Ezekiel 43:20

And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put [it] on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.

And thou shalt take {H3947} of the blood {H1818} thereof, and put {H5414} it on the four {H702} horns {H7161} of it, and on the four {H702} corners {H6438} of the settle {H5835}, and upon the border {H1366} round about {H5439}: thus shalt thou cleanse {H2398} and purge {H3722} it.

You are to take its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge and on the molding all the way around; this is how you will purify it and make atonement for it.

You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and all around the rim; thus you will cleanse the altar and make atonement for it.

And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the ledge, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse it and make atonement for it.

Commentary

Commentary on Ezekiel 43:20 (KJV)

Ezekiel 43:20 describes a critical step in the consecration of the altar within the visionary temple that the prophet Ezekiel sees. This verse details the specific application of blood during the altar's purification ceremony, emphasizing the sacredness and meticulousness required for divine worship.

Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's extensive vision of a new, glorious temple, beginning in Ezekiel chapter 40. After detailing the temple's dimensions and the glory of God returning to it (Ezekiel 43:4), the focus shifts to the altar of burnt offering. The Lord provides precise instructions for its construction and, more importantly, its purification and consecration. This ritual cleansing, performed with the blood of a sin offering (as mentioned in Ezekiel 43:19), was essential before any sacrifices could be made upon it. This vision serves as a blueprint for a future, ideal state of worship and God's dwelling among His people, highlighting the absolute necessity of holiness in His presence.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Purity and Consecration: The primary message is the absolute necessity of purity for anything dedicated to God. The altar, as the central place of sacrifice and communion with God, had to be thoroughly cleansed and sanctified. This ritual act made it holy and fit for divine service, underscoring that God's presence demands ultimate holiness.
  • Atonement through Blood: The application of blood is central to the purification process. In ancient Israelite worship, blood symbolized life and was the divinely appointed means for atonement and cleansing from sin. This principle is deeply rooted in the Old Testament sacrificial system, where the life is in the blood and it makes atonement. Here, the blood cleanses the altar itself, preparing it to mediate atonement for the people.
  • Divine Order and Meticulousness: God provides extremely specific instructions regarding where the blood is to be applied – the four horns, the four corners of the settle, and the border. This precision highlights the divine order and the meticulous care God requires in all matters pertaining to worship and His holy dwelling.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verbs translated as "cleanse" (Χ›ΦΌΦ΄Χ€ΦΌΦΆΧ¨ - kipper) and "purge" (Χ—Φ΄Χ˜ΦΌΦ΅Χ - chitte') are significant. Kipper often carries the sense of "to make atonement," "to purge," or "to pacify," indicating a removal of defilement and a making right. Chitte' means "to de-sin" or "to purify from sin." Together, they emphasize a thorough purification that removes all ritual impurity, making the altar acceptable to God.

Related Scriptures

The concept of purifying the altar with blood is also seen in the Mosaic Law concerning the Tabernacle and first Temple. For instance, in the consecration of the Tabernacle altar, Exodus 29:12 instructs the application of blood to the altar's horns. Similarly, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest was commanded to put blood on the horns of the altar to cleanse it (Leviticus 16:19). This recurring theme underscores the consistent divine requirement for ceremonial purity through blood.

Practical Application

While we no longer offer animal sacrifices or cleanse physical altars, the principles in Ezekiel 43:20 remain profoundly relevant. This verse reminds us:

  • The Need for Spiritual Purity: Just as the physical altar needed cleansing, so too do our hearts and lives need purification before we can truly worship God. The New Testament teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and we are called to present ourselves as holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1).
  • The Efficacy of Christ's Blood: The Old Testament rituals, including the cleansing of the altar, foreshadowed the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His blood, shed on the cross, is the definitive means by which we are cleansed and purged from all sin, making us righteous before God (Hebrews 9:14). Through Him, we have direct access to God without needing constant ritual purification.
  • Reverence in Worship: The meticulous instructions for the altar's consecration teach us to approach God with reverence, intentionality, and a recognition of His supreme holiness. Our worship, whether personal or corporate, should reflect a heart prepared and purified by faith in Christ.
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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 16:19

    And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

  • Leviticus 8:15

    And he slew [it]; and Moses took the blood, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.

  • Ezekiel 43:26

    Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.

  • Ezekiel 43:22

    And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse [it] with the bullock.

  • Leviticus 9:9

    And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:

  • Exodus 29:36

    And thou shalt offer every day a bullock [for] a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.

  • Exodus 29:12

    And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.
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