The Court of the Priests

A low balustrade (railing) separated this section from the COURT OF THE PRIESTS, accessible only to the priests and Levites who served in the temple. At the center of this court was the great horned ALTAR OF SACRIFICE with a ramp leading to the top, and the lavers of cleansing were also here. Twelve steps on the west side of the Altar led to the entrance hall of the Temple, and from these steps the priests blessed the people; here too, dumbstruck Zacharias beckoned to the people (Luke 1:22). See The Sanctuary