King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 46:21 Mean?

Ezekiel 46:21 in the King James Version says “Then he brought me forth into the utter court, and caused me to pass by the four corners of the court; and, behold, in e...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 46:21 · KJV

Context

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

23

And there was a row of building round about in them, round about them four, and it was made with boiling places under the rows round about.

Read Ezekiel 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—The outer court (הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה, heḥāṣēr haḥîṣônāh) has מִקְצוֹעַ (miqṣôaʿ, 'corner') courts in all אַרְבַּעַת (arbaʿat, 'four') corners—חָצֵר בְּמִקְצֹעַ חָצֵר (ḥāṣēr bĕmiqṣōaʿ ḥāṣēr, 'a court in the corner of the court').

These subsidiary courts served specific functions (v. 23-24—boiling sacrifices for the people). Architectural symmetry (four corners, each with court) demonstrates order and planning. God's character—orderly, not chaotic (1 Corinthians 14:33)—reflects in worship space design. Symmetrical architecture facilitates efficient service. Practical worship requires thoughtful logistics, a principle seen in tabernacle design (Exodus 25-31) and Jesus' organization of feeding 5,000 (Mark 6:39-40—groups of 50/100).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Temple courtyards facilitated different worship activities: sacrifice, prayer, teaching. The four corner courts in Ezekiel's vision exceed previous temple designs, showing millennial temple's expanded capacity. Archaeological excavations of ancient temples show multiple courtyards for various functions. Worship infrastructure enables proper service—a principle continuing in church buildings designed for specific ministries.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does architectural symmetry in temple design teach about God's character?
  2. How do practical logistics facilitate worship?
  3. What is the relationship between sacred space design and ministry effectiveness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיּוֹצִיאֵ֗נִי1 of 16

“Then he brought me forth”

H3318

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

אֶל2 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֶחָצֵֽר׃3 of 16

“there was a court”

H2691

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

הַחִ֣יצוֹנָ֔ה4 of 16

“into the utter”

H2435

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

וַיַּ֣עֲבִרֵ֔נִי5 of 16

“and caused me to pass by”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶל6 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַרְבַּ֖עַת7 of 16

“the four”

H702

four

בְּמִקְצֹ֥עַ8 of 16

“and behold in every”

H4740

an angle or recess

הֶחָצֵֽר׃9 of 16

“there was a court”

H2691

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

וְהִנֵּ֤ה10 of 16
H2009

lo!

הֶחָצֵֽר׃11 of 16

“there was a court”

H2691

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

בְּמִקְצֹ֥עַ12 of 16

“and behold in every”

H4740

an angle or recess

הֶחָצֵֽר׃13 of 16

“there was a court”

H2691

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

הֶחָצֵֽר׃14 of 16

“there was a court”

H2691

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

בְּמִקְצֹ֥עַ15 of 16

“and behold in every”

H4740

an angle or recess

הֶחָצֵֽר׃16 of 16

“there was a court”

H2691

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

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 46:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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