Ezekiel 45:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 45:23 meticulously details the sacrificial regulations for a significant, seven-day feast within the prophet's visionary temple. It prescribes a daily offering of seven unblemished bullocks and seven unblemished rams as burnt offerings to the LORD, alongside a daily unblemished kid of the goats for a sin offering. This precise instruction underscores the paramount importance of pure, abundant, and atonement-focused worship in the restored community, reflecting God's holy character and His desire for complete devotion and purification among His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 45:23 is situated within the grand visionary section of Ezekiel's prophecy, specifically chapters 40-48, which describe a new temple, its ordinances, and the re-allotment of the land to a restored Israel. This particular verse falls within a segment (Ezekiel 45:18-25) that outlines the prince's role in providing offerings for the annual feasts, following the establishment of the holy portions for the sanctuary, the city, and the prince in earlier verses of the chapter. The immediate verses (Ezekiel 45:21-25) detail the specific offerings for the Passover feast and the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), with verse 23 focusing on the latter, which is described as a seven-day feast. This precise legalistic detail provides a stark contrast to the previous chapters of judgment and destruction, painting a picture of future restoration and meticulously ordered worship in the presence of God.
* **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 following the destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple in 586 BC. The people were grappling with the loss of their land, their temple, and their sense of identity as God's chosen people. In this context, Ezekiel's vision of a new temple and its elaborate worship system served as a powerful message of hope and divine faithfulness. It assured the exiles that God had not abandoned them and that a future restoration, marked by renewed covenant relationship and pure worship, was certain. The sacrificial system outlined here draws heavily from the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 23](/leviticus/23 "Leviticus 23 - The Feasts of the LORD")), but with unique modifications, suggesting an eschatological fulfillment or a divinely ordained order for a future, ideal Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader biblical narrative. The emphasis on "without blemish" and the specific types of offerings highlights the theme of **Purity and Holiness** required for approaching a holy God. The sheer quantity of the offerings—"seven bullocks and seven rams daily"—underscores **Abundance and Generosity** in worship, signifying a time of great blessing and overflowing devotion. The inclusion of both a **Burnt Offering** (total dedication) and a **Sin Offering** (atonement) reinforces the dual need for complete surrender to God and continuous purification from sin, even in a restored community. This vision, therefore, speaks to God's unwavering commitment to His people, His demand for righteous living and worship, and the ultimate promise of a renewed covenant where His presence would dwell among them in perfect order, as seen in the detailed regulations for the prince's offerings in [Ezekiel 45:17](/ezekiel/45-17 "Ezekiel 45:17 - The Prince's Offerings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Feast (Hebrew, _chag'_):** From the root `chagag`, meaning "to make a pilgrimage," "to keep a feast." This term refers to a solemn festival or pilgrimage, often associated with a specific annual gathering where sacrifices were offered. In this context, it denotes a divinely appointed time of communal worship and celebration, likely referring to the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), a major harvest festival celebrating God's provision and presence.
* **Burnt Offering (Hebrew, _ʻôlâh'_):** Literally meaning "that which goes up," referring to the smoke of the sacrifice ascending to God. This offering was entirely consumed on the altar, symbolizing the worshiper's complete dedication, surrender, and devotion to the LORD. It was an act of worship and propitiation, signifying total commitment.
* **Sin Offering (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** From the verb `chaṭâʼ`, meaning "to miss the mark," "to sin." This offering was specifically designed to atone for sins, both intentional and unintentional, and to cleanse ritual impurity. Its inclusion daily underscores the constant need for purification and atonement, even in a sanctified community, acknowledging humanity's ongoing sinfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to the LORD":** This clause sets the duration and purpose of the offerings. For a full week, the designated leader (the prince, as established in [Ezekiel 45:17](/ezekiel/45-17 "Ezekiel 45:17 - The Prince's Offerings")) is responsible for providing sacrifices to Yahweh, emphasizing the communal and divinely mandated nature of this worship.
* **"seven bullocks and seven rams without blemish daily the seven days;":** This specifies the quantity and quality of the burnt offerings. The number "seven" (Hebrew: _shebaʻ_) often symbolizes completeness or perfection in biblical numerology, reinforcing the idea of a full and perfect offering. The requirement "without blemish" (Hebrew: _tâmîym_) signifies physical perfection, representing the highest quality and purity acceptable to a holy God, and foreshadowing the ultimate perfect sacrifice. The daily repetition highlights the sustained nature of devotion and atonement.
* **"and a kid of the goats daily [for] a sin offering.":** This final clause introduces the additional daily sin offering. The "kid of the goats" (Hebrew: _sâʻîyr_ and _ʻêz_) was a common animal for sin offerings in the Mosaic Law. Its daily inclusion alongside the burnt offerings underscores the continuous need for atonement and purification from sin, even in a restored and ideal community, acknowledging humanity's persistent need for divine grace.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 45:23 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is prominent, particularly with the number "seven" and the word "daily," emphasizing the completeness, regularity, and sustained nature of the prescribed worship. This repetition creates a sense of meticulous order and divine precision. **Symbolism** is also rich: the "seven days" and the "seven" animals symbolize perfection and completeness in worship. The "burnt offering" **symbolizes** total dedication and ascent to God, while the "sin offering" **symbolizes** the ongoing need for atonement and purification. Furthermore, the entire passage functions as **Typology**, where the detailed, physical sacrifices and temple ordinances foreshadow greater spiritual realities and the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Christ. The emphasis on "without blemish" is a clear **foreshadowing** of the sinless Lamb of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 45:23, with its detailed sacrificial regulations, underscores the profound biblical truth that access to God requires both complete dedication and atonement for sin. The meticulous instructions for the burnt and sin offerings reveal God's unchanging standard of holiness and His provision for humanity's reconciliation. This vision of future worship, though specific to a particular temple and era, resonates with the broader biblical narrative of God establishing a means for His people to draw near to Him, whether through the tabernacle, the first temple, or ultimately, through the perfect sacrifice. The emphasis on unblemished offerings foreshadows a perfect, unblemished sacrifice to come, one that would truly satisfy God's righteous demands and provide lasting atonement.

