Ezekiel 46:13

KJV

Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the LORD [of] a lamb of the first year without blemish: thou shalt prepare it every morning.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt daily {H3117} prepare {H6213} a burnt offering {H5930} unto the LORD {H3068} of a lamb {H3532} of the first {H1121} year {H8141} without blemish {H8549}: thou shalt prepare {H6213} it every {H1242} morning {H1242}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'You are to provide a lamb in its first year that has no defect for a daily burnt offering to ADONAI; do this each morning.

Berean Standard Bible

And you shall provide an unblemished year-old lamb as a daily burnt offering to the LORD; you are to offer it every morning.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt prepare a lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt-offering unto Jehovah daily: morning by morning shalt thou prepare it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 46:13 outlines a foundational daily ritual within the prophet's visionary temple, prescribing the perpetual offering of an unblemished lamb as a burnt offering to the Lord every morning. This command, given during the Babylonian exile, served as a profound message of hope and the enduring nature of God's covenant, emphasizing the necessity of consistent, pure, and dedicated worship as a central tenet of the restored community's relationship with Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 46:13 is situated within a lengthy prophetic vision (Ezekiel 40-48) detailing a future, idealized temple and its intricate worship regulations. Chapters 40-43 describe the temple's architecture and the glory of God returning to it. Chapters 44-46 then focus on the liturgical practices, roles of priests, Levites, and the prince, and the various offerings required. Specifically, chapter 46 outlines the prince's role in temple worship, including the gates he may use and the offerings he is responsible for. Verse 13, therefore, is a specific, non-negotiable instruction for the daily morning sacrifice, forming a core component of the envisioned temple's perpetual worship. It follows instructions for the Sabbath and New Moon offerings, highlighting the daily rhythm of devotion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Ezekiel was written during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), a period of profound national and spiritual crisis for Israel. Jerusalem and its temple had been destroyed, and the people were far from their homeland, questioning God's presence and promises. In this context, Ezekiel's detailed temple vision was not a blueprint for immediate physical construction, but a theological blueprint for restoration, purity, and the re-establishment of a right relationship with God. The meticulous sacrificial laws, including daily offerings, were deeply rooted in Mosaic Law (e.g., [Exodus 29:38-42](/exodus/29-38 "Exodus 29:38-42 - The Continual Burnt Offering")), serving as a reminder of God's holiness, the people's sinfulness, and the prescribed means of atonement and communion. The "lamb of the first year without blemish" was a standard requirement for sacrificial purity, universally understood in ancient Near Eastern sacrificial systems as the highest quality offering.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Ezekiel's prophecy and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **God's Holiness and the Demand for Purity**. The unblemished lamb signifies the absolute perfection required to approach a holy God. Secondly, it highlights **Consistent and Unwavering Devotion**. The daily, every-morning nature of the offering emphasizes that worship and reliance on God are not occasional acts but a perpetual, foundational aspect of life. This echoes the "continual burnt offering" found in earlier Mosaic legislation (e.g., [Numbers 28:3](/numbers/28-3 "Numbers 28:3 - Daily Sacrifices")). Thirdly, it points to the **Restoration of True Worship**. For an exiled people whose temple was destroyed, this vision offered hope for a future where proper, God-ordained worship would be fully reinstated, signifying spiritual renewal and the re-establishment of God's presence among His people. Finally, it subtly foreshadows the **Need for Ultimate Atonement**, as the daily repetition of sacrifices continually pointed to the ongoing reality of sin and the need for a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **daily (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** This word, meaning "day" or "a space of time defined by an associated term," is used adverbially here to emphasize the continuous, unbroken nature of the command. It signifies that this burnt offering is not an occasional or seasonal event but a perpetual, recurring obligation, occurring "day by day" or "every day." This highlights the unceasing devotion required in the envisioned worship.
* **burnt offering (Hebrew, _ʻôlâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to ascend," the _ʻôlâh_ was a sacrifice entirely consumed by fire on the altar, with the smoke ascending to God. It symbolized complete dedication and surrender to God, signifying the worshiper's total commitment and atonement for unintentional sins. Its complete consumption distinguished it from other offerings where parts were returned to the worshiper or priest.
* **without blemish (Hebrew, _tâmîym'_):** This term conveys the idea of being "entire," "complete," "full," "perfect," or "sound." When applied to sacrificial animals, it meant the animal was physically perfect, free from any defect, disease, or injury that would render it unacceptable for presentation to a holy God. This requirement underscored the absolute purity and excellence demanded in approaching the divine.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the LORD":** This clause establishes the primary command: the preparation of a burnt offering. The term "daily" (yôwm) underscores the consistent, uninterrupted nature of this ritual. It signifies that this act of worship is a fundamental, non-negotiable part of the envisioned temple's liturgy, emphasizing perpetual devotion and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. The offering is directed "unto the LORD" (Yahweh), indicating its sacred purpose and the divine recipient.
* **"[of] a lamb of the first year without blemish":** This specifies the exact nature and quality of the sacrificial animal. It must be a "lamb" (kebes), specifically "of the first year" (ben shanah), meaning a young, vigorous animal, typically between eight days and one year old, considered to be in its prime. Crucially, it must be "without blemish" (tamim), signifying physical perfection and ritual purity, an essential requirement for any offering presented to a holy God. This detail emphasizes the high standard of excellence and purity demanded in worship.
* **"thou shalt prepare it every morning.":** This reiterates and further specifies the timing of the daily offering. The repetition of "prepare" (asah) reinforces the action, while "every morning" (bôqer) precisely sets the time. This detail highlights the regularity and early commitment required, symbolizing the beginning of each day consecrated to God and His worship. It ensures that the first act of the day in the temple is one of dedication and atonement.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is prominent with the phrase "thou shalt prepare" appearing twice, emphasizing the mandatory and consistent nature of the action. The temporal markers "daily" and "every morning" further reinforce this theme of **Continuity** and **Perpetuity**, painting a picture of unceasing devotion. The phrase "without blemish" serves as potent **Symbolism**, representing the ideal of purity, perfection, and wholeness required in approaching a holy God. This symbolic language extends to the "lamb of the first year," which is a common **Metonymy** for innocence and a suitable, valuable sacrifice. The precise, prescriptive language itself creates a sense of **Instructional Tone**, highlighting the divine authority behind these commands and their importance for the envisioned future worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 46:13, with its emphasis on a daily, unblemished burnt offering, resonates deeply with Old Testament sacrificial theology and anticipates New Testament fulfillment. The daily burnt offering, known as the _olah_ or "continual offering" (Hebrew: _olah tamid_), was a cornerstone of Israelite worship from the time of Moses, signifying perpetual dedication and atonement for the nation. This consistent act underscored the ongoing need for reconciliation with a holy God, acknowledging both His sovereignty and the persistent reality of human sin. The requirement for an unblemished lamb pointed to the absolute standard of purity necessary for any acceptable approach to God, a standard that no human or animal sacrifice could ultimately meet perfectly or permanently.

* [Exodus 29:38-42](/exodus/29-38 "The Continual Burnt Offering")
* [Numbers 28:3-8](/numbers/28-3 "Daily Sacrifices Prescribed")
* [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1 "The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal daily animal sacrifice is no longer required for believers today, Ezekiel 46:13 offers profound spiritual principles for contemporary Christian life. It challenges us to cultivate a **daily spiritual discipline** and an unwavering, consistent devotion to God. Just as the lamb was offered "every morning," we are called to begin each day by consecrating ourselves to the Lord, offering our "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). This involves intentional time in prayer, meditation on God's Word, and a conscious commitment to live in alignment with His will throughout the day. The "without blemish" requirement reminds us to offer our best to God—our purest intentions, our undivided attention, and our sincere obedience, trusting that any imperfections are covered by the perfect sacrifice of Christ. It encourages a life lived in constant awareness of God's presence and His claim on our lives, fostering a perpetual attitude of worship and reliance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of a "daily" offering challenge my current spiritual practices and priorities?**
* **In what ways can I practically "prepare" myself as a "burnt offering" to the Lord "every morning" in my daily life?**
* **What does "without blemish" mean for my attitude, actions, and thoughts as I seek to offer myself to God?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "lamb of the first year without blemish"?**

Answer: The "lamb of the first year" refers to a young, vigorous animal, typically between eight days and one year old, considered to be in its prime and thus a valuable offering. The phrase "without blemish" (Hebrew: _tamim_) is crucial, meaning the animal had to be physically perfect, free from any defect, disease, or injury. This requirement underscored the absolute holiness of God and the necessity of offering only the highest quality, most perfect sacrifice to Him. It symbolized purity and wholeness, setting a high standard for approaching the divine.

**Why was this offering to be prepared "daily" and "every morning"?**

Answer: The emphasis on "daily" (Hebrew: _yôwm_) and "every morning" (Hebrew: _bôqer_) highlights the perpetual and consistent nature of this offering. It was not an occasional ritual but a foundational, continuous act of worship. This served to remind the people of their constant dependence on God, the ongoing need for atonement, and the importance of beginning each day by acknowledging God's sovereignty and seeking His favor. It ensured that worship was a central, uninterrupted rhythm of life in the envisioned temple, echoing the "continual burnt offering" established in earlier Mosaic Law (e.g., [Exodus 29:38](/exodus/29-38 "Exodus 29:38 - The Continual Burnt Offering")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 46:13, with its command for a daily, unblemished lamb as a burnt offering, finds its profound and ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the daily lamb, served as a "shadow of the good things to come" ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). These repeated sacrifices could never fully take away sins, but they continually pointed to the need for a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice. Jesus is revealed as the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the ultimate "lamb of the first year without blemish." He offered Himself "without spot to God" ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")), perfectly fulfilling the requirement for an unblemished offering. His single sacrifice on the cross was so complete and efficacious that it rendered all subsequent animal sacrifices obsolete, establishing a new covenant where believers have direct access to God through His shed blood ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - The Sufficiency of Christ's Sacrifice")). Thus, the daily, perpetual offering envisioned in Ezekiel is eternally satisfied in Christ, who is our perfect and everlasting sacrifice, our continual access to God.

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

Isaiah 50:4

¶ The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to [him that is] weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

Revelation 13:8

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Exodus 12:5

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take [it] out from the sheep, or from the goats:

Psalms 92:2

To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

Daniel 8:11

Yea, he magnified [himself] even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily [sacrifice] was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.

Daniel 8:13

Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain [saint] which spake, How long [shall be] the vision [concerning] the daily [sacrifice], and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

Numbers 28:3

And thou shalt say unto them, This [is] the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, [for] a continual burnt offering.