Ezekiel 43:22

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And on the second {H8145} day {H3117} thou shalt offer {H7126} a kid {H8163} of the goats {H5795} without blemish {H8549} for a sin offering {H2403}; and they shall cleanse {H2398} the altar {H4196}, as they did cleanse {H2398} it with the bullock {H6499}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the second day you are to offer a male goat without defect as a sin offering, and they are to purify the altar as they purified it with the bull.

Berean Standard Bible

On the second day you are to present an unblemished male goat as a sin offering, and the altar is to be cleansed as it was with the bull.

American Standard Version

And on the second day thou shalt offer a he-goat without blemish for a sin-offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 43:22 details a crucial step in the consecration of the visionary temple's altar, specifically prescribing the offering of an unblemished kid of the goats for a sin offering on the second day of an eight-day purification ritual. This act of sacrifice and subsequent cleansing was essential to prepare the altar for its sacred purpose, emphasizing God's demand for holiness and purity in all aspects of worship, particularly in the presence of His returned glory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Ezekiel's grand vision of a new temple, its ordinances, and the restoration of God's presence to Israel, spanning chapters 40-48. Following the dramatic return of the glory of the Lord to the temple in [Ezekiel 43:1-5](/ezekiel/43-1 "Ezekiel 43:1-5 - The Return of God's Glory"), the narrative shifts to the precise instructions for the temple's consecration and the sacrificial system that will operate within it. Chapters [Ezekiel 43:18-27](/ezekiel/43-18 "Ezekiel 43:18-27 - Consecration of the Altar") specifically outline an eight-day ritual for purifying and consecrating the altar, a central fixture for worship. Ezekiel 43:22 specifies the offering for the second day, demonstrating the meticulous nature of the divine blueprint for worship and the profound emphasis on purification before the altar could be used for regular offerings.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel received these visions during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC), a period of profound national trauma for Israel. The destruction of the first temple and the cessation of its sacrificial system left the people without their primary means of worship and atonement. In this context, Ezekiel's detailed vision of a new temple and its rituals served as a powerful message of hope, restoration, and God's enduring covenant faithfulness. The specific instructions for sin offerings and altar cleansing would have resonated deeply with the exiles, recalling the Mosaic Law's emphasis on purity and atonement (e.g., [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")). The concept of an "unblemished" sacrifice was a well-established cultural and religious norm, signifying the offering's perfection and suitability for a holy God.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching themes in Ezekiel 43:22 and its surrounding context include **Holiness and Purity**, as evidenced by the repeated cleansing rituals and the requirement for unblemished sacrifices. This underscores God's absolute demand for a consecrated space and people in His presence, a theme prevalent throughout the entire book of [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/1 "The Book of Ezekiel"). Another key theme is **Atonement and Cleansing**, highlighted by the "sin offering" (Hebrew: *chaṭṭâʼâh*), which addresses the pervasive reality of sin and the need for divine provision to deal with it. The meticulous detail in the instructions also emphasizes **Divine Order and Authority**, revealing God's precise will for worship, contrasting with human innovation. Finally, the entire process points to **Preparation for God's Presence**, ensuring that the sacred space is fit for the Lord's indwelling glory, which had dramatically returned to the temple in [Ezekiel 43:4](/ezekiel/43-4 "Ezekiel 43:4 - God's Glory Enters the Temple").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term). In this context, it refers to the literal second day of the prescribed eight-day consecration ceremony for the altar, emphasizing the specific timing of this particular offering.
* **sin offering (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** From *châṭâʼ*; an offense (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation. Here, it specifically denotes the animal sacrifice made to atone for sin and purify from defilement, indicating the purpose of the kid of the goats on this second day was to cleanse the altar from any impurity that would render it unfit for God's holy presence.
* **cleanse (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn; bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass. In this context, the verb "cleanse" (related to the noun "sin offering") signifies the ritual purification of the altar, removing any defilement or impurity, thereby making it acceptable for sacred use. The use of this root highlights that the act of cleansing is directly related to the concept of sin and its expiation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering":** This clause specifies the exact nature and timing of the sacrifice required. "On the second day" indicates the precise point in the eight-day consecration ritual. The "kid of the goats without blemish" denotes a young male goat, required to be physically perfect and unblemished, symbolizing the ideal and acceptable nature of the offering. This particular animal is designated "for a sin offering," meaning its purpose is to ritually cleanse and purify, addressing any inherent or accrued defilement.
* **"and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse [it] with the bullock":** This clause describes the action to be performed with the offering and refers back to the previous day's ritual. The "they" refers to the priests who administer the ceremony. The act of "cleansing the altar" involves applying the blood of the sin offering to the altar, ritually purifying it. The phrase "as they did cleanse [it] with the bullock" explicitly links this day's cleansing to the ritual performed on the first day, where a bullock was offered for a sin offering [Ezekiel 43:21](/ezekiel/43-21 "Ezekiel 43:21 - First Day's Sin Offering"). This repetition underscores the thoroughness and consistency of the purification process, emphasizing that the altar requires multiple acts of cleansing to be fully consecrated.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 43:22 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Repetition** is evident in the repeated emphasis on "cleansing the altar," reinforcing the critical importance of purification in preparing a holy space for God's dwelling. The phrase "as they did cleanse [it] with the bullock" serves as a **Chiasm** or **Parallelism** by creating a direct comparison and continuity with the previous day's ritual, linking the two cleansing acts. The "kid of the goats without blemish" functions as **Symbolism**, representing the ideal, perfect sacrifice required for atonement and purity, a concept deeply rooted in Old Testament sacrificial law. This symbolic animal, along with the bullock, also serves as a **Type**, foreshadowing a greater, ultimate sacrifice to come. The meticulous detail in the instructions (e.g., "second day," "kid of the goats," "without blemish") also highlights **Precision** and **Divine Order**, reflecting the exactitude of God's will and the seriousness with which His commands for worship are to be observed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 43:22, with its emphasis on sin offerings and altar cleansing, powerfully reiterates the biblical truth that sin necessitates atonement and that holiness is indispensable for communion with God. The need for repeated purification, even for a divinely designed altar, underscores the pervasive nature of sin and the meticulous measures God requires to bridge the gap between His perfect holiness and humanity's impurity. This ritualistic cleansing was not merely symbolic; it was a necessary step to make the sacred space fit for the re-indwelling glory of the Lord, demonstrating that God's presence demands absolute purity. The unblemished nature of the sacrifice also points to the ideal, perfect offering required to truly deal with sin.

