Ezekiel 46:20

“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.”

This verse is part of a vision that the prophet Ezekiel received from God regarding the future temple and the regulations for worship. In this particular verse, Ezekiel is being shown a specific area within the temple where the priests will carry out their duties related to offerings and sacrifices.

The verse begins with someone speaking to Ezekiel, most likely an angel or a heavenly being. This individual explains that the designated place for the priests to boil the trespass offering and the sin offering is in the temple. The trespass offering and the sin offering were sacrifices made to atone for specific sins committed by individuals or the community.

In addition to boiling the trespass offering and the sin offering, the priests were also to bake the meat offering in this designated area. The meat offering, or grain offering, consisted of grains, oil, and frankincense and was presented as a way to express gratitude, dedication, and worship to God.

The purpose of having a specific place within the temple for these activities was to ensure that the offerings and sacrifices were handled appropriately and according to God’s instructions. It was important that these holy offerings were not taken out into the outer court, which was the area accessible to the general public, in order to maintain their sanctity.

This verse highlights the significance of the role of the priests in the temple and the meticulousness required in the offering of sacrifices. It also emphasises the importance of keeping the sacred things separate from the common things, ensuring that the sanctity of the offerings was preserved.

Overall, Ezekiel 46:20 provides insight into the future temple’s layout and the specific area designated for the priests to handle the trespass offering, sin offering, and meat offering. It reminds us of the importance of reverence and respect when approaching God and participating in worship.