And he shall prepare a meat offering, an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs according as his hand shall attain unto, and an hin of oil to an ephah.
EZEKIEL 46:7KJVWhat does Ezekiel 46:7 mean?
Ezekiel 46:7 describes the specific grain and oil offerings that must be prepared alongside animal sacrifices: one ephah of grain for each bull or ram, as much grain as possible for the lambs, and one hin of oil for each ephah of grain. This verse sets out clear instructions for how much of each offering is required.
In this part of Ezekiel, God is giving the prophet Ezekiel detailed instructions for worship in a future temple, addressing the prince and the people of Israel. The verse focuses on the proper proportions for offerings, showing the importance of order and care in worship practices.
The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 46:7
- "ephah" (אֵיפָה, ephah) is an ancient Hebrew measure of dry volume, roughly equivalent to 22 liters or about half a bushel. Knowing this helps the reader picture the amount of grain involved.
- "hin" (הִין, hin) is a liquid measure, about 4 liters or one gallon, used here for the oil. This shows the offerings were not just symbolic but involved substantial, real quantities.
- "as his hand shall attain unto" uses "hand" (יָד, yad) and "attain" (נָשָׂא, nasa’), meaning the amount the person is able to provide. This phrase allows for flexibility based on the worshiper’s means, especially for the lambs.
Why Ezekiel 46:7 matters
- Ezekiel 46:7 clarifies that worship offerings were not arbitrary but had set proportions, reflecting the seriousness and structure of temple worship.
- The allowance for the lamb offering to be "as his hand shall attain unto" shows a measure of compassion and flexibility, recognizing different abilities among worshipers.
- This verse fits into a larger section where Ezekiel describes a renewed, orderly system of worship, emphasizing both reverence and fairness in approaching God.