Ezekiel 45:25

KJV

In the seventh [month], in the fifteenth day of the month, shall he do the like in the feast of the seven days, according to the sin offering, according to the burnt offering, and according to the meat offering, and according to the oil.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the seventh {H7651} month, in the fifteenth {H2568}{H6240} day {H3117} of the month {H2320}, shall he do {H6213} the like in the feast {H2282} of the seven {H7637} days {H3117}, according to the sin offering {H2403}, according to the burnt offering {H5930}, and according to the meat offering {H4503}, and according to the oil {H8081}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, during the feast [of Sukkot] he is to do the same thing for those seven days in regard to the sin offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings and olive oil.'

Berean Standard Bible

During the seven days of the feast that begins on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, he is to make the same provision for sin offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings, and oil.’

American Standard Version

In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day of the month, in the feast, shall he do the like the seven days; according to the sin-offering, according to the burnt-offering, and according to the meal-offering, and according to the oil.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 45:25 concludes a detailed segment within the visionary temple blueprint, outlining the prince's specific responsibilities for providing communal offerings during Israel's major annual festivals. This verse precisely mandates the prince's provision of sin, burnt, and grain offerings, along with oil, for the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, which commences on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. It explicitly parallels earlier instructions for the Passover feast, thereby establishing a consistent and comprehensive system of worship, atonement, and communal provision within the future, idealized sanctuary.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 45:25 is strategically placed within the extensive temple vision that spans chapters 40-48, a meticulously detailed blueprint of a restored temple, its ordinances, and the redistribution of land in a future, purified Israel. Chapter 45 specifically delineates the sacred land portions for the sanctuary, the priesthood, the Levites, and the city, before transitioning to the crucial duties of the prince concerning public sacrifices for the community. Verses 18-20 address offerings for the cleansing of the sanctuary at the beginning of the first month, while verses 21-24 prescribe the prince's provision for the Passover feast. Verse 25 directly follows, employing the significant phrase "shall he do the like" to explicitly connect the prince's responsibilities for the Feast of Tabernacles to those previously outlined for Passover. This intentional parallelism underscores the consistent pattern of worship required for the major annual festivals and highlights the prince's central, recurring role in facilitating communal worship and atonement in this divinely ordered future. The repetition emphasizes the enduring importance of these sacred observances.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel received this profound vision during the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national trauma and spiritual desolation for the Jewish people. The detailed blueprint of a future temple and its sacrificial system served as a powerful message of hope, divine restoration, and God's unwavering covenant faithfulness amidst despair. The specific timing, "In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day," unequivocally identifies the commencement of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths), one of the three major annual pilgrimage festivals (alongside Passover and Pentecost). This autumn festival held dual significance: it commemorated God's miraculous provision and protection during Israel's forty years in the wilderness, when they dwelled in temporary shelters, and it also celebrated the joyous ingathering of the harvest. The specified offerings—sin, burnt, and grain offerings, along with oil—were foundational components of Israelite worship, each carrying distinct theological weight related to atonement, complete dedication, and thanksgiving, respectively. The prince's mandated role in providing these offerings underscores the communal nature of worship and the leadership's responsibility in ensuring the people could properly approach a holy God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, integrated within its broader context, contributes significantly to several overarching themes. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Order and Holiness**, emphasizing the meticulous precision and purity demanded for worship in the envisioned temple. Every detail, from the exact timing of the feasts to the types and quantities of offerings, reflects God's unyielding standard for proper protocol and reverence in His presence, a standard far exceeding the often-compromised practices before the exile. Secondly, the **Role of Leadership** is prominently highlighted, with the prince serving as the divinely appointed provider for the community's sacrificial needs. This underscores the critical importance of righteous spiritual leadership in facilitating corporate worship and ensuring the means of atonement are readily available to the people, preventing the abuses and neglect seen in earlier periods of Israel's history (e.g., [1 Samuel 2:12-17](/1_samuel/2-12-17 "1 Samuel 2:12-17 - The Sins of Eli's Sons")). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **Enduring Significance of the Feasts**, particularly the Feast of Tabernacles. This festival, rich in both historical remembrance and eschatological expectation, served as a perpetual reminder of God's dwelling with His people and His bountiful provision, looking forward to a time of complete restoration and divine presence, a theme echoed in prophetic literature (e.g., [Zechariah 14:16-19](/zechariah/14-16-19 "Zechariah 14:16-19 - All Nations Worship at Tabernacles")). The inclusion of specific offerings like the sin offering (cf. [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - The Sin Offering")) and burnt offering (cf. [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering")) further emphasizes the ongoing need for atonement and complete dedication even in this idealized future.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Feast (Hebrew, _chag'_):** (H2282) From the root חָגַג (chagag), meaning "to keep a pilgrim feast." This term refers to a solemn festival, often involving pilgrimage, or a victim offered during such a festival. In this context, it specifically denotes the Feast of Tabernacles, a major annual celebration that was central to Israel's religious calendar, emphasizing communal gathering and worship before God.
