And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering, and put it upon the posts of the house, and upon the four corners of the settle of the altar, and upon the posts of the gate of the inner court.
And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering, and put it upon the posts of the house—The כֹּהֵן (kōhēn, 'priest') takes מִדַּם הַחַטָּאת (middam haḥaṭṭāʾt, 'from the blood of the sin offering') and applies it to מְזוּזַת הַבַּיִת (mĕzûzat habbayit, 'doorposts of the house').
And upon the four corners of the settle of the altar, and upon the posts of the gate of the inner court—Blood on doorposts recalls Passover (Exodus 12:7, 22-23), when blood protected from judgment. Blood on altar corners (קִרְנוֹת, qirnôt—horns) and gates marks boundaries between holy and common. This blood application demonstrates that access to God requires atonement at every threshold. Christ's blood provides ultimate access: through Him we 'enter the holiest' (Hebrews 10:19-22). Blood-marked boundaries testify: only atonement grants entrance.
Historical Context
Blood application to doorposts/thresholds appears in Passover (Exodus 12) and cleansing rituals (Leviticus 14:14, 25). Altar horns received blood in sin offerings (Leviticus 4:7, 18, 25). Ezekiel's vision combines these practices, creating comprehensive blood-marked boundaries. This extensive blood application underscores that holiness and access both depend on atonement—fulfilled in Christ's blood that cleanses all who enter by faith.
Questions for Reflection
What does blood on doorposts/thresholds teach about atonement as entrance requirement?
How does blood on altar corners relate to Christ's blood opening access to God?
Why does approaching God always require passing blood-marked boundaries?
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Analysis & Commentary
And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering, and put it upon the posts of the house—The כֹּהֵן (kōhēn, 'priest') takes מִדַּם הַחַטָּאת (middam haḥaṭṭāʾt, 'from the blood of the sin offering') and applies it to מְזוּזַת הַבַּיִת (mĕzûzat habbayit, 'doorposts of the house').
And upon the four corners of the settle of the altar, and upon the posts of the gate of the inner court—Blood on doorposts recalls Passover (Exodus 12:7, 22-23), when blood protected from judgment. Blood on altar corners (קִרְנוֹת, qirnôt—horns) and gates marks boundaries between holy and common. This blood application demonstrates that access to God requires atonement at every threshold. Christ's blood provides ultimate access: through Him we 'enter the holiest' (Hebrews 10:19-22). Blood-marked boundaries testify: only atonement grants entrance.