Ezekiel 43 19

Ezekiel 43:19 kjv

And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering.

Ezekiel 43:19 nkjv

You shall give a young bull for a sin offering to the priests, the Levites, who are of the seed of Zadok, who approach Me to minister to Me,' says the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 43:19 niv

You are to give a young bull as a sin offering to the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who come near to minister before me, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Ezekiel 43:19 esv

you shall give to the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who draw near to me to minister to me, declares the Lord GOD, a bull from the herd for a sin offering.

Ezekiel 43:19 nlt

At that time, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who minister before me, are to be given a young bull for a sin offering, says the Sovereign LORD.

Ezekiel 43 verses

Ezekiel 43 19 Meaning

Ezekiel 43:19 describes a crucial instruction for the future temple's consecration and worship: specific purification sacrifices are required, and only priests of the legitimate Zadokite lineage are authorized to perform these sacred duties and draw near to the divine presence. The verse emphasizes the absolute purity and divine legitimacy demanded for ministry in the new temple, ensuring that God's presence, having returned, would not be defiled again. It stipulates a young bullock as the required sin offering for the Zadokite priests involved in the altar's inauguration, underscoring the serious nature of consecrating the altar.

Ezekiel 43 19 Context

Ezekiel 43:19 is situated within the lengthy prophetic vision of the new temple (Ezek 40-48), given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. This vision offers a blueprint for a renewed, holy Israel, where God's presence would return after having departed from the defiled first temple. Chapter 43 specifically details the triumphant return of God's glory to the new temple, following which detailed instructions are given for the temple's altar, its dimensions, and, critically, its seven-day consecration process. The verse in focus pertains to the sacrificial rituals for purifying this altar, emphasizing the stringent requirements for priests involved. Historically, during and before the exile, the priesthood had become corrupt and involved in idolatry. This prophecy outlines a strict new order, purifying the sacred space and its ministers, underscoring the ultimate standard of holiness required for fellowship with God. It addresses past failures by highlighting legitimate priestly lineage and functions.

Ezekiel 43 19 Word analysis

• And to the priests the Levites: וְאֶל־הַכֹּהֲנִים הַלְוִיִּם (ve'el-ha'kohanim ha'Leviim).

  • priests: כֹּהֲנִים (kohanim), meaning those set apart for sacred service, specifically mediators of worship.
  • the Levites: הַלְוִיִּם (ha'Leviim), indicating that these priests belong to the tribe of Levi. This phrase acts as a broad category that is then narrowed. In pre-exilic times, there was often less strict differentiation or even corruption. Ezekiel makes it clear that while they are Levites, a specific lineage within Levi is designated.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the required lineage from the tribe of Levi, from which all priests descended, setting the stage for the further narrowing.

• of the seed of Zadok: מִזֶּרַע צָדוֹק (mi'zera Tzadok).

  • seed: זֶרַע (zera), signifying direct lineage or descendants.
  • Zadok: צָדוֹק (Tzadok), a High Priest in the time of King David and Solomon, renowned for his faithfulness during Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 15:24-29) and for his loyalty to Solomon (1 Kgs 1:8).
  • Significance: This is a crucial distinction. Not all Levites, and not even all Aaronic priests, are permitted this specific service. Only the descendants of Zadok, recognized for their fidelity and loyalty, are permitted to approach the inner sanctuary in Ezekiel's vision (Ezek 44:15-16). This rectifies past priestly failures by designating a faithful, holy lineage.

• which approach unto me: הַקְּרֹבִים אֵלַי (ha'kreviim elai).

  • approach: קָרַב (qarab), to draw near, particularly in a ritual or spiritual sense. This is a technical term for those permitted access to God's immediate presence in the sanctuary.
  • unto me: אֵלַי (elai), referring to the Lord GOD Himself.
  • Significance: Highlights the exclusive privilege and immense responsibility of these priests. It signifies direct, unmediated access to God's presence at the altar, implying a high standard of ritual and spiritual purity. Other Levites had temple duties but were forbidden from this direct proximity.

• to minister unto me: לְשָׁרְתֵנִי (le'shareteni).

  • minister: שָׁרַת (sharat), to serve, to attend upon, especially in a sacred capacity. It refers to the performance of priestly duties.
  • Significance: Specifies the function associated with "approaching" – active priestly service at the altar. This reiterates the role of these particular priests in maintaining the divine worship and sacred order.

• saith the Lord GOD: נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוָה (Neum Adonai YHWH).

  • saith: נְאֻם (neum), a prophetic formula, emphasizing that the preceding and following statements are a direct divine utterance.
  • Lord GOD: אֲדֹנָי יְהוָה (Adonai YHWH), combining "Lord" (indicating mastership/sovereignty) with "YHWH" (the covenant name of God).
  • Significance: Affirms the divine authority and immutability of these instructions. This is not human tradition but a direct decree from the supreme, covenant-keeping God, lending ultimate weight to the required priestly actions.

