Ezekiel 46:4

KJV

And the burnt offering that the prince shall offer unto the LORD in the sabbath day [shall be] six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the burnt offering {H5930} that the prince {H5387} shall offer {H7126} unto the LORD {H3068} in the sabbath {H7676} day {H3117} shall be six {H8337} lambs {H3532} without blemish {H8549}, and a ram {H352} without blemish {H8549}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'The burnt offering the prince is to offer ADONAI on Shabbat is to consist of six lambs without defect and a ram without defect.

Berean Standard Bible

The burnt offering that the prince presents to the LORD on the Sabbath day shall be six unblemished male lambs and an unblemished ram.

American Standard Version

And the burnt-offering that the prince shall offer unto Jehovah shall be on the sabbath day six lambs without blemish and a ram without blemish;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 46:4 meticulously outlines the specific burnt offering required of the prince on the Sabbath day within the visionary temple. This detailed regulation mandates a precise sacrifice of six unblemished lambs and one unblemished ram, underscoring the meticulous nature of worship in the eschatological temple and highlighting divine expectations for purity, order, and leadership in devotion to the Lord. The verse serves as a microcosm of the larger vision, emphasizing God's demand for precise and perfect worship from His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 46:4 is situated within the extensive prophetic vision of a new temple and its ordinances, which commences in [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Vision of the New Temple"). Following the detailed architectural plans and the glorious return of God's presence described in [Ezekiel 40-43](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40-43 - Temple Architecture and Glory"), chapters [Ezekiel 44-46](/ezekiel/44 "Ezekiel 44-46 - Temple Ordinances and Priestly Duties") shift focus to the regulations governing temple service. Specifically, [Ezekiel 46](/ezekiel/46 "Ezekiel 46 - Ordinances for the Prince and Offerings") outlines the prince's responsibilities concerning the temple gates and the provision of various sacrifices for the regular feasts, new moons, and Sabbaths. This particular verse, therefore, is a specific regulation within a broader framework of renewed covenant worship, demonstrating the highly structured and divinely ordered system envisioned for the restored community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel delivered his prophecies during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC), a period of immense national despair for the Israelites. The destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem in 586 BC had left the people without their central place of worship and a profound sense of God's absence. In this context, Ezekiel's elaborate vision of a new, glorious temple served as a powerful message of hope, restoration, and the future re-establishment of God's presence among His people. The meticulous details of the temple and its rituals, including the sacrificial system and the requirement for unblemished offerings, reflect the paramount importance of purity, order, and strict adherence to divine law in ancient Israelite worship, principles foundational to their covenant relationship with Yahweh. The portrayal of a "prince" (_nasi_) rather than a "king" (_melek_) may also suggest a future leadership structure distinct from the pre-exilic monarchy, emphasizing a leader subservient to God's ultimate authority.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Ezekiel's vision. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Order and Holiness**, where every aspect of worship is precisely commanded by God, reflecting His absolute holiness and the need for a purified people and sanctuary. Secondly, the requirement of "without blemish" points to the theme of **Purity and Perfection in Worship**, a pervasive Old Testament principle that foreshadows the ultimate, perfect sacrifice. Thirdly, the prominence of the "prince" highlights the theme of **Righteous Leadership**, demonstrating a leader's role in facilitating and participating in corporate worship according to God's will. Finally, the specific mention of the "Sabbath day" reinforces the enduring significance of **Sabbath Observance** as a sacred time for devotion and rest, a principle deeply embedded in the Mosaic Law, as seen in [Exodus 20:8](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8 - The Sabbath Commandment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burnt offering (Hebrew, _ʻôlâh'_):** From a root meaning "to go up" or "ascend," this term refers to a sacrifice entirely consumed by fire on the altar. It symbolizes complete dedication, consecration, and total surrender to God, with the smoke rising as a pleasing aroma.
* **Prince (Hebrew, _nâsîyʼ'_):** Properly translated as "an exalted one," this word denotes a chief, leader, or ruler. In Ezekiel's vision, the _nasi_ is a prominent lay leader responsible for providing sacrifices and ensuring the temple's ordinances are observed, operating within the divine framework but distinct from the priestly lineage.
* **Sabbath (Hebrew, _shabbâth'_):** Derived from a root meaning "intermission" or "cessation," this refers to the seventh day of the week, divinely set apart for rest and worship. Its inclusion here emphasizes the continuation of this foundational covenant practice within the visionary temple's worship schedule.
* **Without blemish (Hebrew, _tâmîym'_):** Meaning "entire," "complete," "sound," or "perfect," this term signifies the physical and ritual purity required for sacrificial animals. It ensures that the offering presented to a holy God is unmarred, whole, and fully acceptable, symbolizing the integrity and wholeness demanded of the worshiper.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the burnt offering that the prince shall offer unto the LORD":** This clause establishes the central act of worship – a burnt offering – and identifies the specific agent, the "prince," highlighting his unique responsibility in providing sacrifices on behalf of the community. The offering is directed solely to "the LORD" (Yahweh), emphasizing the exclusive claim of Israel's sovereign God to their worship.
* **"in the sabbath day":** This specifies the precise timing of the offering, indicating that this particular sacrifice is a regular, weekly observance. It reinforces the sanctity and continued importance of the Sabbath within the envisioned temple system, emphasizing its role as a dedicated day for worship and rest.
* **"shall be six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish":** This provides the exact details of the required sacrifice: the quantity (six lambs and one ram) and, crucially, the quality ("without blemish"). This requirement for perfection underscores the absolute holiness of God and the pristine purity demanded of anything presented to Him, reflecting the high standards of the Mosaic Law for acceptable offerings.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 46:4 primarily employs **Precision** and **Symbolism**. The detailed enumeration of animals (six lambs, one ram) and the specific condition ("without blemish") highlight the meticulous **Precision** with which God's worship is to be conducted, leaving no room for human improvisation or laxity. This precision itself is symbolic of divine order and the absolute nature of God's commands. The animals themselves, particularly their **unblemished** state, carry profound **Symbolism**. In the broader Old Testament sacrificial system, unblemished animals symbolize purity, perfection, and the sinless nature required for an acceptable offering, foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect sacrifice. The **Burnt Offering** (_ʻôlâh_) itself is a powerful **Symbolism** of complete dedication and consecration, as the entire animal is consumed by fire, signifying total surrender and devotion to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 46:4, with its detailed regulations for the prince's Sabbath offering, underscores the enduring biblical principles of ordered worship, divine holiness, and the necessity of unblemished offerings. While the literal sacrificial system finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the underlying theological truths remain: God demands worship that is intentional, pure, and offered according to His divine will. The prince's role highlights the importance of leadership that facilitates and participates in this God-ordained worship, ensuring the community's faithful adherence to divine commands. The emphasis on "without blemish" points to the absolute perfection required for atonement and access to God's presence, a standard only perfectly met by Jesus Christ.

