Ezekiel 43:23
When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish.
Original Language Analysis
בְּכַלּוֹתְךָ֖
When thou hast made an end
H3615
בְּכַלּוֹתְךָ֖
When thou hast made an end
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
1 of 11
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
מֵֽחַטֵּ֑א
of cleansing
H2398
מֵֽחַטֵּ֑א
of cleansing
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
תַּקְרִיב֙
it thou shalt offer
H7126
תַּקְרִיב֙
it thou shalt offer
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
3 of 11
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
פַּ֣ר
bullock
H6499
פַּ֣ר
bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
4 of 11
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
בֶּן
a young
H1121
בֶּן
a young
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָּקָ֣ר
H1241
בָּקָ֣ר
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
6 of 11
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
תָּמִֽים׃
without blemish
H8549
תָּמִֽים׃
without blemish
Strong's:
H8549
Word #:
7 of 11
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
וְאַ֥יִל
and a ram
H352
וְאַ֥יִל
and a ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
8 of 11
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Historical Context
Temple sacrifices (Leviticus 1-7) required unblemished animals—symbolizing perfection necessary to approach Holy God. After Solomon's temple destruction (586 BC), Ezekiel's vision (573 BC) assured exiles that sacrifice would resume. The second temple (516 BC-70 AD) did restore sacrifices, but Hebrews argues Christ's sacrifice superseded all animal offerings (Hebrews 9:11-14, 10:1-18). Millennial interpretation sees future restoration; symbolic interpretation sees Christ as fulfillment.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the requirement of 'without blemish' offerings teach about God's holiness?
- How do these animal sacrifices point to Christ's perfect sacrifice?
- How do Christians interpret Ezekiel's detailed sacrificial system in light of Hebrews 10?
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Analysis & Commentary
When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish—After purification (כַּלּוֹתְךָ מֵחַטֵּא, kallôtĕkhā mēḥaṭṭēʾ, 'when you finish purging'), additional offerings: פַּר בֶּן־בָּקָר תָּמִים (par ben-bāqār tāmîm, 'a bull, son of cattle, perfect') and אַיִל מִן־הַצֹּאן תָּמִים (ʾayil min-haṣṣōʾn tāmîm, 'a ram from the flock, perfect').
The repetition of תָּמִים (tāmîm, 'without blemish/perfect') emphasizes that only perfection suffices for God's altar. This requirement pointed forward to Christ, the Lamb without blemish (1 Peter 1:19), whose perfect sacrifice sanctified believers forever. Ezekiel's vision includes these offerings either as memorial or as literal millennial worship—interpretations differ, but the principle remains: approaching God requires perfection, provided ultimately by Jesus.