Ezekiel 43 22

Ezekiel 43:22 kjv

And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock.

Ezekiel 43:22 nkjv

On the second day you shall offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they cleansed it with the bull.

Ezekiel 43:22 niv

"On the second day you are to offer a male goat without defect for a sin offering, and the altar is to be purified as it was purified with the bull.

Ezekiel 43:22 esv

And on the second day you shall offer a male goat without blemish for a sin offering; and the altar shall be purified, as it was purified with the bull.

Ezekiel 43:22 nlt

"On the second day, sacrifice as a sin offering a young male goat that has no physical defects. Then cleanse and make atonement for the altar again, just as you did with the young bull.

Ezekiel 43 verses

Ezekiel 43 22 meaning

Ezekiel 43:22 details the second day of a seven-day consecration process for the new altar in the visionary Temple. On this day, a male goat, perfectly unblemished, is to be presented as a sin offering. This specific sacrifice serves to continue the purification of the altar, mirroring the cleansing performed on the first day with a bullock, thereby meticulously preparing it for the sacred purpose of acceptable worship.

Ezekiel 43 22 Context

Ezekiel 43:22 is set within Ezekiel's visionary Temple, following the detailed measurements and description of the building (chapters 40-42) and the return of God's glory to the Temple (chapter 43:1-12). This particular verse, along with the preceding verses (43:18-21) and subsequent ones (43:23-27), outlines a meticulous seven-day ritual for consecrating the altar. This consecration is essential before any regular offerings can be made on it. The vision occurs during the Babylonian exile, a time when Israel suffered due to idolatry and defilement of their original Temple. Therefore, Ezekiel's detailed instructions for the altar's purification emphasize the supreme importance of holiness, ritual purity, and obedience in the future restored worship of God, in stark contrast to past failures. The purification process underscores the principle that human sin renders even sacred objects and places unsuitable for divine presence, requiring precise and thorough cleansing before access is granted. The continuous "cleansing" signifies a deep, sustained effort to sanctify the altar for its ultimate purpose.

Ezekiel 43 22 Word analysis

• And on the second day (וּבַיּוֹם֙ הַשֵּׁנִי - u-va-yom ha-sheni):
  • וּבַיּוֹם֙ (u-va-yom): "And on the day." The initial "וּ" (u-) functions as "and," linking this action to the previous day's ritual. This indicates a sequential progression within the larger seven-day dedication ceremony, highlighting methodical, divine ordering.
  • הַשֵּׁנִי (ha-sheni): "the second." Explicitly marks the temporal progression, demonstrating that this cleansing is part of a sustained, multi-day process. This implies a thoroughness necessary for achieving perfect sanctity.
• thou shalt offer (תַּקְרִ֣יב - takriv):
  • This is a Hiphil imperfect verb, second person masculine singular, meaning "you shall bring near" or "you shall offer." It's a command directed at the high priest or priestly line, emphasizing divine mandate and their active role in mediating worship and purification. The Hiphil stem implies causation, i.e., "causing to draw near."
• a he goat (שְׂעִֽיר־עִזִּ֔ים - se'ir-izzim):
  • Literally "a hairy one of goats," signifying a male goat. This animal is a standard choice for a sin offering (chatta't) in the Mosaic Law, typically offered for unintentional sins or purifications. Its specification indicates the particular type of purification sacrifice required for this stage of altar cleansing.
• without blemish (תָּמִ֖ים - tamim):
  • This Hebrew word means "whole," "complete," "perfect," or "blameless." It's a crucial requirement for all acceptable sacrifices in the Old Testament. It signifies the ideal standard of purity demanded by God, pointing to the unblemished nature required of a holy offering, ultimately fulfilled in Christ (1 Pet 1:19).
• for a sin offering (לְחַטָּ֑את - le-chatta't):
  • לְ (le-): "for," indicating purpose.
  • חַטָּאת (chatta't): Can mean "sin" or "sin offering." Here, it specifically refers to the sacrificial ritual designed to atone for sin, purify from defilement, or consecrate persons/objects. Its inclusion clearly defines the purpose of the he-goat sacrifice for the altar's purification.
• and they shall cleanse the altar (וְטִהֲר֣וּ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ - ve-tiharu et-ha-mizbe'ach):
  • וְטִהֲר֣וּ (ve-tiharu): "And they shall purify/cleanse." A Piel imperfect verb, third person plural, indicating an intensive or thorough cleansing action. The "they" likely refers to the priests performing the ritual. This underscores the comprehensive nature of the purification.
  • אֶת־ (et-): Direct object marker.
  • הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ (ha-mizbe'ach): "the altar." The central object of the entire consecration process. Its holiness is paramount for proper worship and the presence of God.
• as they did cleanse it with the bullock (כַּאֲשֶׁר֙ טִהֲר֖וּ בַּפָּֽר׃ - ka'asher tiharu ba-par):
  • כַּאֲשֶׁר֙ (ka'asher): "as," "just as," "according as." A comparative conjunction, linking the current action to the previous day's event.
  • טִהֲר֖וּ (tiharu): "they cleansed." Repeating the same Piel verb, emphasizing continuity and consistency of the purification method.
  • בַּפָּֽר׃ (ba-par): "with the bullock/calf." Refers back to the offering made on the first day (Ezek 43:19, 21), highlighting the standardized procedure and the thorough, layered cleansing. The first day's bullock often represented a significant atonement.

Ezekiel 43 22 Bonus section

The seven-day period of consecration for the altar (Ezek 43:26-27), with the second day here continuing the initial purification, parallels the seven days of creation in Gen 1, suggesting a new creation or re-creation of holiness and order in God's presence. Each day's offering, moving from the larger bullock to the goat, then potentially daily (Ezek 43:25) to lambs and bullocks, signifies a progressive layering of cleansing and sanctification, building to complete acceptance. This also resonates with the consecration of Aaron and his sons over seven days in Lev 8, underscoring that both priesthood and sacred space must be completely purified before they can function acceptably. The envisioned Temple, distinct in some details from Solomon's or the wilderness Tabernacle, presents an idealized state of worship, where every aspect reflects God's uncompromised holiness and demand for absolute ritual adherence for fellowship to be restored in its fullness.

Ezekiel 43 22 Commentary

Ezekiel 43:22 continues the meticulous blueprint for sanctifying the altar in the future Temple, a process absolutely critical for re-establishing holy worship after Israel's spiritual decline. The command to offer a "he goat without blemish for a sin offering" on the second day reinforces several enduring theological principles. First, it underlines the requirement of perfect purity for anything offered to or dedicated for God, signified by the "without blemish" clause which anticipates Christ's sinless sacrifice. Second, the repeated emphasis on "sin offering" and "cleansing the altar" speaks to the pervasive nature of sin's defilement, requiring successive and thorough purification. Even newly built holy objects, interacting with fallen humanity, needed extensive cleansing to become truly fit for God's glory. The parallelism to the bullock's cleansing on the first day (Ezek 43:19-21) establishes a systematic, layered approach to sanctification. This vision in Ezekiel does not simply prescribe rituals; it instructs about God's absolute holiness and humanity's perpetual need for atonement and purification to bridge the chasm. The repeated animal sacrifices highlight their temporary nature, constantly pointing forward to the ultimate, once-for-all purification and consecration made possible by Christ (Heb 10:1-14).