* [Leviticus 1:3](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3 - Requirements for Burnt Offerings")
* [Numbers 28:9-10](/numbers/28-9 "Numbers 28:9-10 - Sabbath Offerings")
* [Malachi 1:8](/malachi/1-8 "Malachi 1:8 - Unacceptable Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Though we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principles embedded in Ezekiel 46:4 invite profound reflection on the nature of our worship today. The meticulous requirements for the prince's offering on the Sabbath challenge us to consider the intentionality and purity of our own spiritual offerings – our time, talents, resources, and very lives. Are we presenting ourselves "without blemish," meaning with wholehearted devotion, sincerity, and integrity, free from hypocrisy or divided loyalties? The Sabbath focus reminds us of the importance of setting aside dedicated time for rest, worship, and communion with God, ensuring that our lives are not solely consumed by worldly pursuits but regularly consecrated to Him. This verse calls us to examine our personal and corporate worship, asking if it truly reflects the holiness of God and our complete dedication to Him, recognizing that our transformed lives are now our spiritual act of worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways can my daily life become a "burnt offering" of complete dedication to the Lord?**
* **How does the concept of offering something "without blemish" translate into the quality and sincerity of my worship and service today?**
* **Am I intentionally setting aside time for rest and spiritual devotion, honoring the principle of the Sabbath in my life?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "prince" (nasi) in Ezekiel's vision, and is he a king?**

