Ezekiel 46:5
And the meat offering shall be an ephah for a ram, and the meat offering for the lambs as he shall be able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.
Original Language Analysis
מִנְחָ֖ה
And the meat offering
H4503
מִנְחָ֖ה
And the meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
1 of 10
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
לָאֵיפָֽה׃
shall be an ephah
H374
לָאֵיפָֽה׃
shall be an ephah
Strong's:
H374
Word #:
2 of 10
an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
לָאַ֔יִל
for a ram
H352
לָאַ֔יִל
for a ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
מִנְחָ֖ה
And the meat offering
H4503
מִנְחָ֖ה
And the meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
5 of 10
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
יָד֑וֹ
as he shall be able
H3027
יָד֑וֹ
as he shall be able
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
7 of 10
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Ezekiel 45:24And 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.Ezekiel 46:7And he shall prepare a meat offering, an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs according as his hand shall attain unto, and an hin of oil to an ephah.Deuteronomy 16:17Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.Numbers 28:12And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;
Historical Context
In ancient Israel, wealth varied by season, geography, and household size. By allowing the prince discretion in the lambs' grain offering while requiring a baseline, Ezekiel's system prevents both legalism (everything prescribed) and chaos (nothing prescribed). This balance between law and liberty prefigures New Testament teaching on giving: "as he shall be able" echoes Paul's "as he purposeth in his heart" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the combination of required and discretionary offerings balance God's authority with human freedom in worship?
- What does 'as he shall be able to give' teach about God's evaluation of our worship based on capacity rather than absolute amount?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the meat offering shall be an ephah for a ram, and the meat offering for the lambs as he shall be able to give—The minchah (מִנְחָה, "grain offering") accompanying the ram is fixed (one ephah, ~22 liters of fine flour), but the grain for the six lambs is discretionary: as he shall be able to give (mattat yado, מַתַּת יָדוֹ, literally "gift of his hand"). This phrase introduces gracious flexibility—the prince gives according to ability, not rigid quota.
The contrast between required (ram's ephah) and voluntary (lambs' grain) balances structure with freedom in worship. Fixed elements ensure adequacy; voluntary elements allow generosity beyond minimum. And an hin of oil to an ephah—oil accompanies grain at a ratio of 1 hin (~3.6 liters) per ephah, maintaining proportion. This tripartite offering (animal/grain/oil) symbolizes complete consecration: life (blood), labor (grain), and Spirit (oil). Christ embodies this completeness—His blood, His perfect human obedience, and His Spirit-anointed ministry form the whole sacrifice.