And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.

EZEKIEL 43:18KJV
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Ezekiel 43:18 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 43:18 mean?

Ezekiel 43:18 records God giving Ezekiel instructions about the rules for using the altar in the new temple, specifically for offering burnt sacrifices and sprinkling blood on it. This verse introduces the detailed procedures that will follow, marking the altar’s importance in worship and sacrifice.

In this scene, God (called "the Lord GOD") speaks directly to Ezekiel, who is addressed as "son of man." The context is Ezekiel’s vision of a future temple, after the people’s exile. The verse sets the stage for the altar’s role, emphasizing that these are God’s own regulations for how sacrifices should be made, not human inventions.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 43:18

  • "ordinances" (חֻקּוֹת, ḥuqqot): This word means established rules or statutes, highlighting that the altar’s use is governed by specific, unchanging instructions from God.
  • "altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): This is the central place for sacrifices, and its mention here shows the focus on restoring proper worship.
  • "offer" (עָלָה, ‘alah): This verb means to bring up or offer, often used for sacrifices that are completely burned, pointing to the idea of something being given wholly to God.
  • "sprinkle" (זָרַק, zaraq): This refers to the ritual act of throwing or scattering blood on the altar, a key part of the sacrificial process that symbolized atonement.

Why Ezekiel 43:18 matters

  • Ezekiel 43:18 clarifies that the altar’s use is not left to human tradition or guesswork; God provides the exact rules, underlining the seriousness of worship.
  • The verse marks a turning point in Ezekiel’s vision, moving from the temple’s structure to its function, especially the restoration of sacrifices after exile.
  • By introducing the altar’s "ordinances," Ezekiel 43:18 connects the future temple to the traditions of earlier Israelite worship, showing continuity and renewal.

Where else these words appear

“sprinkle” Hebrew H2236 · used in 33 verses

  • Exodus 9:8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.
  • Leviticus 3:13 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.
  • 2 Kings 16:13 And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.

“ordinances” Hebrew H2708 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
  • Leviticus 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.
  • 2 Kings 17:34 Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;