Ezekiel 43:20 kjv
And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.
Ezekiel 43:20 nkjv
'You shall take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and on the rim around it; thus you shall cleanse it and make atonement for it.
Ezekiel 43:20 niv
You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the upper ledge and all around the rim, and so purify the altar and make atonement for it.
Ezekiel 43:20 esv
And you shall take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the ledge and upon the rim all around. Thus you shall purify the altar and make atonement for it.
Ezekiel 43:20 nlt
You will take some of its blood and smear it on the four horns of the altar, the four corners of the upper ledge, and the curb that runs around that ledge. This will cleanse and make atonement for the altar.
Ezekiel 43 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 29:37 | "Thus you shall consecrate the altar and make it holy, and whatever touches the altar shall be holy." | Consecration of altar |
| Lev 8:18 | "Then he brought the ram of ordination and laid its hands on the head of the ram." | Priestly ordination sacrifice |
| Lev 10:1 | "Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it..." | Unacceptable offerings |
| Lev 16:14 | "He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat..." | Day of Atonement blood rite |
| Heb 7:27 | "Unlike the high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people..." | Christ as High Priest |
| Heb 9:23 | "Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these." | Heavenly Tabernacle parallels |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood..." | Believers as priests |
| Ezek 43:13 | "And these are the measurements of the altar in cubits, by cubit and hand..." | Altar dimensions recap |
| Ezek 44:29 | "They shall eat the grain offering and the sin offering and the guilt offering..." | Priestly portions |
| Ezek 45:17 | "It shall be the prince's duty to provide the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the drink offerings, at the feasts, on the New Moons, and on the Sabbaths, all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel..." | Prince's role in offerings |
| Ex 29:10 | "Then you shall bring the bull before the tabernacle of meeting. Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull." | Consecration ceremony start |
| Lev 1:4 | "He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted for him to make atonement for him." | Atonement through burnt offering |
| Num 18:3 | "...they are your additional gift to you and to your sons, assigned as a duty to be performed, so that they may minister to me..." | Priestly duties |
| Isa 60:7 | "All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you..." | Gentile inclusion, service |
| Zech 14:20 | "On that day, even upon the bells of the horses, shall be inscribed, Holy to the LORD." | Holiness of everyday objects |
| Acts 3:21 | "whom heaven must receive until the time for the restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old." | Restoration through Christ |
| Rev 5:10 | "and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”" | Christ's kingdom of priests |
| John 17:19 | "And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth." | Jesus' consecration |
| Eph 5:2 | "and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." | Christ's sacrifice |
| Heb 13:15 | "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." | New covenant worship |
| 1 Cor 6:20 | "for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." | Glorifying God |
Ezekiel 43 verses
Ezekiel 43 20 Meaning
This verse describes the offering of the sons of Aaron, the priests, upon the altar of the burnt offering. It details the specific preparation and presentation of these offerings, emphasizing their role in atonement and consecration before God in the rebuilt Temple. The process is a ritual of purification and consecration for the priesthood and for the people of Israel.
Ezekiel 43 20 Context
Ezekiel chapter 43 returns to the vision of the glorious Temple and the specific instructions for its worship. Following the detailed description of the altar's construction and consecration in the preceding verses, this section focuses on the prescribed sacrificial duties of the priests. It occurs within the broader context of God's covenant faithfulness, His promised restoration of Israel, and the establishment of a righteous sanctuary that reflects His holiness. The historical backdrop is the Babylonian exile, with Ezekiel prophesying a future restoration to Jerusalem and the renewal of Temple worship. This verse is part of God's instructions for establishing order and holiness in His future dwelling place and for His ministers.
Ezekiel 43 20 Word Analysis
- And ye (וְאַתֶּם - v'atem): "And you" (plural), addressing the priests, initiating their specific duties.
- shall offer (תַּקְרִיבוּ - taqribu): From the root meaning "to bring near," "to offer," "to present." This word signifies the bringing of offerings to God.
- the sons (בְּנֵי - b'nei): "sons of." Emphasizes lineage and inheritance, identifying Aaron's descendants as specifically appointed.
- of Aaron (אַהֲרֹן - Aharon): Refers to Aaron, the first High Priest, signifying the ongoing Aaronic priesthood.
- which (אֲשֶׁר - asher): A relative pronoun connecting the sons of Aaron to the offerings they are to present.
- are consecrated (מְקֻדָּשִׁים - m'qudashim): From the root qadash meaning "holy," "set apart," "consecrated." It highlights their sanctification for priestly service.
- to minister (לְשָׁרֵת - l'sharet): From the root sharat, meaning "to serve," "to minister." Denotes their ordained function before God.
- unto me (לִי - li): Directly states the object of their service is God Himself.
- unto me (לִי - li): Repetition emphasizes the personal aspect of God's acceptance of their ministry.
- the lambs (הַכְּבָשִׂים - ha-k'vasim): "the young sheep," specifically male lambs without blemish, commonly used in sacrifices.
- of the flock (מִן הַצֹּאן - min ha-tson): "from the flock/sheep." A general category for sacrificial animals.
- without blemish (תְּמִימִם - temimim): "without defect," "perfect." A crucial requirement for all animal sacrifices, symbolizing purity and perfection required to approach God.
- ye shall offer (תַּקְרִיבוּ - taqribu): Repeat of the verb for offering, reinforcing the command for their specific sacrifice.
- for sin (לְחַטָּאָה - l'chata'ah): "for a sin offering." One of the primary categories of sacrifice, intended for atonement of sin.
- offerings (עֹלֹת - olot): From the root alah, meaning "to go up." Specifically, burnt offerings, fully consumed by fire as a token of complete devotion and atonement.
- two (שְׁנֵי - sh'nei): "two." Specifies the quantity for the sin offering.
- male (זְכָרִים - z'kharim): "male." A specification for the type of animal.
- lambs (כְּבָשִׂים - k'vasim): "lambs."
- without blemish (תְּמִימִם - temimim): "without defect," "perfect." Reiterates the requirement of purity for these animals as well.
Ezekiel 43 20 Bonus Section
The prescribed offerings here for the priests (sin offerings and burnt offerings) directly relate to the functions outlined in Leviticus and Numbers concerning the consecration of priests and the daily ministry. The dual requirement of atonement (sin offering) and complete surrender (burnt offering) reflects the essence of true worship – acknowledging sin and dedicating oneself entirely to God. This verse reinforces the concept that access to God and effective service before Him are mediated through prescribed sacrifices and holy service, a principle that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The repetition of "without blemish" is not accidental; it consistently points towards a spotless offering that satisfies divine justice and holiness.
Ezekiel 43 20 Commentary
Ezekiel 43:20 meticulously details the inauguration of sacrifices by the consecrated Levitical priests in the newly envisioned Temple. The emphasis on "lambs without blemish" highlights the indispensable need for purity in approaching a holy God. The provision of two specific types of offerings – sin offerings and burnt offerings – underscores the dual purpose of sacrificial worship: atonement for sin and a demonstration of devotion. This verse not only codifies the outward ritual but also points to an inward reality of cleansing and consecration required of God’s ministers and, by extension, all His people. The responsibility falls upon Aaron's sons, the ordained priesthood, to present these perfect sacrifices, prefiguring the ultimate sinless sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the true High Priest, whose singular atonement allows all believers direct access to God as priests themselves. The "without blemish" quality of these animals serves as a consistent prophetic foreshadowing of Christ’s own perfection, who was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26).