Ezekiel 43:18 kjv
And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.
Ezekiel 43:18 nkjv
And He said to me, "Son of man, thus says the Lord GOD: 'These are the ordinances for the altar on the day when it is made, for sacrificing burnt offerings on it, and for sprinkling blood on it.
Ezekiel 43:18 niv
Then he said to me, "Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: These will be the regulations for sacrificing burnt offerings and splashing blood against the altar when it is built:
Ezekiel 43:18 esv
And he said to me, "Son of man, thus says the Lord GOD: These are the ordinances for the altar: On the day when it is erected for offering burnt offerings upon it and for throwing blood against it,
Ezekiel 43:18 nlt
Then he said to me, "Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: These will be the regulations for the burning of offerings and the sprinkling of blood when the altar is built.
Ezekiel 43 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 43:18 | "And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord God; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when it shall be first put in hand to cause it to be offered up to the Lord." | Establishment of altar ordinances |
| Lev 8:35 | "Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night for seven days, and keep the charge of the Lord, lest ye die: for so I am commanded." | Seven days of consecration for the priesthood |
| Exod 29:35-37 | "And thou shalt do unto Aaron and his sons according to all things that I have commanded thee: seven days thou shalt consecrate them. And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for expiation: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it." | Seven days of consecration for Aaron and his sons; altar cleansing and anointing |
| Num 7:10, 84, 88 | "And the princes offered for the dedication of the altar at the time that it was dedicated, even when it was offered of the princes, ten golden chargers, twelve silver bowls, a golden spoon full of incense: Ten young bullocks, ten rams, ten lambs of the first year with their meat offering: Ten he goats for a sin offering:" | Princes offering for dedication; bulls for sin offering |
| 2 Chr 7:9 | "And on the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and on the eighth day they made a solemn assembly." | Dedication of the Temple kept for seven days |
| Isa 56:7 | "Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." | God's acceptance of sacrifices on the altar |
| Jer 31:38-40 | "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the city shall be built to the Lord from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the East. And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall turn about unto Goath. And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto the Lord; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever." | Prophecy of a new Jerusalem and rebuilt Temple, implying future sacrifices |
| Heb 9:22 | "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." | Blood sacrifices for remission of sins |
| Heb 10:11 | "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:" | Limitation of animal sacrifices in the Old Covenant |
| Heb 10:18 | "Now where there is remission of these, there is no more offering for sin." | Christ's finished sacrifice removes the need for sin offerings |
| Rev 11:1, 2 | "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. And the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months." | Measuring the Temple and the altar in vision, echoing Ezekiel's prophecy |
| John 2:13-16 | "And the Jews' passover was nigh, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers sitting: And when he had made the whips of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overturned the tables; And said unto them that sold these things, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise." | Jesus cleansing the Second Temple, referencing the sanctity of the House of God |
| Mal 3:3-4 | "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer them the sacrifices in righteousness. Then shall the pleasure of the Lord be of Judah and Jerusalem." | Messiah purifying the worship and sacrifices |
| Acts 15:9 | "And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith." | Purity of heart by faith |
| Rom 12:1 | "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." | Presenting ourselves as living sacrifices |
| 1 Cor 6:19-20 | "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the God? therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." | Believer's body as the temple of God |
| Eph 2:20-22 | "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." | Believers as the spiritual temple |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." | Believers as spiritual priests offering spiritual sacrifices |
Ezekiel 43 verses
Ezekiel 43 18 Meaning
This verse describes the appointed place and the specific offerings for consecrating the altar of the new temple. It emphasizes the permanent regulation for Israel regarding the sin offering, burnt offering, and grain offering on this altar. The consecration process would involve a period of seven days, ensuring the altar's sanctity and readiness for service.
Ezekiel 43 18 Context
Chapter 43 marks a pivotal moment in Ezekiel's prophecy, returning to the divine presence within the meticulously described new temple. After visions of destruction and judgment, this chapter presents a restorative narrative. God’s glory returns to the temple (Ezekiel 43:1-5), signifying His renewed dwelling with His people. The prophet is then given detailed instructions for the altar's consecration, setting forth the divine protocols for worship in this future sanctuary. Verse 18 specifically addresses the initial preparations for the altar's service, laying the foundation for the offerings that would bring purity and acceptance. The historical context is post-exilic, with a longing for God's presence and a purified worship following the devastation of the First Temple and the Babylonian captivity. This vision offers hope for a restored covenant relationship and a holy dwelling place for God among His people.
Ezekiel 43 18 Word analysis
- "And he said unto me," - (וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָי) A standard prophetic formula indicating divine communication through an angelic intermediary.
- "Son of man," - (בֶּן־אָדָם) A recurring address from God to Ezekiel, highlighting his humanity and role as a prophet commissioned to deliver God's message.
- "thus saith the Lord God;" - (כֹּה־אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהֹוִה) Another authoritative formula confirming the divine origin of the subsequent pronouncements.
- "These are the ordinances" - (אֵלֶּה הַחֻקִּים) Refers to established laws, regulations, or statutes. It denotes permanence and divine mandate.
- "of the altar" - (לַמִּזְבֵּחַ) Pertains specifically to the altar, which is the focal point for offerings and atonement.
- "in the day when it shall be first put in hand" - (בְּהִמָּנוֹת יוֹם הָרִאשֹׁן) Signifies the initial moment of its inauguration or establishment for service. "Hand" (יָד) implies active commencement.
- "to cause it to be offered up" - (לְהַקְרִיב קָרְבָּן) Describes the purpose – to bring sacrifices and make them ascend (offered up) unto God. "To cause to be offered" (לְהַקְרִיב) implies initiating and performing the ritual.
- "to the Lord." - (לַיהוָה) Directed toward Yahweh, the Lord God.
Words-group analysis
- "Ordinances of the altar in the day when it shall be first put in hand to cause it to be offered up to the Lord." - This phrase sets the specific context of the laws related to the very first use and consecration of this altar. It underscores the solemnity and divine authority governing its initial commissioning for worship and sacrificial rites. The "seven days" mentioned in later verses (Ezekiel 43:24, 26) would be the duration of this initial consecration period, making the "day" here inclusive of the commencement and duration of this foundational process.
Ezekiel 43 18 Bonus section
The detailed instructions for the altar’s consecration in Ezekiel 43 echo and re-interpret the initial consecration rituals of the Tabernacle and the first Temple. The seven-day period for consecration is significant, often associated with purification and completion in the Old Testament. This practice underscores the idea that God’s presence requires absolute holiness and separation from sin. The recurrence of sin offerings and burnt offerings demonstrates the foundational need for expiation and devotion in approaching a holy God, principles fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate sacrifice and the mediator of a new covenant, rendering continued animal sacrifices unnecessary for the forgiveness of sins. Believers are now called to present themselves as "living sacrifices" (Rom 12:1), their bodies consecrated as temples of the Holy Spirit.
Ezekiel 43 18 Commentary
This verse acts as an introduction to the specific ritual requirements for consecrating the new altar. It signifies God’s detailed plan for worship and emphasizes that this new arrangement supersedes previous methods. The focus on "ordinances" highlights the prescribed, ordered nature of true worship. The initial period of consecration, lasting seven days (as detailed in subsequent verses of the chapter), would involve specific offerings like the sin offering, burnt offering, and a bullock for expiation, as well as grain offerings. These rites were essential to purify the altar and sanctify it for its intended divine purpose in the restored sanctuary. The continuity of the sin offering, burnt offering, and grain offering in this new setting connects back to established Levitical procedures, while also pointing forward to the ultimate atonement found in Christ.