Ezekiel 43:18

And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These [are] the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.

And he said {H559} unto me, Son {H1121} of man {H120}, thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; These are the ordinances {H2708} of the altar {H4196} in the day {H3117} when they shall make {H6213} it, to offer {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930} thereon, and to sprinkle {H2236} blood {H1818} thereon.

He said to me, "Human being, Adonai ELOHIM says, 'These are the regulations for the altar when the time comes to construct it, offer burnt offerings on it and splash the blood against it:

Then He said to me: “Son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘These are the statutes for the altar on the day it is constructed, so that burnt offerings may be sacrificed on it and blood may be sprinkled on it:

And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt-offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.

Context of Ezekiel 43:18

Ezekiel 43:18 is found within the prophet Ezekiel's extensive vision of a new temple, described from chapter 40 to 48. This vision was given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, a time of profound despair for the Israelites, as their first temple had been destroyed. God's detailed instructions for this future temple, its measurements, and its rituals served as a promise of restoration, God's continued presence among His people, and a renewed emphasis on holiness. Specifically, this verse introduces the divine ordinances and procedures for the altar, the central place of worship and atonement within this visionary temple.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Ordination of Worship: The phrase "thus saith the Lord GOD" underscores that these are not human inventions but divinely mandated instructions for worship. God Himself prescribes how He is to be approached and worshipped, highlighting His sovereignty and the necessity of obedience in religious practice.
  • Significance of the Altar: The altar is presented as the focal point for communion with God through sacrifice. Its precise ordinances emphasize the importance of purity and proper procedure in approaching a holy God.
  • Atonement through Sacrifice: The mention of "burnt offerings" and "sprinkling blood" points to the core Old Testament practice of atonement. Burnt offerings (‘olah), entirely consumed by fire, symbolized complete dedication and propitiation for sin. The blood, representing life, was essential for purification and making amends, as seen throughout the Mosaic Law.
  • Future Restoration and Holiness: This detailed instruction for the altar in a future temple speaks to God's plan for Israel's spiritual and physical restoration, emphasizing that a return to holiness and proper worship would be central to their renewed relationship with Him.

Linguistic Insights

The title "Lord GOD" translates the Hebrew Adonai Yahweh. Adonai signifies "Lord" or "Master," denoting God's absolute authority and sovereignty, while Yahweh is God's covenant name, emphasizing His personal, relational nature and faithfulness. This combination highlights that the sovereign and faithful God is giving these holy instructions.

The "ordinances" (Hebrew: chuqqim) refer to fixed statutes or decrees, indicating that these are binding and permanent rules for the altar's construction and use, emphasizing divine authority and precision.

Practical Application

While the detailed rituals of the Old Covenant temple and altar are not practiced by Christians today, Ezekiel's vision and these ordinances hold profound spiritual significance. They prefigure the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The "burnt offerings" and the "sprinkling of blood" point to Christ as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice whose blood purifies us from all sin and makes us right with God. As Hebrews 9:22 states, "without shedding of blood is no remission." Jesus fulfilled all these types and shadows.

For believers today, this verse reminds us that worship must still be according to God's terms, though now through Christ. Our access to God is no longer through animal sacrifices but through faith in Jesus' finished work on the cross. We are called to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1), living lives of obedience and devotion, acknowledging the ultimate atonement provided by Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Exodus 40:29

    And he put the altar of burnt offering [by] the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses.

  • Hebrews 10:4

    For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

  • Hebrews 10:12

    But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

  • Hebrews 12:24

    And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.

  • Hebrews 9:13

    For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

  • Ezekiel 45:18

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first [month], in the first [day] of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary:

  • Ezekiel 45:19

    And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering, and put [it] upon the posts of the house, and upon the four corners of the settle of the altar, and upon the posts of the gate of the inner court.

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