Ezekiel 45:23

And seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to the LORD, seven bullocks and seven rams without blemish daily the seven days; and a kid of the goats daily [for] a sin offering.

And seven {H7651} days {H3117} of the feast {H2282} he shall prepare {H6213} a burnt offering {H5930} to the LORD {H3068}, seven {H7651} bullocks {H6499} and seven {H7651} rams {H352} without blemish {H8549} daily {H3117} the seven {H7651} days {H3117}; and a kid {H8163} of the goats {H5795} daily {H3117} for a sin offering {H2403}.

On the seven days of the feast he is to provide a burnt offering for ADONAI, seven young bulls and seven rams without defect daily for the seven days, and a male goat daily as a sin offering.

Each day during the seven days of the feast, he shall provide seven bulls and seven rams without blemish as a burnt offering to the LORD, along with a male goat for a sin offering.

And the seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt-offering to Jehovah, seven bullocks and seven rams without blemish daily the seven days; and a he-goat daily for a sin-offering.

Ezekiel 45:23 provides precise instructions for the sacrifices to be offered during a significant feast within the visionary temple described by the prophet Ezekiel. This verse outlines specific daily offerings for seven days: seven bullocks and seven rams as burnt offerings, along with a kid of the goats for a sin offering, all to be "without blemish."

Context of Ezekiel 45:23

This verse is situated within a lengthy section of Ezekiel's prophecy (chapters 40-48) detailing an elaborate vision of a new temple, its ordinances, and the division of the land in a restored Israel. This vision follows the devastating news of the destruction of the first temple and the Babylonian exile, offering a profound message of hope, restoration, and the re-establishment of pure worship. Ezekiel 45 specifically outlines the land for the sanctuary, the city, and the prince, along with regulations for offerings and feasts. The "seven days of the feast" likely refers to the Feast of Tabernacles, a prominent annual festival, or perhaps an entirely new eschatological feast in the messianic era, emphasizing a renewed covenant relationship and meticulously ordered worship.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Purity and Perfection: The repeated phrase "without blemish" (Hebrew: tamim) for the animals underscores God's demand for absolute perfection and purity in worship and sacrifice. This mirrors the requirements for sacrifices in the Mosaic Law and ultimately points to the sinless perfection of Christ.
  • Abundance and Generosity: The large number of animals—"seven bullocks and seven rams daily"—signifies an extravagant and abundant level of devotion and worship. It speaks to a time of great blessing and an overflowing response of gratitude and dedication to God.
  • Total Dedication (Burnt Offering): The "burnt offering" (Hebrew: olah) was completely consumed on the altar, symbolizing total surrender and dedication to the Lord. It represented the worshipper's complete devotion and commitment.
  • Atonement and Sin Offering: The daily "kid of the goats for a sin offering" (Hebrew: chatta't) highlights the continuous need for purification from sin, even in a restored and sanctified community. It acknowledges humanity's ongoing propensity to fall short of God's glory.
  • Divine Order and Regulation: The meticulous detail in these instructions emphasizes that worship according to God's will is highly regulated and purposeful, not arbitrary.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "without blemish" (tamim) signifies wholeness, integrity, and perfection, essential qualities for any offering presented to a holy God.
  • The "burnt offering" (olah) literally means "that which goes up," referring to the smoke ascending to God, symbolizing complete devotion.
  • The "sin offering" (chatta't) was designed to make atonement for specific sins or ritual impurities, restoring the worshipper to a state of ceremonial cleanness before God.

Practical Application and Significance

While the literal sacrifices detailed in Ezekiel's vision point to a future (or past) temple worship, their spiritual principles remain profoundly relevant for believers today. These regulations foreshadow the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as these offerings provided temporary atonement and expressed devotion, Christ's death on the cross serves as the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice for sin (John 1:29). We are called to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1), characterized by:

  • Purity: Striving for holiness and a life "without blemish" in character and conduct.
  • Generosity: Offering our best to God in worship, service, and resources.
  • Complete Dedication: Living a life wholly devoted to Him, recognizing His ultimate ownership.
  • Acknowledging Sin: Humbly confessing our sins and relying on Christ's atonement for forgiveness and purification.

Ezekiel 45:23, therefore, is not merely an ancient ritualistic detail but a powerful reminder of God's demand for holy, abundant, and atoning worship, ultimately fulfilled and transformed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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 23:8

    But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day [is] an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work [therein].

  • Job 42:8

    Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you [after your] folly, in that ye have not spoken of me [the thing which is] right, like my servant Job.

  • Numbers 23:1

    ¶ And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.

  • Numbers 23:2

    And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on [every] altar a bullock and a ram.

  • Numbers 29:11

    One kid of the goats [for] a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings.

  • Numbers 29:38

    And one goat [for] a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.

  • Hebrews 10:8

    Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law;
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