Ezekiel 43:22
And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock.
Original Language Analysis
וּבַיּוֹם֙
day
H3117
וּבַיּוֹם֙
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 13
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַשֵּׁנִ֔י
And on the second
H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֔י
And on the second
Strong's:
H8145
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
תַּקְרִ֛יב
thou shalt offer
H7126
תַּקְרִ֛יב
thou shalt offer
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
3 of 13
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
עִזִּ֥ים
of the goats
H5795
עִזִּ֥ים
of the goats
Strong's:
H5795
Word #:
5 of 13
a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)
תָּמִ֖ים
without blemish
H8549
תָּמִ֖ים
without blemish
Strong's:
H8549
Word #:
6 of 13
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
לְחַטָּ֑את
for a sin offering
H2403
לְחַטָּ֑את
for a sin offering
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
7 of 13
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
חִטְּא֖וּ
and they shall cleanse
H2398
חִטְּא֖וּ
and they shall cleanse
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Altar consecration was central to tabernacle (Exodus 29) and Solomonic temple (2 Chronicles 7). Ezekiel's vision, given during exile (573 BC), assured exiles that worship would resume. The elaborate seven-day consecration with multiple offerings demonstrated that God's presence among His people required thorough sanctification—a principle fulfilled ultimately in Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-14).
Questions for Reflection
- Why does altar consecration require seven days of offerings?
- How do Old Testament altar purifications point to Christ's perfect sacrifice?
- Will millennial temple include actual sacrifices, or are these symbolic?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering—After altar consecration begins (v. 18-21), day two requires שְׂעִיר־עִזִּים תָּמִים (śĕʿîr-ʿizzîm tāmîm, 'a male goat without blemish') for חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāʾt, 'sin offering').
And they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock—The purification (חִטְּאוּ, ḥiṭṭĕʾû, 'cleanse/purge') process continues. Seven days of offerings (vv. 25-26) sanctified the millennial temple's altar. This extended consecration exceeds Mosaic law (Exodus 29:36-37—also seven days, but different details), suggesting heightened holiness in Messiah's kingdom. Even in a sinless age, altar purification remains—perhaps memorial or pedagogical, reminding redeemed humanity of sin's costliness and atonement's necessity.