Ezekiel 45:24
And he shall prepare a meat offering of an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and an hin of oil for an ephah.
Original Language Analysis
וּמִנְחָ֗ה
a meat offering
H4503
וּמִנְחָ֗ה
a meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
1 of 9
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
לָאֵיפָֽה׃
and an ephah
H374
לָאֵיפָֽה׃
and an ephah
Strong's:
H374
Word #:
2 of 9
an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
לַפָּ֛ר
for a bullock
H6499
לַפָּ֛ר
for a bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
3 of 9
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
לָאֵיפָֽה׃
and an ephah
H374
לָאֵיפָֽה׃
and an ephah
Strong's:
H374
Word #:
4 of 9
an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
לָאַ֖יִל
for a ram
H352
לָאַ֖יִל
for a ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה
And he shall prepare
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה
And he shall prepare
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 9
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Historical Context
Grain offerings (Leviticus 2, Numbers 15:1-16) always accompanied burnt offerings, with specified proportions. Oil mixed with flour represented richness and quality. Ezekiel's measurements match Mosaic prescriptions, showing continuity. The combination—blood, grain, oil—creates multisensory worship: sight, smell, taste. Ancient worship engaged whole persons, prefiguring New Testament worship 'in spirit and truth' (John 4:24) that engages entire being.
Questions for Reflection
- What do grain offerings (human labor) symbolize when combined with blood sacrifices?
- How does oil in offerings point to the Holy Spirit's role in worship?
- What are New Testament equivalents of blood, grain, and oil offerings?
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Analysis & Commentary
And he shall prepare a meat offering of an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and an hin of oil for an ephah—Grain and oil accompany animal sacrifices: אֵיפָה (ʾêphāh, 'ephah'—about 22 liters) of flour per bull/ram, הִין שֶׁמֶן (hîn shemen, 'hin of oil'—about 3.8 liters) per ephah flour.
These measurements ensure proper proportions—worship done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). Grain offerings (מִנְחָה, minḥāh) represented human labor; oil represented the Spirit. Together with animal sacrifice (blood atonement), they picture complete consecration: atonement (blood), service (grain), and Spirit (oil). New Testament believers offer lives (Romans 12:1), works (Hebrews 13:16), and Spirit-empowered service (Romans 15:16)—complete spiritual sacrifices.