Ezekiel 46:6
And in the day of the new moon it shall be a young bullock without blemish, and six lambs, and a ram: they shall be without blemish.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְי֣וֹם
And in the day
H3117
וּבְי֣וֹם
And in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 11
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
פַּ֥ר
bullock
H6499
פַּ֥ר
bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
3 of 11
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
בֶּן
it shall be a young
H1121
בֶּן
it shall be a young
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 11
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 #:
5 of 11
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
תְּמִימִ֥ם
they shall be without blemish
H8549
תְּמִימִ֥ם
they shall be without blemish
Strong's:
H8549
Word #:
6 of 11
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
וְשֵׁ֧שֶׁת
and six
H8337
וְשֵׁ֧שֶׁת
and six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
7 of 11
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
וָאַ֖יִל
and a ram
H352
וָאַ֖יִל
and a ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
Historical Context
Ezekiel prophesied during Babylonian exile (593-571 BC), and chapters 40-48 present a visionary temple distinct from Solomon's destroyed temple or Zerubbabel's modest reconstruction. New moon festivals marked Israel's lunar calendar, combining rest and worship (Isaiah 66:23). These regulations anticipate millennial worship under Messiah's reign.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the escalation from Sabbath to new moon offerings reflect the principle of giving God our best in proportion to the occasion's significance?
- In what ways does Christ fulfill the 'without blemish' requirement that permeates Old Testament sacrificial law?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
In the day of the new moon it shall be a young bullock without blemish, and six lambs, and a ram: they shall be without blemish. The Hebrew rosh chodesh (רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ, 'head of the month') designated monthly new moon festivals requiring heightened sacrifice. The specifications intensify from Sabbath offerings (46:4-5)—now a young par (פַּר, bull) joins the six lambs and ram. The repeated emphasis without blemish (tamim, תָּמִים) underscores cultic purity pointing to Christ's perfect sacrifice.
Unlike Mosaic law's two bulls for new moons (Numbers 28:11), Ezekiel's temple prescribes one, demonstrating this is not a mere return to old covenant worship but a prophetic vision of eschatological worship. The exacting standards for unblemished animals foreshadow Hebrews 9:14—Christ who 'offered himself without spot to God.'