King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 43:22 Mean?

Ezekiel 43:22 in the King James Version says “And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 43:22 · KJV

Context

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.

Read Ezekiel 43 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering—After altar consecration begins (v. 18-21), day two requires שְׂעִיר־עִזִּים תָּמִים (śĕʿîr-ʿizzîm tāmîm, 'a male goat without blemish') for חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāʾt, 'sin offering').

And they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock—The purification (חִטְּאוּ, ḥiṭṭĕʾû, 'cleanse/purge') process continues. Seven days of offerings (vv. 25-26) sanctified the millennial temple's altar. This extended consecration exceeds Mosaic law (Exodus 29:36-37—also seven days, but different details), suggesting heightened holiness in Messiah's kingdom. Even in a sinless age, altar purification remains—perhaps memorial or pedagogical, reminding redeemed humanity of sin's costliness and atonement's necessity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Altar consecration was central to tabernacle (Exodus 29) and Solomonic temple (2 Chronicles 7). Ezekiel's vision, given during exile (573 BC), assured exiles that worship would resume. The elaborate seven-day consecration with multiple offerings demonstrated that God's presence among His people required thorough sanctification—a principle fulfilled ultimately in Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-14).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does altar consecration require seven days of offerings?
  2. How do Old Testament altar purifications point to Christ's perfect sacrifice?
  3. Will millennial temple include actual sacrifices, or are these symbolic?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וּבַיּוֹם֙1 of 13

“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

הַשֵּׁנִ֔י2 of 13

“And on the second”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

תַּקְרִ֛יב3 of 13

“thou shalt offer”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

שְׂעִיר4 of 13

“a kid”

H8163

shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun

עִזִּ֥ים5 of 13

“of the goats”

H5795

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

תָּמִ֖ים6 of 13

“without blemish”

H8549

entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth

לְחַטָּ֑את7 of 13

“for a sin offering”

H2403

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

חִטְּא֖וּ8 of 13

“and they shall cleanse”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

אֶת9 of 13
H853

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

הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ10 of 13

“the altar”

H4196

an altar

כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 13
H834

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

חִטְּא֖וּ12 of 13

“and they shall cleanse”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

בַּפָּֽר׃13 of 13

“it with the bullock”

H6499

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

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 43:22 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 43:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 43:20Ezekiel 43:25-261 Peter 1:19Leviticus 8:18-21Isaiah 53:6Isaiah 53:10

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