Ezekiel 46:13 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 46:13 mean?

Ezekiel 46:13 commands that a perfect, year-old lamb be offered as a burnt offering to the LORD every morning, as a daily act of worship. This instruction emphasizes the regular, ongoing nature of devotion that was expected in the temple rituals described by Ezekiel.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, laying out the specific requirements for daily worship in the envisioned future temple. The focus is on the daily (every morning) preparation of a burnt offering—specifically a lamb without blemish, meaning it must be flawless and in its first year. This daily sacrifice highlights the importance of consistent, wholehearted dedication to God in the life of Israel.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 46:13

• יֹום (yom, H3117) — "daily": This word means "day" and here it points to the regular, every-day nature of the offering, not just on special occasions.
• עֹלָה (olah, H5930) — "offering": This is the word for a burnt offering, which was completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total surrender to God.
• תָּמִים (tamim, H8549) — "blemish": This word means "without defect" or "perfect," stressing that the animal offered must be flawless, reflecting the holiness required in worship.
• בֹּקֶר (boqer, H1242) — "morning": This word specifies the time of day, reinforcing that the offering is to be made at the start of each day, setting a rhythm of devotion.

Why Ezekiel 46:13 matters

• Ezekiel 46:13 clarifies that worship in the temple was meant to be a daily, not just occasional, practice, showing the importance of regularity in devotion.
• The requirement for a flawless, young lamb underscores the seriousness and care that was expected in approaching God, not allowing for careless or second-best offerings.
• This verse fits into a larger section where Ezekiel describes the ideal future temple and its worship, highlighting a renewed, orderly relationship between God and His people.