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 46:7KJV
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Ezekiel 46:7 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“hin” Hebrew H1969 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 29:40 And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.
  • Numbers 15:6 Or for a ram, thou shalt prepare for a meat offering two tenth deals of flour mingled with the third part of an hin of oil.
  • Numbers 28:14 And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.

“ephah” Hebrew H374 · used in 29 verses

  • Exodus 16:36 Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.
  • Ruth 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.
  • Ezekiel 46:5 And the meat offering shall be an ephah for a ram, and the meat offering for the lambs as he shall be able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.

“attain” Hebrew H5381 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 31:25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
  • Leviticus 26:5 And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.
  • Job 41:26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.

“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: