Ezekiel 46 14

Ezekiel 46:14 kjv

And thou shalt prepare a meat offering for it every morning, the sixth part of an ephah, and the third part of an hin of oil, to temper with the fine flour; a meat offering continually by a perpetual ordinance unto the LORD.

Ezekiel 46:14 nkjv

And you shall prepare a grain offering with it every morning, a sixth of an ephah, and a third of a hin of oil to moisten the fine flour. This grain offering is a perpetual ordinance, to be made regularly to the LORD.

Ezekiel 46:14 niv

You are also to provide with it morning by morning a grain offering, consisting of a sixth of an ephah with a third of a hin of oil to moisten the flour. The presenting of this grain offering to the LORD is a lasting ordinance.

Ezekiel 46:14 esv

And you shall provide a grain offering with it morning by morning, one sixth of an ephah, and one third of a hin of oil to moisten the flour, as a grain offering to the LORD. This is a perpetual statute.

Ezekiel 46:14 nlt

With the lamb, a grain offering must also be given to the LORD ? about three quarts of flour with a third of a gallon of olive oil to moisten the choice flour. This will be a permanent law for you.

Ezekiel 46 verses

Ezekiel 46 14 meaning

Ezekiel 46:14 provides a precise command for the Prince within the visionary temple of Ezekiel, stipulating a daily burnt offering. It describes the consistent presentation of a one-year-old, unblemished male lamb to the LORD, to be prepared specifically every morning. This ritual emphasizes continuous worship, atonement, and the profound consecration of each new day to God's glory, reiterating divine expectations for purity, dedication, and perpetual communion with Him in the context of the restored covenant community.

Ezekiel 46 14 Context

Ezekiel 46:14 is found within a detailed prophetic vision given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile (Ezekiel 40-48). This vision describes a new temple, a reorganized priestly service, and regulations for worship in a future, idealized Israel. Chapter 46 specifically outlines the ceremonial duties of the "Prince" (Hebrew: nasi). Unlike the pre-exilic kings who often overstepped their religious authority, this Prince's role is clearly defined to be under the Law and facilitating worship rather than originating it. He enters the sanctuary, watches the offerings, and provides some of the sacrificial animals for the people, ensuring their proper and timely presentation. This verse, therefore, mandates the Prince's personal, perpetual morning sacrifice, a daily burnt offering that initiates the day's worship, paralleling the foundational tamid offering of the Mosaic Law but within the renewed temple structure. Historically, these detailed regulations provided a blueprint of hope and purity for the exiled people, anticipating a future restoration of divine order and the unwavering presence of God. It directly counters past idolatry and corruption within Israelite worship by demanding meticulous adherence to Yahweh's prescribed rituals and emphasizing exclusive devotion "unto the LORD" through perfect, unblemished offerings.

Ezekiel 46 14 Word analysis

• And (וְ - wə): A conjunctive particle, linking this specific command to the broader instructions concerning the Prince's responsibilities, particularly the regulations for offerings detailed earlier in the chapter. It implies continuation and reinforcement of divine ordinances.

• thou shalt offer (וְעָשִׂיתָ - wə-‘āśîṯā): From the Hebrew verb עָשָׂה (asah), meaning "to do, make, prepare, offer." The form here implies a definite and binding command addressed to the Prince, underscoring his divinely appointed duty.

• a lamb (כֶּבֶשׂ - keḇeś): Specifically refers to a male lamb, a common and highly symbolic animal for sacrifice throughout the Torah (e.g., the Passover lamb). It signifies innocence, purity, and dependence.

• of the first year (בֶּן־שָׁנָה - ben-šānâ): Literally, "son of a year." This designates a young animal in its prime, robust and healthy. This was a consistent requirement for acceptable offerings (e.g., Lev 9:3; Num 28:3), indicating value, vitality, and purity dedicated to God.

• without blemish (תָמִים - tāmîm): A crucial term meaning "perfect," "whole," "complete," or "unblemished." This spiritual and physical integrity was non-negotiable for all sacrifices presented to Yahweh (e.g., Lev 1:3; Deut 15:21). It symbolizes the perfection required for anything brought before a holy God, prefiguring the spotless sacrifice of Christ.

• day by day (יוֹם בְּיוֹם - yōwm bəyōwm): An idiomatic expression for "daily" or "regularly." It stresses the consistent and uninterrupted nature of this required offering, establishing a perpetual pattern of worship and reliance upon God. It speaks to an ongoing covenant relationship.

