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
Know the Bible

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.

Where else these words appear

“kid” Hebrew H8163 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 27:11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
  • Leviticus 16:26 And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.
  • Numbers 28:22 And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.

“goats” Hebrew H5795 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • Leviticus 9:3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
  • Numbers 28:30 And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.

“blemish” Hebrew H8549 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
  • Numbers 28:9 And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:
  • Psalms 15:2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

“bullock” Hebrew H6499 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 32:15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
  • Numbers 7:57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
  • Numbers 29:32 And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: