Ezekiel 44:3

אֶֽת־הַנָּשִׂ֗יא נָ֥שִׂיא ה֛וּא יֵֽשֶׁב־בֹּ֥ו לֶאֱכֹ֖ל לֶ֣חֶם לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה מִדֶּ֨רֶךְ אֻלָ֤ם הַשַּׁ֨עַר֙ יָבֹ֔וא וּמִדַּרְכֹּ֖ו יֵצֵֽא׃

As for the prince, the prince himself shall sit in it to eat bread before YHWH; he shall enter by way of the porch of the gate, and by its way he shall go out.”

Morphology

1. אֶת־הַנָּשִׂיא (et-ha-nasi) – Root: נשא (nasaʾ); Form: Direct object marker + definite noun masculine singular; Translation: “as for the prince”; Notes: The direct object marker introduces the subject being addressed — the ruler or “prince,” distinct from the priests but given special honor in worship.
2. נָשִׂיא (nasi) – Root: נשא (nasaʾ); Form: Noun masculine singular absolute; Translation: “a prince”; Notes: Functions appositionally to emphasize his identity and role — a royal figure who represents leadership under divine authority.
3. הוּא (hu) – Root: —; Form: Independent pronoun masculine singular; Translation: “he himself”; Notes: Adds emphasis — the prince personally, not a representative, performs this act of worship.
4. יֵשֶׁב־בּוֹ (yeshev-bo) – Root: ישׁב (yashav); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine singular + preposition בְּ with 3rd masculine singular suffix; Translation: “he shall sit in it”; Notes: Refers to the prince’s privilege to sit within the eastern gate area, symbolizing access to YHWH’s presence though not full entry into the temple itself.
5. לֶאֱכֹל (leʾekhol) – Root: אכל (ʾakhal); Form: Preposition לְ + infinitive construct; Translation: “to eat”; Notes: Describes a sacred act of fellowship — partaking of consecrated food in proximity to the divine presence.
6. לֶחֶם (leḥem) – Root: לחם (laḥam); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “bread”; Notes: Represents the meal offering or covenant fellowship meal eaten in the presence of YHWH.
7. לִפְנֵי (lifnei) – Root: פנה (panah); Form: Preposition + construct form; Translation: “before” or “in the presence of”; Notes: Denotes nearness to YHWH’s manifested glory — within the gate area but not within the temple proper.
8. יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: היה (hayah); Form: Proper divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: Refers to the covenant God of Yisraʾel — the divine presence before whom the prince eats.
9. מִדֶּרֶךְ (mi-derekh) – Root: דרך (darakh); Form: Preposition מִן + noun masculine singular; Translation: “by way of” or “through the way”; Notes: Introduces the path of entry — the prince’s movement is ceremonial and restricted.
10. אֻלָם (ulam) – Root: אלם (ʾalam, perhaps “porch” or “portico”); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “porch” or “vestibule”; Notes: Architectural term for the covered entrance of the gate structure.
11. הַשַּׁעַר (ha-shaʿar) – Root: שער (shaʿar); Form: Definite noun masculine singular; Translation: “of the gate”; Notes: Refers specifically to the eastern gate, the site of divine entry in the vision.
12. יָבֹא (yavo) – Root: בוא (bo); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “he shall enter”; Notes: Indicates the permitted approach — not into the sanctuary, but through the gate’s vestibule area.
13. וּמִדַּרְכּוֹ (u-mi-darko) – Root: דרך (darakh); Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition מִן + noun masculine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “and by its way”; Notes: Refers back to the same entrance path — the prince exits by the same route.
14. יֵצֵא (yetze) – Root: יצא (yatsaʾ); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “he shall go out”; Notes: Indicates the end of his ceremonial participation — the prince leaves by the same way, maintaining the sanctity of the gate’s inner section.