And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock.

EZEKIEL 43:22KJV
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Ezekiel 43:22 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 43:22 mean?

Ezekiel 43:22 gives instructions for the second day of a ritual to purify the altar: a young male goat without defect is to be offered as a sin offering, just as a bull was used for cleansing the altar the previous day. This verse emphasizes the careful, step-by-step process required to dedicate the altar for proper worship.

In this passage, God is speaking to Ezekiel, telling him how the priests should prepare the new altar in the future temple. The focus is on ritual purity and following God’s specific instructions for sacrifices, showing the seriousness of approaching God’s presence. The verse is part of a larger section where Ezekiel describes the restoration and proper worship practices for Israel.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 43:22

  • "Kid" (שָׂעִיר, saʿir): This word means a young male goat, which was a common animal used for sin offerings in Israelite worship. The choice of a goat, rather than a bull, for the second day highlights a shift in the ritual process.
  • "Without blemish" (תָּמִים, tamim): This phrase means the animal had to be physically perfect, without any defects. This requirement underscores the idea that only what is pure and whole is acceptable for offerings to God.
  • "Cleanse" (חָטָא, chata’): This verb can mean to purify or make atonement for something. Here, it refers to the ritual act of purifying the altar, not just removing physical dirt but symbolically making it fit for holy use.

Why Ezekiel 43:22 matters

  • Ezekiel 43:22 clarifies that the process of dedicating the altar was not a one-time event but involved several days and different sacrifices, showing the seriousness of preparing for worship.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme of restoration in Ezekiel, where God gives detailed instructions for returning to proper worship after a period of exile and impurity.
  • By repeating the cleansing with different animals, the passage highlights the thoroughness required in approaching God and the importance of following divine instructions exactly.