Ezekiel 45:22

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 45:22 details a specific sacrificial duty of the prince in the visionary temple described by Ezekiel. On the day of the Passover feast, the prince is mandated to provide a bullock as a sin offering, not only for himself but also for all the people of the land. This act underscores the persistent need for atonement and purification, even within an idealized future religious and societal structure, highlighting the accountability of leadership and the communal nature of worship and sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 45:22 is situated within the extensive vision of the new temple and land distribution found in Ezekiel chapters 40-48. This section provides meticulous details regarding the temple's structure, the duties of the priests, the allocation of sacred land, and the regulations for worship and offerings. Specifically, verses 18-25 of chapter 45 outline the prescribed offerings for the annual feasts, particularly the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The immediately preceding verse, [Ezekiel 45:21](/ezekiel/45-21 "Ezekiel 45:21 - Passover Regulations"), sets the stage by identifying "that day" as the fourteenth day of the first month, the beginning of the Passover, thereby providing the precise temporal context for the prince's action. The subsequent verses continue to detail the offerings for the seven days of the feast, reinforcing the structured and divinely ordained nature of this future worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Ezekiel was written during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), a period of profound national trauma for Israel. The destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem and the cessation of regular sacrificial worship left the exiles longing for restoration and a renewed relationship with God. Ezekiel's elaborate vision of a new temple and its ordinances served as a powerful message of hope, promising a future where God's presence would dwell among His people once more, and proper worship would be re-established. The sacrificial system described, including the sin offering, draws heavily from the Mosaic Law found in books like [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws and Offerings"), but it presents a modified, idealized version, suggesting a purification and perfection of the covenant relationship. The concept of a "prince" (Hebrew: _nasi_) as a civil leader, distinct from the priestly line (the Zadokites), yet integral to the religious life of the community, reflects an idealized leadership structure where both spiritual and temporal authority are aligned with divine will, avoiding the corruptions that plagued past kings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Ezekiel's prophecy. First, it highlights the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing that even in a restored, idealized community, the need for atonement for sin persists. The sin offering (Hebrew: _chaṭṭâʼâh_) is central to maintaining ritual and moral purity before a holy God, a concept deeply ingrained throughout the Mosaic Law, as seen in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - The Sin Offering"). Second, the verse underscores **Leadership Responsibility and Accountability**. The prince, as the highest civil authority, is not exempt from the need for atonement; he must offer a sacrifice for himself, demonstrating that no one, regardless of status, is above the need for divine grace. This contrasts sharply with the failures of past kings who often led the people into sin. Third, the meticulous detail of the offering reinforces the theme of **Divine Order and Prescribed Worship**. God's desire for worship to be conducted according to His specific instructions is paramount, ensuring that all acts of devotion are acceptable and effective. This vision provides a blueprint for a future where the divine-human relationship is perfectly ordered and maintained through proper observance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sin offering (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** This term refers to an offering specifically designed to atone for sin, whether intentional or unintentional, and to purify from ritual defilement. It encompasses the offense itself, its penalty, and the means of expiation. In the context of the Mosaic Law, the _chaṭṭâʼâh_ was crucial for restoring an individual or community to a right standing with God after a transgression, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the necessity of divine provision for its removal.
* **prince (Hebrew, _nâsîyʼ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be exalted," this term denotes an exalted one, a leader, or a ruler. In Ezekiel's vision, the _nâsîyʼ_ is a prominent civil leader, distinct from the priestly lineage but possessing significant responsibilities in the religious life of the community, including the provision of sacrifices. Unlike the kings of the past, this prince is portrayed as righteous and obedient to God's ordinances, acting as a steward of the people's spiritual well-being rather than a source of corruption.
* **prepare (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This versatile verb means "to do" or "to make" in its broadest sense. In this context, it signifies the act of providing, performing, or executing the required sacrifice. The prince's active role in "preparing" the bullock highlights his direct involvement and responsibility in facilitating the atonement for himself and the people, underscoring his administrative and spiritual leadership.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And upon that day":** This phrase specifically refers to the fourteenth day of the first month, the day of the Passover feast, as established in [Ezekiel 45:21](/ezekiel/45-21 "Ezekiel 45:21 - Passover Regulations"). It grounds the prince's action within a precise liturgical calendar, underscoring the ordered and timely nature of the future worship.
* **"shall the prince prepare for himself":** This clause emphasizes the personal accountability of the prince. Despite his high office, he is not exempt from sin and the need for atonement. His act of preparing an offering for himself signifies his own dependence on God's grace and his humility before divine law.
* **"and for all the people of the land":** This expands the scope of the prince's responsibility. His leadership extends to ensuring the spiritual well-being of the entire community. By providing a sin offering for the people, he acts as a representative figure, facilitating their collective purification and reconciliation with God.
* **"a bullock [for] a sin offering":** This specifies the nature and purpose of the sacrifice. A "bullock" (Hebrew: _par_) was a significant and costly animal, often used for major sin offerings, particularly for the high priest or the entire congregation in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 4:3](/leviticus/4-3 "Leviticus 4:3 - Sin Offering for a Priest")). Its designation as a "sin offering" (Hebrew: _chaṭṭâʼâh_) clearly identifies its function as an expiatory sacrifice for the removal of sin and defilement.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 45:22 employs several literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is **Symbolism**, where the "bullock" and the "sin offering" symbolize the ongoing necessity of atonement for sin, even in an idealized future. The very act of sacrifice, a central element of Old Testament worship, serves as a powerful symbol of the cost of sin and the divine provision for reconciliation. The role of "the prince" is also **Symbolic**, representing not just an individual leader but the ideal, righteous leadership that God desires for His people, a leadership that acknowledges its own sinfulness and takes responsibility for the spiritual welfare of the community. Furthermore, the meticulous detail of the vision, including this verse, functions as **Prophetic Blueprint**, outlining God's future intentions for His people and their worship. This detailed imagery serves to instill hope and provide a tangible vision of restoration to a people in exile, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 45:22 powerfully reiterates the enduring theological truth of humanity's inherent sinfulness and the constant need for divine provision for atonement. Even in an idealized future state, where a righteous prince leads a restored people, the necessity of a sin offering demonstrates that sin's defilement is a persistent reality that requires a divinely appointed remedy. This highlights God's unwavering standard of holiness and His gracious provision for His people to draw near to Him despite their imperfections. The prince's dual responsibility—for himself and for the people—also underscores the theological principle of corporate solidarity and the profound impact of leadership on the spiritual health of a community.

