintained holiness boundaries.

Reflection Questions

  1. What motivates your voluntary acts of worship beyond required obedience, and how do they reflect the overflow of God's grace in your life?
  2. How does the careful protocol even for spontaneous worship guard against presumption while encouraging genuine devotion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וְכִֽי1 of 30
H3588

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

יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה2 of 30

and he shall prepare

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַנָּשִׂ֨יא3 of 30

Now when the prince

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

נְדָבָ֣ה4 of 30

a voluntary

H5071

properly (abstractly) spontaneity, or (adjectively) spontaneous; also (concretely) a spontaneous or (by inference, in plural) abundant gift

עֹֽלָתוֹ֙5 of 30

burnt offering

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

אֽוֹ6 of 30
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

שְׁלָמָ֔יו7 of 30

and his peace offerings

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

נְדָבָ֣ה8 of 30

a voluntary

H5071

properly (abstractly) spontaneity, or (adjectively) spontaneous; also (concretely) a spontaneous or (by inference, in plural) abundant gift

לַֽיהוָה֒9 of 30

unto the LORD

H3068

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

וּפָ֣תַֽח10 of 30

one shall then open

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

ל֗וֹ11 of 30
H0
אֶת12 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשַּׁ֖עַר13 of 30

him the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הַפֹּנֶ֣ה14 of 30

that looketh

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

קָדִ֔ים15 of 30

toward the east

H6921

the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)

יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה16 of 30

and he shall prepare

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת17 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֹֽלָתוֹ֙18 of 30

burnt offering

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וְאֶת19 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁלָמָ֔יו20 of 30

and his peace offerings

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 30
H834

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

יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה22 of 30

and he shall prepare

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בְּי֣וֹם23 of 30

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת24 of 30

on the sabbath

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

צֵאתֽוֹ׃25 of 30

his going forth

H3318

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

וְסָגַ֥ר26 of 30

one shall shut

H5462

to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

אֶת27 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשַּׁ֖עַר28 of 30

him the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

אַחֲרֵ֥י29 of 30

and after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

צֵאתֽוֹ׃30 of 30

his going forth

H3318

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 46:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 46:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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