Ezekiel 46 4

Ezekiel 46:4 kjv

And the burnt offering that the prince shall offer unto the LORD in the sabbath day shall be six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish.

Ezekiel 46:4 nkjv

The burnt offering that the prince offers to the LORD on the Sabbath day shall be six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish;

Ezekiel 46:4 niv

The burnt offering the prince brings to the LORD on the Sabbath day is to be six male lambs and a ram, all without defect.

Ezekiel 46:4 esv

The burnt offering that the prince offers to the LORD on the Sabbath day shall be six lambs without blemish and a ram without blemish.

Ezekiel 46:4 nlt

"Each Sabbath day the prince will present to the LORD a burnt offering of six lambs and one ram, all with no defects.

Ezekiel 46 verses

Ezekiel 46 4 meaning

Ezekiel 46:4 specifies the exact burnt offering required of the "prince" on the Sabbath day in the visionary temple. It mandates six male lambs and one ram, all to be without blemish, symbolizing perfection and purity in approaching God through sacrifice on His designated day of rest and worship. This meticulous detail underscores the ideal and sanctified nature of worship in the future eschatological age.

Ezekiel 46 4 Context

Ezekiel 46 is part of the prophet's detailed vision of a new temple and worship system, which occupies chapters 40-48. This section follows the initial description of the temple structure and the consecration of the altar, now focusing on the actual rituals and offerings. Specifically, chapter 46 details the regulations concerning the temple gates and the prince's offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and regular weekdays. The vision provides a blueprint for an ideal worship, given to Israel during their exile in Babylon (circa 593-571 BC). It was meant to instill hope, demonstrate God's enduring commitment to His people, and call for purity and proper adherence to divine laws in anticipation of their return and a restored covenant relationship. The emphasis on meticulous detail counters past neglect and corrupt worship that led to their exile, presenting a future where worship is performed perfectly, as ordained by God. This specific verse outlines the princely offering for a weekly Sabbath, demonstrating the sacred importance of this day and the prominent role of the prince in the reformed cultus.

Ezekiel 46 4 Word analysis

• And the burnt offering (וְהָעֹלָה֙ - v'ha'olah):
  • וְ (v') - "And," connecting to preceding verses, part of a continuing set of instructions.
  • הָעֹלָה֙ (ha'olah) - "the burnt offering." The definite article "the" indicates a specific type of sacrifice well-known in Israelite worship. The Hebrew root alah means "to ascend." An olah was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and ascent to God. It was a primary offering for atonement and devotion.
• that the prince shall offer (אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַקְרִ֥יב הַנָּשִׂ֛יא - asher yakriv ha'nasi):
  • אֲשֶׁ֨ר (asher) - "that," "which."
  • יַקְרִ֥יב (yakriv) - "he shall offer." From the root karav (to draw near, present an offering). This verb emphasizes the prince's direct responsibility in presenting the sacrifice, although priests would actually perform the ritual.
  • הַנָּשִׂ֛יא (ha'nasi) - "the prince." This is a significant title in Ezekiel. In pre-exilic times, Israel had kings. Post-exile, Ezekiel uses nasi ("prince," "leader"), often distinguishing him from kings and high priests, though sometimes it designated a tribal chief (Num 4:4). The nasi in Ezekiel's vision is a central but not supreme figure, responsible for providing offerings on behalf of the people and maintaining justice, but distinct from the priesthood and not enjoying royal absolutism. He leads the community in worship by providing the sacrificial animals, showing submission to God's ultimate authority.
• unto the LORD (לַֽיהוָה֙ - la'YHWH):
  • לַֽ (la) - "to," "for."
  • יהוה (YHWH) - The divine, personal name of God, indicating that these offerings are specifically for the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes that the entire worship system is divinely ordained and directed to Him alone.
• in the sabbath day (בְּי֣וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת - b'yom ha'shabbat):
  • בְּ (b') - "in," "on."
  • י֣וֹם (yom) - "day."
  • הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת (ha'shabbat) - "the Sabbath." The weekly day of rest and holiness, consecrated by God at creation (Gen 2:3) and commanded in the Decalogue (Ex 20:8). Its observance here reaffirms the continuity and importance of God's covenant principles even in this visionary temple.
• shall be six lambs (שִׁשָּׁ֨ה כְבָשִׂ֜ים - shishah kvasim):
  • שִׁשָּׁ֨ה (shishah) - "six." A precise number, highlighting the prescriptive nature of the future worship and divine order. In the Law, the daily offering was one lamb, and the Sabbath offering doubled this (Num 28:9), making six a significant but different number from the historical requirements, perhaps emphasizing a new, ideal pattern.
  • כְבָשִׂ֜ים (kvasim) - "lambs" (masculine plural). Refers to young male sheep, a common and valued animal for burnt offerings.
• without blemish, (תְּמִימִֽים - t'mimim):
  • תְּמִימִֽים (t'mimim) - "without blemish," "perfect," "whole" (masculine plural, agreeing with "lambs"). This is a crucial and repeatedly emphasized requirement for all acceptable sacrifices in the Mosaic Law. It symbolizes the holiness and perfection required when approaching a holy God. Any imperfection in the animal would render the offering unacceptable.
• and a ram (וְאֵ֖יִל - v'ayil):
  • וְ (v') - "and."
  • אֵ֖יִל (ayil) - "a ram." A male sheep, typically older than a lamb, often used in burnt offerings or as an offering of atonement (Lev 5:15).
• without blemish. (תָּמִֽים - tamim):
  • תָּמִֽים (tamim) - "without blemish," "perfect" (masculine singular, agreeing with "ram"). Reiterates the essential quality required, underscoring purity and excellence in offerings to God.