* [Leviticus 4:22-26](/leviticus/4-22 "Leviticus 4:22-26 - Sin Offering for a Leader") - Details the specific requirements for a sin offering for a leader, often involving a male goat "without blemish," highlighting the established practice of such offerings in the Mosaic Law.
* [Exodus 29:36-37](/exodus/29-36 "Exodus 29:36-37 - Consecration of the Tabernacle Altar") - Describes a seven-day consecration ritual for the tabernacle altar, involving daily sin offerings to "purge the altar" and "sanctify it," demonstrating the enduring principle of altar purification.
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood") - States that "without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness," a foundational principle that the Old Testament sin offerings, including those in Ezekiel's vision, vividly illustrate.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 43:22, though set in a visionary temple context, offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us of the absolute holiness of God and His unwavering demand for purity in the presence of His glory. The meticulous nature of the cleansing rituals underscores the gravity of sin and the meticulous measures God takes to address it. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principle remains: approaching God requires purity. This calls us to a life of confession, repentance, and reliance on the perfect cleansing offered through Christ. It also challenges us to consider our own "altars"—our hearts, our homes, our churches—and whether they are consecrated and purified for God's glory. Our worship, our service, and our very lives should reflect the "without blemish" standard, presented as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of God's instructions for the altar's cleansing challenge my understanding of His holiness and the seriousness of sin?**
* **In what ways do I need to "cleanse my altar"—my personal life, my motives, my relationships—to be more fully consecrated to God's presence?**
* **How does the Old Testament emphasis on "unblemished" sacrifices deepen my appreciation for the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why was the altar, a sacred object, in need of cleansing?**

Answer: The altar, though designated for sacred use, was situated in a world tainted by sin and was operated by sinful priests. While the altar itself was consecrated, it could become ritually defiled through various means, or it needed to be purified to establish its holiness before its first use. The repeated sin offerings and cleansing rituals, as seen in [Ezekiel 43:20-27](/ezekiel/43-20 "Ezekiel 43:20-27 - Rituals for Altar Consecration"), were not about the altar being inherently sinful, but about its purification and consecration to make it supremely holy and fit to mediate between a holy God and His people. This process ensured that the very space where atonement was made was itself set apart and made pure for God's glory. This concept is consistent with the cleansing rituals for the Tabernacle altar in [Exodus 29:36-37](/exodus/29-36 "Exodus 29:36-37 - Consecration of the Tabernacle Altar").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 43:22, with its vivid depiction of an unblemished sin offering for altar cleansing, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The repeated sacrifices of "kid of the goats" and "bullocks" in Ezekiel's vision, like all Old Testament sacrifices, were but shadows pointing to the one, final, and sufficient sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus, as the [perfect and unblemished Lamb](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Christ, the Unblemished Lamb"), offered Himself once for all, not needing to be cleansed or offered repeatedly. His blood did not merely cleanse an altar of stone but purifies our consciences from dead works to serve the living God, as powerfully articulated in [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience"). The cleansing of the altar in Ezekiel foreshadows the profound spiritual cleansing and consecration that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes for His people, making us holy and acceptable to God. Through Him, we are made a [holy priesthood](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Holy Priesthood"), able to draw near to God with confidence, for our "altar" (our hearts, our lives) has been eternally cleansed and consecrated by His perfect work, ushering in a new covenant where the need for animal sacrifices is forever abolished ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice")).

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

Ezekiel 43:25

Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat [for] a sin offering: they shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish.

Ezekiel 43:26

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

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.

Isaiah 53:10

¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Leviticus 8:18

And he brought the ram for the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.

Leviticus 8:21

And he washed the inwards and the legs in water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it [was] a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savour, [and] an offering made by fire unto the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.