Altar Design and Sacrificial Regulations
Ezekiel 43:13-27
Eze.43.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואלה: CONJ+DEM,pl,abs
- מדות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- באמות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וטפח: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחיק: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רחב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וגבולה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,poss3fs
- אל: NEG
- שפתה: NOUN,f,sg,poss3fs
- סביב: ADV
- זרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- האחד: PRON,indef,sg,m
- וזה: CONJ+PRON,dem,m,sg,abs
- גב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 27:1-8 (verbal): Gives the original cultic specifications for the altar of burnt offering (dimensions, shape, and construction materials); Ezekiel echoes this technical/measurement language.
- Exodus 38:1-7 (quotation): Narrative repetition of the Exodus/installation instructions describing the altar’s measurements and fittings—parallels Ezekiel’s focus on precise dimensions and parts.
- Ezekiel 43:15-16 (structural): Immediate continuation within Ezekiel’s temple vision that elaborates additional measurements and features of the altar; part of the same measurement sequence.
- 2 Chronicles 4:1 (thematic): Describes the dimensions of the brazen altar in Solomon’s temple (large, specified measurements); thematically parallels Ezekiel’s concern with altar size and cultic architecture.
Alternative generated candidates
- These are the measurements of the altar in cubits: the cubit — a cubit and a handbreadth; the breadth one cubit and one cubit broad; and its rim to its lip all around one span; this is the height of the altar.
- And these are the measurements of the altar by cubits: a cubit, a cubit and a handbreadth; the thickness of the cubit and a cubit's breadth; and its rim to its lip all around a span — this is the border of the altar.
Eze.43.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומחיק: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- העזרה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- התחתונה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- שתים: NUM,f,pl,abs
- אמות: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ורחב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- ומהעזרה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- הקטנה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- העזרה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הגדולה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- אמות: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ורחב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Ezekiel 40:6-8 (verbal): Earlier section of the same temple-vision using the same measuring language (cubits) and describing thresholds/steps and widths — close verbal and structural parallel within Ezekiel's architectural description.
- Ezekiel 43:15-17 (structural): Immediate continuation of the temple description that gives further measurements of the altar and its parts; functionally and contextually linked as part of the same measurement schema.
- Exodus 26:16-19 (allusion): Tabernacle construction specifications use precise cubit measurements for frames, breadths and entrances; thematically parallels Ezekiel’s use of exact dimensions for sacred space and thresholds.
- 1 Kings 6:3-8 (thematic): Solomon’s temple description (porch, thresholds, interior measurements) parallels Ezekiel’s concern with measured architectural elements of a cultic building — similar terminology and function for doors/porches/thresholds.
Alternative generated candidates
- And from the ground to the lower ledge two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the small ledge to the great ledge four cubits, and the breadth one cubit.
- And from the ground to the lower ledge shall be two cubits, and the breadth of one cubit; and from the small ledge to the great ledge four cubits, and a breadth of one cubit.
Eze.43.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וההראל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- אמות: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ומהאראיל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ולמעלה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הקרנות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
Parallels
- Exodus 27:1-2 (verbal): Gives the original tabernacle altar dimensions and the specification of horns on its corners (four cubits), language and measurements parallel to Ezekiel's altar description.
- Exodus 38:1-7 (structural): Narrates the construction of the bronze altar with its horns and dimensions; provides a practical precursor to the temple-altar measurements Ezekiel repeats.
- Ezekiel 40:47 (verbal): An earlier verse in Ezekiel's temple vision that uses virtually the same wording and measurements for the altar hearth and horns, showing repetition within the prophet's schema.
- Psalm 118:27 (thematic): Refers to binding the sacrifice to the horns of the altar, thematically linking the ritual function of altar-horns (mentioned in Ezekiel 43:15) to cultic practice in the Psalms.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the hearth is four cubits; and from the hearth upward the horns are four cubits.
- And the hearth shall be four cubits; and from the hearth upward the horns shall be four cubits.
Eze.43.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והאריאל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- שתים: NUM,f,pl,abs
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- ארך: ADJ,m,sg
- בשתים: PREP+NUM,card,2,f
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- רחב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רבוע: ADJ,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ארבעת: NUM,card,pl,cstr
- רבעיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3ms
Parallels
- Ezekiel 43:13-15 (structural): Immediate context: the preceding verses give the detailed plan and measurements of the altar that 43:16 continues, describing its hearth and square form.
