King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 43:18 Mean?

Ezekiel 43:18 in the King James Version says “And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they sha...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.”

Ezekiel 43:18 · KJV

Context

16

And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof.

17

And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.

18

And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.

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.

Read Ezekiel 43 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commands: 'Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.' The altar's ordinances regulate sacrifice, emphasizing that worship follows divine prescription, not human innovation. The Hebrew חֻקּוֹת (chuqqot, 'ordinances') are divine statutes, unchangeable standards. The burnt offering (עֹלָה, olah) signifies complete consecration; blood sprinkling (זָרַק, zaraq) effects atonement. 'In the day when they shall make it' indicates these regulations apply from the altar's first use—proper worship starts correctly, not evolves into correctness. Reformed theology emphasizes the regulative principle: worship according to Scripture alone. The altar points to Christ's cross—the one sufficient sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The altar was worship's centerpiece—where sacrifice occurred, atonement was made, and God met His people. Solomon's bronze altar was massive: 20 cubits square, 10 cubits high (2 Chronicles 4:1). Detailed regulations governed altar construction (Exodus 27:1-8, 38:1-7) and use (Leviticus 1-7). The 'day when they shall make it' indicates consecration ceremonies (Exodus 29:36-37, Leviticus 8:11). Burnt offerings involved complete consumption of the animal, symbolizing total devotion. Blood sprinkling effected ritual cleansing and atonement (Leviticus 17:11). Post-exilic altar construction followed these patterns (Ezra 3:2-6). Christ fulfilled all sacrificial typology—His once-for-all offering (Hebrews 9:26-28) makes animal sacrifices obsolete. Yet the principle remains: approach God through prescribed means (Christ alone), not human alternatives.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you worship according to Scripture's ordinances or cultural preferences and personal feelings?
  2. How seriously do you view Christ's altar (the cross) as the exclusive means of approaching God?
  3. What does beginning correctly ('in the day when they shall make it') teach about establishing right worship patterns from the start?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
אָמַר֙1 of 19

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֗י2 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֶּן3 of 19

“unto me Son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָם֙4 of 19

“of man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

כֹּ֤ה5 of 19
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֙6 of 19

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י7 of 19

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֔ה8 of 19

“GOD”

H3069

god

אֵ֚לֶּה9 of 19
H428

these or those

חֻקּ֣וֹת10 of 19

“These are the ordinances”

H2708

a statute

הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ11 of 19

“of the altar”

H4196

an altar

בְּי֖וֹם12 of 19

“in the day”

H3117

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

הֵעָֽשׂוֹת֑וֹ13 of 19

“when they shall make”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְהַעֲל֤וֹת14 of 19

“it to offer”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עָלָיו֙15 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עוֹלָ֔ה16 of 19

“burnt offerings”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וְלִזְרֹ֥ק17 of 19

“thereon and to sprinkle”

H2236

to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)

עָלָ֖יו18 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

דָּֽם׃19 of 19

“blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 43:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 43:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 40:29Leviticus 1:5-17Hebrews 9:13Leviticus 16:19Hebrews 12:24Ezekiel 2:1

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