And the burnt offering that the prince shall offer unto the LORD in the sabbath day shall be six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish.

EZEKIEL 46:4KJV
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Ezekiel 46:4 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 46:4 mean?

Ezekiel 46:4 describes the specific burnt offering that the prince is to bring to the LORD on the Sabbath day: six lambs and one ram, all without blemish. This instruction is part of a set of regulations for worship in the restored temple, emphasizing the quality and number of animals required.

In this section of Ezekiel, God is giving detailed instructions through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel about worship practices in a future temple. The "prince" refers to a leader or ruler who has a special role in these ceremonies. The focus on animals "without blemish" highlights the requirement for offerings to be perfect, showing respect and honor to God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 46:4

  • "offering" (עֹלָה, olah): This word means a burnt offering, a sacrifice that is completely burned on the altar. It signifies total dedication to God.
  • "prince" (נָשִׂיא, nasi’): This term refers to a leader or ruler, not a king, but someone with authority in the community. His role is central in these temple rituals.
  • "blemish" (תָּמִים, tamim): Used twice in the verse, this word means "without defect" or "blameless." The repetition stresses the importance of offering only the best animals.
  • "sabbath" (שַׁבָּת, shabbat): This is the weekly day of rest and worship. The special offering on this day sets the Sabbath apart as holy.

Why Ezekiel 46:4 matters

  • Ezekiel 46:4 clarifies that worship in the temple is not just for priests but involves the prince, showing a shared responsibility for honoring God.
  • The verse highlights the importance of offering only unblemished animals, underlining the seriousness and respect required in approaching God.
  • This instruction connects to the broader vision in Ezekiel of a renewed and orderly worship life for Israel, emphasizing holiness and careful obedience.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“sabbath” Hebrew H7676 · used in 89 verses

  • Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
  • Leviticus 26:35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
  • Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

“lambs” 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:

“prince” Hebrew H5387 · used in 120 verses

  • Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
  • Numbers 7:54 On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:
  • 2 Chronicles 1:2 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.