King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 43:19 Mean?

Ezekiel 43:19 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 43:19 · KJV

Context

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.

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.

Read Ezekiel 43 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God specifies: 'thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me... a young bullock for a sin offering.' This distinguishes Zadokite priests (rewarded for faithfulness) from other Levites. The sin offering (חַטָּאת, chatat) addresses ritual impurity and unintentional sin, requiring blood atonement. Even priests needed cleansing before serving—highlighting universal sinfulness. The young bullock's value (substantial animal) demonstrates that approaching God costs—cheap grace is no grace. The phrase 'which approach unto me' (הַקְּרֵבִים אֵלַי, haqqerebim elay) emphasizes privileged access requiring greater holiness. Reformed theology sees this as depicting progressive revelation: Levitical priests approached through animal sacrifice, Christ our High Priest approached through His own blood (Hebrews 9:12), believers approach through Christ's finished work (Hebrews 10:19-22).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sin offerings addressed unintentional violations and ritual impurity (Leviticus 4-5). Different offerings applied to different persons: bull for high priest or whole congregation (Leviticus 4:3, 14), male goat for ruler (Leviticus 4:23), female goat or lamb for common person (Leviticus 4:28, 32). The Zadokite distinction rewards their faithfulness during Israel's apostasy (Ezekiel 44:15-16). Priestly consecration required sin offerings (Exodus 29:10-14, Leviticus 8:14-17), teaching that ministry requires atonement before service. The bullock's size and cost prevented casual approach—meeting God demands serious preparation. Christ's sacrifice surpassed all Levitical offerings in value (precious blood of Christ, 1 Peter 1:19) and efficacy (eternal redemption, Hebrews 9:12). His once-for-all offering eliminates need for repeated sacrifices.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you approach God casually or with serious awareness of sin's costliness requiring atonement?
  2. How does priestly need for sin offerings humble assumptions about personal righteousness?
  3. What does the valuable sacrifice (young bullock) teach about the preciousness of Christ's blood securing your access to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְנָתַתָּ֣ה1 of 18

“And thou shalt give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶל2 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים3 of 18

“to the priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הַלְוִיִּ֡ם4 of 18

“the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

אֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵם֩6 of 18
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

מִזֶּ֨רַע7 of 18

“that be of the seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

צָד֜וֹק8 of 18

“of Zadok”

H6659

tsadok, the name of eight or nine israelites

הַקְּרֹבִ֣ים9 of 18

“which approach”

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

אֵלַ֗י10 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְאֻ֛ם11 of 18

“unto me saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י12 of 18

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֖ה13 of 18
H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְשָֽׁרְתֵ֑נִי14 of 18

“unto me to minister”

H8334

to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

פַּ֥ר15 of 18

“bullock”

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

בֶּן16 of 18

“a young”

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

בָּקָ֖ר17 of 18
H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

לְחַטָּֽאת׃18 of 18

“for a sin offering”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

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 43:19 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 43:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 44:15Ezekiel 40:46Ezekiel 45:18-19Numbers 16:40Hebrews 7:27Numbers 16:5

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