Ezekiel 46 4 Bonus section

The precise numbers of animals and the consistent repetition of "without blemish" serve to highlight divine order and an uncompromising demand for purity in worship. Unlike historical temple practices, the prince here explicitly provides the sacrifices for the people and for himself (see Ezek 45:17, which gives him the responsibility for various offerings including olah, grain, and drink offerings). This is a distinct shift from the pre-exilic period where individual offerings were common, placing the community's spiritual integrity heavily on its leadership. The vision's emphasis on exact rituals, leadership, and flawless offerings serves as both a literal instruction for a post-exilic rebuilding (which did not precisely fulfill this vision) and a prophetic symbol of the ultimate spiritual restoration and perfect worship that will characterize the Messianic era. Many scholars interpret these detailed Ezekiel passages as providing typological blueprints that find their spiritual and ultimate fulfillment in Christ and the Church, rather than expecting a literal re-implementation of animal sacrifices.

Ezekiel 46 4 Commentary

Ezekiel 46:4 presents a snapshot of ideal worship in the future, envisioned temple. The specific directives regarding the prince's Sabbath offering underline several key theological themes. Firstly, the emphasis on a burnt offering (olah), which is wholly consumed, signifies complete surrender and atonement. It represents an all-encompassing devotion to God. Secondly, the figure of the prince (nasi), not a king, reflects a theocratic vision where ultimate sovereignty rests with God. The prince, as a community leader, has specific responsibilities in enabling and leading worship, specifically by providing the sacrifices. This distinguishes his role from the priests who officiate them, thereby maintaining the strict division of sacred duties seen elsewhere in Ezekiel.

The mandated offering on the Sabbath day highlights the enduring significance of this divine institution as a day consecrated for worship and communion with God. Its meticulous observance contrasts with the failures of Israel in previous eras. The requirement of six lambs and one ram without blemish is paramount. "Without blemish" (tamim) is more than physical perfection; it denotes wholeness and suitability for sacred use, pointing to the absolute holiness and perfection of God who is worshipped. It reflects the truth that God demands the best, a standard perfectly fulfilled in the flawless sacrifice of Christ, the true "lamb without blemish" (1 Pet 1:19; Heb 9:14), rendering all animal sacrifices obsolete through His complete and perfect atonement. Thus, while describing ancient rituals, this verse indirectly foreshadows the ultimate spiritual perfection realized in the New Covenant through Christ, where believers are called to offer themselves as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1).