- Ezekiel 40:47 (structural): Earlier section of Ezekiel's temple vision that measures court and cultic installations; parallels the book's systematic measurement and architectural emphasis for the sanctuary and its altar.
- Exodus 27:1-2 (thematic): Gives instructions for the altar of burnt offering (square form and precise dimensions) — a canonical precedent for specifying altar size and shape, thematically parallel to Ezekiel's altar measurements.
- Exodus 30:1-3 (thematic): Commands about the altar of incense within the tabernacle illustrate sacrificial/ritual furniture standards and the importance of prescribed form and placement, analogous to Ezekiel's regulated altar design.
- Leviticus 6:12-13 (thematic): Prescribes continual fire on the altar and procedural cultic norms; parallels Ezekiel's concern with correct cultic form and function that the altar's precise dimensions serve to regulate.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the altar-chamber is twelve cubits long and twelve cubits wide, square to its four sides.
- And the altar-hearth shall be twelve cubits long and twelve cubits wide, square to its four sides.
Eze.43.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והעזרה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- ארך: ADJ,m,sg
- בארבע: PREP+NUM,card,f,sg,abs
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- רחב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ארבעת: NUM,card,pl,cstr
- רבעיה: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3fs
- והגבול: NOUN,m,sg,def
- סביב: ADV
- אותה: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- חצי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והחיק: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- אמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- סביב: ADV
- ומעלתהו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- פנות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- קדים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 43:13-16 (verbal): Immediate context: the surrounding verses give the detailed plan of the altar (hearth, base, dimensions, and the steps toward the east) and closely parallel the measurements and orientation found in v.17.
- Exodus 38:1 (structural): Gives the dimensions and construction of the bronze altar (five cubits by five cubits, horns, etc.); parallels Ezekiel’s technical description of an altar’s size and form.
- Exodus 27:1-2 (structural): Instructions for the altar of burnt offering in the tabernacle (dimensions and construction); a comparable priestly/ritual architectural specification to Ezekiel’s altar measurements.
- Exodus 27:9-19 (structural): Prescribes the dimensions and enclosure of the outer court (hangings, posts, gates) and the layout of the sacred precincts—parallels Ezekiel’s attention to court borders, measurements, and orientation (east-facing steps).
- 2 Chronicles 4:1 (thematic): Describes Solomon’s large bronze altar (twenty cubits square); while numerically different, it belongs to the same tradition of specifying temple-altar dimensions and functions, paralleling Ezekiel’s altar plans.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the court is fourteen cubits long and fourteen cubits wide to its four sides; and the border round about it is a half-cubit, and the ledge of it a cubit all around; and its steps face east.
- And the ramp shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen cubits wide to its four sides; and the border all around it shall be half a cubit, and its ledge one cubit all around; and its entrance shall face east.
Eze.43.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- חקות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ביום: PREP
- העשותו: NOUN,f,sg,def+3ms
- להעלות: VERB,hiphil,inf
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- עולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולזרק: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- דם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 29:10-11 (verbal): Describes the consecration/offering of a sacrifice and the sprinkling of blood on the altar—language and ritual action closely parallel Ezek. 43:18's 'to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood upon it.'
- Leviticus 8:15-16 (verbal): Moses' consecration of the altar and priests includes slaughtering the sacrifice and sprinkling its blood on the altar 'round about,' echoing the phraseology and the theme of altar ordination in Ezek. 43:18.
- Leviticus 1:5 (thematic): Instruction for the priest to bring and sprinkle the blood of a burnt offering on the altar parallels Ezekiel's specification of altar practice for burnt offerings and blood-sprinkling.
- Ezekiel 43:20 (structural): Immediate continuation within the same chapter that elaborates sacrificial portions and priestly handling of sin and burnt offerings—part of the same oracle detailing the altar's laws on the day it is made.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to me, Son of man, Thus says the Lord GOD: These are the statutes of the altar on the day when it is made, to offer upon it a burnt offering and to sprinkle blood upon it.
- And he said to me, Son of man, Thus says the Lord GOD: These are the statutes of the altar on the day when it is made for bringing up offerings upon it and for sprinkling blood upon it.
