Ezekiel 43:19-27 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

The Sanctifying and Cleansing of the Altar and Reinstitution Of Sacrificial Worship (Ezekiel 43:19-27).

This process would take seven days. This was unlike the case of the sanctifying of the tabernacle, accomplished through the anointing oil (Exodus 30:22-29; Exodus 40:10), but like the sanctifying of the temple of Solomon, although there the offerings were whole burnt offerings and peace-offerings (2 Chronicles 7:1-9), and therefore not having the same significance.

However, the consecration of the priesthood did take seven days (Leviticus 8:33) and required sin offerings. The idea here might be that the altar had been defiled by Israel's previous behaviour and treatment of it. Or more likely it may have in mind its special function as the ‘entry' to the heavenly temple, needing therefore to be totally purified, just as the priesthood who provided access to God had had to be totally purified.

Related Commentaries of Ezekiel 43:19

Ezekiel 43:19-27

19 And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering.

20 And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.

21 Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary.

22 And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock.

23 When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish.

24 And thou shalt offer them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering unto the LORD.

25 Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a sin offering: they shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish.

26 Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.

27 And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.