Ezekiel 46:13
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Ezekiel 46:13
13 Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the LORD of a lamb of the first year without blemish: thou shalt prepare it every morning.
Chapter Context
Ezekiel 46 is a prophetic vision chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of worship, redemption, wisdom. Written during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-570 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ministered to exiles in Babylon with visions of God's glory and future restoration.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-24: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Ezekiel and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Ezekiel 46:13
13 Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the LORD of a lamb of the first year without blemish: thou shalt prepare it every morning.
Analysis
Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the LORD of a lamb of the first year without blemish: thou shalt prepare it every morning. The tamid (תָּמִיד, 'continual') offering anchors each day's worship—a kebes (כֶּבֶשׂ, yearling lamb) tamim (תָּמִים, perfect/unblemished) sacrificed baboker baboker (בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר, 'morning by morning'). This mirrors Exodus 29:38-42's perpetual morning and evening lambs, though Ezekiel mentions only morning, perhaps focusing on worship's inauguration.
The daily lamb foreshadows John 1:29's proclamation: 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!' Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-14) fulfills what these daily offerings symbolized—continual cleansing and access to God. Lamentations 3:22-23 celebrates mercies 'new every morning'—the daily lamb enacted this truth liturgically.
Historical Context
The tamid offering survived even during temple's darkest hours (Daniel 8:11-13; 11:31), making its suspension a covenant crisis. Post-exile restoration prioritized reinstating daily sacrifices (Ezra 3:3-5). Ezekiel's vision guarantees worship's perpetuity in God's redemptive plan.
Reflection
- How does the daily morning sacrifice model the discipline of beginning each day with consecration to God?
- In what ways does Christ as the ultimate Lamb of God both fulfill and surpass the endless repetition of Old Testament daily offerings?
Word Studies
- Lamb: שֶׂה / כֶּבֶשׂ (Seh / Kebes) H3532 - Lamb, young sheep
Cross-References
- References Lord: Isaiah 50:4