Ezekiel 46:9
New International Version
“’When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed festivals, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which they entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate.

New Living Translation
But when the people come in through the north gateway to worship the LORD during the religious festivals, they must leave by the south gateway. And those who entered through the south gateway must leave by the north gateway. They must never leave by the same gateway they came in, but must always use the opposite gateway.

English Standard Version
“When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, he who enters by the north gate to worship shall go out by the south gate, and he who enters by the south gate shall go out by the north gate: no one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered, but each shall go out straight ahead.

Berean Standard Bible
When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship must go out by the south gate, and whoever enters by the south gate must go out by the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each must go out by the opposite gate.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“But when the people of the land come before the LORD on the appointed feast days, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate; and whoever enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. He shall not return by way of the gate through which he came, but shall go out through the opposite gate.

New American Standard Bible
But when the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, one who enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate. And one who enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. No one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered, but shall go straight out.

NASB 1995
“But when the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, he who enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate. And he who enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. No one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered but shall go straight out.

NASB 1977
“But when the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, he who enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate. And he who enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. No one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered but shall go straight out.

Legacy Standard Bible
But when the people of the land come before Yahweh at the appointed times, he who enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate. And he who enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. No one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered but shall go straight out.

Amplified Bible
But when the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, he who enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate. And he who enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. No one shall return by way of the gate through which he entered, but shall go out straight ahead [through the opposite gate].

Christian Standard Bible
“When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed times, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship is to go out by way of the south gate, and whoever enters by way of the south gate is to go out by way of the north gate. No one may return through the gate by which he entered, but is to go out by the opposite gate.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed times, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship must go out by way of the south gate, and whoever enters by way of the south gate must go out by way of the north gate. No one must return through the gate by which he entered, but must go out by the opposite gate.

American Standard Version
But when the people of the land shall come before Jehovah in the appointed feasts, he that entereth by the way of the north gate to worship shall go forth 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 straight before him.

Contemporary English Version
When my people come to worship me during any festival, they must always leave by the opposite gate from which they came: Those who come in the north gate must leave by the south gate, and those who come in the south gate must leave by the north gate.

English Revised Version
But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the appointed feasts, he that entereth by the way of the north gate to worship shall go forth 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 straight before him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
" 'The people will enter the LORD's presence at the time of the appointed festivals. Those entering through the north gate to worship must leave through the south gate. Those entering through the south gate must leave through the north gate. They must not leave through the same gate they entered. They must leave through the opposite gate.

Good News Translation
"When the people come to worship the LORD at any festival, those who enter by the north gate are to leave by the south gate after they have worshiped, and those who enter by the south gate are to leave by the north gate. No one may go out by the same way he entered, but must leave by the opposite gate.

International Standard Version
When the people who live in the land come into the LORD's presence during the festivals, whoever enters through the northern gate is to leave through the southern gate, and whoever enters through the southern gate is to leave through the northern gate. No one is to leave by the same route that he enters, but instead is to go straight out.

Majority Standard Bible
When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship must go out by the south gate, and whoever enters by the south gate must go out by the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each must go out by the opposite gate.

NET Bible
"'When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship will go out by way of the south gate; whoever enters by way of the south gate will go out by way of the north gate. No one will return by way of the gate they entered but will go out straight ahead.

New Heart English Bible
"'But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the appointed feasts, he who enters by the way of the north gate to worship shall go forth by the way of the south gate; and he who enters 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 by which he came in, but shall go forth straight before him.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 by which he came in, but shall go forth over against it.

World English Bible
“‘“But when the people of the land come before Yahweh in the appointed feasts, he who enters by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he who enters by the way of the south gate shall go out by the way of the north gate. He shall not return by the way of the gate by which he came in, but shall go out straight before him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And in the coming in of the people of the land before YHWH at appointed times, he who has come in the way of the north gate to bow himself, goes out the way of the south gate, and he who has come in the way of the south gate, goes out by the way of the north gate: he does not turn back the way of the gate by which he came in, but he goes out opposite it.

Young's Literal Translation
And in the coming in of the people of the land before Jehovah at appointed times, he who hath come in the way of the north gate to bow himself, goeth out the way of the south gate, and he who hath come in the way of the south gate, goeth out by the way of the north gate: he doth not turn back the way of the gate by which he came in, but over-against it he goeth out.

Smith's Literal Translation
And In the going in of the people of the land before Jehovah in the appointments, he going in the way of the gate of the north to worship, shall come forth the way of the gate of the south; and he going in the way of the gate of the south, shall come forth the way of the gate of the north: he shall not turn back the way which he came in it, but he shall come forth opposite to it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But when the people of the land shall go in before the Lord in the solemn feasts, he that goeth in by the north gate to adore, shall go out by the way of the south gate : and he that; goeth in by the way of the south gate, shall go out by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go out at that over against it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the people of the land will enter in the sight of the Lord on the solemnities, whoever enters by the north gate so that he may adore, shall depart by the way of the south gate. And whoever enters by the way of the south gate shall depart by the way of the north gate. He shall not return by way of the gate through which he entered. Instead, he shall depart from the direction opposite to it.