• unto the LORD (לַיהוָה - la-YHWH): Explicitly designates Yahweh, the God of Israel, as the sole recipient of the sacrifice. This declaration affirms the monotheistic focus of Israel's worship, acting as a direct counter-statement against idolatry.

• for a burnt offering (עוֹלָה - ‘ōlāh): From the Hebrew root meaning "to go up." This sacrifice involved burning the entire animal on the altar, symbolizing total surrender, complete devotion, atonement for unintentional sin, and worship. It was entirely consumed, ascending to God as a "pleasing aroma" (Lev 1:9).

• thou shalt prepare it (תַּעֲשֶׂה אֹתוֹ - ta‘ăśeh ‘ōṯōw): Again, using asah, reiterating the command to perform this action. The object "it" (the lamb) confirms the direct reference to the specified offering.

• every morning (בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר - babbōqer babbōqer): A emphatic phrase meaning "morning by morning" or "each and every morning." This specific timing indicates the consecration of the new day, highlighting the priority of God at the start of daily life. It aligns with the morning daily sacrifice (tamid) in Mosaic law (Num 28:4).

• Words-group analysis:

  • "thou shalt offer a lamb... for a burnt offering": This phrase clearly outlines the Prince's commanded role in cultic practice, emphasizing the act of sacrificial worship, a core component of the Mosaic covenant, yet now specifically assigned to the nasi in the renewed temple.
  • "of the first year without blemish": These qualifying terms for the lamb underscore the unwavering standard of perfection and purity required for divine encounter and atonement, illustrating that God deserves only the best and that sin demands a costly, untainted substitute.
  • "day by day unto the LORD... every morning": This recurring emphasis on regularity and timing (daily, every morning) reinforces the concept of perpetual devotion and continuous acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and presence. It indicates an unceasing, foundational aspect of the community's spiritual life, initiating each day with God.

Ezekiel 46 14 Bonus section

The prominence of the "burnt offering" (olah) in Ezekiel 46, specifically as a daily act for the Prince, signals its overarching theological significance. Unlike other sacrifices that had portions for priests or worshipers, the olah was entirely consumed on the altar, ascending to God. This signifies absolute devotion and the complete dedication of the worshiper, representing a full surrender. The Prince's personal, perpetual morning burnt offering is not for his own atonement in particular, but for "a burnt offering" (general, on behalf of the community), likely setting the tone for the day's communal worship and acknowledging God's sovereignty and mercy over the renewed Israel. This perpetual sacrifice pointed to an uninterrupted state of covenant faithfulness and the enduring presence of God among His people, emphasizing hope for a future where true, unwavering worship would be perfectly established. The regularity also functions as a stark contrast to the often intermittent and corrupted worship practices witnessed during the pre-exilic period, ensuring a disciplined and devoted community in the eschatological vision.

Ezekiel 46 14 Commentary

Ezekiel 46:14 encapsulates a foundational aspect of worship in the prophet's visionary temple: the daily, uninterrupted consecration of life and devotion to God. The command for the Prince to offer a single, pure, year-old lamb as a burnt offering every morning is not merely an archaic ritual; it represents an idealized and rigorous adherence to divine command that was lacking in Israel's past.

The specified nature of the offering—"a lamb of the first year without blemish"—echoes the demands of the Mosaic Law for purity and perfection, setting a high standard for approaching a holy God. This "spotless" requirement finds its ultimate fulfillment in the blameless sacrifice of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:19), who became the perfect "Lamb of God" (Jn 1:29) for a definitive and eternal atonement, rendering animal sacrifices obsolete.

The phrase "day by day... every morning" stresses continuity and priority. It teaches that worship, repentance, and dependence on God should not be sporadic but woven into the very fabric of daily life, commencing each day with intentional spiritual renewal and dedication. This serves as a continuous reminder of God's covenant relationship with His people and His sustained grace. The Prince's role, distinct from kings who had historically usurped priestly duties, underscores the principle of humble obedience to divine order in leadership. The meticulous details reinforce the sacredness of the space and the gravity of worship "unto the LORD," providing a strong theological framework for sustained, righteous living.

Practical usage: This verse encourages believers to cultivate a consistent, daily practice of devotion, symbolically "offering" themselves and their day to God. It highlights the importance of spiritual integrity and prioritizing God's presence at the outset of each morning, understanding that while animal sacrifices are fulfilled, the heart of dedication remains vital in Christian living (Rom 12:1).