Ezekiel Chapter 45 · Verse 19
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.
Original Language Analysis
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 18
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
מִדַּ֣ם
of the blood
H1818
מִדַּ֣ם
of the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
3 of 18
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
הַחַטָּ֗את
of the sin offering
H2403
הַחַטָּ֗את
of the sin offering
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
4 of 18
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
וְנָתַן֙
and put
H5414
וְנָתַן֙
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
5 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
הַבַּ֔יִת
of the house
H1004
הַבַּ֔יִת
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
8 of 18
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
פִּנּ֥וֹת
corners
H6438
פִּנּ֥וֹת
corners
Strong's:
H6438
Word #:
11 of 18
an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain
וְעַ֨ל
H5921
וְעַ֨ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Ezekiel 43:20And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.Ezekiel 43:14And from the bottom upon the ground even to the lower settle shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle shall be four cubits, and the breadth one cubit.
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?
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.