New American Bible
When the people of the land come before the LORD to bow down on the festivals, if they enter by the north gate they shall leave by the south gate, and if they enter by the south gate they shall leave by the north gate. They shall not go back by the gate through which they entered; everyone shall leave by the opposite gate.

New Revised Standard Version
When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed festivals, whoever enters by the north gate to worship shall go out by the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate shall go out by the north gate: they shall not return by way of the gate by which they entered, but shall go out straight ahead.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD at the time of the solemn feasts, he who enters by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he who enters by the way of the south gate shall go out by the way of the north gate; he shall not return by the way of the gate by which he came in, but shall go out straight ahead.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when the people of the land enter before LORD JEHOVAH in the time of the feasts, he who enters into the north gate to worship shall go out the south gate, and he who enters the south gate shall go out into the north gate, and he shall not return by the gate that he enters, but he shall go out opposite it
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the appointed seasons, he that entereth by the way of the north gate to worship shall go forth 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 straight before him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And whenever the people of the land shall go in before the Lord at the feasts, he that goes in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go forth by the way of the south gate; and he that goes in by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the gate by which he entered, but he shall go forth opposite it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Prince's Offerings
8When the prince enters, he shall go in through the portico of the gateway, and he shall go out the same way. 9When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship must go out by the south gate, and whoever enters by the south gate must go out by the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each must go out by the opposite gate. 10When the people enter, the prince shall go in with them, and when they leave, he shall leave.…

Cross References
Isaiah 1:12
When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts?

Exodus 23:14-17
Three times a year you are to celebrate a feast to Me. / You are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread as I commanded you: At the appointed time in the month of Abib you are to eat unleavened bread for seven days, because that was the month you came out of Egypt. No one may appear before Me empty-handed. / You are also to keep the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field. And keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather your produce from the field. ...

Deuteronomy 16:16-17
Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed. / Everyone must appear with a gift as he is able, according to the blessing the LORD your God has given you.

1 Kings 9:25
Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the LORD, burning incense with them before the LORD. So he completed the temple.

2 Chronicles 8:12-13
At that time Solomon offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of the LORD he had built in front of the portico. / He observed the daily requirement for offerings according to the commandment of Moses for Sabbaths, New Moons, and the three annual appointed feasts—the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.

Psalm 42:4
These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the festive procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise.

Psalm 84:7
They go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion.

Zechariah 14:16-19
Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. / And should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, then the rain will not fall on them. / And if the people of Egypt will not go up and enter in, then the rain will not fall on them; this will be the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. ...

John 4:23-24
But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. / God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Luke 2:41-42
Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. / And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast.

Acts 2:46-47
With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, / praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Hebrews 10:25
Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

1 Corinthians 14:26
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.

1 Corinthians 16:2
On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed.


Treasury of Scripture

But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that enters in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that enters 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.

come before

Exodus 23:14-17
Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year…

Exodus 34:23
Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.

Deuteronomy 16:16
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

he that entereth in

Ezekiel 1:12,17
And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went…

Philippians 3:13,14
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, …

Hebrews 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

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Appointed Entered Entereth Enters Feasts Forth Gate North Seasons Solemn South Straight Way Whereby Worship
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Appointed Entered Entereth Enters Feasts Forth Gate North Seasons Solemn South Straight Way Whereby Worship
Ezekiel 46
1. Ordinances for the prince in his worship
9. and for the people
16. An order for the prince's inheritance
19. The courts for boiling and baking














When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts
This phrase refers to the Israelites gathering for the major religious festivals, such as Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These feasts were central to Jewish worship and community life, serving as times of remembrance, thanksgiving, and renewal of the covenant with God. The phrase "come before the LORD" emphasizes the act of worship and the presence of God in the temple, which was the focal point of Jewish religious life. The appointed feasts were not only times of celebration but also of spiritual reflection and commitment to God's laws.

whoever enters by the north gate to worship must go out by the south gate
This instruction highlights the orderly and reverent manner in which worshipers were to conduct themselves in the temple. The requirement to exit through a different gate than the one entered symbolizes a transformation or change that should occur when one encounters God. It also reflects the practical need for managing the flow of large crowds during the feasts. Spiritually, this can be seen as a metaphor for the change that should occur in a believer's life after experiencing God's presence.

and whoever enters by the south gate must go out by the north gate
This mirrors the previous instruction, reinforcing the idea of transformation and orderliness in worship. It ensures that worshipers do not simply return to their previous state or routine after encountering God. The temple's design and the prescribed movement within it can be seen as a reflection of God's order and holiness, reminding worshipers of the need for reverence and obedience.

