And in the feasts and in the solemnities the meat offering shall be an ephah to a bullock, and an ephah to a ram, and to the lambs as he is able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.
EZEKIEL 46:11KJVWhat does Ezekiel 46:11 mean?
Ezekiel 46:11 gives instructions for the amount of grain and oil to be offered during special religious gatherings in the temple: an ephah of grain for each bull and ram, as much as one can give for the lambs, and a hin of oil for each ephah of grain. This verse sets out the practical details for worship offerings during feast days and appointed festivals.
In this part of Ezekiel, God is giving the prophet Ezekiel detailed rules for temple worship to share with the people of Israel, focusing on order and fairness in offerings. The verse is part of a larger vision about how worship should be carried out in a restored temple, emphasizing both generosity and structure in what is brought before God.
The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 46:11
- "Feasts" (חַג, ḥag, H2282) and "solemnities" (מוֹעֵד, mo'ed, H4150) both refer to special times set aside for worship, but "mo'ed" often points to appointed or fixed times, highlighting the organized nature of these gatherings.
- "Ephah" (אֵיפָה, 'eifah, H374) and "hin" (הִין, hin, H1969) are ancient Hebrew measurements: an ephah is a dry measure (about 22 liters or 5.8 gallons), and a hin is a liquid measure (about 3.8 liters or 1 gallon). Knowing these helps modern readers picture the actual amounts involved.
- "Able" (יָד, yad, H3027) literally means "hand" in Hebrew, but here it is used to mean "as much as one is able," showing flexibility for those bringing lambs as offerings, rather than a fixed amount.
Why Ezekiel 46:11 matters
- This verse clarifies that worship in the temple was meant to be both orderly and accessible, with set amounts for some offerings and flexibility for others, especially for those who might not have much.
- The specific measurements show that worship was not just spiritual but also practical, involving real resources and thoughtful preparation.
- Ezekiel 46:11 connects to the larger vision of a restored temple, showing God's desire for both structure and mercy in how people approach Him during important times.