King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 43:21 Mean?

Ezekiel 43:21 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 43:21 · KJV

Context

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.

Read Ezekiel 43 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The disposal instruction—'Thou shalt also take the bullock of the sin offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary'—maintains sanctity through proper waste handling. The Hebrew מִפְקָד (mipqad, 'appointed place') indicates designated location for burning sin offering remains outside the sanctuary. This disposal teaches that sin's corruption must be removed far from God's presence. The burning represents complete destruction, not merely relocation. Reformed theology sees this fulfilled in Christ who 'suffered without the gate' (Hebrews 13:11-12), bearing sin's shame outside Jerusalem's walls. The sin offering's disposal outside camp/sanctuary prefigured Christ's crucifixion at Golgotha, bearing our sins away from God's holy presence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Levitical law required sin offering disposal: 'the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire' (Leviticus 4:12, 21). This prevented defilement from remaining in holy areas. The sin offering paradoxically became 'most holy' (Leviticus 6:25) yet required disposal outside camp—it bore sin's impurity. Archaeological evidence suggests ancient Israelite sites had designated disposal areas for sacrificial remains. Christ's crucifixion 'without the gate' fulfilled this typology—bearing sin outside the camp (city). Hebrews calls believers to 'go forth... unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach' (Hebrews 13:13), identifying with Christ's shame and separation.

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you willing to go 'without the camp' bearing Christ's reproach, or do you cling to respectability?
  2. How does sin's disposal outside sanctuary challenge attempts to manage sin while remaining in God's presence?
  3. What does proper waste disposal teach about spiritual cleanliness—removing corruption completely, not hiding it?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וְלָ֣קַחְתָּ֔1 of 9

“Thou shalt take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֵ֖ת2 of 9
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַפָּ֣ר3 of 9

“the bullock”

H6499

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

הַֽחַטָּ֑את4 of 9

“also of the sin offering”

H2403

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

וּשְׂרָפוֹ֙5 of 9

“and he shall burn”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

בְּמִפְקַ֣ד6 of 9

“it in the appointed place”

H4662

an appointment, i.e., mandate; concretely, a designated spot; specifically, a census

הַבַּ֔יִת7 of 9

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

מִח֖וּץ8 of 9

“without”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

לַמִּקְדָּֽשׁ׃9 of 9

“the sanctuary”

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

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 43:21 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 43:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 29:14Leviticus 4:12Hebrews 13:11-12Leviticus 8:17

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