Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary:
In the first month, in the first day ... thou shalt take a young bullock ... and cleanse the sanctuary. The year is to begin with a consecration service, not mentioned under the Levitical law; but an earnest of it is given in the Feast of Dedication of the second temple, which celebrated its purification by Judas Maccabeus, after its defilement by Antiochus.