COURT, in Hebrew, Chazer; in Latin, Atrium. The great Courts belonging to the Temple of Jerusalem were three, the first called the Court of the Gentiles, because the Gentiles were allowed to enter so far, and no farther. The second was called the Court of Israel, because all the Israelites, provided they were purified, had a right of admission. The third Court was that of the Priests, where the Altar of Burnt-offerings stood, where the Priests and Levites exercised their Ministry. Common Israelites, who were desirous to offer Sacrifices, were at liberty to bring their Victims as far as the inner part of the Court, but they could not go beyond a certain Vail of separation, which divided it into two; and the Laity withdrew as soon as they had delivered their Sacrifices and Offerings to the Priest, or had made their Confession, with the Ceremony of laying their Hand upon the Head of the Victim, if it were a Sin-offering.
As to the Form, Ornaments, and Dimensions of the Court of the Temple, see the Article Temple, and the Plans which have been made of it.
Esth. iv. 11. v. 1. vi. 4. Mat. xxvi. 58. John xviii. 15. Luke xi. 21.Before the Temple was built, there was a Court in the Tabernacle, but not near so large as that in the Temple, and encompassed only with Pillars, and Vails hung by Cords. See the Article Tabernacle. These Courts were intirely after the fashion of the Egyptian Temples, belonging to which there were large Courts surrounded with Colonnades. The same in proportion were visible in the Palaces of Kings, and the Houses of great Men, wherein there were great Courts, as appears from the Palaces of Solomon, and King Ahasuerus mentioned by Esther. The Evangelists in the History of our Saviour’s Passion, speak of the High Priest’s Court; and S. Luke mentions the strong armed Man who guardeth the palace; that is to say, the Guard, who continues always armed at a great Man’s door, as we see Swisses at the Gates of great Houses.
Court Ezek. xlvii, 17, xlviii. 1.Court, Atrium, is often used for a City; Atrium Ennon, Atria Netophati, the Cities of Ennon and Netophath. In the Hebrew this is still much more frequent; for all the Towns, with the word Hazer are so called, as if it were said, the Court of Suza, &c. Hazer-Suza, Hazer-Shual; in like manner also Hazera, Huzerim, Haziroth, are names of Towns, and signify Courts. The Courts of Jerusalem are put for the City itself; Stantes erant pedes nostri in atriis tuis, Jerusalem.