* [Leviticus 1:3-4](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3-4 - Requirements for Burnt Offerings")
* [Leviticus 4:27-31](/leviticus/4-27 "Leviticus 4:27-31 - Requirements for Sin Offerings")
* [Numbers 29:12-38](/numbers/29-12 "Numbers 29:12-38 - Offerings for the Feast of Tabernacles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal performance of animal sacrifices is no longer required for believers today, the spiritual principles embedded in Ezekiel 45:23 remain profoundly relevant. This passage calls us to consider the quality of our own worship and devotion. Are we offering our "best" to God, striving for a life "without blemish" in character and conduct, reflecting the holiness He desires? The daily nature of these offerings reminds us that our walk with God is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of dedication and reliance on His grace. We are called to live lives of complete surrender (like the burnt offering) and to humbly acknowledge our ongoing need for purification from sin (like the sin offering), recognizing that only through Christ's perfect work can we stand righteous before God. Our worship should be intentional, abundant, and focused on glorifying the LORD, reflecting His divine order and our gratitude for His provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I holding back from offering my "best" to the LORD, and how can I cultivate a spirit of complete dedication?**
* **How does the daily need for a sin offering in Ezekiel's vision highlight my own ongoing need for Christ's atoning work in my life?**
* **What does the meticulous detail of these instructions teach me about the importance of intentionality and order in my personal worship and spiritual disciplines?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the number "seven" in Ezekiel 45:23?**

Answer: The number "seven" (H7651, _shebaʻ_) holds significant symbolic meaning throughout the Bible, often representing completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. In Ezekiel 45:23, its repeated use—"seven days," "seven bullocks," "seven rams"—emphasizes the thoroughness, perfection, and divinely ordained nature of the feast and its accompanying sacrifices. It suggests a complete cycle of worship and purification, signifying that the offerings are fully acceptable and sufficient in God's sight, reflecting a perfect order established by God for His restored people. This can be seen in other contexts like the seven days of creation in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") or the seven-day cycle of feasts in [Leviticus 23](/leviticus/23 "Leviticus 23 - The Feasts of the LORD").

**Why are both burnt offerings and sin offerings required daily during this feast?**

Answer: The daily requirement of both burnt offerings (H5930, _ʻôlâh_) and sin offerings (H2403, _chaṭṭâʼâh_) underscores two fundamental aspects of humanity's relationship with God. The burnt offering symbolizes complete dedication and surrender to the LORD, signifying a worshiper's total commitment and desire for fellowship. The sin offering, on the other hand, addresses the continuous reality of sin and impurity, even within a consecrated community. Its daily provision acknowledges that even in an ideal, restored state, humanity remains prone to falling short of God's glory and requires ongoing purification and atonement to maintain a right standing before Him. Together, they represent a holistic approach to worship: absolute devotion coupled with a constant recognition of the need for forgiveness and cleansing, pointing to the need for both sanctification and justification in God's presence, a truth echoed in [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 45:23, with its detailed sacrificial system, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The repeated demand for animals "without blemish" (H8549, _tâmîym_) powerfully foreshadows the sinless perfection of Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who alone was qualified to be the perfect sacrifice. The "burnt offering" (H5930, _ʻôlâh_), symbolizing total dedication, is perfectly embodied in Christ's complete obedience and surrender to the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross, as described in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience"). Furthermore, the daily "sin offering" (H2403, _chaṭṭâʼâh_) for purification points directly to Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice, which permanently atones for all sin, rendering the repetitive animal sacrifices obsolete. As [Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice") declares, Christ offered "one sacrifice for sins forever," perfecting those who are being sanctified. Thus, the meticulous regulations in Ezekiel's vision, while pointing to a future ideal, ultimately serve as a rich theological tapestry that magnifies the sufficiency, completeness, and eternal efficacy of Christ's atoning work on Calvary, establishing a new covenant where perfect access to God is granted through faith in Him, as celebrated in [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ, Our High Priest").

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 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;