Ezekiel 45:18 kjv
Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary:
Ezekiel 45:18 nkjv
'Thus says the Lord GOD: "In the first month, on the first day of the month, you shall take a young bull without blemish and cleanse the sanctuary.
Ezekiel 45:18 niv
"?'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In the first month on the first day you are to take a young bull without defect and purify the sanctuary.
Ezekiel 45:18 esv
"Thus says the Lord GOD: In the first month, on the first day of the month, you shall take a bull from the herd without blemish, and purify the sanctuary.
Ezekiel 45:18 nlt
"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In early spring, on the first day of each new year, sacrifice a young bull with no defects to purify the Temple.
Ezekiel 45 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 45 | ...18 'In the first month, on the first day of the month, you shall take a bull from the herd, without blemish, and atone for the sanctuary. | Atonement for sanctuary |
| Leviticus 4 | ...1 'The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, | Sin offering commands |
| Leviticus 16 | ...3 Aaron shall enter the Holy Place with this: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. | Day of Atonement requirements |
| Numbers 28 | ...11 "Then at the beginning of each month you shall offer a burnt offering to the LORD: two young bulls, one ram, and seven yearling lambs without blemish. | New Moon offerings |
| Numbers 28 | ...9 "On the Sabbath day two male lambs a year old without blemish, and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with oil, and its drink offering. | Sabbath offerings |
| Hebrews 9 | ...11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)... | Christ as High Priest |
| Hebrews 10 | ...11 And by common day by day ministering and offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. | Imperfection of Old sacrifices |
| Hebrews 10 | ...12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God... | Christ's perfect sacrifice |
| 1 Peter 2 | ...24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. | Christ bore our sins |
| Genesis 17 | ...12 And he who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male among you throughout your generations,... | Covenant sign, purification |
| Exodus 29 | ...14 Then you shall take the flesh of the bull and the portions of the ram that are inside the engulfing. This is what is to be done with the bull and the ram... | Consecration of priests |
| Psalm 51 | ...7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. | Plea for cleansing |
| Isaiah 1 | ...18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow... | God's invitation to repentance |
| Jeremiah 33 | ...8 I will cleanse them from all the iniquity which they have committed against me; and I will forgive all their iniquities... | Forgiveness of iniquity |
| John 1 | ...29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” | Lamb of God |
| Acts 13 | ...38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you... | Forgiveness through Jesus |
| Romans 3 | ...23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, | Universality of sin |
| Romans 6 | ...23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. | Wages of sin |
| Romans 8 | ...14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. | Led by the Spirit |
| 1 Corinthians 6 | ...19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?... | Body as temple |
| Galatians 5 | ...22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, | Fruit of the Spirit |
| James 5 | ...16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is at work. | Confession and prayer |
Ezekiel 45 verses
Ezekiel 45 18 Meaning
This verse outlines a specific ordinance regarding the sin offering for the entire congregation of Israel, designated for the days of the New Moon and the Sabbath. It specifies that a male goat is to be provided as a sin offering, both for the people and for their livestock. This offering serves a purpose of atonement and purification for the community's unintentional sins.
Ezekiel 45 18 Context
Ezekiel chapter 45 describes detailed regulations for the future temple and the land's apportionment. These instructions are given by God to Ezekiel after the Babylonian exile, concerning the restoration of Israel and worship. The chapter focuses on the dimensions of the holy land, the portions for priests, Levites, and the prince, and specific offerings. Verse 18 fits within this broader context of establishing a new, purified system of worship and covenant relationship with God. Historically, the Israelites had gone into exile due to their persistent disobedience and idolatry, underscoring the need for clear instructions on atonement for past and ongoing national sins. The regulations for the new sanctuary and its sacrifices aim to ensure a right relationship with a holy God and to serve as a constant reminder of the need for sin to be dealt with.
Ezekiel 45 18 Word analysis
In the first month: This refers to the month of Nisan (or Abib), which is the start of the religious year.
on the first day of the month: This marks the beginning of the new month, observed with specific religious duties.
you shall take: Imperative command, indicating a direct divine instruction.
a male goat: Specifies the type of animal for the sin offering, aligning with other sin offering instructions for the community.
from the herd: Indicates it is from the domesticated animals of the people.
without blemish: A critical requirement for all sacrificial animals, symbolizing perfection and purity needed for atonement.
and atone: The core purpose of the offering – to make atonement, to cover sin, and to restore a right relationship with God.
for the sanctuary: This highlights that the sin offering is also for the cleansing and purification of the sacred dwelling place of God, which could be defiled by the sins of the people.
for the people: The sin offering is for the corporate sins of the entire nation of Israel.
and for your livestock: Extends the atonement to the animals owned by the community, signifying that even the created order can be affected by human sin and included in the redemptive process.
Ezekiel 45 18 Bonus section
The instruction for the sin offering on the New Moon and Sabbath signifies that sin is a perpetual reality that requires ongoing atonement. Even on days set apart for worship and rest, the need for sin to be dealt with remains. This foreshadows the New Covenant reality where believers are continually sanctified through Christ's finished work, yet the principle of recognizing sin and seeking forgiveness remains central to spiritual health. The mention of "your livestock" might also be interpreted to encompass the land or creation, which, as Romans 8 explains, also waits for redemption. This meticulousness in the Mosaic Law highlights God's desire for His people to live in a state of purity and restored relationship.
Ezekiel 45 18 Commentary
Ezekiel 45:18 emphasizes God's provision for the continuous purification of both the people and His dwelling place. The inclusion of livestock in the atonement reflects a holistic view of sin's impact. This ordinance, while specific to the Old Covenant era and a future re-establishment, points prophetically to the ultimate atonement made by Christ. He, the perfect "Lamb of God without blemish," offered Himself once for all sins, not only for humanity but also for the entire creation groaning under the effects of sin (Romans 8:22). The ordinance underscores the reality and seriousness of sin and the absolute necessity of a propitiatory sacrifice for reconciliation with God. It served as a constant reminder of the people's dependence on God's grace and the blood of sacrifices for covering their transgressions.