And seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to the LORD, seven bullocks and seven rams without blemish daily the seven days; and a kid of the goats daily for a sin offering.

EZEKIEL 45:23KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 45:23 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 45:23 mean?

Ezekiel 45:23 describes how, during a seven-day feast, the leader is to offer daily burnt offerings of seven bulls and seven rams without blemish, along with a daily goat as a sin offering, all presented to the LORD. This verse lays out specific instructions for ritual sacrifices meant to honor God and seek purification.

The prophet Ezekiel is relaying God’s instructions to the people of Israel about worship practices in a future, restored temple. The context is a vision where Ezekiel details how festivals and offerings should be observed, emphasizing careful preparation and the importance of purity. These sacrifices are part of a larger pattern of worship and atonement described in this section of Ezekiel.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 45:23

  • "seven" (שֶׁבַע, sheva): The repeated use of "seven" underscores completeness or wholeness in Hebrew thought, highlighting the full dedication required during this feast.
  • "feast" (חַג, chag): This word refers to a festival or pilgrimage celebration, indicating that these offerings are part of a special, communal worship event.
  • "offering" (עֹלָה, olah): This is a burnt offering, entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing total surrender to God.
  • "blemish" (תָּמִים, tamim): The animals must be without defect, stressing the need for purity and the best being given to God.

Why Ezekiel 45:23 matters

  • Ezekiel 45:23 clarifies that worship in the envisioned temple involves both regularity and careful attention to ritual detail, not just spontaneous devotion.
  • The verse connects to the broader passage by showing how Israel’s relationship with God is restored through structured, communal acts of atonement and thanksgiving.
  • The emphasis on "without blemish" and the specific numbers of animals highlights the seriousness and reverence expected in approaching God, setting a standard for worship that is both personal and communal.

Where else these words appear

“feast” Hebrew H2282 · used in 55 verses

  • Exodus 10:9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.
  • Deuteronomy 16:14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
  • Nehemiah 8:18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.

“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.