Ezekiel 45:22

And upon that day shall the prince prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bullock [for] a sin offering.

And upon that day {H3117} shall the prince {H5387} prepare {H6213} for himself and for all the people {H5971} of the land {H776} a bullock {H6499} for a sin offering {H2403}.

On that day the prince will provide, for himself and for all the people of the land, a young bull as a sin offering.

On that day the prince shall provide a bull as a sin offering for himself and for all the people of the land.

And upon that day shall the prince prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bullock for a sin-offering.

Ezekiel 45:22 is part of a detailed prophetic vision given to the prophet Ezekiel concerning a restored temple, land, and system of worship in a future Israel. This particular verse focuses on the role of "the prince" in preparing a specific sacrifice.

Context of the Verse

This verse falls within Ezekiel chapters 40-48, which describe an elaborate blueprint for a new temple and its associated ordinances. The context immediately preceding Ezekiel 45:22 (specifically Ezekiel 45:21) indicates that "that day" refers to the Feast of the Passover and Unleavened Bread, which begins on the fourteenth day of the first month. The "prince" mentioned here is a civil leader within this envisioned future kingdom, distinct from the priestly line, yet holding significant responsibility for the spiritual well-being of the people and participating in the sacrificial system. Unlike the Messiah, this prince still needs to offer sacrifices for himself, indicating his humanity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Atonement and Cleansing: The central theme is the provision of a "sin offering" (Hebrew: chatta't), which was prescribed in the Mosaic Law for atonement for unintentional sins and for ritual purification. This highlights the persistent need for cleansing from sin, even in an idealized future state.
  • Leadership Responsibility: The verse emphasizes that the prince must prepare a sin offering "for himself and for all the people of the land." This underscores the accountability of leaders, who, despite their position, are not exempt from sin and the need for divine grace and atonement. Their spiritual state impacts the entire community.
  • Divine Order in Worship: The meticulous details of the sacrifices in Ezekiel's vision underscore God's desire for orderly, holy, and prescribed worship. Even in a future dispensation, the principles of acknowledging sin and seeking forgiveness remain paramount.

Linguistic Insights

The term "bullock" (Hebrew: par) refers to a young bull, which was a common and significant animal used for sin offerings, particularly for the high priest or the entire congregation under the old covenant (e.g., Leviticus 4:3, Leviticus 4:14). The phrase "sin offering" (Hebrew: chatta't) denotes a sacrifice specifically designed to address sin and its defilement, restoring the worshiper to a right relationship with God.

Practical Application and Significance

While the exact fulfillment of Ezekiel's temple vision is debated (whether literal, spiritual, or symbolic of the church), the underlying principles remain relevant. The verse points to the profound truth that humanity's need for atonement is constant. Even the prince, a leader in a seemingly ideal future, requires a sin offering for himself. This foreshadows and ultimately points to the perfect and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Unlike the repeated animal sacrifices of the Old Testament and those described in Ezekiel's vision, Christ's death on the cross was a "once for all" sin offering, sufficient for all humanity's sins (Hebrews 9:26). Our cleansing and forgiveness today come through faith in His finished work, not through animal sacrifices.

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.

  • Leviticus 4:14

    When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation.

  • Matthew 26:26

    ¶ And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed [it], and brake [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

  • Matthew 26:28

    For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • Matthew 20:28

    Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
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