Ezekiel 45:17

Authorized King James Version

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And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.

Original Language Analysis

וְעַֽל H5921
וְעַֽל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 1 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנָּשִׂ֣יא And it shall be the prince's part H5387
הַנָּשִׂ֣יא And it shall be the prince's part
Strong's: H5387
Word #: 2 of 27
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
יִהְיֶ֗ה H1961
יִהְיֶ֗ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 3 of 27
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הָֽעוֹלָה֙ and the burnt offering H5930
הָֽעוֹלָה֙ and the burnt offering
Strong's: H5930
Word #: 4 of 27
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
הַמִּנְחָ֗ה and meat offerings H4503
הַמִּנְחָ֗ה and meat offerings
Strong's: H4503
Word #: 5 of 27
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וְהַנֵּסֶךְ֒ and drink offerings H5262
וְהַנֵּסֶךְ֒ and drink offerings
Strong's: H5262
Word #: 6 of 27
a libation; also a cast idol
בַּחַגִּ֤ים in the feasts H2282
בַּחַגִּ֤ים in the feasts
Strong's: H2282
Word #: 7 of 27
a festival, or a victim therefor
וּבֶחֳדָשִׁים֙ and in the new moons H2320
וּבֶחֳדָשִׁים֙ and in the new moons
Strong's: H2320
Word #: 8 of 27
the new moon; by implication, a month
וּבַשַּׁבָּת֔וֹת and in the sabbaths H7676
וּבַשַּׁבָּת֔וֹת and in the sabbaths
Strong's: H7676
Word #: 9 of 27
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
בְּכָֽל H3605
בְּכָֽל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מוֹעֲדֵ֖י in all solemnities H4150
מוֹעֲדֵ֖י in all solemnities
Strong's: H4150
Word #: 11 of 27
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
בֵּֽית for the house H1004
בֵּֽית for the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 12 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 13 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הֽוּא H1931
הֽוּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 14 of 27
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יַעֲשֶׂ֞ה he shall prepare H6213
יַעֲשֶׂ֞ה he shall prepare
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 15 of 27
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 16 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַחַטָּ֣את the sin offering H2403
הַחַטָּ֣את the sin offering
Strong's: H2403
Word #: 17 of 27
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 18 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמִּנְחָ֗ה and meat offerings H4503
הַמִּנְחָ֗ה and meat offerings
Strong's: H4503
Word #: 19 of 27
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 20 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽעוֹלָה֙ and the burnt offering H5930
הָֽעוֹלָה֙ and the burnt offering
Strong's: H5930
Word #: 21 of 27
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 22 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַשְּׁלָמִ֔ים and the peace offerings H8002
הַשְּׁלָמִ֔ים and the peace offerings
Strong's: H8002
Word #: 23 of 27
properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
לְכַפֵּ֖ר to make reconciliation H3722
לְכַפֵּ֖ר to make reconciliation
Strong's: H3722
Word #: 24 of 27
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
בְּעַ֥ד H1157
בְּעַ֥ד
Strong's: H1157
Word #: 25 of 27
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
בֵּֽית for the house H1004
בֵּֽית for the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 26 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 27 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

The prince's responsibility—'to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths... to make reconciliation for the house of Israel'—indicates royal funding of public worship. The Hebrew כִּפֵּר (kipper, 'make reconciliation') means atonement, covering sin. While priests offered sacrifices, the prince provided them—demonstrating leadership's role in facilitating worship, not usurping priestly functions. This balance maintains priesthood's mediatorial role while requiring royal support. Reformed theology sees civil magistrate's duty to honor God publicly (though not coerce conscience or usurp church authority). The prince bearing worship costs models servant leadership—using resources for God's glory and people's spiritual welfare. Ultimately, Christ our Prince offered Himself as sacrifice (Hebrews 9:14), making eternal reconciliation.

Historical Context

David organized temple worship (1 Chronicles 23-26) and provided resources (1 Chronicles 29:2-5). Solomon built the temple with royal resources (1 Kings 6-7). Hezekiah restored worship, providing animals for sacrifices (2 Chronicles 29:20-24, 31:3). Josiah funded Passover celebration (2 Chronicles 35:7-9). Conversely, wicked kings like Manasseh and Ahaz corrupted worship (2 Kings 16:10-18, 21:1-9). The feasts (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles), new moons (monthly celebrations), and Sabbaths (weekly rest) structured Israel's worship calendar (Leviticus 23). The prince provisioning these maintains public worship without royal usurpation of priestly duties. This distinction prevented the priest-king confusion that corrupted pagan systems. New Testament emphasizes Christ fulfilling all sacrifices (Hebrews 10:1-18), yet believers support gospel ministry financially (1 Corinthians 9:13-14, Galatians 6:6).

Questions for Reflection

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