Ezekiel 43:22

Ezekiel 43:23

Ezekiel 43:24

When thou hast made an end of cleansing [it], thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish.

When thou hast made an end {H3615} of cleansing {H2398} it, thou shalt offer {H7126} a young {H1121}{H1241} bullock {H6499} without blemish {H8549}, and a ram {H352} out of the flock {H6629} without blemish {H8549}.

When you have finished purifying it, you are to offer a young bull without defect and a ram from the flock without defect.

When you have finished the purification, you are to present a young, unblemished bull and an unblemished ram from the flock.

When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish.

Ezekiel 43:23 is part of the prophet Ezekiel's detailed vision of a new temple, its rituals, and the restoration of God's presence among His people. This particular verse describes specific animal offerings required after the initial cleansing and purification of the altar within this visionary temple.

Context

This verse follows a series of intricate instructions given to Ezekiel regarding the dimensions, structure, and consecration of the new temple and its altar, as described from Ezekiel chapter 40 onwards. The preceding verses in Ezekiel 43:18-22 detail the seven-day process for purifying and consecrating the altar itself. Once this initial cleansing is completed ("When thou hast made an end of cleansing [it]"), the specific offerings mentioned in verse 23 are to be brought. This highlights the absolute necessity of purification before any sacred worship or service can commence in God's presence.

Key Themes

  • Purity and Consecration: The repeated emphasis on "without blemish" (Hebrew: tamim) for both the young bullock and the ram underscores the divine requirement for perfect, unblemished offerings in worship. This reflects God's absolute holiness and the need for sinless purity to approach Him.
  • Sacrifice and Atonement: While not explicitly called an atonement offering in this verse, these offerings are integral to the dedication process, which implicitly involves expiation for impurities. They foreshadow the ultimate perfect sacrifice.
  • Divine Order in Worship: God provides precise instructions for every aspect of worship, emphasizing that true devotion must follow His prescribed ways, not human invention. This detailed blueprint for the temple and its rituals establishes a clear divine order.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "without blemish" is a crucial recurring term in Old Testament sacrificial law. The Hebrew word is tamim, meaning "complete," "sound," "perfect," or "whole." It signifies not merely physical flawlessness but an integrity that makes the animal acceptable to God. This requirement was a constant reminder of God's perfect nature and the absolute purity needed to stand before Him, a standard no human could meet without divine provision.

Related Scriptures

The stringent requirement for animals "without blemish" points profoundly to the perfect nature of Christ, who is described as "a lamb without blemish and without spot" in 1 Peter 1:19. These Old Testament sacrifices, including those in Ezekiel's vision, served as types pointing to the once-for-all perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which fully atoned for sin, making further animal sacrifices unnecessary for believers under the new covenant.

Practical Application

While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principles in Ezekiel 43:23 remain relevant. The need for cleansing and purity before approaching God is paramount. Through Christ, we are made clean and righteous, allowing us to draw near with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). This verse also reminds us that our worship should be intentional, offered with integrity, and in accordance with God's revealed will. Our lives, as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), should strive for spiritual blamelessness, made possible by the grace of God through Christ.

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.

  • Exodus 29:1

    ¶ And this [is] the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish,

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