Ezekiel 43:25
Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a sin offering: they shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁבְעַ֣ת
Seven
H7651
שִׁבְעַ֣ת
Seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
1 of 14
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
לַיּ֑וֹם
days
H3117
לַיּ֑וֹם
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 14
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
יַעֲשֽׂוּ׃
shalt thou prepare
H6213
יַעֲשֽׂוּ׃
shalt thou prepare
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
חַטָּ֖את
for a sin offering
H2403
חַטָּ֖את
for a sin offering
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
5 of 14
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
לַיּ֑וֹם
days
H3117
לַיּ֑וֹם
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 14
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
וּפַ֧ר
bullock
H6499
וּפַ֧ר
bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
7 of 14
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 #:
8 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָּקָ֛ר
H1241
בָּקָ֛ר
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
9 of 14
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
וְאַ֥יִל
and a ram
H352
וְאַ֥יִל
and a ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַצֹּ֖אן
out of the flock
H6629
הַצֹּ֖אן
out of the flock
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
12 of 14
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
Historical Context
Seven-day consecrations appear throughout Scripture: creation (Genesis 1), Passover/Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:15), Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34), priestly ordination (Leviticus 8:33), altar dedication (Exodus 29:37). The pattern demonstrates completeness. Ezekiel's vision (573 BC) maintains this sacred numerology, showing continuity between Mosaic and millennial worship, all pointing to Christ's perfect work.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the seven-day pattern throughout Scripture teach about God's perfection?
- How do repeated daily offerings contrast with Christ's once-for-all sacrifice?
- Why does even millennial (perfect kingdom) worship require sin offerings?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a sin offering—The seven-day consecration period: שִׁבְעַת יָמִים (shivʿat yāmîm, 'seven days'), each requiring שְׂעִיר (śĕʿîr, 'a goat') for חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāʾt, 'sin offering').
Seven (שֶׁבַע, shevaʿ) symbolizes completion/perfection in Scripture. Seven-day altar consecration indicates thorough, complete purification. They shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish—Daily offerings of פַּר (par, 'bull') and אַיִל (ʾayil, 'ram'), both תְּמִימִים (tĕmîmîm, 'perfect/unblemished'). This extensive consecration—seven days, multiple animals daily—demonstrates that approaching Holy God requires comprehensive atonement. Christ's single sacrifice accomplished what these repeated offerings symbolized: perfect, permanent purification (Hebrews 9:12, 10:14).