Ezekiel 45 13

Ezekiel 45:13 kjv

This is the oblation that ye shall offer; the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of wheat, and ye shall give the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of barley:

Ezekiel 45:13 nkjv

"This is the offering which you shall offer: you shall give one-sixth of an ephah from a homer of wheat, and one-sixth of an ephah from a homer of barley.

Ezekiel 45:13 niv

"?'This is the special gift you are to offer: a sixth of an ephah from each homer of wheat and a sixth of an ephah from each homer of barley.

Ezekiel 45:13 esv

"This is the offering that you shall make: one sixth of an ephah from each homer of wheat, and one sixth of an ephah from each homer of barley,

Ezekiel 45:13 nlt

"You must give this tax to the prince: one bushel of wheat or barley for every 60 you harvest,

Ezekiel 45 verses

Ezekiel 45 13 meaning

Ezekiel 45:13 details a specific mandatory contribution of grain, both wheat and barley, from the harvest of the people within the divinely appointed land of the future temple. This contribution, designated as a sacred "heave offering" (terumah), is precisely set at one-sixth of an ephah from every homer of produce. Its purpose is to provide for the support and operations of the sanctuary and the administrative expenses of the Prince, ensuring the sustained functioning of worship and governance in the restored Israelite community. This decree emphasizes divine order, equitable participation, and the sanctity of offerings.

Ezekiel 45 13 Context

Ezekiel chapters 40-48 present a visionary depiction of a restored temple, land, and governmental structure for Israel in the eschatological age, often referred to as the Millennial Kingdom. Within this extensive vision, chapter 45 details the allocation of sacred land for the temple, the priests, and the Levites, as well as a large portion for the "prince" (nasi). It then lays out specific laws concerning weights, measures, and, significantly, the mandatory offerings and contributions required from the people to support the elaborate temple services and the functions of the prince. Verse 13 is part of a series of regulations (Ezek 45:9-17) designed to establish a righteous and equitable system of support for the cultic worship and leadership. This structure stands in stark contrast to the historical injustices, corrupt practices, and spiritual negligence that had plagued ancient Israel, leading to its judgment and exile. The specific, proportional contributions mandated here are crucial for ensuring a self-sustaining holy community, preventing abuse, and promoting faithfulness in a renewed covenant relationship with God.

Ezekiel 45 13 Word analysis

• This (זֹאת - zoʼt): A demonstrative pronoun, pointing forward to the specific instruction or decree about to be given. It emphasizes the direct and authoritative nature of the ensuing command.
• is the contribution (תְּרוּמָה - terumah): This Hebrew term refers to a "heave offering" or "sacred contribution." It implies something "lifted up" or "set apart" for a holy purpose. Terumah often denotes an offering given to priests or the temple, distinct from other types of offerings, and here specifically for communal religious support. Its sacred nature underscores the seriousness of the requirement.
• you are to present (תָרִימוּ - tarimu): The imperative verb, meaning "you shall lift up," "raise," or "present." It's an active command, indicating an obligatory act of giving by the people, consistent with the nature of a terumah.
• a sixth of an ephah (שִׁשִּׁית אֵיפָה - shishith ephah):
  • שִׁשִּׁית (shishith): "A sixth part," denoting a precise fraction.
  • אֵיפָה (ephah): An ancient Hebrew dry measure, approximately 22 liters or about 3/5 of a bushel. It was a standard unit for grain. This exact fractional requirement highlights the divine insistence on accuracy, justice, and the methodical nature of these sacred contributions, leaving no room for arbitrary decisions or dishonest practices.
• from each homer (מִשֶּׁקֶל חֹמֶר - mishekel chomer):
  • מִ (mi): "From" or "out of."
  • שֶׁקֶל (shekel): While typically "weight," in contexts like this, when associated with dry measures, it implies a "quantity" or "amount." However, most translations render it as "each" or "per." The core meaning is a proportion of the full measure.
  • חֹמֶר (chomer): A larger dry measure, meaning "a heap" or "donkey-load." It's equivalent to 10 ephahs or approximately 220 liters (about 6.2 bushels). This term refers to the standard unit of the harvested grain. The phrase ensures a proportional system, meaning that contributions are made according to productivity, promoting fairness among producers. One-sixth of an ephah from a homer effectively means 1/60th of the total homer (since 1 ephah = 1/10 homer, so 1/6 ephah = 1/60 homer), which is about 1.67% of the yield.
• of wheat (חִטִּים - chittim): Wheat, a primary staple grain in the ancient Near East, symbolizing essential produce and the common bounty of the land. Its inclusion signifies the most valuable agricultural output being consecrated.
• and (וְ - ve): A conjunctive that simply links the two categories of grain.
• a sixth of an ephah from each homer (שִׁשִׁית אֵיפָה מִשֶּׁקֶל חֹמֶר - shishith ephah mishekel chomer): The repetition underscores the consistent and non-discriminatory nature of the law for both major grain types.
• of barley (שְׂעֹרִים - se'orim): Barley, another crucial grain, often cultivated alongside wheat and used for bread, animal feed, or beer. Its inclusion indicates that the contribution applies broadly to the land's major grain yields, reflecting a comprehensive approach to funding the sanctuary.