Eze.43.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתתה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- מזרע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צדוק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הקרבים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לשרתני: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA+PRON,1,sg
- פר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחטאת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 44:15 (verbal): Explicitly identifies 'the sons of Zadok' as the priests who may draw near to minister to the LORD—directly parallels the priestly identity and function in 43:19.
- Leviticus 4:3 (thematic): Prescribes sin offerings brought on behalf of an anointed priest—parallels the designation of the animal in Ezek. 43:19 as a 'sin offering' for the priests.
- Numbers 18:6–7 (thematic): Assigns the Levites to ministering duties and distinguishes priestly service—parallels the distribution of offerings to the Levitical/priests who serve God in Ezek. 43:19.
- Leviticus 16:6 (thematic): Commands the high priest to offer a bull as a sin offering (Day of Atonement)—parallels the ritual role of offering bulls as sin offerings for priestly atonement in Ezek. 43:19.
- Ezekiel 43:23–24 (structural): Same sacrificial context within the chapter describing priests' duties and offerings at the new temple—provides immediate literary context for the allocation of the sin offering in 43:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall give to the priests, the Levites of the line of Zadok who draw near to me, says the Lord GOD, a young bull for a sin offering.
- You shall give to the priests, the Levites of the line of Zadok, who draw near to me to minister to me, a young bull for a sin offering.
Eze.43.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולקחת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- מדמו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ונתתה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- קרנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,sg
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- פנות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- העזרה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- הגבול: NOUN,m,sg,def
- סביב: ADV
- וחטאת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אותו: PRON,3,m,sg
- וכפרתהו: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg+3,m,sg
Parallels
- Leviticus 4:7 (verbal): Prescribes the priest putting blood of a sin offering on the horns of the altar—directly parallels Ezekiel’s command to apply blood to the altar’s horns for atonement.
- Exodus 29:12 (verbal): In the consecration ritual Moses is told to put blood on the corners/round about the altar—matches Ezekiel’s instruction to apply blood to the altar’s corners and border.
- Leviticus 8:15 (structural): In the ordination of Aaron Moses puts blood on the altar’s horns and purifies the altar—a closely parallel ritual of cleansing/atonement for the sanctuary.
- 2 Chronicles 29:24 (thematic): During Hezekiah’s temple restoration the priests sprinkle blood on the altar to sanctify it—an historical enactment of the same atoning/cleansing function Ezekiel describes.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall take of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the ledge and on the border round about; and you shall make atonement for it and cleanse it.
- You shall take of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ramp, and on the border all around; thus you shall make atonement for it and cleanse it.
Eze.43.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולקחת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הפר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- החטאת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ושרפו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- במפקד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מחוץ: PREP
- למקדש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezek.43.20 (structural): Immediate context in Ezekiel’s temple code: the preceding verse prescribes slaughtering the sin‑offering and applying its blood at the altar; verse 43:21 then directs burning the carcass outside the sanctuary (close structural and verbal connection).
- Leviticus 16:27 (verbal): Day‑of‑Atonement regulation: the bull and goat used for the sin offerings are to be carried outside the camp and burned — closely parallels the instruction to burn sin‑offerings outside the sacred precincts.
- Numbers 19:3 (thematic): Law of the red heifer: the animal is burned wholly and the burning takes place outside the camp. The theme of burning impurity outside the holy space parallels Ezekiel’s disposal rule.
- Hebrews 13:11-12 (allusion): NT reflection on priestly ritual: those animal bodies whose blood was carried into the holy places were burned outside the camp, and therefore Jesus suffered outside the gate — explicitly echoes the practice of removing and burning sin‑offerings beyond the sanctuary.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall take the sin bull and burn it at the designated place of the house, outside the sanctuary.
- And you shall take the sin bull and burn it in the appointed place of the house, outside the sanctuary.
Eze.43.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וביום: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השני: ADJ,m,sg,def
- תקריב: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- שעיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עזים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- תמים: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לחטאת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וחטאו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כאשר: CONJ
- חטאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בפר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 29:36-37 (verbal): Speaks of consecrating and making atonement for the altar and prescribing offerings at its dedication—language and ritual purpose closely parallel Ezekiel's instruction to offer a sin offering for the altar at its dedication.