* [Leviticus 4:13-14](/leviticus/4-13 "Leviticus 4:13-14 - Sin Offering for the Congregation")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Forgiveness")
* [Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23-24 - All Have Sinned and Are Justified by Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 45:22, though set in a visionary context, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that sin is a pervasive reality, requiring constant acknowledgment and a divine remedy. Even the most righteous leaders and communities are not exempt from this truth. For us, this means cultivating a humble awareness of our own need for forgiveness and purification, recognizing that our standing before God is not based on our own merit but on His gracious provision. It also calls us to prayer for our leaders, both spiritual and secular, recognizing the weighty responsibility they bear and their own need for God's grace and guidance. Furthermore, the communal aspect of the sin offering encourages us to consider our interconnectedness within the body of Christ, understanding that our individual spiritual health impacts the whole, and that we are called to bear one another's burdens and pray for one another's purity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the prince's need for a sin offering for himself challenge our understanding of leadership and personal accountability?**
* **In what ways do we, as individuals and as a community, still need to acknowledge our sin and seek God's cleansing today?**
* **What does the meticulous nature of the sacrificial system in Ezekiel's vision teach us about God's desire for order and intentionality in our worship and spiritual lives?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "prince" in Ezekiel's vision, and is he the Messiah?**

Answer: The "prince" (Hebrew: _nâsîyʼ_) in Ezekiel's vision (chapters 40-48) is a civil leader who plays a crucial role in the administration of the restored temple and land. He is distinct from the priestly line (the Zadokites) and, importantly, still needs to offer sacrifices for himself, as seen in [Ezekiel 45:22](/ezekiel/45-22 "Ezekiel 45:22 - The Prince's Sin Offering"). This detail clearly indicates that he is not the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who was without sin and offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). The prince represents an idealized, righteous human leader in a future, restored Israel, demonstrating proper submission to God's laws and responsibility for the people's spiritual well-being. His role emphasizes the ongoing need for atonement even in an ideal human society.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 45:22, with its focus on the prince's provision of a bullock for a sin offering for himself and the people, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The repeated, animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant, and those envisioned in Ezekiel's temple, were inherently limited, serving as a constant reminder of sin and a temporary covering, as [Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices") states that "it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." These offerings, including the bullock for a sin offering, were shadows pointing to the coming reality. Jesus, as the perfect [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), entered once for all into the holy places, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). Unlike the prince in Ezekiel's vision, who needed to offer a sacrifice for himself because of his own sin, Jesus was "without sin" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")) and offered Himself as the spotless, perfect sacrifice, "a propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" ([1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Christ's Propitiation for All")). Thus, the constant need for a sin offering, so vividly portrayed in Ezekiel, is fully and finally met in Christ's singular, sufficient, and eternal sacrifice on the cross, making all subsequent animal sacrifices obsolete ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Once-for-All 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

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.