Ezekiel 46:11

KJV

And in the feasts and in the solemnities the meat offering shall be an ephah to a bullock, and an ephah to a ram, and to the lambs as he is able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in the feasts {H2282} and in the solemnities {H4150} the meat offering {H4503} shall be an ephah {H374} to a bullock {H6499}, and an ephah {H374} to a ram {H352}, and to the lambs {H3532} as he is able {H3027} to give {H4991}, and an hin {H1969} of oil {H8081} to an ephah {H374}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'At the festivals and at designated times, the grain offering is to be a bushel for a young bull and a bushel for a ram, while for the lambs it can be as much as he wants to give, with a gallon of olive oil per bushel.

Berean Standard Bible

At the festivals and appointed feasts, the grain offering shall be an ephah with a bull, an ephah with a ram, and as much as one is able to give with the lambs, along with a hin of oil per ephah.

American Standard Version

And in the feasts and in the solemnities the meal-offering shall be an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs as he is able to give, and a hin of oil to an ephah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 46:11 prescribes the specific quantities of grain and oil offerings to accompany animal sacrifices during the designated feasts and solemn assemblies within the visionary temple. This detailed regulation underscores the divine emphasis on order, precision, and generosity in worship, ensuring that all aspects of the sacrificial system are conducted according to God's precise standards, reflecting the holiness required in His presence and the provision made for communal worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a lengthy and highly detailed prophetic vision given to Ezekiel, spanning chapters 40-48, which describes a new temple, its layout, services, and the reordering of the land of Israel. Specifically, Ezekiel 46 focuses on the ordinances for the prince and the people concerning offerings and the use of the temple gates. Chapter 45 sets the stage by detailing the sacred district, the prince's portion, and general regulations for offerings. Ezekiel 46:1-12 outlines the prince's role in the daily, Sabbath, and New Moon offerings, as well as the special provisions for the annual feasts, of which verse 11 is a part. The meticulous nature of these instructions highlights a divine blueprint for restored worship, contrasting sharply with the defiled practices that led to the first temple's destruction and the Babylonian exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel received this vision during the Babylonian exile (around 573 BC), a period of profound national trauma and spiritual reflection for the Jewish people. The destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians (586 BC) had left the exiles without a central place of worship and atonement. In this context, Ezekiel's vision offered hope for a future restoration, a new temple, and a renewed covenant relationship with God. The regulations concerning offerings, feasts, and the role of the prince would have resonated deeply with a people whose religious life had been disrupted. The specified measures (ephah, hin) were standard ancient Near Eastern units, familiar to the Israelites, emphasizing the tangible and practical nature of these divine commands within their cultural understanding of worship and provision.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 46:11 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. First, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **God's Holiness and the necessity of pure worship**. The intricate details of the offerings underscore that God is to be approached with reverence, order, and according to His precise commands, a stark contrast to the idolatry and spiritual impurity that characterized pre-exilic Israel. Second, it speaks to the theme of **Divine Restoration and Future Hope**. The vision of a new temple and its regulated worship system provided a blueprint for a renewed covenant relationship, promising a future where God would dwell among His people in holiness. This vision is deeply intertwined with the hope of a restored Israel and a new covenant, as seen in passages like [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit"). Third, the role of the "prince" in providing these offerings (implied by the surrounding context of [Ezekiel 46](/ezekiel/46 "Ezekiel 46 - Ordinances for the Prince and Offerings")) highlights the theme of **Righteous Leadership and Provision for Worship**, emphasizing that those in authority are responsible for facilitating and upholding God-ordained worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Feasts (Hebrew, _chag'_):** This term, derived from a root meaning "to go around" or "to keep a festival," refers to the major annual pilgrimage festivals where Israelites would gather to celebrate God's deliverance and provision. These were times of special worship and communal rejoicing, such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The use of "feasts" here emphasizes the specific, divinely appointed times for these substantial offerings.
* **Ephah (Hebrew, _ʼêyphâh'_):** An ancient Hebrew dry measure, approximately 22 liters or about 0.6 bushels. Its repeated mention for both the bullock and the ram signifies a substantial and fixed quantity of grain offering. This precision highlights the meticulousness required in worship and the value placed on the grain offering as a significant component alongside the animal sacrifice.
* **Able (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** While literally meaning "hand," in this context, "as he is able to give" uses "yâd" idiomatically to denote capacity, power, or means. This phrase indicates a degree of flexibility or proportionality for the grain offering accompanying the lambs, allowing the amount to be adjusted based on the number of lambs or the specific circumstances, unlike the fixed amounts for the bullock and ram. This nuance suggests a divine understanding of varying capacities while still requiring a proper offering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in the feasts and in the solemnities":** This clause sets the specific context for the regulations that follow. "Feasts" (chag) refers to the three major pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles), while "solemnities" (môwʻêd) refers more broadly to all appointed times or sacred assemblies, including New Moons and Sabbaths, which are also addressed in Ezekiel 46. This indicates that the prescribed offerings were for the most significant and sacred occasions in the Israelite calendar, emphasizing their importance.
* **"the meat offering shall be an ephah to a bullock, and an ephah to a ram":** The KJV's "meat offering" is better understood as a "grain offering" or "meal offering" (minchah), which was a bloodless sacrifice of flour, oil, and frankincense. This clause specifies the exact quantity of grain (an ephah) that must accompany the burnt offerings of a bullock and a ram. The fixed, substantial amount underscores the significance of the grain offering, which often represented dedication, thanksgiving, and sustenance, complementing the atonement provided by the animal sacrifice.
* **"and to the lambs as he is able to give":** This part introduces a unique flexibility concerning the grain offering for lambs. Unlike the bullock and ram, for which a fixed ephah is required, the amount for lambs is proportional to the giver's capacity or the number of lambs offered. This might imply that multiple lambs could be offered, with the grain offering scaling accordingly, or it could acknowledge varying circumstances for the offering of lambs, which were often more numerous.
* **"and an hin of oil to an ephah":** This final clause specifies the quantity of oil (a hin, approximately 3.67 liters) to be mixed with each ephah of grain. Oil was a common component of grain offerings, symbolizing anointing, consecration, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. This precise ratio ensures the proper composition of the offering, maintaining the integrity and holiness of the sacrifice.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 46:11 primarily employs **Precision and Detail** as a literary device. The meticulous enumeration of specific measurements (ephah, hin) and animal types (bullock, ram, lambs) for the offerings creates a sense of divine exactitude and order. This level of detail is characteristic of the entire temple vision in Ezekiel, serving to emphasize the absolute holiness of God and the strict requirements for approaching Him. The repetition of "ephah" for the bullock and ram highlights a fixed standard, while the slight variation "as he is able to give" for the lambs introduces a nuance of **Proportionality**, demonstrating that divine commands can accommodate varying circumstances while still upholding the principle of generous and appropriate giving. The passage also functions as **Prescriptive Law**, outlining future regulations for worship, which is a common feature of prophetic and Mosaic literature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 46:11, with its precise regulations for grain and oil offerings, connects deeply with the broader biblical theology of worship and sacrifice. It reinforces the principle that true worship is not haphazard but is to be conducted with intentionality, order, and according to divine prescription. The "grain offering" (minchah) often symbolized dedication, thanksgiving, and the offering of one's labor and sustenance to God, complementing the blood sacrifices that addressed sin. This verse, therefore, speaks to the holistic nature of worship, encompassing both atonement and devotion, and highlights God's desire for His people to approach Him with both reverence and generosity. The meticulousness also foreshadows the perfect and complete offering of Christ, which fulfills all the requirements of the Law.