Answer: The "prince" (Hebrew: _nâsîyʼ_) in Ezekiel's vision is a significant lay leader, distinct from the kings of the pre-exilic period and the priests. While he holds a prominent civil position, he is not referred to as "king" (_melek_) and operates under the authority of God's law and the priestly order within the temple. His role involves providing sacrifices, overseeing certain temple gates, and ensuring the people's adherence to the ordinances, as detailed in [Ezekiel 44-46](/ezekiel/44 "Ezekiel 44-46 - Temple Ordinances and the Prince's Role"). He appears to be a divinely appointed, righteous ruler in the restored community, subservient to God's ultimate sovereignty and facilitating worship rather than dictating it.

**Why is the offering "without blemish" so important in the Old Testament sacrificial system?**

Answer: The requirement for sacrifices to be "without blemish" (Hebrew: _tâmîym_) is foundational to the Old Testament sacrificial system and is emphasized throughout the Pentateuch, for example, in [Leviticus 22:21](/leviticus/22-21 "Leviticus 22:21 - Requirements for Acceptable Offerings"). It signifies the absolute purity and perfection demanded for anything presented to a holy God. An unblemished animal represented the best, a whole and complete offering, symbolizing the worshiper's integrity and the ideal purity required for atonement. This standard underscored God's holiness and the seriousness of sin, ultimately foreshadowing the perfect, sinless sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself "without blemish to God" ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")).

**Does the Sabbath day offering in Ezekiel's vision imply the continuation of the Mosaic Law's ceremonial aspects in a future kingdom?**

Answer: Ezekiel's vision, including the Sabbath day offering, describes an ideal, restored temple and worship system. Interpreters vary on whether this vision is to be understood literally in a future millennial kingdom or symbolically as a blueprint for spiritual realities in the church age or the new heavens and new earth. For Christians, the ceremonial laws of the Mosaic covenant, including animal sacrifices and specific Sabbath regulations, have been fulfilled in Christ ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Christ as the Fulfillment of Shadows")). While the *principle* of setting aside time for worship and rest remains vital, the *specific ritual* of the Sabbath offering as described in Ezekiel is understood by many to point to the perfection and completeness of Christ's sacrifice and the spiritual worship offered by believers under the New Covenant ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 46:4, with its meticulous details of the prince's unblemished Sabbath offering, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The requirement for "six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish" points directly to the absolute purity and perfection of Jesus, who alone was the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and the perfect [Ram of consecration](/exodus/29-1 "Exodus 29:1 - Consecration of Priests"). He offered Himself as the ultimate "burnt offering" (_ʻôlâh_), a sacrifice of complete dedication and consecration, not merely on a Sabbath day but for all time, once and for all ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's One Sacrifice")). His sacrifice was truly "without blemish" ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Christ's Precious Blood")), perfectly satisfying God's righteous demands and providing eternal atonement for sin. Furthermore, Jesus is the true "Prince" (_nâsîyʼ_), the ultimate leader and shepherd of His people ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), who not only offers the perfect sacrifice but also continually intercedes for His people, leading them in true spiritual worship under the New Covenant ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our Great High Priest")). Thus, the shadows and types of Ezekiel's visionary temple find their glorious reality and completion in Christ, the perfect Sacrifice and the eternal Sovereign.

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 45:17

And it shall be the prince's part [to give] burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.

Numbers 28:9

¶ And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour [for] a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:

Numbers 28:10

[This is] the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.