And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.
EZEKIEL 43:20KJVWhat does Ezekiel 43:20 mean?
Ezekiel 43:20 describes a ritual where blood from a sacrifice is put on specific parts of the altar—the four horns, the four corners of the ledge, and the border around it—to cleanse and purify the altar. This act is meant to make the altar acceptable for use in worship by removing any impurity.
In this verse, God is giving Ezekiel detailed instructions about how to dedicate the new altar in the restored temple. Ezekiel, a prophet among the exiles in Babylon, is told to perform these actions as part of a larger vision of temple worship. The focus is on making the altar ritually clean so that it can be used for offerings, showing the importance of purity in approaching God.
The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 43:20
- "horns" (קֶרֶן, qeren): These are the projections at the four corners of the altar. In ancient Israelite practice, the horns were significant points for ritual actions, symbolizing strength and the presence of God.
- "settle" (עֲזָרָה, azarāh): This word refers to the ledge or platform around the altar. The instruction to put blood on its corners shows that every part of the altar needed to be included in the purification.
- "cleanse" (חָטָא, chata’): This verb often means to purify from sin or impurity. Here, it emphasizes that the altar itself, not just the people, needed to be made clean before sacrifices could be offered.
- "purge" (כָּפַר, kaphar): This word means to make atonement or cover over. Applying blood to the altar is seen as a way to remove any offense or impurity, making it fit for holy use.
Why Ezekiel 43:20 matters
- This verse shows that even objects used in worship, like the altar, must be cleansed and dedicated before being used, highlighting the seriousness of approaching God.
- The detailed ritual connects Ezekiel’s vision to earlier temple practices, showing continuity with the instructions given to Moses in Exodus and Leviticus.
- Understanding these instructions helps clarify the symbolic importance of purity and atonement in biblical worship, not just for people but for the very tools and spaces used in approaching God.