Ezekiel Chapter 44 · Verse 29
They shall eat the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every dedicated thing in Israel shall be their's.
Original Language Analysis
הַמִּנְחָה֙
the meat offering
H4503
הַמִּנְחָה֙
the meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
1 of 10
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וְהַחַטָּ֣את
and the sin offering
H2403
וְהַחַטָּ֣את
and the sin offering
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
2 of 10
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
וְהָאָשָׁ֔ם
and the trespass offering
H817
וְהָאָשָׁ֔ם
and the trespass offering
Strong's:
H817
Word #:
3 of 10
guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חֵ֥רֶם
and every dedicated thing
H2764
חֵ֥רֶם
and every dedicated thing
Strong's:
H2764
Word #:
7 of 10
physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination
Cross References
Numbers 18:14Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.Leviticus 27:21But the field, when it goeth out in the jubile, shall be holy unto the LORD, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest's.Leviticus 27:28Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD.Leviticus 6:29All the males among the priests shall eat thereof: it is most holy.Leviticus 6:26The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.Leviticus 7:6Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy.
Historical Context
Priestly portions (Leviticus 6-7) included grain offerings, sin/guilt offerings (except fat and entrails), firstfruits (Exodus 23:19), and devoted items. This system ensured priests focused on ministry without agricultural labor. When Israel apostatized, priests suffered (Malachi 3:8-10). Ezekiel's vision restores proper worship economics, demonstrating that supporting ministers is worship obligation, not optional generosity.
Questions for Reflection
- What does priestly dependence on offerings teach about the relationship between worship and provision?
- How does the principle 'those who serve the altar share the altar' apply to modern ministry support?
- What happens to spiritual leadership when congregations neglect their material support?
Analysis & Commentary
They shall eat the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering—Priestly provision: מִנְחָה (minḥāh, 'grain offering'), חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāʾt, 'sin offering'), אָשָׁם (ʾāshām, 'guilt/trespass offering'). Portions of offerings became priests' food (Leviticus 6:14-7:36), so worship sustained those who served.
And every dedicated thing in Israel shall be theirs—כָּל־חֵרֶם (kol-ḥērem, 'every devoted thing'). Items dedicated to God (Leviticus 27:21, 28) belonged to priests. This provision system made priests dependent on the people's faithfulness: if Israel worshiped, priests ate; if apostasy reigned, priests starved. This mutual dependence fostered covenant community. New Testament parallel: ministers supported by congregations (1 Corinthians 9:13-14, Galatians 6:6, 1 Timothy 5:17-18). Those who serve the altar share the altar.