Ezekiel 45:22 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 45:22 mean?

Ezekiel 45:22 says that on a special day, the prince will offer a bull as a sin offering for himself and for all the people of the land. This act is meant to address sin and seek atonement for both the leader and the community.

In this part of Ezekiel, God is giving instructions about worship and offerings in a future temple. The "prince" is a leader among the people, and he is told to prepare a specific sacrifice. The verse highlights that both the leader and the people need forgiveness, and that the leader is responsible for making this offering on behalf of everyone.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 45:22

• "prince" (נָשִׂיא, nāśîʾ): This word refers to a leader or ruler, but not necessarily a king. In Ezekiel, the prince often represents a future leader with a special role in worship, different from the kings of Israel’s past.
• "prepare" (עָשָׂה, ʿāsāh): This verb means "to do" or "to make." Here, it emphasizes the prince’s active role in arranging or performing the offering, not just overseeing it.
• "people" (עַם, ʿam): This word means the general population, not just a select group. The offering is for everyone in the land, not just the religious leaders or the prince himself.
• "bullock" (פַּר, par): This is a young bull, a significant and valuable animal in sacrificial rituals, often used for sin offerings that cover the whole community.

Why Ezekiel 45:22 matters

• Ezekiel 45:22 shows that even the leader is not above needing atonement, which is different from some earlier traditions where only the people brought offerings.
• The verse connects to a larger section where Ezekiel describes a new order for worship, emphasizing shared responsibility between leaders and people.
• This instruction highlights the seriousness of sin and the importance of communal worship and forgiveness in Ezekiel’s vision for the future.