• "This is the contribution you are to present": This phrase unequivocally establishes the divine command and the people's responsibility. It's not a voluntary donation but a divinely ordained terumah necessary for the upkeep of the holy system and its leadership. The phrasing carries an imperative force, highlighting a direct instruction from God concerning the administration of the renewed covenant.
• "a sixth of an ephah from each homer": This highly specific ratio signifies the importance of meticulous adherence to God's regulations. It reflects a principle of equity—those with larger harvests contribute more in absolute terms but at the same proportional rate. This avoids both under-contribution and overburdening the poor. It establishes a baseline of support that is consistent and just, serving as a bulwark against the dishonest measures and exploitative practices common in ancient societies, thereby reinforcing the new era's commitment to righteousness (Ezek 45:9-12).

Ezekiel 45 13 Bonus section

The seemingly small percentage of 1/60th of the grain harvest (approx. 1.67%) might appear less than the customary 10% tithe found in earlier Mosaic law. However, this particular terumah in Ezekiel is not explicitly labeled a "tithe." Instead, it is specified for the communal support of the "prince" and "house of Israel" to "make atonement for them" (Ezek 45:15, 17). This indicates it serves as a central treasury for communal sacrificial offerings, distinct from personal tithes that would traditionally go to individual priests or Levites for their personal upkeep. The prince, not a king in the traditional sense, serves in a mediating capacity, ensuring the sanctuary's provision and the people's communal atonement through offerings. This specific allocation and modest proportion might highlight a unique economic structure in the Millennial Kingdom where God's direct blessings on the land provide abundantly, and a relatively small, meticulously managed communal fund is sufficient for these specific purposes, thereby preventing the exploitation often seen when leaders had extensive taxing powers. It focuses on corporate responsibility for public religious rites, ensuring justice and precise adherence to divine standards.

Ezekiel 45 13 Commentary

Ezekiel 45:13 sets forth a foundational law for economic support within the visionary restored Israel, directly linking the prosperity of the people to the sustenance of divine worship and governance. By stipulating a precise contribution of wheat and barley – the staples of the land – the verse mandates a proportional system of sacred giving. This "heave offering" (terumah) is essential for the operating expenses of the future sanctuary and the financial support of the Prince, who holds administrative and cultic responsibilities. The fractional nature of the contribution (one-sixtieth of the yield) underscores principles of fairness, order, and precision in sacred matters, reflecting God's demand for integrity in economic dealings. It counters past corruptions and neglect by institutionalizing a consistent and equitable mechanism for the entire community to participate in upholding God's presence and leadership among them. This law is not merely a tax, but an act of worship and covenant loyalty, ensuring that the communal life revolves around and properly supports the holy things of God.