Ezekiel 45:13
This is the oblation that ye shall offer; the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of wheat, and ye shall give the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of barley:
Original Language Analysis
הַתְּרוּמָ֖ה
This is the oblation
H8641
הַתְּרוּמָ֖ה
This is the oblation
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
2 of 12
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תָּרִ֑ימוּ
that ye shall offer
H7311
תָּרִ֑ימוּ
that ye shall offer
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
4 of 12
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
הָֽאֵיפָ֔ה
of an ephah
H374
הָֽאֵיפָ֔ה
of an ephah
Strong's:
H374
Word #:
6 of 12
an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
מֵחֹ֖מֶר
of an homer
H2563
מֵחֹ֖מֶר
of an homer
Strong's:
H2563
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure
וְשִׁשִּׁיתֶם֙
and ye shall give the sixth part
H8341
וְשִׁשִּׁיתֶם֙
and ye shall give the sixth part
Strong's:
H8341
Word #:
9 of 12
to sixth or divide into sixths
הָֽאֵיפָ֔ה
of an ephah
H374
הָֽאֵיפָ֔ה
of an ephah
Strong's:
H374
Word #:
10 of 12
an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
Historical Context
Israel's monarchy had imposed crushing taxation to fund royal luxury and military campaigns (1 Kings 12:4). Ezekiel's vision reforms taxation, making it temple-focused rather than palace-focused, and proportionally light (1.67% compared to the tithe's 10%). This redistribution prioritizes worship over royal aggrandizement.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the light burden of this offering contrast with oppressive taxation, and what does that reveal about God's governance?
- In what ways is offering our 'daily bread' to God an act of faith in His provision?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This is the oblation that ye shall offer—The terumah (תְּרוּמָה, "contribution" or "heave offering") consists of grain: the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of wheat... and... barley. This specifies a tax rate of 1/60th (one-sixth of an ephah per homer, since an ephah is one-tenth of a homer). Unlike oppressive royal taxation (1 Samuel 8:15 warns of 10% seizure), this modest tribute supports temple worship voluntarily given by covenant people.
The Hebrew construction emphasizes participation: "ye shall offer" (tarimu) is not royal confiscation but worshipful contribution. Wheat and barley—staple grains representing basic sustenance—being offered acknowledges God's provision of daily bread. This prefigures Jesus's teaching to pray "give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11) and His self-identification as "the bread of life" (John 6:35). The fraction (1/60th) is manageable, allowing joyful giving rather than grudging compliance.