Monday, September 1, 2025

Seder 82: Ezekiel 44-45: Who is "the Prince" in Ezekiel's Vision?

 In Ezekiel's vision in chapters 40-48, one figure mentioned several times is "the prince" (nasi in Hebrew).  This is a righteous human leader who will sponsor worship at the Temple described in the vision.  Too often in ancient Israel's history there was corrupt leadership, but Ezekiel looks forward to a time when there would be godly leaders (Eze 45:8-12).  

It seems reasonable to view the prince as a type of the Messiah; on the other hand, the vision also seems to distinguish the prince from the Messiah of Christianity.  For one thing, the prince will provide purification offerings for himself and the people--Eze 45:22---while Christ requires no such offerings (Heb 7:27-28).  Moreover, the priest is someone who may have physical descendants---Eze 46:16.

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Seder 82: Ezekiel 44-45: Who is "the Prince" in Ezekiel's Vision?

 In Ezekiel's vision in chapters 40-48, one figure mentioned several times is "the prince" ( nasi in Hebrew).  This is a right...