Ezekiel 43:24

KJV

And thou shalt offer them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up [for] a burnt offering unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt offer {H7126} them before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, and the priests {H3548} shall cast {H7993} salt {H4417} upon them, and they shall offer them up {H5927} for a burnt offering {H5930} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are to present them before ADONAI, and the cohanim will throw salt on them and offer them as a burnt offering to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

You must present them before the LORD; the priests are to sprinkle salt on them and sacrifice them as a burnt offering to the LORD.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt bring them near before Jehovah, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt-offering unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 43:24 details a specific instruction within the prophet's vision of a new temple and its sacrificial system, focusing on the preparation of the burnt offering. This verse mandates that priests present the offerings before the Lord, specifically requiring them to apply salt to the sacrifices before they are completely consumed by fire. This seemingly minor detail underscores profound theological principles concerning purification, covenant fidelity, and the absolute dedication required in worship, serving as a vital component in the consecration and ongoing service of the envisioned sanctuary.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a lengthy and detailed prophetic vision given to Ezekiel, spanning chapters 40-48. Following the destruction of Solomon's Temple and the Babylonian exile, this vision describes an elaborate, ideal temple, its architecture, and its intricate ceremonial ordinances. Chapter 43 specifically focuses on the glorious return of the Lord to this temple and the subsequent instructions for the altar's dedication and ongoing sacrificial rites. Verses 18-27 outline the seven-day consecration of the altar, involving specific sin offerings and burnt offerings. Ezekiel 43:24, therefore, is a precise instruction for the preparation of these foundational offerings, emphasizing the meticulousness required for worship in the presence of God's manifest glory. It follows instructions for the daily offerings of a young bull and a goat for a sin offering, preceding the general statement about the priests' role in presenting offerings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel received this vision while in exile in Babylon, a period of deep despair for the Jewish people who had lost their temple, their land, and their perceived direct access to God. The detailed instructions for a new temple served as a powerful message of hope, restoration, and God's enduring covenant faithfulness. Sacrifices were central to ancient Israelite worship, serving as means of atonement, communion, and dedication. The use of salt in offerings was not unique to Ezekiel's vision but was a longstanding tradition rooted in Mosaic law, symbolizing preservation, purification, and the enduring nature of covenants. The priestly class, specifically the Zadokite priests mentioned earlier in the vision (e.g., [Ezekiel 40:46](/ezekiel/40-46 "Ezekiel 40:46 - Priests of Zadok")), held a crucial role in mediating between God and the people, performing these sacred rites with precision and holiness.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 43:24 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and the broader biblical narrative. The meticulous instructions for the temple and its rituals highlight God's **holiness and transcendence**, emphasizing that His presence demands absolute purity and adherence to divine ordinances. The act of offering a **burnt offering** (`'olah`) symbolizes complete dedication and atonement, where the entire sacrifice is consumed, signifying total surrender to the Lord. The inclusion of salt reinforces the theme of **covenant fidelity and permanence**, as salt was a symbol of an unbreakable agreement (e.g., the "covenant of salt" mentioned in [Numbers 18:19](/numbers/18-19 "Numbers 18:19 - The Covenant of Salt with the Levites")). Furthermore, the vision's emphasis on the proper functioning of the priesthood underscores the theme of **restoration and renewed worship** for a future, purified Israel, where God's glory would once again dwell among His people, as seen in [Ezekiel 43:1-5](/ezekiel/43-1 "Ezekiel 43:1-5 - The Glory of the Lord Enters the Temple")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, "the self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This refers to the covenant God of Israel, Yahweh. The repetition of "unto the LORD" in the verse emphasizes that the entire sacrificial act, from preparation to consumption, is directed toward and for the glory of the sovereign God, highlighting His ultimate authority and the sacredness of the worship.
* **priests (Hebrew, _kôhên'_):** From H3548, "literally one officiating, a priest." This term denotes the specific individuals consecrated to mediate between God and humanity through prescribed rituals. In Ezekiel's vision, the priests, particularly those of the Zadokite line, are given precise instructions, underscoring their unique and indispensable role in maintaining the sanctity of the temple and ensuring worship is conducted according to divine command.
* **salt (Hebrew, _melach'_):** From H4417, "properly, powder, i.e. (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)." Beyond its culinary use, salt in biblical contexts held profound symbolic meaning. It was known for its preserving qualities, symbolizing incorruptibility, purity, and permanence. Its application to offerings signifies the enduring nature of the covenant between God and His people, and the need for purity and faithfulness in all acts of worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt offer them before the LORD":** This initial clause establishes the divine command given to the prophet Ezekiel, who is relaying God's instructions for the temple's operation. "Them" refers to the offerings, specifically the burnt offerings mentioned later in the verse and in the surrounding context. The phrase "before the LORD" signifies that these offerings are presented in God's immediate presence, underscoring the sacredness and solemnity of the act and the divine recipient of the worship.
* **"and the priests shall cast salt upon them":** This is the core instruction of the verse, detailing a specific action required of the priests. The act of "casting salt" implies a thorough and deliberate application, not merely a sprinkling. This ritualistic use of salt is deeply symbolic, pointing to the need for purification, preservation, and the enduring nature of the covenant in all worship. It ensures the offering is acceptable and consecrated.
* **"and they shall offer them up [for] a burnt offering unto the LORD":** This concluding clause reiterates the purpose and nature of the sacrifice. The "burnt offering" (`'olah` in Hebrew) was unique in that the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing a complete and total dedication or surrender to God, as well as atonement. The repetition of "unto the LORD" reinforces that the entire process, from preparation to consumption, is solely for the honor and acceptance of God.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 43:24 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is prominent, most notably through the use of **salt**. Salt, known for its preserving qualities, symbolizes purity, permanence, and the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people. Its application to the burnt offering imbues the sacrifice with these qualities, signifying an incorruptible and lasting dedication. The **burnt offering** itself is a powerful **symbol** of complete surrender and atonement, where the totality of the sacrifice speaks to the totality of devotion. The verse also exhibits **Prescriptive Language**, characteristic of legal and ritual texts, with direct commands ("thou shalt offer," "shall cast") that emphasize the divine authority behind these ordinances and the precise adherence required. Furthermore, the repetition of "unto the LORD" at the beginning and end of the verse creates a **Literary Frame** or **Inclusio**, emphasizing that the entire act of offering is consecrated to and centered on God, reinforcing His sovereignty as the ultimate recipient of worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 43:24, with its specific instruction for salt on the burnt offering, connects deeply to the broader biblical theology of worship, covenant, and purity. The requirement of salt, a symbol of preservation and purity, underscores the unchanging nature of God's covenant and His demand for unblemished worship. This echoes the Mosaic Law, where salt was mandated for all grain offerings and explicitly linked to the "covenant of thy God," signifying an enduring and incorruptible agreement. The burnt offering, representing complete dedication and atonement, is thus consecrated with an element that speaks to the permanence and purity of the relationship between God and His worshipers. This highlights that true worship is not fleeting or superficial but is rooted in a steadfast commitment to a holy God.

