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 43:20KJV
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Ezekiel 43:20 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“settle” Hebrew H5835 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 4:9 Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:13 For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,
  • Ezekiel 43:17 And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.

“corners” Hebrew H6438 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 27:2 And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
  • Nehemiah 3:24 After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner.
  • Isaiah 19:13 The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof.

“horns” Hebrew H7161 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
  • 1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
  • Jeremiah 17:1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

“purge” Hebrew H3722 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
  • Leviticus 14:21 And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil;
  • Numbers 25:13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.