Ezekiel 45 14

Ezekiel 45:14 kjv

Concerning the ordinance of oil, the bath of oil, ye shall offer the tenth part of a bath out of the cor, which is an homer of ten baths; for ten baths are an homer:

Ezekiel 45:14 nkjv

The ordinance concerning oil, the bath of oil, is one-tenth of a bath from a kor. A kor is a homer or ten baths, for ten baths are a homer.

Ezekiel 45:14 niv

The prescribed portion of olive oil, measured by the bath, is a tenth of a bath from each cor (which consists of ten baths or one homer, for ten baths are equivalent to a homer).

Ezekiel 45:14 esv

and as the fixed portion of oil, measured in baths, one tenth of a bath from each cor (the cor, like the homer, contains ten baths).

Ezekiel 45:14 nlt

one percent of your olive oil,

Ezekiel 45 verses

Ezekiel 45 14 meaning

Ezekiel 45:14 specifies the exact regulations for the oil contribution in the restored temple worship. It mandates that the oil-measure, the bath, for offerings shall be a tenth part of a homer. The verse then clarifies the relationship between these liquid measures, stating that ten baths constitute one homer. This establishes a precise, divinely ordained standard for honest and accurate offerings, ensuring integrity in the sacred economy of God's people.

Ezekiel 45 14 Context

Ezekiel 45:14 is situated within the visionary blueprint for the restored temple and land found in Ezekiel chapters 40-48. This comprehensive vision was given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, offering hope and guidance to the Jewish people who had lost their temple, their independent nation, and their established religious practices. The exile itself was understood as divine judgment for the nation's spiritual and moral failures, which often included corruption, idolatry, and social injustice.

Chapter 45, in particular, focuses on the "holy district," outlining regulations for the sanctuary, the priests, and the administrative roles of the nasi (prince). A central theme in this chapter is the re-establishment of righteousness and justice, particularly in economic matters and cultic practices. Ezekiel 45:9-12 directly precedes this verse, commanding the princes of Israel to abandon violence and oppression, execute justice, and, notably, "have just balances, a just ephah, and a just bath." This general command sets the stage for the specific measures in verse 14 concerning oil, demonstrating God's demand for integrity in every transaction and offering connected with the sanctuary. The detailed and precise measurements prevent fraud and ensure that all contributions for sacrifices and priestly maintenance are pure and according to God's standard, a stark contrast to the corrupt practices of pre-exilic Israel.

Ezekiel 45 14 Word analysis

• And the oil-measure: Hebrew w'ḥoq ha'shemen (וְחֹק הַשֶּׁמֶן֙).
  • וְחֹק (v'ḥoq): "And the statute/ordinance/decree." This term signifies a divinely established rule or fixed portion. It emphasizes that this measurement is not arbitrary but a prescribed divine requirement, binding for the future system.
  • הַשֶּׁמֶן֙ (ha'shemen): "the oil." This refers primarily to olive oil, a crucial commodity for sustenance, light (in the sanctuary menorah), anointing, and various grain offerings and sacrifices in Israelite worship.
• the bath, shall be: Hebrew ha'bat ha'shemen tāsēm (הַבַּת הַשֶּׁמֶן֙ תָּסֵ֥מוּ).
  • הַבַּת (ha'bat): "the bath." A specific liquid measure. It was a common unit of volume in ancient Israel and the Near East, typically estimated at 22-30 liters (around 6-8 gallons). Its inclusion specifies the unit for oil contributions.
• a tenth of a homer,: Hebrew ʿăśîrît ha'bat min ha'kor (עֲשִׂירִית הַבַּת מִן־הַכֹּר).
  • עֲשִׂירִית (ʿăśîrît): "a tenth part." This exact fraction highlights the principle of proportionate giving, akin to the tithe (tenth). It dictates the precise ratio for the oil contribution.
  • מִן־הַכֹּר (min ha'kor): "from the cor/homer." The "cor" (כֹּר) is synonymous with "homer" (חֹמֶר), a large measure of capacity, roughly ten times a bath. It could hold about 220-300 liters (around 60-80 gallons). The preposition min "from" indicates that a tenth of a bath is to be offered out of or for every homer of oil. It implies a rate of contribution related to a larger volume, defining the expected offering for the communal or princely stores.
• and ten baths shall be a homer: Hebrew ʿăśeret baṭṭîm ḥōmer hî (עֲשֶׂרֶת בַּתִּים֙ חֹמֶר הִיא֙).
  • עֲשֶׂרֶת בַּתִּים֙ (ʿăśeret baṭṭîm): "ten baths." This phrase precisely defines the conversion rate between the two units of liquid measure.
  • חֹמֶר (ḥōmer): "homer." Reinforces the identity of the homer as the larger standard unit.
• for ten baths make a homer: This final clause repeats and confirms the equivalency for emphasis and clarity, ensuring no misunderstanding of the fundamental relationship between these measures. It acts as a standard rule for the new temple economy.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the ordinance of oil, the bath of oil": Establishes the subject as divinely decreed oil measurement, specifically designating the bath as the unit relevant to oil offerings. This is a prescriptive statement.
• "shall be a tenth of a homer": Specifies the exact fractional contribution. This isn't just an amount but a proportion, rooting the offering in the ancient Israelite tradition of proportionate giving (tithes, firstfruits). The word homer here acts as the reference for calculation.
• "and ten baths shall be a homer; for ten baths make a homer": This twofold statement ensures absolute clarity regarding the precise conversion factor. This clear standard is critical for an equitable system, preventing ambiguity and potential exploitation in a society where honest weights and measures were repeatedly commanded yet often neglected. It functions as an immutable economic law for the envisioned community.

Ezekiel 45 14 Bonus section

The very precision in specifying the oil measure, along with other commodity measurements in Ezekiel 45, reveals a deeper theological truth: God cares about every detail of life, especially concerning worship and communal interaction. This focus on standard units and honest dealing prefigures a time when not only spiritual purity but also material ethics would be paramount. It underscores that holiness is not confined to the altar but extends to the marketplace and daily transactions. This concept of total holiness and precise adherence to divine standards serves as a strong foundation for the kingdom ethics taught in the New Testament, where integrity, generous giving, and fair stewardship of resources are vital aspects of Christian discipleship. While Christians today are not bound by these literal cultic measurements, the underlying principle of giving honestly, proportionately, and cheerfully to support God's work, and maintaining integrity in all our dealings, remains a timeless and essential aspect of faith.

Ezekiel 45 14 Commentary

Ezekiel 45:14 is a precise regulation that, on the surface, might seem dry or merely technical. However, its theological significance is profound within the context of Ezekiel's vision. Following divine pronouncements against injustice in trade (Ezek 45:9-12), this verse is a practical application of God's demand for integrity and holiness in every sphere of life, including economic transactions and temple offerings. The meticulously defined measures for oil – "a tenth of a bath from a homer," with "ten baths making a homer" – eliminate ambiguity and prevent dishonest practices that historically plagued Israel.

This isn't merely about numerical accuracy; it reflects a foundational principle of God's character and his expectations for his people: order, fairness, and truthfulness. For the exiles, who understood their punishment partly stemmed from corruption, such detailed statutes would have offered reassurance of a future characterized by divine order and a righteous community. The offering of oil, a vital commodity used in worship (for light, anointing, and meal offerings), here becomes a symbol of proportionate and pure devotion, free from deceit. This regulation points to a future temple economy where everything, down to the smallest measure, is consecrated and operated according to God's flawless standards, thus ensuring justice and preventing exploitation.