Ezekiel 44 Footnotes

44:1-3 Ezekiel’s guide took him to the eastern gate of the temple, but he found that it was closed. It was to remain closed because the Lord entered the temple through that gate. Only the “prince” could sit in the gate to “eat a meal before the LORD,” probably a communal meal (vv. 2-3). Offerings for the festivals, sacrifices, the Sabbath, and other offerings were to be presented to the “prince” (nasi’, “one lifted up,” “chief,” “prince,” “captain,” or “leader”; the word appears fourteen times in v. 3; 45:7,16,22; 46:2,4,8,10,12,16-18; 48:21-22). The eastern gate is still walled up. In Jewish theology, it awaits the coming of the Messiah who will enter the temple area through this gate.

Some interpreters identify the “prince” as the Messiah. But since he was required to offer a sin offering for himself, he could hardly be the Messiah (45:22; 2Co 5:21). The messianic statement in Ezk 37:25, “My servant David will be their prince [Hb nasi’ ] forever,” may refer both to the Messiah and to David, the “prince” who will serve as temple administrator and messianic leader of the millennial temple.