Ezekiel 45:17

And it shall be the prince's part [to give] burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.

And it shall be the prince's part {H5387} to give burnt offerings {H5930}, and meat offerings {H4503}, and drink offerings {H5262}, in the feasts {H2282}, and in the new moons {H2320}, and in the sabbaths {H7676}, in all solemnities {H4150} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}: he shall prepare {H6213} the sin offering {H2403}, and the meat offering {H4503}, and the burnt offering {H5930}, and the peace offerings {H8002}, to make reconciliation {H3722} for the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}.

The prince's obligation will be to present the burnt offerings, grain offerings and drink offerings at the feasts, on Rosh-Hodesh, and on Shabbat - at all the designated times of the house of Isra'el. He is to prepare the sin offerings, grain offerings, burnt offerings and peace offerings to make atonement for the house of Isra'el.'

And it shall be the prince’s part to provide the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings for the feasts, New Moons, and Sabbaths—for all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel. He will provide the sin offerings, grain offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings to make atonement for the house of Israel.

And it shall be the prince’s part to give the burnt-offerings, and the meal-offerings, and the drink-offerings, in the feasts, and on the new moons, and on the sabbaths, in all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin-offering, and the meal-offering, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings, to make atonement for the house of Israel.

Commentary on Ezekiel 45:17 (KJV)

Ezekiel 45:17 details the responsibilities of "the prince" in the visionary temple described by the prophet Ezekiel. This passage is part of Ezekiel's extensive vision of a restored temple and land, given to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. It outlines the administration and spiritual duties within a future, idealized Israel.

Context

The book of Ezekiel, particularly chapters 40-48, presents a detailed prophetic vision of a new temple, a reorganized priesthood, and a redistributed land. This vision was given to the Israelites during their Babylonian captivity, offering hope and a blueprint for a future, restored relationship with God. The "prince" mentioned here (Hebrew: nasi, meaning 'chief' or 'leader') is a civic leader, distinct from the priestly class, yet integral to the functioning of the temple worship. His role is to provide the necessary materials for the various offerings, ensuring that the prescribed worship can take place.

Key Themes

  • Orderly Worship: The verse emphasizes the meticulous provision for sacrifices during specific times: "the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths." This highlights God's desire for structured, regular, and dedicated worship from His people.
  • Leadership Responsibility: The prince's role is not to perform the sacrifices himself (that's the priests' duty), but to facilitate them by providing the animals and elements. This underscores the importance of leadership in ensuring the spiritual well-being and reconciliation of the community.
  • Continuity of Atonement: The mention of "sin offering... to make reconciliation for the house of Israel" indicates that even in this future, idealized state, there is still a recognition of humanity's need for atonement and divine covering for sin. This points to the ongoing need for God's grace and forgiveness.
  • Symbolism of Offerings: The various offerings listed – burnt offerings (dedication), meat/grain offerings (sustenance, thanksgiving), drink offerings (devotion), sin offerings (atonement), and peace offerings (fellowship) – echo the requirements laid out in the Mosaic Law concerning burnt offerings, meat offerings (grain offerings), and peace offerings.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "prince" is nasi (נָשִׂיא), which can refer to a chieftain, leader, or exalted one. It is distinct from melek (מֶלֶךְ), which means 'king'. This distinction suggests a leader under God's ultimate sovereignty, perhaps reflecting a different form of governance in the future Messianic age. The phrase "make reconciliation" comes from the Hebrew root kaphar (כָּפַר), meaning 'to cover', 'to purge', or 'to make atonement'. It speaks to the process of cleansing and restoring relationship between God and His people.

Practical Application

While the detailed instructions for the temple in Ezekiel are largely symbolic and point to a future spiritual reality, this verse offers valuable lessons:

  • Facilitating Worship: Leaders in any community, whether spiritual or civic, have a responsibility to create environments that encourage and enable worship. This involves providing resources, maintaining order, and fostering a spirit of reverence.
  • The Need for Reconciliation: The continued emphasis on sin offerings reminds us of the persistent reality of sin and the constant need for God's forgiveness. For Christians, this points to the ultimate and perfect sacrifice for reconciliation through Jesus Christ, who is our true and eternal high priest.
  • Spiritual Sacrifices: Though animal sacrifices are no longer required under the New Covenant, believers are called to offer spiritual sacrifices: lives of worship, praise, service, and obedience (Romans 12:1, Hebrews 13:15).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Chronicles 31:3

    [He appointed] also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, [to wit], for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as [it is] written in the law of the LORD.

  • Isaiah 66:23

    And it shall come to pass, [that] from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 46:4

    And the burnt offering that the prince shall offer unto the LORD in the sabbath day [shall be] six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish.

  • Ezekiel 46:12

    Now when the prince shall prepare a voluntary burnt offering or peace offerings voluntarily unto the LORD, [one] shall then open him the gate that looketh toward the east, and he shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, as he did on the sabbath day: then he shall go forth; and after his going forth [one] shall shut the gate.

  • Ezekiel 43:27

    And when these days are expired, it shall be, [that] upon the eighth day, and [so] forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.

  • 1 Kings 8:63

    And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.

  • 1 Kings 8:64

    The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that [was] before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that [was] before the LORD [was] too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.

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