King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 46:20 Mean?

Ezekiel 46:20 in the King James Version says “Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where t...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people.”

Ezekiel 46:20 · KJV

Context

18

Moreover the prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession; but he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not scattered every man from his possession.

19

After he brought me through the entry, which was at the side of the gate, into the holy chambers of the priests, which looked toward the north: and, behold, there was a place on the two sides westward.

20

Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people.

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. in every: Heb. a court in a corner of a court, and a court in a corner of a court

22

In the four corners of the court there were courts joined of forty cubits long and thirty broad: these four corners were of one measure. joined: or, made with chimneys corners were: Heb. cornered, etc

Read Ezekiel 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people—This location for cooking אָשָׁם (ʾāshām, 'guilt offering'), חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāʾt, 'sin offering'), and baking מִנְחָה (minḥāh, 'grain offering') prevents carrying them into הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה (heḥāṣēr haḥîṣônāh, 'the outer court').

לְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת־הָעָם (lĕqaddēsh ʾet-hāʿām, 'to sanctify the people')—concern is preventing unintended consecration. Holy things transferred holiness by contact (Exodus 29:37, Ezekiel 44:19), which could endanger unprepared people (2 Samuel 6:6-7—Uzzah). Separating holy food preparation from public areas protected people from dangerous holiness. This demonstrates that God's holiness, while desirable, can harm the unprepared—a principle fulfilled in Christ, who makes believers holy without danger through His mediating work (Hebrews 10:10, 14).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Levitical law required priests to eat sin/guilt offerings in holy places (Leviticus 6:26, 7:6). Grain offerings were similarly consumed by priests (Leviticus 2:3, 10). Ezekiel specifies preparation locations to prevent contaminating outer court or endangering laity through holiness transfer. This careful regulation demonstrates that approaching God requires proper boundaries—fulfilled in Christ who mediates access safely.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does holiness transferring by contact teach about God's dangerous holiness?
  2. How do boundaries protecting people from holiness relate to Christ's mediating work?
  3. Why can holiness be dangerous to unprepared people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 24

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֔י2 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זֶ֣ה3 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַמָּק֗וֹם4 of 24

“he unto me This is the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר5 of 24
H834

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

יְבַשְּׁלוּ6 of 24

“shall boil”

H1310

properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen

שָׁם֙7 of 24
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים8 of 24

“where the priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֶת9 of 24
H853

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

הָאָשָׁ֖ם10 of 24

“the trespass offering”

H817

guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering

וְאֶת11 of 24
H853

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

הַחַטָּ֑את12 of 24

“and the sin offering”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

אֲשֶׁ֤ר13 of 24
H834

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

יֹאפוּ֙14 of 24

“where they shall bake”

H644

to cook, especially to bake

אֶת15 of 24
H853

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

הַמִּנְחָ֔ה16 of 24

“the meat offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

לְבִלְתִּ֥י17 of 24
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

הוֹצִ֛יא18 of 24

“that they bear”

H3318

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

אֶל19 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֶחָצֵ֥ר20 of 24

“court”

H2691

a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)

הַחִֽיצוֹנָ֖ה21 of 24

“them not out into the utter”

H2435

properly, the (outer) wall side; hence, exterior; figuratively, secular (as opposed to sacred)

לְקַדֵּ֥שׁ22 of 24

“to sanctify”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

אֶת23 of 24
H853

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

הָעָֽם׃24 of 24

“the people”

H5971

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

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 46:20 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 46:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 35:13Ezekiel 44:29Ezekiel 44:19Leviticus 2:4-7Leviticus 7:1-381 Samuel 2:13-15

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 46 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 46 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes