Ezekiel 43:21

KJV

Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt take {H3947} the bullock {H6499} also of the sin offering {H2403}, and he shall burn {H8313} it in the appointed place {H4662} of the house {H1004}, without {H2351} the sanctuary {H4720}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are also to take the bull which is the sin offering and have it burned up at the designated place [on the grounds] of the house, outside the sanctuary.

Berean Standard Bible

Then you are to take away the bull for the sin offering and burn it in the appointed part of the temple area outside the sanctuary.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt also take the bullock of the sin-offering, and it shall be burnt in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 43:21 provides a specific instruction within the detailed vision of the new temple's consecration, commanding the burning of the bullock for the sin offering in a designated area outside the immediate holy precincts of the sanctuary. This act was a crucial step in the seven-day purification ritual for the altar, underscoring the absolute holiness required for God's dwelling place and the complete removal of sin's defilement from His presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Ezekiel's elaborate vision of a new temple, beginning in [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel's Vision of the New Temple"). Chapters 40-42 describe the dimensions and structure of the temple complex, while chapter 43 focuses on the return of God's glory to this temple and the subsequent instructions for the altar's consecration. Immediately preceding Ezekiel 43:21, the prophet is given precise measurements for the altar and instructions for its initial purification. The verse is part of a week-long ritual (Ezekiel 43:18-27) involving daily sin offerings and burnt offerings to thoroughly cleanse and sanctify the altar, making it fit for divine service. The meticulous detail highlights the sacredness of the space and the stringent requirements for approaching a holy God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vision of the new temple was given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, a time of profound despair for the Jewish people. The first temple had been destroyed, and the people were far from their homeland and the center of their worship. In this context, the detailed temple vision served as a powerful message of hope, restoration, and God's enduring covenant faithfulness. It assured them that God's presence would return and that proper worship would be re-established. The sacrificial system described, particularly the sin offering (Hebrew: *chaṭṭâʼâh*), was deeply rooted in Mosaic Law, as detailed in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus - Laws of Worship and Purity"). The practice of burning certain sin offerings outside the camp or city (e.g., [Leviticus 4:11-12](/leviticus/4-11 "Leviticus 4:11-12 - Burning the Sin Offering Outside the Camp")) was a well-established cultural norm, symbolizing the complete removal of defilement from the holy community and God's presence.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 43:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and biblical theology. First, it powerfully emphasizes **God's absolute holiness** and the necessity of purity in His presence. The meticulous instructions for cleansing the altar, including the specific disposal of the sin offering, underscore that nothing defiled can stand before a holy God. Second, the verse highlights the theme of **atonement and purification**. The sin offering was a means by which sin and uncleanness were addressed, allowing for reconciliation and the restoration of a right relationship with God or the sanctification of sacred space. This ritual prefigured the ultimate cleansing found in Christ. Third, the precise commandments demonstrate **divine sovereignty and order**, revealing God's meticulous design for worship and His expectation of strict adherence to His commands. This focus on order is seen throughout the temple vision, from its architectural layout in [Ezekiel 40-42](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40-42 - Temple Dimensions") to the detailed rituals in [Ezekiel 43-46](/ezekiel/43 "Ezekiel 43-46 - Temple Ordinances").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sin offering (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** From the root *chaṭâʼ*, meaning "to miss the mark" or "to sin," this term refers to an offense, its penalty, or the sacrifice made for expiation. In the context of Ezekiel 43:21, it specifically denotes the sacrificial animal (a bullock) offered to purify from sin and ceremonial uncleanness, particularly in the context of consecrating the altar. This sacrifice was crucial for removing defilement and making atonement.
* **appointed place (Hebrew, _miphqâd'_):** Derived from *pâqad* (to visit, appoint, number), *miphqâd* signifies an appointment, a mandate, or concretely, a designated spot. In this verse, it refers to a specific, pre-determined location within the temple complex where the sin offering was to be burned. This highlights the precise and orderly nature of God's commands for worship, leaving no room for arbitrary actions.
* **sanctuary (Hebrew, _miqdâsh'_):** From *qâdash* (to be holy), *miqdâsh* denotes a consecrated thing or place, especially a holy place or temple. Here, it refers to the innermost, most sacred areas of the temple, particularly the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, and by extension, the immediate area around the altar. The instruction to burn the offering "without the sanctuary" emphasizes the separation of the defiling elements of sin from God's holy presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering":** This command is directed to the priest, likely referring to the high priest or the priests generally, who are responsible for executing the consecration rituals. The "bullock" (Hebrew: *par*) is a specific type of animal, often used for sin offerings for the high priest or the entire congregation, indicating the gravity of the purification required for the altar. The phrase "sin offering" (Hebrew: *chaṭṭâʼâh*) identifies the purpose of this sacrifice: to cleanse and purify from defilement.
* **"and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house":** This clause specifies the action and the general location. The bullock is to be completely consumed by fire, symbolizing the thorough removal and destruction of the sin's defiling effects. The "appointed place" (Hebrew: *miphqâd*) indicates a designated, pre-ordained spot within the broader "house" (Hebrew: *bayith*), which refers to the entire temple complex or grounds. This implies a specific, perhaps ritually clean, area set aside for this purpose.
* **"without the sanctuary.":** This final phrase provides the crucial detail about the location of the burning. "Without" (Hebrew: *chûwts*) means outside or separate from. The "sanctuary" (Hebrew: *miqdâsh*) refers to the holy inner areas of the temple. Therefore, the carcass of the sin offering, which carried the defilement of sin, was to be taken away from the immediate presence of God's holiness and consumed by fire in a designated, external area, preventing any contamination of the sacred space.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 43:21 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the bullock itself symbolizes the burden of sin and defilement, while its complete consumption by fire represents the thorough removal and destruction of that impurity. The act of burning "without the sanctuary" is highly symbolic, emphasizing the absolute separation required between sin and God's holiness. This physical distance highlights a theological truth: sin cannot abide in God's presence. There is also an element of **Precision and Specificity** in the detailed instructions, which underscores the divine authority behind these commands and the meticulous nature of God's requirements for worship. This specificity, common throughout the temple vision, serves to impress upon the reader the gravity and order of sacred rituals.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 43:21 profoundly illustrates the biblical emphasis on God's unblemished holiness and the absolute necessity of purification for anything that approaches His presence. The burning of the sin offering outside the sanctuary signifies that sin, in its defiling nature, must be utterly removed and kept separate from the sacred. This ritualistic act foreshadows a deeper theological truth: humanity's inherent sinfulness creates an insurmountable barrier to fellowship with a holy God, necessitating a perfect and complete cleansing. The meticulous instructions for the altar's consecration, including this specific disposal of the sin offering, underscore that access to God is not casual but requires divine provision for purification.

* [Leviticus 4:11-12](/leviticus/4-11 "Leviticus 4:11-12 - Disposal of the Sin Offering")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Call to Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 43:21, though rooted in ancient sacrificial law, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It starkly reminds us of the defiling nature of sin and God's absolute holiness. Just as the physical temple required meticulous purification to be fit for God's presence, our lives, as spiritual temples (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), must strive for holiness and purity. This verse calls us to a deep awareness of sin's gravity and its separating effect from God. It also points us to the complete and decisive nature of God's provision for dealing with sin. We are called not to merely contain sin, but to utterly remove it from our lives, understanding that true worship flows from a purified heart. This pursuit of holiness is not by our own merit, but by embracing the perfect cleansing offered through Christ, allowing His sacrifice to transform us from within and empower us to live lives that reflect His purity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the burning of the sin offering "without the sanctuary" deepen your understanding of the gravity of sin and God's holiness?**
* **In what ways do you, as a believer, need to recognize and "burn" (i.e., decisively remove) sin from your life, preventing it from defiling your "sanctuary" (your heart and life before God)?**
* **How does this verse, highlighting the need for purification, increase your appreciation for the complete and final cleansing offered by Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why was the sin offering burned outside the sanctuary, and what is the significance of the "appointed place"?**

Answer: The burning of the sin offering outside the sanctuary, in an "appointed place," carried profound theological and practical significance. Theologically, it symbolized the complete removal and expulsion of sin's defilement. Unlike other offerings where parts were eaten by priests, the sin offering for the high priest or the entire congregation was considered to bear the full weight of the community's sin and uncleanness. Therefore, its carcass, now imbued with that defilement, could not remain within the holy precincts lest it contaminate God's dwelling place. Burning it outside ensured that the impurity was utterly consumed and removed from the presence of a holy God. This practice is consistent with earlier Mosaic Law, as seen in [Leviticus 4:11-12](/leviticus/4-11 "Leviticus 4:11-12 - Burning the Sin Offering Outside the Camp"), where such offerings were taken "outside the camp" to a clean place. The "appointed place" (Hebrew: *miphqâd*) emphasizes that this was not an arbitrary spot but a designated, ritually clean area within the broader temple complex, specifically set aside for this solemn act. This highlights God's meticulous order and the sacredness even of the disposal of sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 43:21, with its emphasis on the sin offering being burned "without the sanctuary" for purification, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sin offering, though effective for ceremonial cleansing, was a shadow of the perfect sacrifice to come. Just as the bullock was taken outside the holy place to be consumed, Jesus, our ultimate sin offering, "suffered outside the gate" of Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:11-12). This parallel is not coincidental; it powerfully demonstrates that Jesus bore the full defilement and curse of our sin, being cast out from the holy city, so that we might be purified and brought near to God. His blood, shed once for all, perfectly cleanses us from all sin and defilement, achieving what the repeated animal sacrifices could only foreshadow (Hebrews 9:12-14). Through His sacrifice, Jesus became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), not merely removing it to an "appointed place" outside, but utterly vanquishing its power and guilt, allowing us to enter God's presence with boldness (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 29:14

But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it [is] a sin offering.

Leviticus 4:12

Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt.

Leviticus 8:17

But the bullock, and his hide, his flesh, and his dung, he burnt with fire without the camp; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Hebrews 13:11

For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

Hebrews 13:12

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.