Ezekiel 43:19

And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering.

And thou shalt give {H5414} to the priests {H3548} the Levites {H3881} that be of the seed {H2233} of Zadok {H6659}, which approach {H7138} unto me, to minister {H8334} unto me, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, a young {H1121}{H1241} bullock {H6499} for a sin offering {H2403}.

you are to give to the cohanim, who are L'vi'im descended from Tzadok and who approach to serve me,' says Adonai ELOHIM, 'a young bull as a sin offering.

You are to give a young bull from the herd as a sin offering to the Levitical priests who are of the family of Zadok, who approach Me to minister before Me, declares the Lord GOD.

Thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that are of the seed of Zadok, who are near unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord Jehovah, a young bullock for a sin-offering.

Ezekiel 43:19 is part of a detailed vision given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, outlining the structure and ordinances of a future temple. This specific verse focuses on the initial purification rites for the altar and the crucial role of the priests in the renewed worship system.

Context

Following a grand vision of the Lord's return to the temple (Ezekiel 43:2), God provides specific instructions for consecrating the altar. The elaborate detail in chapters 40-48 underscores the importance of proper worship and the sanctity of God's presence. This verse, therefore, sets the stage for the meticulous re-establishment of sacrificial offerings, emphasizing purity and adherence to divine law in the post-exilic temple or even a future eschatological temple.

Key Themes

  • Priestly Purity and Authority: The instruction to give the offering to "the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok" highlights a specific, faithful lineage. The Zadokite priests were known for their loyalty to God and David's line, particularly during times when other priests had strayed (see 1 Kings 2:35). Their exclusive right to "approach unto me" signifies their singular, consecrated role in mediating worship and maintaining the temple's sanctity.
  • Atonement and Purification: The "young bullock for a sin offering" is crucial. Before regular sacrifices could begin, the altar itself needed to be purified and consecrated. This act underscores the pervasive nature of sin and the need for atonement even for sacred objects and spaces. It parallels the Old Testament emphasis on purification before approaching God, as detailed in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 4:3).
  • Divine Ordination: The phrase "saith the Lord GOD" reinforces that these are not human traditions but direct, divine commands. God Himself dictates the terms of worship, emphasizing His sovereignty and the necessity of obedience in approaching Him.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Zadok" (Hebrew: צָדוֹק, Tsadok) means "righteous" or "just." This lineage was distinguished for its faithfulness, particularly when other priestly lines faltered. Their designation here emphasizes God's preference for a priesthood characterized by integrity and devotion.

The "sin offering" (Hebrew: חַטָּאת, chattat) in this context serves primarily as a purification offering, cleansing the altar from any defilement, known or unknown, before it could be used for other sacrifices. It's about making something ceremonially clean and acceptable for God's holy presence.

Practical Application

While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, this verse carries profound spiritual implications. It reminds us of God's absolute holiness and the necessity of purity when approaching Him. The elaborate purification rites in the Old Testament, including this sin offering for the altar, point forward to the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through His blood, believers are purified and made righteous, enabling them to approach God's throne with confidence (Hebrews 10:19). This verse also underscores the importance of faithful leadership in spiritual matters, echoing the integrity required of the Zadokite priests.

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.

  • Ezekiel 44:15

    But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD:

  • Ezekiel 40:46

    And the chamber whose prospect [is] toward the north [is] for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these [are] the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.

  • 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.

  • Numbers 16:40

    [To be] a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which [is] not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.

  • Numbers 16:5

    And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who [are] his, and [who is] holy; and will cause [him] to come near unto him: even [him] whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

  • Hebrews 7:27

    Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back