- Leviticus 9:4-7 (structural): Moses' instructions to Aaron to offer sin offerings and make atonement at the priests' consecration mirror the procedural pattern of successive-day offerings and altar atonement found in Ezekiel 43.
- Numbers 7:1-17 (thematic): Accounts of the leaders bringing dedicatory offerings at the completion of the tabernacle illustrate the broader dedication ritual context (multiple offerings and days) that Ezekiel echoes for the temple/altar.
- 2 Chronicles 29:24-35 (thematic): Hezekiah's purification and reconsecration of the altar, including daily offerings and sin offerings to atone for the altar, provides a historical example parallel to Ezekiel's prescription for altar atonement on successive days.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the second day you shall offer a perfect male goat for a sin offering, and they shall make atonement for the altar as they did with the bull.
- On the second day you shall offer a perfect goat for a sin offering, and they shall make atonement for the altar as they made atonement for the bull.
Eze.43.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בכלותך: PREP+VERB,qal,infabs,2,m,sg
- מחטא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תקריב: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- פר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תמים: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ואיל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- הצאן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תמים: ADJ,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 4:3 (verbal): Prescribes a young bull without blemish as the sin offering for the anointed priest—echoes Ezekiel's 'par ben-bakar tamim' (a perfect young bull for the sin offering).
- Leviticus 4:13 (thematic): Commands a young bull for a sin offering when the whole congregation sins, paralleling Ezekiel's provision of a communal/official sin offering in the temple cult.
- Leviticus 1:3 (verbal): Requires that a burnt offering from the herd be a male without blemish—parallels Ezekiel's instruction to offer a perfect ram from the flock as a whole/burnt offering.
- Leviticus 9:2 (structural): In the priestly consecration narrative a calf is offered for sin and a ram for a burnt offering—mirrors the paired sequence of sin-offering then a ram/burnt-offering in Ezekiel 43:23.
Alternative generated candidates
- When you have completed the days of purification, you shall offer a young bull without blemish and a ram from the flock without blemish.
- When you have completed the purification, you shall offer a perfect young bull and a perfect ram from the flock.
Eze.43.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והקרבתם: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- והשליכו: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,pl
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- מלח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Leviticus 2:13 (verbal): Explicit command to season offerings with salt—'with all your offerings you shall offer salt' directly parallels the priests casting salt on the offerings.
- Leviticus 1:9 (structural): Describes the burning of the whole animal on the altar as a burnt offering, paralleling Ezekiel's instruction to offer them up as a burnt offering to the LORD.
- Leviticus 6:9 (structural): Sets out priestly responsibility for offerings and the altar fire (the perpetual/regulated burning), paralleling the priestly role in presenting and offering sacrifices in Ezekiel 43:24.
- Ezekiel 43:23 (structural): Immediate contextual parallel within Ezekiel: surrounding verses give the same priestly/templar instructions for presenting offerings and handling sacrifices, showing this verse as part of a single ritual prescription.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall present them before the LORD; the priests shall sprinkle salt on them and offer them as a burnt offering to the LORD.
- You shall present them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them and shall offer them up as a burnt offering to the LORD.
Eze.43.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- שעיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חטאת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ליום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ופר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואיל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- הצאן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תמימים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- יעשו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 29:36-37 (verbal): Commands seven days of offerings/atonement for the altar and priests during consecration—explicitly parallels the seven‑day sin‑offering ritual.
- Leviticus 8:33-35 (verbal): During Aaron's consecration Moses orders seven days of remaining at the entrance and daily sin offerings—close verbal and ritual parallel to Ezekiel's seven‑day requirement.
- Leviticus 4:3-12 (thematic): Prescribes sin offerings using bulls, goats, and lambs for different offenders; parallels Ezekiel's specification of a bull and a goat as sin offerings.
- Leviticus 16:6-11 (thematic): Day of Atonement ritual uses a bull for the priest and a goat for the people as sin offerings—thematically related to Ezekiel's bull and goat sin‑offering sequence.
- Ezekiel 45:21-25 (structural): Within Ezekiel's temple code a festival/consecration pattern includes a multi‑day (seven‑day) regimen of offerings and atonement—an internal parallel in form and purpose.
Alternative generated candidates
- For seven days you shall make a sin-goat each day; and a young bull and a ram from the flock, without blemish, shall be offered.