• thou shalt give to them: תִּתֵּן לָהֶם (titten lahem).

  • thou shalt give: Direct command, indicating the instruction is for Ezekiel or implicitly for the authorities responsible for implementing this new order.
  • Significance: It's a clear directive, not a suggestion, reinforcing the compulsory nature of the offering.

• a young bullock: פַּר בֶּן־בָּקָר (par ben-baqar).

  • young bullock: פַּר (par), a male bovine. The addition of בֶּן־בָּקָר (ben-baqar) literally "son of cattle," further clarifies it as a young bull.
  • Significance: A bullock was a significant, valuable offering, often required for high priests, the entire community, or for special consecration ceremonies. Its use here indicates the profound solemnity and importance of the altar's purification.

• for a sin offering: לְחַטָּאת (le'chaṭṭāʾt).

  • sin offering: חַטָּאת (chaṭṭāʾt). While primarily dealing with unintentional sins, in the context of ritual, it also denotes "purification" or "de-sinning" an object or person to render them ritually pure for sacred service.
  • Significance: Here, the sin offering is specifically for the consecration and purification of the altar itself, to purge it of any potential defilement or imperfection from its construction, making it perfectly holy and fit for God's presence. It is a critical step in enabling the altar to truly be an atonement-making apparatus.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And to the priests the Levites, of the seed of Zadok": This specific phrase highlights Ezekiel's theological corrective. It addresses the post-exilic desire for spiritual renewal by narrowing the permissible priesthood. It emphasizes legitimacy and faithfulness derived from direct, undefiled lineage, as opposed to the corrupt pre-exilic priesthood.
• "which approach unto me, to minister unto me": These two phrases underscore the unique function and unparalleled intimacy granted to the Zadokite priests. "Approach" speaks of proximity and access to the very presence of God in the Holy Place, while "minister" speaks of the sacred, specific services they are authorized to perform there, such as overseeing the altar's operations. This dual emphasis defines their exclusive and weighty role.
• "young bullock for a sin offering": This prescribed sacrifice points to the deep purification required even for the holy implements of worship. It indicates that the very place where sacrifices are made must itself be purged of any uncleanness to ensure the efficacy and acceptability of future offerings, a foundation for all subsequent temple worship.

Ezekiel 43 19 Bonus section

The emphasis on Zadokite priests in Ezekiel 43:19 and 44:15-16 foreshadows a distinct and elevated role for this priestly line in future Messianic expectations, with some ancient Jewish traditions anticipating their prominent place. This strong differentiation contrasts sharply with earlier periods in Israel's history where the priesthood might have become lax or defiled. Ezekiel's blueprint thus not only dictates a structure but also a restored moral and spiritual purity. The meticulousness of the sacrificial requirements for the altar's consecration also implies that God's holiness demands complete perfection even from the instruments of worship, illustrating the insurmountable chasm between humanity and divine holiness, a gap ultimately bridged by God Himself in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. The "young bullock" here, while a powerful type, inherently highlights the temporary and repetitive nature of the Old Covenant's purification rites compared to the perfect and singular cleansing through Christ's sacrifice.

Ezekiel 43 19 Commentary

Ezekiel 43:19 stands as a pivotal verse within the prophet's grand vision of a restored Israel and its purified worship. Following God's majestic return to the temple (Ezek 43:1-9) and the detailed instructions for the altar, this verse outlines a critical requirement for its consecration: the appointment and specific sacrifice from the faithful Zadokite priests. The focus on "the seed of Zadok" is not arbitrary. It represents God's corrective response to the rampant unfaithfulness of the priesthood leading up to the exile. While all priests were Levites, only Zadok's descendants maintained a consistent loyalty to Yahweh, distinguishing them from others who "went astray" (Ezek 44:10). This re-establishment of a pure lineage for direct access ("which approach unto me, to minister unto me") underlines the necessity of undefiled hands and hearts in God's immediate service.

The "young bullock for a sin offering" is integral to the altar's seven-day cleansing and dedication (Ezek 43:20-27). This particular type of offering (חַטָּאת, chatta't) in this context serves to ceremonially purify the altar itself from any inherent or acquired ritual impurity, preparing it as a sanctified platform for all future sacrifices that atone for human sin. It ensures that the very instrument of atonement is perfectly clean and consecrated. This act underscores God's absolute demand for holiness in His dwelling place and His ministers, a theme profoundly echoed in the New Testament with the ultimate purification achieved by Christ's singular sacrifice, which enables believers, through Him, to draw near to God as a "holy priesthood" (1 Pet 2:5). The Ezekiel vision, therefore, becomes a type, pointing to a higher order of divine purity and access fully realized in Christ.