Ezekiel Chapter 43 · Verse 24

Authorized King James Version

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And thou shalt offer them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering unto the LORD.

Original Language Analysis

וְהִקְרַבְתָּ֖ם And thou shalt offer H7126
וְהִקְרַבְתָּ֖ם And thou shalt offer
Strong's: H7126
Word #: 1 of 11
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
לִפְנֵ֣י them before H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י them before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 2 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ the LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְהִשְׁלִ֨יכוּ shall cast H7993
וְהִשְׁלִ֨יכוּ shall cast
Strong's: H7993
Word #: 4 of 11
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
הַכֹּהֲנִ֤ים and the priests H3548
הַכֹּהֲנִ֤ים and the priests
Strong's: H3548
Word #: 5 of 11
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
עֲלֵיהֶם֙ H5921
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 6 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מֶ֔לַח salt H4417
מֶ֔לַח salt
Strong's: H4417
Word #: 7 of 11
properly, powder, i.e., (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)
וְהֶעֱל֥וּ upon them and they shall offer them up H5927
וְהֶעֱל֥וּ upon them and they shall offer them up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 8 of 11
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אוֹתָ֛ם H853
אוֹתָ֛ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֹלָ֖ה for a burnt offering H5930
עֹלָ֖ה for a burnt offering
Strong's: H5930
Word #: 10 of 11
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ the LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

And thou shalt offer them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them—The offerings are brought לִפְנֵי יְהוָה (liphnê YHWH, 'before the LORD'), and כֹּהֲנִים (kōhănîm, 'priests') הִשְׁלִיכוּ עֲלֵיהֶם מֶלַח (hishlîkhû ʿălêhem melaḥ, 'shall throw upon them salt').

Salt symbolized covenant permanence (Leviticus 2:13, Numbers 18:19—'covenant of salt'). All offerings required salt, signifying the perpetual covenant between God and His people. And they shall offer them up for a burnt offering unto the LORD—עֹלָה לַיהוָה (ʿōlāh lYHWH, 'burnt offering to the LORD'), completely consumed on the altar, symbolizing total dedication. These temple rituals in Ezekiel's vision demonstrate covenant faithfulness remains central to God's relationship with Israel, whether literal millennial worship or symbolic representation of perfect devotion in Messiah's kingdom.

Historical Context

Salt in offerings (Leviticus 2:13) was mandatory, symbolizing preservation and covenant permanence. Ancient Near Eastern covenant meals included salt—shared salt signified binding agreement. God's 'covenant of salt' (Numbers 18:19) promised perpetual priesthood. Ezekiel's vision includes this detail, emphasizing that covenant relationship, not mere ritual, matters. Christ's 'new covenant in my blood' (Luke 22:20) fulfills and perfects all Old Testament covenant symbolism.

Questions for Reflection