- For seven days you shall make a sin offering each day: a goat; and a perfect young bull and a perfect ram from the flock shall be prepared.
Eze.43.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יכפרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וטהרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ומלאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ידיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,suff:3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 29:33-35 (quotation): Direct parallel wording and command: during the seven-day consecration period the altar is to be atoned for and sanctified (same ritual prescription as Ezek. 43:26).
- Leviticus 8:33-35 (structural): Describes a seven-day period of consecration following priestly ordination, establishing the seven-day pattern for sanctifying priests and sacred things (contextually parallels the seven-day ritually purifying action in Ezekiel).
- Leviticus 16:18-19 (thematic): Priestly action to cleanse and make atonement for the altar as part of cultic purification (shares the theme of priests effecting atonement/cleansing for the altar).
- Ezekiel 43:27 (structural): Immediate literary parallel within Ezekiel: continues the consecration sequence, specifying rites on the eighth day after the seven-day atonement period and linking the seven-day cleansing to subsequent sacrificial practice.
Alternative generated candidates
- For seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it and fill its hands.
- For seven days they shall atone for the altar and cleanse it and complete its consecration.
Eze.43.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- השמיני: ADJ,ord,m,sg,def
- והלאה: ADV
- יעשו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- על: PREP
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- עולותיכם: NOUN,f,pl,abs,2,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- שלמיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2,m,pl
- ורצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 9:1-6 (verbal): Explicitly records the priests offering sacrifices on the eighth day at the inauguration of the tabernacle — the same ‘eighth day’ motif and priestly offering ritual found in Ezek 43:27.
- Exodus 29:33-37 (structural): Gives the seven‑day consecration of Aaron and his sons and the subsequent service of the priests, providing the cultic framework behind ‘on the eighth day…and the priests shall make your burnt offerings’.
- Leviticus 8:33-35 (thematic): Describes the seven days of priestly consecration and the transition to regular priestly ministry thereafter, paralleling Ezekiel’s timetable for when priests may perform offerings.
- Leviticus 9:23-24 (thematic): Narrates God’s visible acceptance of the inaugural sacrifices (fire from the LORD consuming the offerings), paralleling Ezekiel’s assurance ‘I will accept you’ after the priests’ offerings.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the days are completed, on the eighth day and onward the priests shall offer on the altar your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, and I will be pleased with you, says the Lord GOD.
- When the days are finished, on the eighth day and onward the priests shall make your burnt offerings and your peace offerings upon the altar; and I will be pleased with you, says the Lord GOD.
And these are the measurements of the altar: the cubit is a cubit and a handbreadth; the base is a cubit and its breadth a cubit, and the rim all around is one span. This is the height of the altar. And from the ground to the lower ledge two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lower ledge to the upper ledge four cubits, and the breadth one cubit. And the hearth is four cubits; and from the hearth to the ledge above, four cubits; and the horns are four. And the altar hearth is twelve cubits long and twelve cubits broad, square to its four sides. And the platform is fourteen cubits long and fourteen cubits broad to its four sides; and the border that surrounds it is half a cubit, and its rim all around one cubit; and the ascent to it faces east. And he said to me, Son of man, thus says the Lord GOD: These are the statutes of the altar on the day when it is made for offering burnt offerings on it and for sprinkling blood upon it.
You shall give to the priests, the Levites, of the seed of Zadok, who draw near to me to minister to me, a young bull as a sin offering. And you shall take of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the ledge and on the border all around; thus you shall cleanse it and make atonement for it. And you shall take the bull of the sin offering and burn it at the appointed place of the house, outside the sanctuary.
On the second day you shall offer a perfect male goat as a sin offering, and they shall purify the altar as they purified it with the bull.
When you finish the days of purifying it, you shall offer a young bull as a sin offering and a ram from the flock, without blemish.
You shall present them before the LORD, and the priests shall sprinkle salt upon them and offer them up as a burnt offering to the LORD.
For seven days you shall make a sin offering each day—a goat—and also a young bull and a ram from the flock, without blemish, shall be offered.
Seven days they shall atone for and cleanse the altar, and thus consecrate it; and they shall fill its hands.
When the days are completed, on the eighth day and onward the priests shall offer your burnt offerings and your peace offerings on the altar, and I will accept you, declares the Lord GOD.