* **Sin Offering (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** (H2403) Derived from חָטָא (chata), "to sin." This term signifies an offense, its penalty, or the sacrifice made for expiation. The `chaṭṭâʼâh` was specifically designed to atone for unintentional sins and ritual impurities, restoring the individual or community to a state of ceremonial cleanness and right relationship with God. Its inclusion here highlights the ongoing need for purification even in the restored community.
* **Oil (Hebrew, _shemen'_):** (H8081) From שָׁמַן (shaman), meaning "to be fat" or "grease." This refers to liquid fat, especially olive oil, often perfumed. In sacrificial contexts, oil was an essential component of grain offerings and was also used for anointing, symbolizing consecration, blessing, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Its specific mention underscores its integral role in the prescribed worship and its symbolic significance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the seventh [month], in the fifteenth day of the month":** This precise temporal marker unequivocally identifies the start of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). The seventh month (Tishrei) was significant as it contained several major holy days, including Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) on the tenth. The fifteenth day marked the beginning of the seven-day festival, emphasizing its specific and unchangeable place in the annual cycle of worship.
* **"shall he do the like in the feast of the seven days":** The pronoun "he" refers to the prince, whose duties were introduced earlier in the chapter (Ezekiel 45:17). The phrase "do the like" explicitly links these instructions to the prince's responsibilities for the Passover feast in [Ezekiel 45:21-24](/ezekiel/45-21-24 "Ezekiel 45:21-24 - The Prince's Passover Offerings"), indicating a pattern of consistent provision for major festivals. The "feast of the seven days" is the prescribed duration of the Feast of Tabernacles, during which these offerings were to be made daily.
* **"according to the sin offering":** This specifies one of the primary types of offerings the prince was to provide. The sin offering was crucial for atonement, particularly for unintentional sins and ritual impurities, demonstrating the ongoing need for reconciliation with God even in the idealized future. It underscores the perpetual reality of human imperfection before divine holiness.
* **"according to the burnt offering":** This refers to the `ʻôlâh`, an offering entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and surrender to God. Its inclusion signifies the community's total devotion and the prince's role in facilitating this act of unreserved worship and commitment.
* **"and according to the meat offering":** This is the `minchâh`, or grain offering, which typically accompanied burnt offerings and peace offerings. It was a bloodless offering of flour, oil, and frankincense, symbolizing thanksgiving, the dedication of one's produce, and dependence on God's bountiful provision. It represents a grateful response to God's sustenance.
* **"and according to the oil":** The explicit mention of oil highlights its essential and integral role in the offerings, particularly the grain offering, where it was mixed with the flour. Oil also carried significant symbolic weight for anointing and consecration, underscoring the sacredness and divine approval of the sacrificial act.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 45:25 employs several literary devices to convey its message of divine order, meticulous provision, and sacred duty. **Repetition** is prominently evident in the anaphoric phrase "according to the," which is repeated for each type of offering ("according to the sin offering, according to the burnt offering, and according to the meat offering, and according to the oil"). This stylistic choice emphasizes the meticulous and comprehensive nature of the required provisions, underscoring the divine demand for precision and completeness in worship. The specific listing of offerings also functions as **Enumeration**, providing a detailed and unambiguous inventory of the prince's responsibilities, leaving no room for misinterpretation or omission. Furthermore, the verse, as an integral part of the larger temple vision, is rich in **Symbolism**. The offerings themselves are symbolic of atonement, complete dedication, and thanksgiving, while the Feast of Tabernacles symbolizes God's dwelling with His people, His faithfulness in providing for them, and the ultimate ingathering of His redeemed. The very act of mandating these precise offerings through the prince **Foreshadows** a future where worship is perfectly ordered and provision for atonement is divinely assured, pointing towards a spiritual reality that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 45:25, with its precise instructions for the prince's provision of offerings during the Feast of Tabernacles, profoundly connects to the broader biblical themes of divine holiness, the necessity of atonement, and God's faithful provision for His people. The meticulous detail underscores that approaching a holy God requires specific, divinely ordained means of purification and worship, a truth woven throughout the Old Testament sacrificial system. The prince's role highlights the importance of righteous leadership in facilitating corporate worship and ensuring the community's reconciliation with God. This vision, given during the despair of exile, offered a powerful message of hope for a future where God's presence would be restored, and His people would worship Him in perfect order, free from the defilements that led to their judgment. The emphasis on the Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating God's dwelling with Israel in the wilderness, also points to a deep longing for renewed divine presence and intimate fellowship.

