Ezekiel 45:18
Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary:
Original Language Analysis
כֹּה
H3541
כֹּה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוִה֒
H3068
יְהוִה֒
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בָּֽרִאשׁוֹן֙
In the first
H7223
בָּֽרִאשׁוֹן֙
In the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
5 of 15
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
בְּאֶחָ֣ד
month in the first
H259
בְּאֶחָ֣ד
month in the first
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
תִּקַּ֥ח
thou shalt take
H3947
תִּקַּ֥ח
thou shalt take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
8 of 15
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
פַּר
bullock
H6499
פַּר
bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
9 of 15
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 #:
10 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָּקָ֖ר
H1241
בָּקָ֖ר
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
11 of 15
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
תָּמִ֑ים
without blemish
H8549
תָּמִ֑ים
without blemish
Strong's:
H8549
Word #:
12 of 15
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
וְחִטֵּאתָ֖
and cleanse
H2398
וְחִטֵּאתָ֖
and cleanse
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
Cross References
Leviticus 16:16And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.Hebrews 9:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?Exodus 12:2This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.Ezekiel 43:22And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock.Leviticus 22:20But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.Leviticus 16:33And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.Ezekiel 43:26Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.
Historical Context
Mosaic calendar began with Nisan (Exodus 12:2), though civil year began with Tishri. Major festivals (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits) occurred in Nisan. Ezekiel adds an annual sanctuary cleansing on Nisan 1, not found in Levitical law. This innovation demonstrates that millennial worship, while rooted in Mosaic patterns, includes new elements—anticipating new covenant's 'newness' while honoring old covenant's foundations.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Ezekiel add a cleansing not in Mosaic law?
- What does beginning the year with sanctuary purification teach about priorities?
- How does continual Old Testament cleansing point to Christ's perpetual intercession?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary—Annual sanctuary cleansing: בָּרִאשׁוֹן בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ (bārîshôn bĕʾeḥād laḥōdesh, 'in the first [month], on the first of the month')—Nisan 1, beginning the religious year (Exodus 12:2).
פַּר בֶּן־בָּקָר תָּמִים (par ben-bāqār tāmîm, 'a bull, son of cattle, without blemish') purges הַמִּקְדָּשׁ (hammiqdāsh, 'the sanctuary'). This differs from Mosaic law's Yom Kippur cleansing (seventh month, Leviticus 16). Ezekiel's vision adds a new year purification, demonstrating heightened holiness standards in millennial temple. Beginning the year with cleansing emphasizes that approach to God requires continual purification—a principle fulfilled in Christ's ongoing intercession (Hebrews 7:25) and believers' continual confession (1 John 1:9).