* [Leviticus 2:1-3](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1-3 - The Law of the Grain Offering")
* [Numbers 15:3-10](/numbers/15-3 "Numbers 15:3-10 - Offerings with Burnt Offerings or Sacrifices")
* [Malachi 1:10-11](/malachi/1-10 "Malachi 1:10-11 - A Pure Offering from the Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal temple and its sacrificial system described in Ezekiel are no longer in operation for believers today, the principles embedded within Ezekiel 46:11 remain profoundly relevant for our understanding and practice of worship. This verse challenges us to consider the intentionality and quality of our offerings to God, whether they be our time, talents, resources, or acts of service. It reminds us that God values worship that is well-prepared, generous, and offered with a spirit of reverence and obedience, not merely as an afterthought. Just as the ancient Israelites were called to bring their best and according to divine standards, so too are we called to offer our lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. The flexibility for the lambs also subtly reminds us that while God requires our best, He also understands our capacity and desires a willing heart more than a rigid quantity, encouraging us to give "as we are able" with cheerful hearts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways can I bring greater intentionality and precision to my personal and corporate worship?**
* **How does the principle of giving "as he is able" apply to my stewardship of time, talent, and treasure today?**
* **What does the emphasis on detailed offerings in Ezekiel teach me about God's character and His expectations for His people?**

### FAQ

**What is the "meat offering" mentioned in Ezekiel 46:11?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "meat offering" is an archaic term that can be misleading to modern readers. It refers not to animal flesh, but to a "grain offering" or "meal offering" (Hebrew: *minchah*). This was a bloodless sacrifice, typically consisting of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, sometimes baked. It was usually offered alongside animal sacrifices and symbolized dedication, thanksgiving, and the offering of one's labor and sustenance to God. You can find detailed instructions for the grain offering in [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Law of the Grain Offering").

**Why are the quantities of offerings so specific in Ezekiel's vision?**

Answer: The highly specific quantities (ephah of grain, hin of oil) in Ezekiel's vision emphasize God's demand for order, precision, and holiness in worship. This meticulous detail underscores that worship is not to be haphazard but conducted according to divine standards. It reflects God's perfect character and His desire for His people to approach Him with reverence and discipline. This contrasts with the spiritual laxity and defilement that led to Israel's exile, highlighting the renewed purity of worship in the restored temple. The precision also ensures that the offerings are substantial and appropriate for the solemnity of the feasts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 46:11, with its detailed regulations for offerings, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The meticulous requirements for grain and oil offerings, accompanying the animal sacrifices, pointed to the necessity of a perfect offering and a life of complete dedication. While the Old Testament sacrifices, including the grain offerings, were types and shadows, they were insufficient to fully atone for sin or perfectly consecrate a worshiper. Jesus, as the ultimate [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as the one perfect and sufficient sacrifice, fulfilling all the requirements of the Law, including both the atoning blood sacrifice and the complete dedication symbolized by the grain offering. His life was a perfect offering of obedience, and His death provided complete atonement, as described in [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's One Sacrifice"). Furthermore, Christ, our great High Priest, not only offered Himself but also enables us to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and good works that are acceptable to God through Him ([Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices of Praise and Good Deeds")). Thus, the precision and generosity demanded in Ezekiel's vision are perfectly embodied in Christ, who gave Himself fully, and through whom we are empowered to offer our lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living 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

Ezekiel 46:5

And the meat offering [shall be] an ephah for a ram, and the meat offering for the lambs as he shall be able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.

Ezekiel 46:7

And he shall prepare a meat offering, an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs according as his hand shall attain unto, and an hin of oil to an ephah.

Leviticus 23:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 23:44

And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.

Numbers 28:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 28:29

A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;

Deuteronomy 16:1

¶ Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.