* [Leviticus 23:33-43](/leviticus/23-33-43 "Leviticus 23:33-43 - Instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles")
* [Numbers 29:12-38](/numbers/29-12-38 "Numbers 29:12-38 - Offerings for the Feast of Tabernacles")
* [Nehemiah 8:13-18](/nehemiah/8-13-18 "Nehemiah 8:13-18 - The Feast of Tabernacles Observed in Ezra's Day")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific sacrificial system described in Ezekiel's vision is no longer literally practiced by believers today, the underlying spiritual principles remain profoundly relevant for our worship and discipleship. This verse challenges us to consider the intentionality, generosity, and reverence with which we approach God in our worship and service. Just as the prince was responsible for ensuring abundant provision for the community's offerings, believers are called to be generous stewards of their resources—time, talents, and finances—to support the work of God's kingdom and facilitate corporate worship. The detailed nature of the offerings reminds us that true worship is not haphazard or casual but requires thoughtful preparation, purity of heart, and a deep understanding of who God is. We are encouraged to reflect on God's unwavering faithfulness, remembering His past acts of deliverance and provision in our lives and in redemptive history, and to anticipate His future promises with steadfast hope. This intentional remembrance cultivates profound gratitude and strengthens our faith, guiding us to live lives that honor His holiness and grace in every sphere.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of the offerings in Ezekiel's vision inform our understanding of the importance of intentionality and reverence in our worship today?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and as a community, emulate the prince's role in providing generously for the spiritual needs of others and supporting the means of worship and ministry?**
* **What "feasts" or regular spiritual practices in our lives serve as intentional reminders of God's faithfulness and provision, and how can we observe them with greater depth and purpose?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "seventh month, in the fifteenth day"?**

Answer: This precise date refers to the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), one of the three major annual pilgrimage festivals in ancient Israel. The seventh month (Tishrei) was significant as it also contained Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). The Feast of Tabernacles was a seven-day festival celebrating the harvest and commemorating God's provision and protection for Israel during their forty years in the wilderness, where they lived in temporary shelters or "booths" (sukkot). You can read more about its institution and requirements in [Leviticus 23:33-43](/leviticus/23-33-43 "Leviticus 23:33-43 - The Feast of Tabernacles").

**What is the "meat offering" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "meat offering" is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word `minchâh` (H4503), which is more accurately rendered as "grain offering" or "meal offering" in modern translations. This was a bloodless offering, typically consisting of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, often presented alongside burnt offerings and peace offerings. It symbolized thanksgiving, dedication of the worshiper's produce, and dependence on God's provision. It was distinct from animal sacrifices and represented a non-atoning act of worship.

**Who is "he" (the prince) in this context, and what is his role?**

Answer: The "prince" (Hebrew: `nāśîʼ`) in Ezekiel's vision (chapters 40-48) is a unique figure distinct from the pre-exilic kings. He is not a priest or a king in the traditional sense, but he plays a crucial role in the administration of the temple and the land, particularly in providing for the communal sacrifices. His primary duty is to ensure the proper observance of the feasts and the provision of the necessary offerings for the people. This figure is often interpreted as a spiritual leader who facilitates the people's worship and access to atonement, representing a purified and righteous leadership in the restored community. His role is to serve and provide, ensuring justice and preventing oppression, as highlighted in [Ezekiel 45:8-9](/ezekiel/45-8-9 "Ezekiel 45:8-9 - The Prince's Just Rule and Inheritance").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 45:25, with its detailed prescriptions for offerings during the Feast of Tabernacles, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "sin offering" and "burnt offering" that the prince was to provide meticulously foreshadow the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, who became our perfect [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and offered Himself as a [blameless and holy sacrifice](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice") to God. He is not merely the provider of the offering but the offering itself, making full and final atonement for humanity's sin, achieving what no animal sacrifice could truly accomplish ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - Animal Sacrifices Cannot Take Away Sins")). Furthermore, the Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating God's dwelling with His people in temporary shelters, is supremely fulfilled in Jesus, who is [Emmanuel, "God with us"](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Jesus is Emmanuel") and who "tabernacled" among us in human flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He is the ultimate dwelling place of God, the true temple where humanity meets divinity and where God's presence is fully realized. The "prince" in Ezekiel's vision, responsible for facilitating worship and atonement, points to Jesus Christ as our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Our Great High Priest") who perpetually intercedes for us and ensures our access to God's presence. In Christ, the meticulous requirements of the Old Covenant sacrificial system are perfectly satisfied, and the promise of God's abiding presence with His people is eternally realized, culminating in the glorious vision of the [new heaven and new earth where God Himself will dwell with His people](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People").

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

Numbers 29:12

¶ And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:

Numbers 29:38

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

2 Chronicles 5:3

Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king in the feast which [was] in the seventh month.

Leviticus 23:33

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 23:43

That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.

Nehemiah 8:14

And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:

Nehemiah 8:18

Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day [was] a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.