No one is to return through the gate by which he entered
This command underscores the importance of change and renewal in the worship experience. It suggests that an encounter with God should leave a lasting impact, prompting believers to leave behind their old ways. Theologically, it can be seen as a call to repentance and a new direction in life, aligning with the broader biblical theme of transformation through faith.

but each must go out by the opposite gate
This final instruction completes the picture of a worship experience that leads to change. It emphasizes the idea of moving forward and not returning to one's previous state. In a broader biblical context, this can be connected to the concept of new life in Christ, where believers are called to leave behind their old selves and walk in newness of life. The physical act of exiting through a different gate serves as a tangible reminder of the spiritual journey and transformation that worship should inspire.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The People of the Land
Refers to the Israelites who are coming to worship the LORD during the appointed feasts.

2. The LORD
The God of Israel, who is the focus of worship and the one who establishes these commands.

3. The Appointed Feasts
Specific times set by God for the Israelites to gather and worship, such as Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles.

4. The North Gate and South Gate
Entrances to the temple area, symbolizing the orderly and reverent approach to worship.

5. The Temple
The central place of worship for the Israelites, representing God's presence among His people.
Teaching Points
Orderly Worship
The instruction to enter and exit through different gates emphasizes the importance of order and reverence in worship. Worship should be approached with a heart prepared to meet God.

Symbolism of Change
Entering and exiting through different gates can symbolize a transformation that occurs when one encounters God. Worship should lead to change and growth in our spiritual lives.

Community Aspect
The gathering of people at the appointed feasts highlights the importance of community in worship. Believers are encouraged to gather together, supporting and uplifting one another in faith.

Intentionality in Worship
The specific instructions for entering and exiting the temple area remind us to be intentional in our worship practices, focusing on God and His holiness.

Reflecting on God's Presence
The temple as a place of God's presence calls us to reflect on how we carry His presence in our daily lives, ensuring that our actions and attitudes align with His will.(9) In the solemn feasts.--Different arrangements were required for the great or "solemn" feasts, because at these all the males of Israel were commanded to be present, and therefore the numbers were very large. This affects both the people and (Ezekiel 46:10) the prince. The first provision is one for securing order in the vast concourse of people: by whichever (outer) gate any one enters (the north or the south), he shall pass out by the opposite one.

Verse 9. - But when the people of the land shall come before the Lord. As the preceding verse referred to the prince's entrance into and departure from the inner gate, this was intended to regulate the movements of the prince's subjects when they should enter the outer court at any of the festal seasons - not the high festivals alone, such as the Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles, which are usually denominated חַגּים, but the ordinary appointed feasts (מוְעֲדִים), including, besides the high festivals, the sabbaths and the new moons and such other religions celebrations as were or should be prescribed in the new Torah. In order to prevent confusion, and that all might be conducted with propriety (comp. 1 Corinthians 14:40), no one should depart by the gate through which he had entered, but by the opposite, i.e. he who had entered by the north gate should retire through the south gate, and vice versa. Hengstenberg thinks the reason for this regulation "cannot be sought in the endeavor to avoid a throng," since "in that case it must have been ordained that all should go in by the same gate and go out by the opposite one;" it must, he holds, have been "a theological one," viz. "to signify that each should go out of the sanctuary another man than he came in."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When the people
עַם־ (‘am-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of the land
הָאָ֜רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

come
וּבְב֨וֹא (ū·ḇə·ḇō·w)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

before
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD
יְהוָה֮ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

at the appointed feasts,
בַּמּֽוֹעֲדִים֒ (bam·mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

whoever enters
הַבָּ֡א (hab·bā)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

by
דֶּרֶךְ־ (de·reḵ-)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

the north
צָפ֜וֹן (ṣā·p̄ō·wn)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

gate
שַׁ֨עַר (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

to worship
לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֗ת (lə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wōṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

must go out
יֵצֵא֙ (yê·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

by
דֶּרֶךְ־ (de·reḵ-)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

the south
נֶ֔גֶב (ne·ḡeḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

gate,
שַׁ֣עַר (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

and whoever enters
וְהַבָּא֙ (wə·hab·bā)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

by
דֶּרֶךְ־ (de·reḵ-)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

the south
נֶ֔גֶב (ne·ḡeḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

gate
שַׁ֣עַר (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

must go out
יֵצֵ֖א (yê·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

by
דֶּרֶךְ־ (de·reḵ-)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

the north
צָפ֑וֹנָה (ṣā·p̄ō·w·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

gate.
שַׁ֣עַר (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

No one
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

is to return
יָשׁ֗וּב (yā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

through
דֶּ֤רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

the gate
הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙ (haš·ša·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

by which
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he entered,
בָּ֣א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

but
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

each must go out
יֵצֵֽא׃ (yê·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

by the opposite gate.
נִכְח֖וֹ (niḵ·ḥōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5226: The fore part, opposite


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 46:9 But when the people of the land (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 46:8
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