And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel; for a meat offering, and for a burnt offering, and for peace offerings, to make reconciliation for them, saith the Lord GOD.

EZEKIEL 45:15KJV
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Ezekiel 45:15 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 45:15 mean?

Ezekiel 45:15 describes a specific requirement for offerings in Israel: one lamb from every two hundred in the flocks, taken from the rich pastures, is to be given as a meat offering, burnt offering, and peace offering to make reconciliation for the people, as commanded by the Lord GOD. This verse sets out part of the system for worship and atonement in the restored temple vision Ezekiel is describing.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, outlining detailed instructions for offerings that will be made in the future temple. The verse highlights the importance of specific, proportional contributions from the people’s livestock, emphasizing both the communal responsibility and the seriousness of maintaining right relationship with God through these sacrifices.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 45:15

  • "lamb" (שֶׂה, seh): This word refers to a young sheep, which was a common animal used in Israelite sacrifices. Its use here underlines the expectation of giving valuable, healthy animals from the flock.
  • "reconciliation" (כָּפַר, kaphar): This word means "to cover" or "to make atonement." In this context, it points to the purpose of the offerings: to restore or maintain a right relationship between the people and God.
  • "offering" (מִנְחָה, minchah), "offering" (עֹלָה, olah), "offerings" (שֶׁלֶם, shelem): These three words refer to different types of sacrifices—grain or gift offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings—each with its own role in worship and reconciliation.

Why Ezekiel 45:15 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the offerings are not random but are proportionate and systematic, showing fairness and shared responsibility among the people.
  • Ezekiel 45:15 connects to the larger passage where God is giving detailed instructions for worship in the future temple, emphasizing order and holiness in approaching God.
  • The mention of "reconciliation" highlights that these rituals are not just tradition but are meant to restore and maintain the relationship between Israel and God.

Where else these words appear

“pastures” Hebrew H4945 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
  • Leviticus 11:34 Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

“lamb” Hebrew H7716 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
  • Exodus 34:20 But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
  • 1 Samuel 14:34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.

“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.

“reconciliation” 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.