Thus shall they prepare the lamb, and the meat offering, and the oil, every morning for a continual burnt offering.

EZEKIEL 46:15KJV
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What does Ezekiel 46:15 mean?

Ezekiel 46:15 gives instructions that a lamb, a grain offering, and oil are to be prepared every morning as a continual burnt offering. This verse sets out a daily routine of worship that was to be carried out without interruption.

In this part of the book, God is speaking to Ezekiel about the future temple and its worship practices. The verse emphasizes the importance of regular, ongoing offerings as part of Israel’s relationship with God. These instructions are part of a larger section detailing how worship and sacrifices should be organized in the envisioned temple.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 46:15

  • "prepare" (עָשָׂה, asah): This word means to make or do, and here it refers to the act of getting the offerings ready each morning, highlighting the intentional, active role of the priests.
  • "lamb" (כֶּבֶשׂ, keves): The specific animal required, pointing to the kind of sacrifice God asked for in daily worship.
  • "continual" (תָּמִיד, tamid): This word means ongoing or perpetual, stressing that this offering was not a one-time event but a never-ending practice.
  • "offering" (עֹלָה, olah): This is the word for a burnt offering, which was completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication to God.

Why Ezekiel 46:15 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the daily offering was not just a tradition but a command meant to be kept without fail, showing the seriousness of consistent worship.
  • By specifying the elements and frequency, Ezekiel 46:15 connects the future temple’s practices to earlier instructions in the Torah, showing continuity in Israel’s worship.
  • The focus on "every morning" underlines that devotion to God was meant to be a regular, daily part of life, not just something for special occasions.

Where else these words appear

“lamb” Hebrew H3532 · used in 100 verses

  • Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
  • Numbers 7:53 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.
  • Numbers 29:17 And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:

“continual” Hebrew H8548 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
  • Deuteronomy 11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
  • Psalms 74:23 Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.