Ezekiel 44:1-3

THE SERVANTS OF THE SANCTUARY.

1-3. The prophet is now conducted “to the outer gate of the sanctuary” (R.V.), facing the east, which he had formerly seen open (Ezekiel 43:1), but which was now shut because the glory of the Lord had entered into the house by this gate, which must henceforth be counted too sacred to be entered by any other. It is not impossible that the locked door signified also the abiding presence of him who should go out no more forever, but the former thought is emphasized by Ezekiel. The prince (see Ezekiel 45:7, etc.), though not allowed to pass through this gateway, could enter the outer court through any of the other entrances and eat the sacrificial meal (Leviticus 2:3; Leviticus 23:6; Leviticus 24:9) in the porch or vestibule before this peculiarly sacred threshold.

It is for the prince; the prince Either read with R.V., “As for the prince, he shall sit therein as prince,” or consider “The Prince” to be a heading which gives the content of the passage and which has accidentally slipped into the text (Peters, Journal of Biblical Literature, 12:48).