King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 44:27 Mean?

Ezekiel 44:27 in the King James Version says “And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, unto the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, unto the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering, saith the Lord GOD.”

Ezekiel 44:27 · KJV

Context

25

And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves: but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves.

26

And after he is cleansed, they shall reckon unto him seven days.

27

And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, unto the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering, saith the Lord GOD.

28

And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession.

29

They shall eat the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every dedicated thing in Israel shall be theirs. dedicated: or, devoted

Read Ezekiel 44 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, unto the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering, saith the Lord GOD—Before resuming service בַּקֹּדֶשׁ (baqqōdesh, 'in the sanctuary'), the cleansed priest must offer חַטָּאתוֹ (ḥaṭṭāʾtô, 'his sin offering').

Even after seven-day purification, sacrifice is required. This underscores that human effort (ritual washing, waiting) cannot fully cleanse—only blood atonement suffices. The priest cannot minister without offering for himself, demonstrating all humans (even priests) need atonement. This principle highlights Christ's superiority: He needed no sin offering for Himself (Hebrews 7:26-27), yet offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 9:12). Ezekiel's vision, whether literal millennial worship or symbolic, points to the necessity of blood atonement—fulfilled perfectly in Jesus.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

On Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the High Priest offered sin offerings for himself before the people (Leviticus 16:6, 11). This demonstrated that mediators themselves needed mediation—all were sinners. Ezekiel's requirement that priests offer sin offerings before service continues this principle. Only Christ, the sinless High Priest, could enter God's presence without self-atonement, qualifying Him as perfect mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why must cleansed priests still offer sin offerings before serving?
  2. How does priests needing self-atonement highlight Christ's superiority (Hebrews 7:26-27)?
  3. What does perpetual sacrifice (even after cleansing) teach about sin's seriousness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וּבְיוֹם֩1 of 14

“And 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

בֹּא֨וֹ2 of 14

“that he goeth”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל3 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בַּקֹּ֔דֶשׁ4 of 14

“in the sanctuary”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

אֶל5 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֶחָצֵ֤ר6 of 14

“court”

H2691

a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)

הַפְּנִימִית֙7 of 14

“unto the inner”

H6442

interior

לְשָׁרֵ֣ת8 of 14

“to minister”

H8334

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

בַּקֹּ֔דֶשׁ9 of 14

“in the sanctuary”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

יַקְרִ֖יב10 of 14

“he shall offer”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

חַטָּאת֑וֹ11 of 14

“his sin offering”

H2403

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

נְאֻ֖ם12 of 14

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י13 of 14

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִֽה׃14 of 14

“GOD”

H3069

god

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 44:27 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 44:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 6:9-11Leviticus 4:3-35Ezekiel 44:17Hebrews 7:26-28Leviticus 8:14-36

Places in This Verse

Holy Place 2Room · Modern: Mount Moriah · 31.78°N, 35.24°E23 verses across 8 books
View all places in Ezekiel 44 →

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 44 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 44 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes