King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 46:9 Mean?

Ezekiel 46:9 in the King James Version says “But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the n... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it.

Ezekiel 46:9 · KJV


Context

7

And he shall prepare a meat offering, an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs according as his hand shall attain unto, and an hin of oil to an ephah.

8

And when the prince shall enter, he shall go in by the way of the porch of that gate, and he shall go forth by the way thereof.

9

But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The worship flow regulation—'he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in'—prevents congestion and maintains order. This seemingly minor detail teaches that worship requires organization, not chaos. The Hebrew סֵדֶר (seder, 'order') characterizes God's nature (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40). Worshipers must follow prescribed patterns, not individual preference. The one-way flow also symbolizes transformation—those who truly encounter God exit differently than they entered, moving forward in sanctification rather than circular stagnation. Reformed theology emphasizes the regulative principle: worship according to God's prescription, and 'let all things be done decently and in order' (1 Corinthians 14:40).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient temple traffic management prevented chaos during major feasts when thousands gathered. Archaeological evidence from large ancient Near Eastern temples shows similar traffic flow patterns. Solomon's temple featured multiple gates and courts accommodating large crowds (2 Chronicles 4:9). The requirement to exit through a different gate than entry prevented bottlenecks and maintained crowd flow. This practical detail demonstrates that God cares about worship logistics, not just theology. When Nehemiah organized post-exilic worship, he assigned gatekeepers and organized processions (Nehemiah 12:27-43). Paul's instructions for orderly worship (1 Corinthians 11-14) continue this principle—Spirit-filled worship maintains order, not confusion. The early church's growth required organizational structure (Acts 6:1-7), balancing spiritual vitality with practical administration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance Spirit-led spontaneity with biblical order in corporate worship?
  2. Do you exit worship services transformed (different gate) or unchanged, merely fulfilling religious routine?
  3. What practical details in your church's worship logistics honor God through excellence and order versus sloppiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
בָּ֣א1 of 33

and he that entereth

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַם2 of 33

But when the people

H5971

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

הָאָ֜רֶץ3 of 33

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לִפְנֵ֣י4 of 33

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָה֮5 of 33

the LORD

H3068

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

בַּמּֽוֹעֲדִים֒6 of 33

in the solemn feasts

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

בָּ֣א7 of 33

and he that entereth

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

דֶּ֤רֶךְ8 of 33

by the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙9 of 33

gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

צָפ֑וֹנָה10 of 33

of the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֗ת11 of 33

to worship

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

יֵצֵֽאו׃12 of 33

but shall go forth

H3318

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

דֶּ֤רֶךְ13 of 33

by the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙14 of 33

gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

נֶ֔גֶב15 of 33

of the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

בָּ֣א16 of 33

and he that entereth

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

דֶּ֤רֶךְ17 of 33

by the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙18 of 33

gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

נֶ֔גֶב19 of 33

of the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

יֵצֵֽאו׃20 of 33

but shall go forth

H3318

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

דֶּ֤רֶךְ21 of 33

by the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙22 of 33

gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

צָפ֑וֹנָה23 of 33

of the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

לֹ֣א24 of 33
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָשׁ֗וּב25 of 33

he shall not return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

דֶּ֤רֶךְ26 of 33

by the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙27 of 33

gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

אֲשֶׁר28 of 33
H834

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

בָּ֣א29 of 33

and he that entereth

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

ב֔וֹ30 of 33
H0
כִּ֥י31 of 33
H3588

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

נִכְח֖וֹ32 of 33

over against

H5226

properly, the fore part; used adverbially, opposite

יֵצֵֽאו׃33 of 33

but shall go 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 46:9 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 46:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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