* [Leviticus 2:13](/leviticus/2-13 "Leviticus 2:13 - Salt of the Covenant")
* [Numbers 18:19](/numbers/18-19 "Numbers 18:19 - A Covenant of Salt")
* [2 Chronicles 13:5](/2_chronicles/13-5 "2 Chronicles 13:5 - God's Covenant with David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific sacrificial system of the Old Covenant has been fulfilled in Christ, the principles embedded in Ezekiel 43:24 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. The command to offer sacrifices "before the LORD" with salt teaches us that our worship, our lives, and our service must be presented with intentionality, purity, and a lasting commitment. Just as the salt preserved and consecrated the ancient offerings, so too are we called to live lives marked by holiness and an enduring faith that resists corruption. Our dedication to God should be total, reflecting the complete surrender symbolized by the burnt offering. This verse challenges us to examine the quality of our devotion: Is it pure? Is it lasting? Is it truly offered wholly to the Lord, or are there reservations? It calls us to a worship that is not merely external ritual but an internal posture of complete surrender and faithfulness, sanctified by the Spirit and offered in truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways can I ensure my worship and service are truly "before the LORD" and not merely for human approval?**
* **How does the symbolism of salt—purity and permanence—challenge me to live a life of enduring commitment to God, free from spiritual corruption?**
* **What does "complete dedication" (as symbolized by the burnt offering) look like in my daily life and walk with Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why was salt specifically required for offerings in the Old Testament?**

Answer: Salt was required for offerings, as seen in Ezekiel 43:24 and earlier Mosaic law (e.g., [Leviticus 2:13](/leviticus/2-13 "Leviticus 2:13 - Salt in Grain Offerings")), for several significant symbolic reasons. Primarily, salt was known for its preserving qualities, making it a powerful symbol of incorruptibility and permanence. When applied to offerings, it signified that the covenant between God and His people was enduring and unbreakable, often referred to as a "covenant of salt" (e.g., [Numbers 18:19](/numbers/18-19 "Numbers 18:19 - A Perpetual Covenant")). It also symbolized purity and faithfulness, ensuring that the offering was acceptable to a holy God and that the worshipers' commitment was sincere and lasting.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 43:24, with its meticulous instructions for the burnt offering consecrated by salt, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the burnt offering, was a shadow pointing to the perfect and final sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus offered Himself as the [perfect burnt offering](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice"), a complete and total surrender to God's will, consumed not by physical fire but by the fiery holiness of God's justice and love on the cross. He was the unblemished sacrifice, fulfilling the requirement of purity symbolized by the salt. His sacrifice was not merely pure but also permanent, establishing an [everlasting covenant](/hebrews/13-20 "Hebrews 13:20 - The Everlasting Covenant") that requires no further offerings, unlike the temporary sacrifices of the Old Covenant (as detailed in [Hebrews 10:1-18](/hebrews/10 "Hebrews 10 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through His one-time, perfect offering, Christ has made those who believe eternally holy and acceptable "before the LORD," enabling us to draw near to God with confidence, not through animal sacrifices, but through the [blood of Jesus](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Access to God through Christ's Blood")).

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

Leviticus 2:13

And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.

Mark 9:49

For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Mark 9:50

Salt [is] good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Numbers 18:19

All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it [is] a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.

2 Chronicles 13:5

Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, [even] to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?

Matthew 5:13

¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.