And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.

EZEKIEL 43:27KJV
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Ezekiel 43:27 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 43:27 mean?

Ezekiel 43:27 says that after a set period of days, starting on the eighth day, the priests will begin to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar, and God promises to accept the people. This verse marks the moment when regular worship and sacrifices can resume, with God’s approval, after a period of preparation.

In the book of Ezekiel, God is speaking to the prophet Ezekiel about the future temple and its rituals. The setting is a vision where God lays out detailed instructions for worship after the exile. This verse signals the end of a seven-day period of consecration for the altar and priests, after which the offerings will be accepted, showing restored relationship between God and the people.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 43:27

  • "expired" (כָּלָה, kalah): This word means "completed" or "finished." It emphasizes that the seven days of preparation must be fully completed before regular offerings can begin.
  • "eighth" (שְּׁמִינִי, shemini): The eighth day often represents a new beginning in the Hebrew Bible, marking a shift from preparation to ongoing worship.
  • "accept" (רָצָה, ratsah): This word means "to be pleased with" or "to accept favorably." God’s acceptance here is significant, showing that the rituals have restored the relationship and that worship can now proceed with God’s blessing.

Why Ezekiel 43:27 matters

  • Ezekiel 43:27 clarifies that God’s acceptance of worship is not automatic but follows a period of careful preparation and obedience to His instructions.
  • The verse highlights the importance of the priests’ role in mediating between God and the people, as only after their actions does God promise acceptance.
  • This verse connects to the larger vision in Ezekiel of restoration after exile, showing that God’s presence and favor return when proper worship is restored.

Where else these words appear

“forward” Hebrew H1973 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 19:9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
  • Numbers 32:19 For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward.
  • Isaiah 18:2 That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!

“eighth” Hebrew H8066 · used in 27 verses

  • Exodus 22:30 Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
  • Leviticus 23:36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.
  • 1 Kings 12:33 So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.

“accept” Hebrew H7521 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 33:10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
  • Psalms 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

“offerings” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
  • Joshua 22:27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.